Birds of Prey

Spectacle Owl

Chilean blue eagle

Harris Hawk

Siena Palio Preparations

The clay race track was set up in the piazza and they were watering it to keep it hardened.

The Duomo.

Communal feasts in the Fish contrada.

The Italians went crazy when they beat Germany in the Euro 2012 football game.
I was in Siena for work. How did I get this lucky?!

Cricket

 

Australia vs Essex tourist game. We went to the short version- only six hours. I got a nice lesson about cricket rules and now it's my new favorite sport. I saw Brett Lee before he retired which is apparently a big deal.

Ascot

The Queen and Prince Philip arrive in style.

Black Caviar pulls into the lead- I won 75 pence on that horse!

We got so close to the Queen as she was getting into her car!

Singing around the bandstand.

Punting in the Rain

It's been a cold, rainy summer. 

Palace of Holyroodhouse

 

The Queen stays here when she's in Edinburgh. Mary Queen of Scots lived here.

Edinburgh Castle

 

They fired the canon for the Queen's birthday.

Dolly

This is Dolly, the first cloned sheep. The display spins around. It was a bit weird. A taxodermist's dream! 

Lomond

 

View of Loch Lomond from the top of Ben Lomond. We bagged that Munro! 

Inverary Castle

Home of the 13th Duke of Argyll, the incredibly pompous head of the Clan Campbell. He had a whole room for pictures of him with celebrities and newspaper clippings saying he was the most eligible bachelor. Gag.

Glencoe

 

 

Hidden Loch

This little loch was just behind our B&B. There were wild purple rhodedendrons everywhere. 

Ultimate Skye photo-op

I tried everything to make that cow look up.

Black Cuillin Hills

 

 

 

Isle of Skye

 

The Quiraing

Kilt Rock

 

Highland Games

Cutest little Scottish dude ever. Helping his Grandpa judge the pipers and carrying around a mini bagpipe.

 

Drum Major competition.

Did you know the tug-of-war used to be an Olympic event?

Caber toss. Here's a tree trunk, let's throw it!

 

Glamis Castle

 

Our first hairy cow spotting! 

Top tip for driving in Britain

They had these signs at the exits to most tourists stops. This is outside the car rental lot. 

Playing with the girls

 

Home from the hospital

Taylor and proud parents.

The Next Generation