I’m home, exhausted but overflowing with so many wonderful memories of our trip!  The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was impressive and so very Scottish, but also international in scope.  I loved it, and so did Wayne.  As I mentioned earlier, Wayne purchased a kilt, a testament to how much he enjoyed Scotland, as my husband is generally frugal when it comes to clothes! 

It was a week ago Monday when our traveling companion, Nicky Epstein, missed a curb and fell, breaking one ankle and injuring a tendon in the other.  She is still in hospital in Scotland but hopes to be released soon.  Nicky, we’re praying for you every day!

One of our first stops in Iceland was the Blue Lagoon.  I took the advice of our tour group and packed a swimming suit so I could take a swim in the Blue Lagoon.  It was heavenly! 

We left Washington with summer’s warmth still in our bones and needing only light sweaters, but in Iceland we encountered sleet!  The first order of business was purchasing a winter coat.  We learned so much about the geology, history, and farming practices.  One tidbit I found fascinating is that homes in Iceland don’t have hot water heaters; instead their hot water is piped in from the plentiful geysers!

Being a knitter I saw the local sheep as wool-bearing animals, but in Iceland mutton and lamb takes up a lot of room on the menu.  That didn’t stop me from buying some lovely Icelandic yarns, including lace yarn dyed by hand using rhubarb leaves.  It’s the most gorgeous color green.  Of course, having visited Iceland, I’m also planning out a traditional Icelandic sweater.  And yes, I did purchase a bit too much yarn and had to buy another suitcase to bring it all home!