Springtime in Aberdeen

Ah, Spring has sprung in Aberdeen. Yesterday the sun shone on the grey granite edifices, the grey sidewalks, and the grey cobblestones. The temperature was a balmy high 50's F., with damp, stiff winds off the sea. I wore several layers and a pure wool hat made by the Purhepecha Indians of Mexico for comfort. Mature adults glanced curiously at me as they shed their jackets baring their arms to the clement, mild weather. Young women's fancy turned to those thoughts that perenially bother one in Springtime especially, and they flitted around in stiletto sandals and flimsy, strapless and strappy sundresses. Shirtsleeves and even sandals and a few pairs of shorts sported around the city center. This was the residents' chance. What must be a very short summer season is fast approaching. I cannot imagine how frigid winter must be. Today I awoke to a grey sky as backdrop to this steely-grey city...a monochromatic cityscape punctuated by sharp spires and interesting historic buildings.
Yesterday Glen and I shared shared a gargantuan order of fish and chips, and last night we saw the black comedy 'In Bruges' at an Art Cinema House. We visited the Maritime Museum, which was particularly interesting for its displays and information on the North Sea oil drilling which is both the bones and the flesh of Aberdeen's economy.
When we board the Aleksey Maryshev tomorrow, I will not have internet access except for emergency purposes, as you know.

The Cotswold Way - Cleve Hill

We are footsore and weary walkers. Day Two went well; we found we could still walk and move. Twelve miles up and down steep slopes are not like a stroll on the flat; it cannot be that I am slower than I was. The one hundred mile Cotswold walk from Mile 0 at Chipping Camden to Mile 100 is beautiful and full of history--as well as bakery shops, from time to time, in a town. We will cover 58 miles, traveling from North to South. Every day is a sensory and mind feast. A multitude of shades of green and extravagantly colored flowers delight the eye. Today we are deviating from the 'schedule' for a visit to Sudeley Castle.

Spying a Hobbit

I hope I see a hobbit when we start our five day walk tomorrow through the Cotswold area. A diagnostic field mark is the feet. I will be on the lookout.

Walking the Cotswold Way Trail - Great Britain

This area is flowered, green and beautiful--and full of history, as well. We are drinking it all in with our eyes and loving it.

The Cotswold Way Trail
Our walk: 7 nights/5 walking days

Day 1: Sun 18th, Arrive Chipping Campden from Palermo, Sicily

Day 2: Mon 19th, Visit Chipping Campden

Day 3: Tues 20th, Chipping Campden to Wood Stanway - 12.5 miles

Day 4: Weds 21st, Wood Stanway to Cleeve Hill - 11 miles

Day 5: Thur 22nd, Cleeve Hill to Leckhampton Hill - 11.5 miles

Day 6: Fri 23rd, Leckhampton Hill to Painswick - 12.9 miles

Day 7: Sat 24th, Painswick to Leonard Stanley - 10.2 miles

Day 8: Sun 25th, Depart Leonard Stanley after breakfast for Aberdeen, Scotland.