Embedded Files
Follow below to stay up to date with our European adventures!
Check out all of our photos!
Wednesday, June 22nd- Travel day
Wednesday was quite the day! We started the day by being at Cedar Rapids around 10 a.m. We had no idea what the day had in store for us. Our first flight went awesome! Excellent take-off and an excellent landing! The perfect flight for our first time flyers! Second flight took off 2 hours late due to a mechanical issue. A few of us caught a quick cat nap while waiting for our flight. We then spent some time looking at landing strip pavement in both Chicago and Toronto. Our flight that was supposed to land around 5 pm did not land until 9 pm. We missed our overseas flight, with about 20 other people on our Chicago connecting flight, by about an hour after we hung out on the landing strip waiting for staff to unload the plane. At this point in time we were nearing 11 pm, had no hotel, the airline was out of hotel vouchers, and we couldn't find our checked bags anywhere! We are so thankful to Elisabet from Agrotours for getting us a hotel and lining us up another flight! We made it to the hotel around 2 am (Toronto time) and had to sleep quickly!
Thursday, June 23rd- Unintended Travel Day 2
Today we spent the day in the Toronto airport (unplanned). After a few desperate attempts to "hitchhike" to McDonalds we completed the 10 minute walk and had some breakfast. Elisabet then gave us the best news! We had a flight! Our flights boards at 20:55 and we will land in Edinburg in the morning and join the rest of the group! We enjoyed our airplane dinner and breakfast on the flight over although we did have to wear masks on all of the Air Canada flights- which was a big adjustment while we were trying to sleep.
Friday, June 24th
We arrived in Edinburgh around 9:30 in the morning. Agrotours set us up with a taxi to allow us to meet up with the rest of the group in Edinburgh. We had our first experience of European driving- we all were mesmerized at how quickly Istvan (our driver) maneuvered through the streets of "old" Edinburgh. We learned that the even the "new" part of Edinburgh is older than the Unites States! We met the group up near the Scotland Museum and partook in a bus tour for the rest of the scheduled time. After the tour Lane, Haley & Alia went with Jeannie and the other Dairy Evaluators to the Royal Highland Show grounds to learn the gist of how the next morning was going to go. Jenny and Miss Lau toured Edinburgh with the other additional chaperones until our coach (what people in Europe call a charter bus) came to pick us up and take us to the hotel.
Saturday, June 25th
The day started early with a 6:30 am breakfast and loading the coach by 7:15 am. We arrived at the fairgrounds, received our wristbands, and headed towards the international desk. We all received a badge that indicated we were international visitors and this got us into the "members club" while on the grounds. We then headed into the heart of the fairgrounds and got the kids all checked in to go and start judging. Judging went very fast, 5 minutes per class, 4 classes, and 2 sets of oral reasons at the conclusion of the evaluating time period. The rest of the day was spent touring the fairgrounds and trying some traditional Scottish foods. A unique item that we tried was called Black Pudding. Look it up- you'll be shocked on its ingredients, we certainly were! We spent the afternoon watching the various livestock classes compete
Sunday, June 26th
Today we were up and on the move! We started our morning heading over to the Kelpies and took advantage of the major photo opportunities that were presented to us! From the Kelpies we went over to the Falkirk Wheel. This wheel was constructed to lower boats from the canal up above to the lower canal. We got to watch the wheel in action and move a few charter boats from level to level. St. Andrews is known as the "birthplace of golf" and is soon to host the British Open here in mid-July. We spent some time on the course, went to the beach- although it wasn't necessarily beach weather- and then ventured up into the town of St. Andrews. On our way out of town we took a quick roadside stop at the ruins of the St. Andrews Catherdral and learned a bit about the culture surrounding the churches and royals. (PHOTOS COMING SOON- PENDING INTERNET)
Monday, June 27th
This morning we hopped on the coach bright in early to begin our day of farm tours. We started the morning Netherton & HW Angus. This is a beef operation that farms strictly angus cattle. They gave us a view of their farm from start to finish. In the afternoon we went to Brieryside Ayshires and Eastford Holstein which is two farms that are owned by a father (Ayshires) and a son (Holsteins). The son gave us a full view of their operation from start to finish and we just happened to arrive there shortly after a calf was born. One of his major feedstuffs that he feeds is Barley and is one of the few farmers to grow maize in the middle section of Scotland. (PHOTOS COMING SOON- PENDING INTERNET)
Tuesday, June 28th
Today we made our way up the coastline to hop on a ferry to cross the sea into Northern Ireland and are waving goodbye to Scotland. Before we left we made a few stops. 1. Culzean Castle 2. Trump Turnberry Golf Course. Many adventures we had during these two stops. Including Miss Lau absolutely biffing it on a playground that we accidentally ended up on (trust me- we were just as confused as you may be about how we "accidentally" ended up on this playground). We also went on a jungle adventure to find a pond. After our outdoor excursions Haley, Jenny, Lane, and Lau had a tour of the castle and got to see the suite where President Eisenhower worked during the World War when he was one of the commanders. Jeannie and Alia were able to get into the castle on one of the earlier groups to go through. We took the ferry across the sea to Northern Ireland. While on the ferry we had some fun with the wind!
We have all learned a few things about Scotland while here. 1. A majority of their food is served cold. 2. A majority of their sodas and water are served warm. 3. It is ALWAYS raining. While we are sad our time in Scotland has came to a close we are hopeful that Ireland will provide us with some sunshine along with our memories! (PHOTOS COMING SOON- PENDING INTERNET)
Wednesday, June 29th
Today we toured another dairy farm. This farm had a lot of American and Canadian genetics. They also had an adorable dog who wanted everyone's attention! After the farm tour we made our way into Dublin. We visited the Trinity College while in Dublin and took in the city on a short walk. We learned a lot about the canal system from our Irish tour guide- Sean.
The bus then took us to the Christ Church Cathedral. This was an awesome example of the old styles of architecture. This cathedral had actually collapsed and been rebuilt some 100 years ago. The kids' highlight of this stop was the mummified cat and rat that was housed in the basement of the cathedral.
Thursday, June 30th
Today Lane and Jeannie left bright and early to catch their flight back across the ocean. We spent the morning at a local dairy farm. For lunch we went to an auction house. The auction house was a bit different from the auction houses we see in America. This auction house was complete with many restaurants, shops, and health care options for those who come to visit. We were shocked at how they transported their cattle with many of them having small trailers pulled by small SUV's or even cars! We maybe saw a total of 5 pickup trucks while in Ireland and Scotland. We then headed out for an afternoon farm tour. We spent the night at Killarney and LOVED it! Killarney was by far our favorite town in Ireland. Killarney also has huge celebrations for the 4th of July.
Friday, July 1
We woke up early this morning and went on another farm tour! We have learned so much about the difference in Irish and Scottish farming compared to how farming occurs in the United States. Every farm we have gone to has grass fed their cows and then pushed them up to the parlor morning and night. While at the farm we met the farmers adorable grandson who politely informed us all to subscribe to his youtube channel (Harry Holland Rome). Harry also showed us his drone flying skills.
We spent a lot of time on the bus today. While on the bus our driver surprised us with his selection of traditional Irish music. It was quite peaceful but nothing like the kind of music we have in the states.
Saturday, July 2nd
Saturday we loaded the coach around 9 am and headed to a brief farm tour. This farm has a brand new carousel parlor and had recently switched from raising beef cattle (suckers as they call them) to a dairy farm. They claimed that dairying was more profitable in Ireland than raising beef cattle as the beef market was not the best, and had not been for several years.
Sunday, July 3rd
Today we went to a county fair. Haley and Alia got to judge 3 classes of dairy cattle and then tested their knowledge at 1 class of Herefords. The awards were given per class. They got 1st place in one of the classes with their mixed team made of up students from different states (2 Iowa, 1 Washington, and 1 Indiana). They also received 2nd place in another class.
Monday, July 4th- We come home!
We boarded the coach around 8:30 am. Our flight takes off from Shannon at 12:30 pm and we should be home around 11 pm tonight!
Page updated
Report abuse