The British Isles, 2024

At Christmastime 2023, Jeannette and I decided to take a trip to England In the springtime. 2023 hadn't been a bad year, but It hadn't been exciting and we needed something to cheer us up!   When we mentioned It to son J.D., he said he'd like to join us If we were going to Scotland, so of course we said yes, and I set about planning the trip.  Cheap airfare to Dublin. Air bnbs.  Reservations to visit a few sites like Newgrange and the Book of Kells In Ireland. JD made the car reservations and a dinner reservation at the Single Malt Society near Edinburgh, and Edinburgh Castle In Scotland. .  We flew out on May 3. The weather everywhere was gorgeous, and Jeannette didn't even get to use her new trenchcoat until, returning on May 19, we waited for the bus from Logan to Portland!  

Our reservations to see the Book of Kells were cancelled because Trinity College was coping with student protesters camping out.  My plans for driving around England had been overly ambitious, and my ability to walk around was limited by a stretched tendon In my leg.  But, dammit, we made It. Jeannette had a great time getting to know her brother better - he's lived on the left coast since college years ago.  The airbnbs were without exception quite good.  The crowds weren't too bad until we got to London, and using my old-lady clout for assistance In airports and castles was Invaluable.  All In all, a good end to many years of travelling. 

The links are to Google Photos albums and will open In their own separate pages. Many of the best pics were taken by Jeannette.