I haven’t had a minute to myself to write but we are currently sitting in a traffic jam on the M6 and I think we are going to be awhile. 

We left Manchester this morning. What a shithole. For real, I have never been in a city with more trash, homelessness and an awful smell everywhere. None of us felt safe. We walked around trying to find something redeeming about it with no luck. Except Gigi, she found happiness in a shop called Forgotten Planet filled with all things anime and manga. She was in her glory. Nick on the other hand had no kind words for The North. 

We spent 4 days in Scotland; two nights in Edinburgh and one night Drymen, a small village on Loch Lomond.  What a spectacular place, so green, just rolling hill after rolling hill of sheep. Super friendly people, the streets are clean and I wasn’t worried about getting robbed. 

But, Edinburgh was too much. It’s a destination in itself. Too much to see and we missed a lot of it. We did take in The Elephant House where the first Harry Potter was written and the graveyard where a lot of characters names come from. 

Edinburgh Castle is stunning but the crowds made me a bit crazy. We walked the Royal Mile to Hollywood House and I did tour which included  Mary Queen of Scots apartment. And we walked. And walked some more. Finally the kids said enough and we took them back to our flat. They hung out and napped and Nick and I went to the pub. That’s when Edinburgh won. So many pubs! Get tired of one? Go next door. Too many pints, whiskey (yuck) and Scottish hospitality landed me in bed the next morning with a massive headache. 

The front door of this castle has a regular old doorbell. Cute. 
The trip has been amazing so far, we have travelled a ton already and we still have a lot to see. The kids are having fun with only a few punch ups. Our rental car is great, it’s called a Kadjar, it’s kinda like a Hyundai Sante Fe and has all the bells and whistles. I drove to Scotland and am comfortable driving in the country but not so much in the city. Too busy and the streets are way too narrow. At first there was a strict no talking or playing music while I drove. Plus I keep reaching for the gear shift with my right hand and then remembering it’s on my left. See my concentration?!

I still need to tell you guys about York and the surrounding areas. I loved York. Walkable and beautiful and it has a great hostel. But right now my fingers hurt from typing on my phone. Chat later!