Pies

No, I am not talkin' apple or cherry pies, but savoury ones: steak pie, mince pie, pork pie, Scotch pie, and curry chicken pie--and many more besides. I love going to the supermarket and just gazing on the infinite variety of them available. I have had the curry chicken pie and it is really, really delicious. (Hmmm, in fact, I would like one now.) And incredibly cheap. And, I am sure, incredibly unhealthy!


The other "flavour" I have had is steak pie. This I have only purchased at the local chip shop. Of course, you are obliged to order it with chips. And gravy. Oh, and salt and vinegar. I think this meal may literally be a "heart attack on a platter". But so satisfying on a cold, damp Scottish day! And the chip shop owners are so happy to help assuage your guilt--on the walls are posters proclaiming chips are "delicious and nutritious!" Seriously. Followed by little facts about how a serving of chips has more fiber than an average serving of brown rice. Just makes me smile. And shake my head in amazement.

Lifestyles of the Rich...and Dead

A big part of my course this term involves study trips to castles and historic homes. I loved to do this for fun before I was in school and now what a treat to "have" to do it. We started in the 16th century at Stirling Castle and next week will have made it to the early 19th-century at Abbotsford (Sir Walter Scott's home).

The first image is a group photo in front of Drumlanrig Castle. Home (still) to the Duke of Buccleuch (pronounced buh-CLUE. kind of.)


This is an image from Stirling Castle.




Getting the queen's view of the Great Hall at Stirling.





Can't take pictures inside, so make the most of shots on the front porch of Drumlanrig.



The last photos I have are from Dumfries House. This has been my favorite so far and not just because our tour started out with shortbread and coffee in front of the fire in the home's library.



That reminds me: I have to say I really love this British penchant for regular takings of tea and coffee. After an hour's ride on the University of Glasgow minibus to Stirling, the first thing we do is go to castle cafe (installed by Robert the Bruce--okay, just kidding) and have a coffee. When we have study sessions at a museum collection, we will often stop for half hour and head to the cafe for some coffee. And on Thursday, arriving at Dumfries, we are immediately ushered into the lovely library for tea or coffee and shortbread biscuits. And it is always with real cups and saucers and little proper tea spoons! No paper cups here. Really so civilized.

Long time no see

First off, my apologies for being unavailable. Things have really gotten busy here and the past week I have had a cold. :-( Although I have been busy, I have been taking photos. Stay tuned for many exciting pictures of food and historic buildings! As well as photos of my classmates (et moi) enjoying historic buildings!

The pic above is me in windy Edinburgh last Friday---I am apparently being attacked by some large handbags, but have no fear--no harm was done. I rustled 'em to the ground. I was in Edinburgh for an academic (yawn!) conference. Well, it was kind of interesting, especially because there were lots of tea breaks with tasty biscuits. The British like their tea breaks. I like their tea breaks too.