Bennachie

Julia and I decided that we needed to get out and stretch our legs and start preparing for the hiking that we would be doing in Iceland, so we went out to conquer Bennachie.  In total it is about 6.5 miles round trip.  When we arrived the weather was a bit cool but beautiful and sunny.  But we have quickly learned that here in Bonny Scotland the weather can turn on you in an instant and that you should always be prepared.  This was just the case on our hike.  We reached the first of three peaks and could see the dark rain saturated clouds approaching, and quickly.  So we grabbed our water proofs out of our packs and suited up.  Kady even got to wear her rain coat that day.

Kady enjoying the view

Kady and I at Bennechie

The weather turning on our beautiful day

Kady looking good in her rain coat

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Northern Ireland and Giant's Causeway

Julia and I had been talking earlier this year of all the places that we each have on our travel bucket list. Well we quickly discovered that we both want to see many of the same places.  One place in particular that two geologists would want to see is the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.  Julia did a bit of research and we realized that we could get to Belfast via a non-stop 1 hour and 15 min flight for dirt cheap.  So we booked it!  We took off on a Friday mid morning flight and arrived in Belfast.  Both having worked hard at our jobs the few weeks prior (Julia had been in Bangkok and Angola) we arrived at our hotel the Europa and crashed!

After our much needed naps we headed out to explore Belfast.  When we first left the hotel it was overcast, which is typical of the British Isles, but after dinner we returned to exploring Belfast in very beautiful evening light.

Saturday we headed to the northern coast in search of the Giant's Causeway and the beauty that is Northern Ireland.  The Giant's Causeway is a rock formation of columnar basalt. For more info: Giant's_Causeway and Columnar basalt.  We also went to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.

Sunday was spent exploring the newly opened Titanic Museum as it was the 100th Anniversary of the sinking.  The museum was quick spectacular and being the Titanic enthusiast that I am I thoroughly enjoyed every minute and exhibit.  It was also very surreal to walk over the ground where the Titanic and her sister ships were built.

Belfast is much more beautiful than either of us expected

Great evening stroll

Me on top of the Giant's Causeway

Playing with my fish eye lens

Columnar basalt

Stairs to the top?

Beautiful Northern Ireland

Crossing the rope bridge.. it was a bit wobbly

The newly completed Titanic Museum in Belfast

Titanic sign

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London

My second training course this year was a classroom course based in London.  Since I was going to be there for a week anyway why not go down the weekend before and see more sights.  Andrea and Julia decided that they wanted to see London as well so the three of us booked flights and accommodation and set out for a great weekend.

Julia and I got down to London Friday afternoon, grabbed some sushi and then headed out to meet up with a few of my geology friends that I had met just a few weeks prior in Turkey.  We ended up going out to an Irish bar, one that I realized I had been to on St. Patrick's Day in 2007, where there was a great band doing covers.. we danced the night away.  Saturday was spent exploring the Natural Science Museum (which is free), walking through Hyde Park and meeting up with my geology friends again for dinner and more clubbing.  On Sunday we played mini golf on the roof of one of the major department stores in London and then headed over to the Canada Day celebration before Julia and Andrea had to head back to the airport.  I finished off my weekend going to the Garbage concert, one of my favorite bands that I had found out was going to be playing in London the same weekend I had planned on being there.  It was meant to be and the concert was one of the best performances I've seen in a long time.

Monday morning came too quickly and it was back to the reason I was in London, my training course, which ended up being one of the better classes I've attended (that isn't field based that is).


Here are a few photos of the trip.

The Natural Science Museum

Andrea and Julia enjoying ice cream in Hyde Park

Andrea and I on the mini golf rooftop course

The Garbage concert

For complete album: London