"Still round the corner there may wait A new road or a secret gate And though I oft have passed them by A day will come at last when I Shall take the hidden paths that run West of the Moon, East of the Sun."
-J.R.R. Tolkein
Friday was Guy Fawkes Day, also known as Bonfire Night. It commemorates the failed "Gunpowder Plot" in 1605, which was an attempt to assassinate the British Royal Family. I've never heard of a holiday celebrating a failed assassination, but there you have it. Aberdeen put on a good fireworks show and all the locals turned out.
Yesterday I went for a walk along Aberdeen Beach to the old fishing town of Footdee. There are rows of tiny 19th century stone cottages and narrow lanes full of flower boxes. Those lanes always tempt me to investigate. In Scotland people are allowed to walk anywhere they like as long as no property is harmed. Perhaps I'll start doing just that (though the Texan in me will be watching for the farmer with the shotgun). The beach is a popular destination for humans and dogs alike. Every time I'm there I miss Champ, our yellow Labrador. I've never seen dogs so happy as those running through the surf here in Aberdeen.
Here are some of the photos from my walk. It's getting cold here and the Christmas trappings are already being sold in the stores. Since there's no Thanksgiving in the UK, I suppose it's Christmas season already.
Caitlin is coming to visit on Friday and staying for 2 weeks. Hopefully we'll have some great photos to share from all our explorations.
Song of the Day: Braw Sailin' by Aberdeen natives the Old Blind Dogs (I'm trying a new format: just click the play button to listen. If it doesn't work you can click the title to listen in youtube.)
