This past week, we’ve tested the limits of our tiny house: the in-laws are visiting. Oh, we’ve had them stay with us before. We’ve had lots more people stay at one time, actually, but never in a house this small. Kerry and Lana are in Lizzy’s room, one of them on mattresses on the floor. Lizzy is in Molly’s bed and Molly is on a mattress on the floor in her own room. We can barely open and close the door with it there, but it fits.

Last Saturday we took a train in to Heathrow to “pick them up” and escort them back to Basingstoke. Lizzy and Molly were thrilled to see them come up the ramp from the Arrivals area. Molly spent the entire train ride back with her head resting on Pappaw’s belly.

On Sunday we took them to church with us and showed them a little bit of town, but mostly let them rest up from the trip. On Monday, while I worked, Kyla and the girls took Kerry and Lana into London for some sightseeing. I have to say that I’m really proud that our girls, while certainly don’t know their way around London, are familiar enough to know how to use the tube and buses, and can help get around the city. At 11 years old, I knew my way around Boonville.

Wednesday was the trip I’d been waiting for: Edinburgh, Scotland. We took the train up, took 4 hours from London, but was a relatively easy journey. Edinburgh is gorgeous. The city is built around Castle Rock, the remains of a volcano upon which sits Edinburgh Castle. I don’t think it’s officially a mountain, but to call it a hill is definitely a disservice. From the castle at the top, you can see for miles around, land and sea.

We arrived late afternoon on Wednesday and just wandered a little before getting supper and going back to the AirBNB.

Thursday morning we got up to explore the castle. We meandered there, cutting through Princes Street Garden and letting the girls play a little.

We then went to St. Giles Cathedral, the birthplace of Protestantism in Scotland. Not as grand as Westminster or Winchester, but still beautiful. (For my URC and Presbyterian friends, notice the statue of John Knox, who literally stole the church from the Catholics and preached there.)

Then we walked up the hill to the Castle. As I said, absolutely gorgeous views for miles around. You can see immediately why it was so important to the Scots and English through the centuries. One of the pictures I’ve included below is a panorama. If you can, look at it on a computer screen to get the full effect.

We flew home, which was cheaper and quicker then the train, although a bit of a pain due to security. Friday was for recuperation and today was doing a bit of shopping at top of town in Basingstoke. We’ve had a good visit with family, but there’s also 10 more days to go. 🙂