Of Islands and Royals

We went back to Cramond. I believe I predicted that we would, although I didn't predict it would be on a day as equally windy and sunny as our first trip.  Background - we went to this amazing historic village on the outskirts of Edinburgh at the end of October, but didn't time it right so that we could walk across the tidal causeway to the Island.  We had a great time the first time, obviously, but what's an island if you can't walk out to it, amiright??

 
 

So, part II of why we decided to return to Cramond is because Alyssa's little sister, Adrianna, and her friend, Annalyssa are visiting from California and they requested a beach trip.  They were pretty pleased to be able to not only walk along the water, but actually walk across the water!  It took us about a half hour to walk the tidal causeway and I was quite glad that we'd seen it covered in water because it provided quite the contrast once the water was all gone!  The island had beautiful views of the Forth Railway Bridge and a few other small, nearby islands that had WWII bunkers on them.  The coolest thing about the island at this time of year was that everything was starting to bloom.  There was a vibrant, naturally occurring yellow on the rocks and the flowers were coming out here, there and everywhere!  We climbed to the top of two different hills to get views and then I lead everyone into the woods (INTO THE WOODS) to find...not Meryl Streep with blue hair. I wish...all of these amazing moss and vine covered crumbling buildings. You could see the outlines of windows and doors here and there and though I originally thought it was more stores or barracks from the WWII era, a quick google search says that the roots of the buildings in the forested area of Cramond are most likely pre-historic farmsteads!

Today we journeyed north!  It was my first time actually crossing the Firth of Forth and I was very excited to explore the Fife region, which is home to towns like Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes and St. Andrews.  And St. Andrews was our destination for the day!  We wanted to see the university where Prince William and the Duchess met as well as some of the beautiful landscapes of the area. People, let me tell you, we sure did get an eye-full!  We arrived in town around 11:30 and decided to do the exterior things first while the weather held (which turned out to be a great idea since it hailed while we were at lunch and snowed - the audacity! - on our bus ride home).  This lead us to the St. Andrews Castle and the St. Andrews Cathedral, both of which are only partially existent at this point. However, although the old buildings were beautiful, it was their position, precariously sitting on the edge of the Firth, that really swept us away!  For any of you who enjoy golf, we also visited their famous golf course, St. Andrews Links which also lies on the coast - though who among you enjoys golf I don't know, nor do I care to be informed. We all know golf is boring - although that course looked like it could hold my interest in an emergency. :)