Christmas Vacation part 1

Happy Christmas everyone! I know it's long past but I didn't have a chance to write about my X-mas festivities so I'm just going to do it now. There are 12 days of Christmas after all so I don't want to hear any bitchin'.

I guess I should start off by explaining why it's "Happy Christmas" and not "Merry Christmas." Quite honestly I have no idea but that just seems to be the way it goes on this side of the water. Not a big deal just one of the little differences one can't help but notice.

Christmas began like it does every year, arriving a few days early (on the 22nd) with Tori's family arriving into town. Her father, brother, aunt and grandpa-pa arrived together and were quickly whisked to a downtown pub to receive a proper introduction to Glasgow.

The following day all of us piled into the back of a van and took off for the Highlands. I always find it a bit odd that while on vacation I seem to wake up earlier than I ever do whilst not on vacation. But that's how it goes and we headed up to Loch Ness to find a particular mythical creature.

I didn't even know they had waterfalls in Scotland.

Rest stop #1 I believe.

Blurry cemetery

"In memory of the officers and men of the commandos who died in the second world war 1939-1945. This country was their training ground."

Urqurhart Castle next to Loch Ness

A Trebuchet or catapult

Still no sign of Nessie

Nope, not down there

Where are you darling?

Toward the water dear, I don't think she's behind me.

Amazing castle

There she is, behind the van. Of course!

 The ride up and seeing all the beauty Scotland has to offer was one of the most entertaining aspects of the whole trip. As we began getting ready for our trip to London, Tori and I kept mentioning to one another how much more of Scotland we still have to see.

But before London we took Tori's family to Edinburgh for a day trip before our Christmas (Eve) dinner. Here we enjoyed the Royal Mile and another castle - Scotland's full of 'em.

A view from the castle

Pet cemetery

First holy place I've seen in years

Whiskey

...whiskey...

...whiskey everywhere

Old whiskey

Blurry whiskey

Eagle whiskey

 Then we arrived back in Glasgow for our dinner.

Delicious salmon

I don't remember...

...but very very delightful. 

Christmas day was spent with all of us crammed into our apartment. After sampling a few different beers it was decided that we needed to watch Christmas Vacation. Apparently this is a tradition of Tori's family but I was happy to watch as well. It had been years since the last time I watched it all the way through. For dinner we had a beef stew which tasted great. We all attempted to go for a walk at one point during the day but were quickly shot down as the wind and rain would just not let up.

On 26th or Boxing Day Tori's dad, aunt and grandfather headed off to London by bus while Tori, her mom and brother, and I were left to entertain ourselves until our train ride the following day. As luck would have it we spent the day in a movie theatre watching The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. If you haven't seen it, stop reading this nonsense and head to the nearest theatre showing the film, it's chillingly brilliant. After the movie we headed out for Indian food. After dinner was spent in a pub with great conversation.

This is all for now. I will hopefully have my London bits up soon. Check out Tori's blog, I know she's done better about updating.