Week ending September 9, 2012

It has been a good week and I have got many assignments done that take place after moves week.  I am finished with all of them that I know of unless President Brown decides he does want to send out letters to Home Ward and Stake Bishops and Presidents about new leadership positions.

I am still in the middle to two new leases and chasing deposits on a number of others though.

We were out late every night but Saturday.  Monday we went bunkbed shopping at IKEA with the Assistance and didn’t get home until around nine.  That meant I didn’t need to cook as we had dinner at IKEA.  Tuesday was mutual in Falkirk and a 9:45 night.  Wednesday we did YSA treats after their Institute class and so that was a 10:00 P.M. night. Thursday we went to the hospital to see Brother Irvine (a Falkirk member) who had collapsed on the field playing maybe their version of football and has bleeding on the brain.  He is recovering though and may get to go home on Monday.

Friday we had dinner at the sisters’ flat and played fruit basket and canasta.

Saturday the McKenzies, Sisters Price and Vance and us and Flat Stanley went to Gilmerton Cove, Craigmillar Castle, IKEA, Costcos, and Sainsbury Grocery Store , and Steadings for lunch.  All are right here around Edinburgh and so we arrived home around five. Bill will insert pictures of our adventures on our blog.

We had been to Gilmerton Cove once before.  The cove, or cave is of unknown origin.  Local stories say it was a place for the Covenanters--a group in favor of "maintaining the Presbyterian doctrine and policy as the sole from of religion in Scotland." Because they were in opposition to the government they were forced underground.  Others attribue the location to as witches coven.   And then there are stories of Masons holding meetings and ceremonies in this location.  It really is a mystery.  This is a picture of me and Sister Price in our hardhats, and Flat Stanley in his protective rain gear.

"Craigmillar is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Scotland. The central tower house, or keep, is surrounded by a 15th-century courtyard wall with "particularly fine" defensive features. Within this are additional ranges, and the whole is enclosed by an outer courtyard wall containing a chapel and a doocot.

Craigmillar Castle is best known for its association with Mary, Queen of Scots. Following an illness after the birth of her son, the future James I of England, Mary arrived at Craigmillar on 20 November 1566 to convalesce. Before she left on 7 December 1566, a pact known as the "Craigmillar Bond" was made, with or without her knowledge, to dispose of her husband Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley."

 

We can't forget our Flat Stanley picture at the Castle.  This time it was taken from the top of the wall looking out towards Edinburgh.  In the distance you can see Edinburgh Castle, and Arthur's seat.

It was an interesting visit.  The Castle was one of several in the area.  I wondered how there could be so many close together since it took a lot of land to produce the food to keep a castle going.  This one also had a dungeon in the basement where they found a skelton when the excavated in 1800's.

One of the unique things we found inside the Castle was a nesting pair of young birds.  I found them purely by accident.  I was using my flashlight to look into an open area in the wall, and there they were.

 

We got to speak to many of you yesterday and hope to catch up with more today.  Bill is speaking today on the importance of attending Stake Conference and listening to General Conference.  We hope you all are doing that.  If not Bill can encourage you also.  We have Stake Conference next weekend.

I hope you are all well, happy, and busy.  School is now in session for all.  It doesn’t seem like it should be but when I look out our living room window the signs are there that fall is here.