Sailing in Scotland

We drove to Scotland over the bank holiday weekend to pick up our newly acquired 14 foot dinghy sailboat. On the way we stopped in Durham then stayed overnight just outside of Edinburgh with the couple we bought the boat from. We then camped at St. Mary's Loch in the middle of nowhere in Scotland. We camped at Tibbie Shiels campground, located loch-side and also conveniently next to a pub and sailing club. Aside from that, there was nothing else for miles around. I camped only a few nights until I had to go back to work, but Richard stayed on in Scotland for more fun and sailing.

Durham cathedral

Entering Scotland

Trailing the boat to St Mary's Loch

Campsite at Tibbie Shiels

Our first sail - we just managed to put it all together,
with some help from the friendly sailers at the club

It floats! Success.

I even managed to skipper for a little bit

Lindsay's Visit to the Cotswolds

While Lindsay was visiting we also took an extended weekend trip to the Cotswolds, popular for good hiking and quaint little villages. The Cotswolds are about 2.5 hours southwest of Cambridge. We stayed at the Old Stocks Hotel in Stow-on-the-Wold, built in the 16th century.

Walking in the Cotswolds

We walked through many wheat fields

Everything in out hotel was extremely crooked

cute Cotswolds houses

View of the valley

Cotswold houses are famous for being made from yellow limestone

Lindsay's Visit and London Olympics

Lindsay visited us in Cambridge for two and a half weeks in August. Her first weekend we stayed in London and saw three Olympics events: men's fast walk, women's triathlon and men's marathon! Since we weren't able to get any tickets, we chose these events because they were outdoors and free.

Hyde Park

Men's fastwalk event with Buckingham Palace in the background. Front row seats! 

USA!

The fastwalkers have very bendy legs

Tickets to Mama Mia

Men's marathon - again really good vantage point

Tower Bridge with the Olympic rings

Linds at Tower Bridge

Visit to Frankfurt and vicinity

In mid-August, I went to visit Germany, it was fun to catch up. And the sunny weather was a nice change.

Daniel and Julian have taken to sporting Ninja outfits...

... and feasting like the Vikings in 'Wiki und die starken Maenner'.  Sparkling water also making an unlikely appearance.

Soon, I will get a train track just like this one.

Parents normally play the second fiddle. Margarethe got to use the spare swing, but Matthias did not make it onto the pictures.

Just...

... hangin'.

More lifestyle inspiration from Wiki.

Frankfurt operates the last Anglo Irish still in business.

In the mountains outside Frankfurt.

We took the DB-MiTo, sweet ride. 

Visited castles.

View from the fortress tower. A lot of targets.

Street in Hoechst.

Another one.

Michelle and Jesse visit Cambridge

Recently, Michelle and Jesse were touring this part of the world, and they were able to squeeze us in between Iceland and Tanzania. Not impressed by volcanic hot springs and not expecting much better from Kilimanjaro, how lucky were they to get to punt on the Cam.

Michelle showing off her skills. Richard showing off his skills.

Jesse just making it under the Mathematical Bridge.

Such performance deserves a refreshment.

Hopeless amateurs, the collision was unavoidable and very satisfying.

That's how it's done.