What Warren Buffet and the Dark Have to Do with Each Other = Nothing

You know how they say "third time's a charm"? As my third Scottish winter is quickly approaching, I'm convinced that the author of that popular coined phrase never experienced darkness at 4:30 in the afternoon. Nor did they concern themselves with the knowledge that in less than a month, it will be pitch black at 3:30 in the afternoon. I can deal with the cold. I can deal with the rain. (Heck - I can deal with the sinking dollar!) But it's the darkness that gets me ...... I want to go around yelling: "You have the choice to live somewhere else!!! Escape! Escape!" Nonetheless, so many people choose to say. It behooves me. Maybe it's all the pretty architecture, the endless summer days, and the rich history.... and don't forget the fabulous food [Wink].

Meanwhile, have you heard about this? Now Google has created a Social Search prioritizing Twitter feeds, Facebook pages, etc. etc. It all makes me a bit squeamish and lends me to think about further boundaries in the online world. Even though you have to opt in to the Social Search, I place a priority on living life well and living it with real, live people. Which brings me to the question: Is so much of life being online forming you into a better person? It's definitely something to which further thought should be devoted.

And one more thing - Warren Buffet doesn't have a computer on his desk at work. He doesn't participate in all this online frenzy. As one of the world's richest men and greatest philanthropist, he just might be on to something.

Escape

I'm very happy I'll be spending Thanksgiving here. Hopefully sans the construction this time around. Can anyone name the location??? 

Did You Know?

Did you know that Sunday School was created in the 18th century in order to prevent children in the "slums" from entering a life of crime? It was first established by Robert Raikes in Gloucester, England. The curriculum consisted of first learning to read and then to the catechism.  Other than a small break for lunch, the program also lasted from 10:00 am to 5pm. That's quite a program!

Continuing ....

After arriving at the airport in London last Friday night, we discovered a slight problem while going through security. [Skipping all the boring details about our dilemma]....... thus, we hired a car and headed north toward Edinburgh. After spending the night in York, we continued north through the Borders. Our first stop was Hexham, England:

Hexham, England at the Borders

Hexham Town Square - Hexham Abbey

After viewing the Abbey - the arrival place of the Benedictine Rule in Great Britain - we headed to Hadrian's Wall and other ruins of a roman fort.

Standing Amidst the Roman Ruins at the Border of England and Scotland

In 124 AD, the Romans had central heating through their floors. Pretty impressive!

 

Standing on Hadrian's Wall

MBA Looking to the Scottish Borders: the wall was meant to keep the Scots out!

Hadrian's Wall

A glimpse of what our drive was like ....

A beautiful view once we passed the border into Scotland.

More of the Scottish Borders.

Our next stop was at Jedburgh, Scotland to see their famous abbey.

Unfortunately, it was already closed for the day and had a bit of construction going on ... but we did get a good glimpse of it!

Jedburgh, Scotland

Last but Not Least: The Scottish Windmills

Random Fact: Scotland is working to become independent of all outside energy sources. Hence, the windmills! This should work pretty well for them as they've got plenty of wind.

"A person who cultivates his simplicity in order to escape the toils and the hazards of the search for truth is not being exactly respectful to the testimonies to the truth." - Helmut Thielicke

How could I have taken 217 photos during a trip that was less than 36 hours??? Well, for starters - the trip actually turned out to be a 60-hour getaway.

Last Thursday morning, MBA and I caught a morning flight to London Stansted, caught the Stansted Express into Cambridge, and quickly headed to our B&B on foot. What MBA failed to mention was that our B&B was 2 1/2 miles away. [Boys love to overlook facts like 2 1/2 miles away with suitcases in tote -- which is why we, the female race, must overlook the details of life!] Anyway, we spent a lovely day in Cambridge. We walked the historic city center, visited several colleges, attended evensong at Kings College, and had dinner with friends who have recently relocated to Cambridge.

While MBA attended a conference on Friday, I visited Sawston Manor and Angelsey Abbey with my dear former professor and his lovely wife. Here are a few pictures from Cambridge and the surrounding areas:

St. Edward's: the Church where the English Reformation purportedly began - and the place where the first evangelical sermon was preached in Great Britain.

Historic City Center

I'm in front of Trinity College. Matt's attended conferences there at other times. 

Below is a picture of a college that trains Anglican ministers:

We stopped for hot chocolate at Chocolat Chocolat and had hot chocolate with tabasco sauce and cayenne pepper. It was surprisingly enjoyable!

Entrance to Jesus College

Courtyard Inside Kings College

Kings College

Kings College

The Eagle: A pub where the 8th division of the American Air Force wrote on the ceilings with candles during World War II.

Priest Holes at Sawston Manor

During the English Reformatin, Catholic priests hid for weeks at a time in these holes while Oliver Cromwell and his soldiers waited outside for them.

Paintings by American Air Force during World War II

Angelsey Abbey:

Lovely Grounds at Angelsey.

I'll return tomorrow with the rest of the report on our trip to England.