Back to the holiday

The day after Adam's graduation we set off for foreign parts. Ok, so it was only England, but we did have to cross a border. Sunderland was our destination, the place of LSH's birth, for a two night stay with my MIL.

En route we stopped at the butterfly farm at Dalkeith, a place I've often passed and always wanted to visit. Although it was a misty sort of day, it was pretty warm and it became even warmer when we entered the farm because conditions have to be kept hot and humid. Motorbike gear is not ideal in such a place! Imagine being in a sauna wearing leathers. I stuck it out longer than LSH as I was determined to get some good photos and there were so many beautiful butterflies everywhere, he escaped outside for an ice lolly. I'd love to go again but in shorts and T-shirt next time!

Here are some of what we saw.

Tree Nymph

A Banded Owl

Tree Nymph again

The very beautiful and delicate Glasswing, whose wings were almost transparent

A somewhat preoccupied pair of Scarlet Mormons

Male Scarlet Mormon

No idea what this one was called

The Brown Clipper

A very large caterpillar

Possibly one of those caterpillars in its chrysalis stage

At the border. Apologies for the dark photo.

There's quite often a piper here but not today

Crossing the Tyne Bridge
We hit Newcastle at just the wrong time and got caught up in rush hour traffic. It probably took us at least three times longer than normal to get through and out of the city. The bike was overheating and so were we!

Roker, Seaburn and Whitburn beaches, Sunderland


The next day was hot and sunny, we made for the beach just down the road from MIL's. Sections of the beaches are off limits to dogs during the summer but there are bits in between where they are allowed. We had a walk along the promenades and then sat on the beach for a while........long enough for LSH to end up with a bright red face! The sun was pretty strong.

It was strange to be there without any dogs of our own but I made do with watching all the local dogs go by and took a few photos . The dogs are so used to sharing their beaches, other dogs are not a novelty so they generally just mind their own business. It's a bit different up here where our dogs often have the place to themselves.

LSH paddles. How British does he look? All he needs is the knotted handkerchief.

This dog decided its owner was clearly in need of the kiss of life.

It's mainly just sand and sea here so this Great Dane was quite chuffed with his find.

He was quite a big boy.

I was very impressed with how well behaved this guy was until he blotted his copybook.................

...............by stealing this lab's ball and refusing to give it up! This game went on for ages, severely testing the owners' patience.

These two Staffies were oblivious to everything except their balls. They were expert catchers.

One very happy dog.


There's only one more holiday post to come, castles and the zoo will feature.

A break for Skywatch

A short interruption of our holiday posts to fit in some sky watching.




We've been seeing a lot of these clouds over the last few days but, in the main, they've passed us by. Head over to Skywatch Friday to see many more skies.

Graduation day

After five years of study at The University of Edinburgh, Adam graduated with a Masters degree in Astrophysics. All very complicated stuff and we really have no idea where he gets his brains from, especially his ability with maths because both LSH and I never enjoyed that. We are very proud of what he has achieved and he now gets to put the letters M. Phys after his name.

The ceremony was held in the McEwan Hall, which was specifically built as a graduation/concert hall for the university and was funded by William McEwan of the famous (in Scotland at least) brewing company, hence the name. It took a further three years to complete the very lavish decoration, which could perhaps be described as a little over the top but is, nonetheless, quite wonderful......as you will see. The hall, of course, is nowhere near as old as the university, which was founded in 1583.

The McEwan Hall

Waiting for proceedings to start

Inside the hall

The organ that you can see in the photo was not part of the original plan of the hall and was actually built three years later. Only some of the pipes are visible as most of them had to be ingeniously fitted in behind the existing fabric of the platform apse. It sounded wonderful.

The domed ceiling

The hall is semi-circular and has two galleries running around it.
You can see a bit of them in the photo above. We wondered who had the job of polishing all the lovely carved woodwork.

Adam having his head touched with the graduation cap by the Vice-Chancellor.

It's all over and we try to spot Adam in amongst the throng!

The carving above the door depicting a graduation. Legend has it that the cap is made out of John Knox's breeches.

Adam Gray M.Phys

Last photo in full regalia

Stripped down to Highland dress and off to celebrate

Stopping for a Guinness on the way to meet up with Ian and Lynne.
It was quite a hot day.....and kilts are very warm!

Grassmarket. Lovely architecture, shame about some of the modern signs!

Ian, Lynne and Euan met us for a celebratory meal. We chose a little Italian bistro and sat outside in the lovely Grassmarket area.

Euan is very mobile now and was keen to explore the pedestrianised area.

This tree just had to be visited for a game of peek-a-boo

There's just no stopping him now!

Using your tongue as a musical instrument can be so much fun..........

.............if a little dribbly.

We went for a wander

Striking a pose outside a tartan shop

More fantastic architecture

Looking down the Royal Mile

Back at the flat, footsore but happy, after a wonderful day.

NB. Adam only lives in a part of this house but I had to include it because it is such an improvement on his student accommodation of the last few years! And it has parking!

I can't do a graduation post without including Ian. Since I wasn't blogging when he got his degree in Sports and Fitness from Abertay University, he didn't get his moment in the spotlight. We are very proud of him too.

Ian Gray Bsc

Our sons have turned out not bad.