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Remains of a pillar near an ancient church we visited



Pipers leading the 'Shopping Week' Parade in Stromness, Scotland



A drunk viking



The 'Jackson 5' blasting Rockin' Robin over and over and over...in blackface to honor Michael Jackson



Engraving on an old tombstone in St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Scotland (beautiful)

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Approaching Bergen, Norway



View from Orkney Island, Scotland



St Mary's Church on Orkney



Shannon descending a massive hill after putting up with my geodesires



The object of my geodesires

View from the ferry to Bergen, Norway (yes, we skipped a huge section of hills)



Stavenger cobblestone streets after it stopped pouring on us



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Robert and Brigita (Austria)- We crossed paths many a time and shared a ferry before separating in Norway

100+ in Seattle???

I just logged on to Seattletimes.com and saw how ridiculously hot it is back home. Dang, we've been riding around the last few weeks in our fleece coats and 'waterproofs'. I woke up shivering last night.

We're currently in Aviemore - Scotland's outdoor haven. We're heading out for some hiking today and we're renting mountain bikes tomorrow. I'm sure we won't miss the weight of the pannier bags.

How's everyone faring back in the states? Leave a comment as we do love comments.

Parents - be careful with Bella as she doesn't do well with heat.

A Quick Note On Cows

I've taken cows for granted all of my life. Rolling up the window as I zip by on the interstate only serves to trap the smell for miles down the road.

Cycling with cows is a different story. Cows make me feel important now. They know that I have something to offer. Not grains or haggis, whatever cows eat, but wisdom, freedom, compassion. They catch my eye as I greet them with a low 'mooo' and that single understanding blink repeatedly brings me to slow down if not stop altogether. They all come my way now. Slowly, but with definite purpose. They want me to know that I have what they can never have. A future that does not include a skull splitter. Their intense gaze seems to ask me something that I can not answer. I do not want to leave them, but suddenly one of the beefiest cows carelessly lifts her tail and poops all over the back of a young calf struggling for a simple view of this strange traveler. I remember that they are very very stupid animals and that I like to eat them with bacon and pineapple. And I ride away.

Rainy Scotland

We spent the last several days on Orkney's Mainland island. It had a similar feel to the San Juan Islands, local items from Orkney beer to local wool to jewelry were sold in many shops. Our intended 2-day stay became 5 once bike repairs, rainy days and sightseeing were added. But we found warm cafes to get out of the rain and appreciated the low-traffic roads when we were on the bikes.

The ferry brought us to mainland Scotland yesterday, arriving in Scrabster in the far North. The owner of the campground in Scrabster used to live in Renton.

Looks like it just started pouring, again.

Shannon Says I Can't Swear

Well suffer my succatash

Norway is hilly.