What I did on my summer vacation

[The Wizard of BC]

The Skoda we had was a really nice car. Definitely not what I remember from the old days.
Like most cars from the UK it is a drivers car. The gearbox is tight and the suspension stiff. I sort of describe the difference in driving in N. America and the UK like this.

In N. America we are used to "Going for a ride in our cars". They are comfortable and smooth on the road. You can relax and enjoy the scenery going by.

In the UK you "go for a drive". You concentrate. You drive every moment. You think about shifting and down shifting. You brake before entering a corner and accelerate coming out of the turn. Your passenger doesn't just sit there, they lean into the sideways forces as much as the driver.

The roads are far more narrow than in N. America and the trees and bushes come right up to the edge of the road so there is no use trying to watch the scenery.

I really enjoyed driving in the UK. It is like driving a motorcycle. You are totally involved in the experience of driving.

[Rex_Tremende]

You are totally involved in the experience of driving.

When shopping for my most recent car, a salesman asked me what I was looking for. I stated it was the one in which I could be the least involved in the driving as possible. In fact, if the car would steer itself, that would be the car I would have bought.

Anyway - let's stop chatting and get on with the pictures? I can't wait to see more of your adventures.

Regards,
Rex.

[McClef]

I have never understood why Canada did not adopt the same side as the road as the mother country!

But I do agree on the roundabouts we have FAR to many of the blighters!

[Canuck]

I have never understood why Canada did not adopt the same side as the road as the mother country!

But I do agree on the roundabouts we have FAR to many of the blighters!

Roundabouts are fabulous!!!! Instead of waiting for traffic lights (especially the metal activated ones that motorcycles don't seem to trigger) they are the most efficient way of keeping traffic moving. Well at least the counter clockwise ones work well....then there are those that constantly go around in circles not knowing when to get off...poor buggers.

[vmac3205]

And that's why I buy manual trannie sports cars.

[Kiltman]

Steve,
What a wonderful set of pictures you gave us. Keep them coming. By the way when we moved to the UK in the 80's I had to give up motorcycles—I could not figure out how to get the handle bars on the other side.

[Retro Red]

And that's why I buy manual trannie sports cars.

Amen, brother, amen!

.

[Panache]

Victoria,

I'm sure Craig meant...

Amen, Sister amen!

Please forgive him he is not in his right mind (if he ever was! )





Cheers

Jamie

[The Wizard of BC]

You all know of the Ferintosh Guest House in Dumfries that is owned and operated by Robertson and Emma. We have seen many pictures of the events held there and the hoards of X Marks members who have stayed there.

The Dumfries Pub Crawls lead by Robertson are legendary.

Bobbie and I were welcomed so warmly and openly by Emma and Robertson that it is hard to describe. Of course arriving Kilted entitled us to our first dram from Robertsons Scotch collection but that was only the first of the many ways they made our three day stay with them memorable.

There have been many photos taken and posted here by other X Markers of Pub Crawls and Burns Suppers so I thought I would concentrate on the town of Dumfries itself. This Border town has a wonderful history. Emma is rightfully proud of her town and we felt honored to have a chance to have some wonderful talks with her about it.




There is almost no place in town that does not have a referance to Robert Burns who lived in Dumfries just as he was becoming famous.


Here is the town statue to Robert Burns in the square framed by the Kirk.



And what visit would be complete with out seeing The Globe which was Burns rooms and pub where he would sit of an evening sharing his poems and stories with the town locals.


The "Poet's Chair" in The Globe".



It is said that no one can sit in the chair without reciting Burns. So to keep the tradition alive I have a go. Of course I am no Burns scholar so had to cheat and read from the napkins that are kindly places about the room for foreigeners like me.




Lat/Long 55deg., 04min., 18.87sec. N X 3deg., 36min., 19.13sec W

[vmac3205]

You all know of the Ferintosh Guest House in Dumfries that is owned and operated by Robertson and Emma. We have seen many pictures of the events held there and the hoards of X Marks members who have stayed there.

The Dumfries Pub Crawls lead by Robertson are legendary.

Bobbie and I were welcomed so warmly and openly by Emma and Robertson that it is hard to describe. Of course arriving Kilted entitled us to our first dram from Robertsons Scotch collection but that was only the first of the many ways they made our three day stay with them memorable.

There have been many photos taken and posted here by other X Markers of Pub Crawls and Burns Suppers so I thought I would concentrate on the town of Dumfries itself. This Border town has a wonderful history. Emma is rightfully proud of her town and we felt honored to have a chance to have some wonderful talks with her about it.



There is almost no place in town that does not have a referance to Robert Burns who lived in Dumfries just as he was becoming famous.


Here is the town statue to Robert Burns in the square framed by the Kirk.



And what visit would be complete with out seeing The Globe which was Burns rooms and pub where he would sit of an evening sharing his poems and stories with the town locals.


The "Poet's Chair" in The Globe".



It is said that no one can sit in the chair without reciting Burns. So to keep the tradition alive I have a go. Of course I am no Burns scholar so had to cheat and read from the napkins that are kindly places about the room for foreigeners like me.

Isn't that a Tewksbury you are sporting there, Steve? I almost didn't recognize you without your coffee mug in hand.