Six Word Saturday

Cate's away - please leave a message

Yep, I'm traveling. I've been looking forward to this trip for a long time. And I may never ever return... Stay tuned!

Note: I'm aware word verification is appearing before the comments. I have it disabled. It appears that if you leave the field blank, you can still enter a comment. I tried to figure it out when it first started but had no luck. I'll try again when I have some time.

---

Want to play along? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing. I love seeing what everyone does with their entries.

Each week (probably on Sunday or Monday), I use random.org to select a bunch of entries to visit.  Or I visit everyone. Or even numbered entries. Or odd numbered entries. Or multiples of three. Depends on what's going on that week.  In addition, please visit the person ahead of you on the list (or visit everyone if you like!). That way everyone receives at least one visit!

If you play along in your blog, please add a link to the Mr. Linky. I appreciate a link back (shiny code below if you like!). Otherwise, you're welcome to leave your six words in this post as a comment.

Please be sure to link either to your main page or (preferably) directly to the 6WS post. Links to blogs that do not contain a 6WS entry will be removed (sorry, just the button in the sidebar doesn't count as participating).

Six Word Saturday

not even fun to dislike her

This book I'm reading right now... I don't mind when a book is long if it doesn't feel long. And I don't mind if a character isn't likable as long as it's fun to dislike him/her. At the moment, I'm too stubborn to put the book down (300+ pages into a 600+ page book) but I can't wait until it's over. What do YOU do with a book/movie/tv series like that? (Nope, not telling you what book it is so don't ask.)

Question: I'm aware word verification is appearing before the comments. I have it disabled. It appears that if you leave the field blank, you can still enter a comment. I tried to figure it out when it first started but had no luck. I'll try again when I have some time.

---

Want to play along? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing. I love seeing what everyone does with their entries.

Each week (probably on Sunday or Monday), I use random.org to select a bunch of entries to visit.  Or I visit everyone. Or even numbered entries. Or odd numbered entries. Or multiples of three. Depends on what's going on that week.  In addition, please visit the person ahead of you on the list (or visit everyone if you like!). That way everyone receives at least one visit!

If you play along in your blog, please add a link to the Mr. Linky. I appreciate a link back (shiny code below if you like!). Otherwise, you're welcome to leave your six words in this post as a comment.

Please be sure to link either to your main page or (preferably) directly to the 6WS post. Links to blogs that do not contain a 6WS entry will be removed (sorry, just the button in the sidebar doesn't count as participating).

Six Word Saturday

when husband's away, wife can play!

And by "play," I mean finish up a lot of house projects. And work a lot. And read books. And sleep in the middle of the bed. I'm wild and crazy like that.

---

Want to play along? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing. I love seeing what everyone does with their entries.

Each week (probably on Sunday or Monday), I use random.org to select a bunch of entries to visit.  Or I visit everyone. Or even numbered entries. Or odd numbered entries. Or multiples of three. Depends on what's going on that week.  In addition, please visit the person ahead of you on the list (or visit everyone if you like!). That way everyone receives at least one visit!

If you play along in your blog, please add a link to the Mr. Linky. I appreciate a link back (shiny code below if you like!). Otherwise, you're welcome to leave your six words in this post as a comment.

Please be sure to link either to your main page or (preferably) directly to the 6WS post. Links to blogs that do not contain a 6WS entry will be removed (sorry, just the button in the sidebar doesn't count as participating).

<a href="http://www.showmyface.com/search/label/6WS"><img src="http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp35/showmyface/guts/6wsButton.jpg" ></a>

Six Word Saturday

another weekend of not being home

---

Want to play along? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing. I love seeing what everyone does with their entries.

Each week (probably on Sunday or Monday), I use random.org to select a bunch of entries to visit.  Or I visit everyone. Or even numbered entries. Or odd numbered entries. Or multiples of three. Depends on what's going on that week.  In addition, please visit the person ahead of you on the list (or visit everyone if you like!). That way everyone receives at least one visit!

If you play along in your blog, please add a link to the Mr. Linky. I appreciate a link back (shiny code below if you like!). Otherwise, you're welcome to leave your six words in this post as a comment.

Please be sure to link either to your main page or (preferably) directly to the 6WS post. Links to blogs that do not contain a 6WS entry will be removed (sorry, just the button in the sidebar doesn't count as participating).

<a href="http://www.showmyface.com/search/label/6WS"><img src="http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp35/showmyface/guts/6wsButton.jpg" ></a>

The elephant in the room...

...it's me! No, that's probably not indicative of a positive self-image but I'm being realistic here. I'm a smart, funny, amazing person - who happens to be carrying around 100 extra pounds. So by calling myself an elephant, I'm just making light of the fact that I'm not at all light.

Anyways!

Yesterday started Plan #1222. Why Plan #1222? I figure I've had at least 1221 plans before that haven't worked. Plus, 1222 is the number of calories livestrong.com says I'm allowed to eat in order to lose 2 lbs a week. I'd rather lose about 50 lbs a week and be done with it but apparently there's no healthy way to do that. So, instead, Plan #1222. Counting calories, working out, vitamins, 64 oz of water.

I hate counting calories. HATE! But I've found it's the best way to hold myself accountable. It also motivates me to go to the gym to "earn" extra calories. That's important to me, not just so I can eat more but because I really believe that regardless of your weight (probably the more you weigh, the more this is true), regular exercise is good for your heart and lungs and other parts and functions. It's good to stimulate the old ticker every so often! By counting calories, I'm more likely to go to the gym and use the elliptical for an hour than if I'm doing some eating plan that says "eat everything you want but it has to be this or that!"

I had a good start yesterday. Though I felt hungry a lot, I managed to do 45 minutes on the elliptical (not the hour I was doing at my peak but not bad for the first time back in awhile) and end the day well below my calorie limit. Today, I'm going to ride my recumbent bike at home I think, so I can go to the gym again tomorrow when I'm not working.

This is just one more piece of the puzzle as I work towards World Domination. And a healthier me. Lately, I've been making progress on a lot of those pieces. I'm excited to see what the final picture looks like once I have them all assembled!

me: I did great drinking today! Just finished 32 oz now, plus I drank 40 oz at the gym.
Joe: You drank 40 oz of gin?

My husband, ever supportive, ever sidetracked with his own things.

Announcing a Winer!

You've had about ten days to enter your guess regarding how many wine corks were in my big glass barrel jar:



The rules stated that closest guess without going over wins.

Actual number of wine corks in the jar? 407.

This means the winner of the $25 gift certificate to Uncommon Goods is Melinda, with a guess of 364.  Congratulations, Melinda!

Also, you may notice that Melinda won on her second guess and references that I said the current guesses were too low.  No, the competition wasn't fixed and Melinda didn't receive a special hint. I tweeted: "A tip for my Twitter followers: All of the guesses are WAY low on the Guess to Wine game. http://bit.ly/lJ1yd7 You may submit a 2nd guess.". Sometimes it pays to follow my gibberish on Twitter!

Joe and I made our own guesses when I did the counting. We started off with guesses of 250 (him) and 200 (me). With 100 corks back in the barrel, we revised our guesses to 350 and 300. We were both shocked at the final number!

Also, someone expressed concern for my liver. Please keep in mind that the barrel holds almost two years of wine corks, including a few parties. My liver thanks you for your concern as it often feels left out since my head receives most of the attention.

Thanks to everyone that entered a guess. It was fun! Now I have to figure out what to do with all these wine corks. Did you know that you can recycle them at some stores? I think Whole Foods is one. However, I'm planning to make something from my corks but I'm not sure what yet.

Disclaimer: Nobody sponsored this post. Except maybe Joe because I'm still unemployed so technically he's paying for both the wine AND the prize.

Guess to Wine! Err, Win!!!

Four score and seven years ago (or, if you prefer, last August), I announced a Drinking Game. If you don't want to go back and read, it goes something like this:

I bought my husband a big glass jar in the shape of a barrel to collect our wine corks. I offered a slumped wine bottle (a melty-flat bottle for decoration or cheese board, etc) as a prize to the commenter that guessed when we would fill the jar. Then I promised a second contest for the commenter that most closely guessed the number of corks in the full jar.

THE DAY HAS COME!!!



We have filled the bucket! Actually, we filled it a couple of weeks ago but I'm too short to pull it down from it's storage spot on top of the cabinets so I'm just now getting around to this post.

Looking back at the comments, that means the winner is C. Beth with a guess of June 1, 2011. Congrats, Beth, and I'll be in touch to coordinate your prize.

And now, PART TWO: Guess to WINE WIN!!! You are guessing the number of corks in the jar. Joe and I counted them last night and we were both WAY off. I hope it's even half as much for for all of you to guess as it was for us. A few points: the jar is 13 inches tall, 29 inches around at the thickest point. It is full of corks, to the point of having to really squash on the lid. There are no other fillers inside. Also, it's worth noting that it took us approximately two years to fill it.

Here's how to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post with your guess.
2. You must enter by Sunday, June 19th.
3. Closest guess without going over wins.

Try not to guess the same number as someone else but if there are two guesses, I'll come up with a tie-breaker. Maybe natural vs synthetic corks. Though that means I have to recount them all again and I hate math.

Winner will be announced on Monday, June 20th. The prize will be a $25 gift certificate to Uncommon Goods, where you can purchase any number of wine-related or recycled items. I recently used a birthday gift certificate to buy a necklace made of glass from wine bottles.

That's it! Have fun guessing!

Disclaimer: Husbands of Cate not eligible to win the prize. Husbands of Cate got to drink the wine, usually WITH Cate, which is enough of a prize. Also, Husbands of Cate will likely benefit from proximity to whatever Cate makes from the corks. Tonya and Rusty not eligible because they are cats. Nobody sponsored this post in anyway, nor do they know about it. Probably they wouldn't approve even if they DID know. So shhh.

Zumba Guy

Yesterday, while plodding away at my hour-long elliptical torture workout, there was a Zumba class going on in the room across the hall. If you're not familiar, it's a sort of hip-hop dance workout. I've always thought Zumba sounds like a fun idea but that I'm probably not coordinated enough for it. Watching the class pretty much confirmed that.

I like to not only watch the instructors in those classes but also the participants - it gives me an idea for how well people are following along and how much "messing up" is happening. The participants are primarily women but today I noticed a guy doing Zumba right in the front row.

Or, well, maybe he wasn't doing Zumba. I'm not sure what you would call those moves. There were random kicks and punches, Snoopy dancing, Chippendale thrusts, and spins. None of these were even close to what the rest of the class was doing.

Either this guy is my hero for getting an amazing cardio workout without being self-conscious about his lack of, umm, Zumba skills, or he was getting an amazing cardio workout by being in the front row and watching the instructor. By law (or not), Zumba instructors seem to have two important features - a nice round booty and a good amount of cleavage. This instructor probably graduated at the top of her class based on those criteria and I find it hard to believe this was lost on Mr. Zumba. Either way, I'm sure his heart rate was sufficiently elevated to burn a few calories.

Pot, Meet Kettle

me: I can't believe how many people were at the gym this morning. Don't these people have jobs?
Joe: Umm, and you're overly employed right now?

I really don't like admitting when he has a point.

Dramatic Ending

I think everything in life should have a dramatic ending. Like a pointy-pose, or jazz hands, or a withering (fake) death. Or firetrucks!

Yesterday, I went to the gym for the first time since before starting physical therapy for my back. I started with the treadmill, then my PT exercises as adapted for the fancy gym machines, then some time on the elliptical. For my big ending, I decided to do another 15 minutes of walking on the treadmill.

Just as I set up the treadmill, there were blinky lights and sirens around the workout room. It's possible I've been watching too much Let's Make a Deal because my first thought was that someone had won something. Oooh, maybe *I* had won something for having such a great first workout back! I popped off my headphones and waited for someone to come my way with a big check and balloons, only to hear the PA system announce that this was an emergency and everyone needed to calmly proceed to the nearest exit immediately.

(A quick note - aren't "calmly" and "immediately" a bit contradictory? Yeah, I thought so too.)

I stood outside for a bit before the manager told us that firetrucks were on the way and we could not re-enter the building until they had arrived and cleared it.

At that point, I figured firetrucks were a perfect dramatic ending for my first workout back at the gym, so I hopped in my car to head home. And as I pulled to the curb while the firetruck came blasting through from the other direction, I may have even done some jazz hands.

That's What Friends Are For

Physical therapy is starting to catch up with me. My body is achy and tired from the exercises that constant target my core and my left leg. I'm hopeful that this will mean long-term improvement but in the short-term, it's tempting to complain.

Monday, I cut my usual time on the recumbent bike short because I just felt miserable. Yesterday, I was determined to last the entire workout. Thanks to the proximity of Gwen, I was able to tweet around the halfway mark that I was losing steam. This was followed immediately by a response from @cbethblog:

Power through it, Cate!! :) (My run didn't feel too great this morning. Amazing how some days are just way harder than others.)

Let's hear about Beth's run in her own words:

Wow...the race Sunday was around 70 degrees. Today? 30 degrees, 19 windchill. Imagine, if you will, a short, skinny runner with stiff, post-race legs, trying to run uphill into gusting wind without being blown away like a tumbleweed

That race on Sunday? Just a little half-marathon.

Beth's tweet was just the inspiration I needed to keep going and finish my workout. Because surely if she can run in that cold windy weather with legs tired from 13.1 miles on Sunday, there's certainly no reason that I can't finish my 80 minutes on the recumbent bike in a climate-controlled room staring at the television.

Now, if only I can get her to stand over me and crack the whip while I do my PT today... Thanks, Beth!

Working Out Our Demons

Ever notice how much "exercise" and "exorcise" look and sound the same? I've decided this is not a coincidence. In fact, I've taken to "exorcising" on a regular basis.

My husband is a runner. It's great stress relief for him and he says he does a lot of thinking while he's pounding the pavement. I've never reached a level of running that allows my thinking to move beyond "is it over yet? how much further?". Usually it's a rhythmic "hate. this. hate. this" as each foot hits the ground.

Still, I find exercising to be a great distraction when I'm feeling troubled. Whether doing something that takes concentration, like working out along with a game on the Wii, or zoning out while on the recumbent bike or elliptical, I usually do the opposite of thinking. Since it's the thinking that most often gets me into trouble and brings on panic attacks, this is a good thing.

Just another example of how my husband and I are very different people. And yet, in the end, we're both exorcising while exercising.

P.S. Yesterday was PT session #2 for my back and I've been told I have to limit my exorcising to the recumbent bike and assigned exercises. I'm bummed not to be able to do the dancing and EActive2 program on the Wii but at least I can still burn calories.

ArtSwap!

Note: Just a quick post today, folks. After a few days in San Francisco last week, I haven't been feeling well the past few days. I have adventures to share, as soon as I manage to clear this cold out of my head.

Since it was such a success back in May, @dpringle is coordinating a second edition of ArtSwap!

What is ArtSwap? It's an opportunity to share your art with a fellow artist and collect a piece in return. For more information about ArtSwap, check out the ArtSwap site. Check out the gallery of swapped art from the May exchange - amazing pieces!

This time around, the ArtSwap is dedicated to the memory of Kristen Ettensohn, a young artist who passed away this summer. Once ArtSwap is complete, David will be publishing a book of the swapped art and 50% of the profits will go to the KME Memorial Scholarship Fund.

I'm not an artist but I think this is a fabulous idea so I'm doing what I can to spread the word and support the project. David had am amazing response last time (14 countries!) and participants couldn't wait to do it again. Consider joining in this time, or passing along the word to any of your artist friends.

Why I Keep This Blog

Alternate title: I have a date!

Last week's bandage post was totally about shutting down this blog. See, the more overwhelmed I am with things like classes and work, the more I start trying to figure out what I can cut out. What activities am I spending time on that I could take off my list?

I've already given up 7D7A despite my love for it. I stopped visiting EVERY 6WS post EVERY week. I've limited participation in a few other blogs to a much more infrequent level. I've even scaled back how often I post here, bit by bit.

I thought to myself - this blog is expendable. I can hang it up, at least temporarily.

But the more I thought about it, the more it freaked me out and I couldn't quite bring myself to do it.

Then yesterday, I posted about heading to San Francisco and put myself out there to meet up with someone if they're in the area. I had a response. I peed myself a little felt nervous.

And then I responded back and said, basically - yes, let's try to work something out. I don't want to be a total PITA but I'm just going to say that I'm terrified of navigating around by myself and would prefer to meet somewhere very near my hotel. Otherwise I may completely freak out with anxiety and spend the whole trip cowering under the bed.

THAT is why I keep this blog. Because here I can be honest. With all of you, I can just throw it out there and be myself. Behind this small bit of anonymity, I am much more comfortable in my own skin. And for some reason, some of you still seem to like me. Or at least accept me which is just as valuable. I've made some great friends since starting this blog 659 posts ago and I don't want to miss out on the experiences I may have during the next 659 posts.

Thank you.

So I'll keep posting when I feel the urge to do so. When I can't, I won't. And it will be okay.

A Drinking Game

A little preview of the fun to come. Fun for you, fun for me. Some now, some later. Ready?



What's this? THIS is the glass barrel I bought Joe for a special occasion about a year ago. Inside, wine corks from all the bottles we've had at home, and a few that have made their way back from evenings out.

Here's where the game comes in. In this post, you guess how long it will take us to fill up that barrel. For reference, we started around August 1st of 2009. Closest guess wins something. I haven't actually determined a prize yet.

And then, once it is full, I'm going to take guesses about how many corks are actually in the barrel. I'm not going to give you any kind of tally at this point, mostly because the barrel lives on top of the kitchen cabinets where I can't reach it. Joe had to drag it down so we could empty the wine case drawer into it again and I took a picture while I had the chance. And of course that closest guess will ALSO get a prize.

So fun for you, now (guessing the date) and later (guessing the number) and fun for me, now (drinking some wine) and later (drinking some more wine).

I'm going to post the picture in my sidebar and take guesses on the date right up until it actually happens.

P.S. I'm thinking about giving slumped (melted) wine bottles as prizes. I know not everyone's into wine but slumped glass is really pretty. Also, it can be used for many things, including a spoon rest, cheese board, decoration, etc. I've seen these done with and without labels and made from wine, liquor, and even soda bottles. (The example at right is from BPR Designs on Etsy - it's one of the best photos I found.)

Umbrage Not Umbros

Now that I'm comfortable with the fact that my gym relocated, I'm trying to make more of an effort to workout and lose some of my extra weight. Because, honestly, my body has become ridiculous. I think if I wrote my autobiography, I'd call it:

How Handling My Anxiety Made Me Fat And Caused Depression

Like I said, ridiculous.

And I'll admit that I'm self-conscious at the gym. That's why I was looking for the dark workout room. I don't want people looking at me sweat and jiggle and be generally unpleasant to the eyes. Since most of my gym clothes don't fit so well at the moment, I went along with Joe to the running store recently.

What a mistake.

Apparently women are only allowed to run or workout if they can fit into a small or medium. So basically, if your body looks decent enough that you don't need to workout, then you're allowed to workout. If you're bigger than that, I can only assume that they expect you to workout naked or just go ahead and die already of your bigness. This also applies to bras, by the way. And any hopes I had of finding some pants or long shorts? I could wear a pair of Joe's boxers and enjoy more coverage.

Eventually, I did find a bra that would work (though it was my least favorite style of the four they had to choose from) and bought a mens shirt. It's not pretty or purple but it's comfy and roomy and will help me get the job done.

And when the job is done? When I've lost enough weight to fit into those smalls and mediums and barely-there shorts? You can bet I'm going to wear them.

P.S. I realize everyone - all shapes, sizes, ages - benefits from regular exercise. I also realize that just because someone fits into a small or medium, it does not mean that they are healthy or fit or feel good about themselves.

P.P.S. Someone told me that maybe the reason the larger sizes were sold out is because EVERYONE buying merchandise in that store is in the same situation I'm in. Maybe there are plenty small and medium sizes because those people don't exist. Like the Tooth Fairy. Or Ron Paul.

P.P.P.S. I expected selection to be limited at this small specialty shop. I just figured I'd try to support the "little" guy before heading to the big box stores.

Lights Out!

While we were away, my gym sent an email with the title "Gym Name is on the move!". I couldn't actually view the contents of the message but my first thought was - oh no, my gym is moving! And then I laughed and said - that's what they want us to think but I bet the actual message is talking about some new cardio class.

Wrong.

They actually are moving. My gym. The gym I belonged to for several years and finally canceled and then signed back up there specifically because of how familiar it is - the location, the equipment, the layout. Plus, they have a "darkroom" - a room full of cardio equipment and very low lighting. It's like exercising completely in private, nobody looking at what might be jiggling or sweating or falling off her treadmill.

Given my aversion to change, I went immediately to the ledge and started thinking about going over. But then I reminded myself - different does not automatically equal bad.

The new location is actually twice as large. Parking is ample (parking seemed like a workout of its own at the old building). There is now a pool and an inside track and basketball courts. And even though it's several miles from the old address, it's probably a bit more convenient for me whether I'm coming from work or home. Total score, right?

So tonight, Joe's going with me to check out the new digs. Safety in numbers. And all day, until that time, I'll be hoping like mad that they've recreated my dark room. Because all of the space and amenities and added facilities doesn't count if the lights are on. It's about conserving electricity. It's about preserving sanity. It's about not observing me.

Day Tour

Last Monday, we joined a tour group for a day wandering Girona, Pals, and Costa Brava. The locations were fantastic and lucky for us, no Eternabus! The tour was conducted on a van instead of a mini-bus and there were only eight passengers. Plus one totally professional and knowledgable tour guide. Ed.

Ed, the young Brit (complete with accent) who decided two years ago (at the tender age of 23) to relocate from Northern England to Barcelona.

Ed, who quit working for "the man" in order to lead tours in Spain.

Ed, the helpful, informative, and personable tour guide.

Ed, stunt double for Jake Gyllenhaal and Tobey Maguire.



Ed, short for Edible.

Rawr.

P.S. Don't you love that of all the stories and all the photos from my trip, I start with this one?

P.P.S. You know you love it. (Joe, however, might notsomuch)

P.P.P.S. Do we think it is coincidence that after I drooled over Ed, Joe decided to stop shaving?

P.P.P.P.S. Aren't we all glad TMC didn't talk me out of going on a nice tour?

P.P.P.P.P.S Ed, if you're reading this, it's all in good fun. I respect you as a person. I was seriously impressed with your tour guide skills. call me

Handwriting Samples

I saw this over on fever, which is Lora's awesome blog. She says:

Supposedly you have the potential to tell a lot about a person if you can get a hold of a sample of her handwriting.

I've shared tiny bits of my handwriting before but this looked like fun AND it makes for an easy post. Plus, I'd love to see a sample of your handwriting.

The Rules:
write the following
1) Your name/blog name.
2) Right-handed, left-handed, or ambidextrous?
3) Favorite letters to write.
4) Least favorite letters to write.
5) Write “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”
6) Write the following words in capital letters:
- CRAB
- HUMOR
- KALEIDOSCOPE
- PAJAMAS
- GAZILLION
7) Write your favorite song lyric.
8) Tag people!
9) Any special note or picture.

So, what do you think? Do I write like a doctor? A serial killer? A fourth grader? If you know anything about handwriting analysis, I'd love to hear what you think of mine. Also, let me know if you decide to play along - it's a neat peek into your lives that we don't often get to see.

Plan my trip!

I guess it's not MY trip. Joe's coming too. But Tonya and Rusty are most certainly NOT invited.

Anyways, we're going to be spending about 5 days in Barcelona and 2ish days in Edinburgh.
I'm looking for suggestions, tips, must-sees, must-avoids. Yes, we will be Barcelona over Easter. Because the Pope hates Joe. And who can blame him? I mean, he's the Pope!

Everything I thought I knew about Spanish cuisine is apparently Mexican. Everything I know about Scottish food is haggis. My Spanish language skills are limited to "hola", "adios", and "¿Dónde están las drogas?" or something like that. Yeah, basically, it's Amazing Race-levels of excellence. Joe, however, is much more skilled, which is why he's so awesome when he negotiates with Jesus (the yard guy, not the Savior - I don't think it's good form to argue with Easter-Jesus).

We're thinking of a day trip from Barcelona to Girona and down the coast. Possibly heading to the Montserrat Royal Basilica as well. Those would be booked through tour groups since we will be sans auto. Worth it? No? Scotland is going to be a damn quick trip so we'll have to really prioritize.

So help your bloggy buddy out. Or help me out. If you've been and have any words of advice, resources, funny anecdotes or leftover European coin, let me know! Muchas gracias. And nachos.