Kelvingrove Museum... and a Mercy Ships reunion!

Mom, together with Candace and the children, headed off to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in the morning of Tuesday, 27th June, while I walked into Glasgow for a bit (where I picked up some yummy fish and chips for lunch!) before doing some remote work.

Shortly after 15h00, I was picked up by my old Mercy Ships friend, Peter, who served with me on the Africa Mercy in Liberia, 2008. He is also married to an American nurse - and they also met on the Mercy Ship in Liberia. They live in Glasgow and Peter serves as the Associate Pastor at an area church, which also ministers to many people from the Middle East. 

We drove over to the Kelvingrove Museum where we met up with Candace and the children. Together, we spent an hour or so catching up and browsing in this large museum. It had been fifteen years since we had last seen each other, but as with all Mercy Ships friendships, the years disappeared and we picked up where we left off all those years ago. :)

The museum has an original Spitfire hanging from the ceiling - which I somehow missed even though I was standing right under it, looking at the elephants!

The elephant calf which had me mesmerized - when there was a Spitfire just feet above me!

There is a fantastic working organ - and they play music at set times during the day.

Salvador Dali's Christ of St John of the Cross.

Real haggis at right; imaginary haggis animal at left. :)

Highland calf.

Wandering albatross.

With Peter and Lindsay outside the museum. :) Love Mercy Ships reunions!

Luss and Loch Lomond...

We visited the picturesque village of Luss, on the shores of Loch Lomond, on Monday, 26th June. It was just my little family on today's excursion, as Shirley and Montassir were working, and our little hire car could only fit five people in any case. My mom stayed home and did various tasks in Glasgow.

Luss is a beautiful village with a lovely little beach. We first visited the Loch Lomond Arms, the local pub, where we enjoyed a pub lunch. I ordered my first-ever haggis, and I was not disappointed! It was delicious. From there we walked across to the village green, where the children played at the playground.

The clouds were threatening as we browsed in various local shops and walked along the main road. We dodged the heaviest rain shower by sheltering in the Coach House Coffee Shop and enjoying warm cups of coffee and scones with jam and clotted cream. Yum!

After the rain had passed, the sun shone brightly and we relaxed by the beach. The children loved paddling in the calm waters of the loch, and we enjoyed the fine view of Ben Lomond on the far side of the loch, a tall mountain rising to 974 metres (around 3,200 feet) above sea level. It was a great day!

Our trusty Nissan Juke.

Riaan and Eliza pose for a photo with a statue of a unicorn.

The Loch Lomond Arms - as seen from the village green.

My delicious haggis, neeps, and tatties.

Family selfie after our enjoyable lunch.

Eliza on the rope bridge at the playground.

Looking back at the wooden playground.

Beautiful old cottages.

The Coach House Coffee Shop.

We loved the tartan-patterned plates.

Eurasian magpie shelters from the rain.

The lovely old church.

A police helicopter was flying overhead...

... While a rescue RIB came back to shore.

View towards Ben Lomond.

Royal Air Force Embraer Phenom T1 roars overhead.

The children all enjoyed paddling in the shallow water by the pier.

Inquisitive sea gull.

View looking back towards the village from the pier.

The children said hi to the sheep as we walked back to the car.

So much fun! :)

Dunfermline Abbey...

Our final place that we visited on a very full and productive Sunday (25th June) was Dunfermline Abbey. After leaving the Wallace Monument, we drove about 35 minutes to Dunfermline, situated a short distance north-west of Edinburgh. Dunfermline Abbey is the final resting place of Robert the Bruce, and his name is engraved in stone across the top of the Abbey's tower. (As can be seen in the photo here.) I had seen this place in old postcards and photographs, but to be here in person was special.

It was also a time to do some family research, for a number of Crawfords are buried in the cemetery here - including my 6x great-grandparents. My parents had visited these ancient graves back in the 1970s, but we had to search a bit to rediscover the headstones again. 

After a little search, we were standing over the graves of John Crafoord and his wife Janet Lindsay (the gravestone is dated 1739!), their son James Crawford and his wife Magdelene Anderson, and James and Magdelene's daughter Margaret Crawford. We were sure to snap a family photo at the family graves!

Anya points to a Crawford grave!

The graves of James and Magdelene Crawford, and Margaret Crawford.

The ancient headstone of John Crafoord and Janet Lindsay.

Beautiful scenery at Dunfermline Abbey.

The ruined palace at Dunfermline.

Beautiful old house overlooking the graveyard.

Family photo behind the family graves.

National Wallace Monument...

A short drive across the valley from Stirling Castle is the Abbey Craig, a towering hill that overlooks the River Forth and the town of Stirling. Perched atop the hill is the National Wallace Monument, a towering monument to Sir William Wallace. Completed in 1869, this imposing structure is a fitting tribute to the great hero of the campaign for Scotland's Independence.

William Wallace's mother was a Crawford from the same clan as our family, and so it is possible that he is one of our ancient ancestors. Regardless of that, it was incredibly special to be near the site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge, a pivotal Scottish victory during the First War of Scottish Independence back in 1297. (This is Stirling Castle here - pictured across the valley.)

Before we entered the monument, a historical storyteller - dressed in traditional Scottish garb - appeared and told us all about the history of William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and the quest for Scottish Independence. It was fascinating. And once he had completed his presentation, we could all take turns holding the sword and shouting "FREEDOM!!!" at the top of our lungs.

We all paid the fare and trekked up the 246 steps from the lower level to the top of the tower. As we climbed up the winding tower, we were able to see various exhibits on three levels - including exhibits pertaining to the Battle of Stirling Bridge. But my favourite part was seeing the Wallace Sword, pictured here! And, of course, when we reached the summit, the views were breathtaking! :)

Picnic in rainy Scottish weather. 

Two of our three knights!

Jesse, Riaan, and I at the base of the Wallace Monument.

Statue of Sir William Wallace on the side of the tower.

We were completely rapt, listening to this storyteller. 

Riaan was so excited to hold the sword...

... As were Rhyenn and Jesse!

Family photo at the top of the Wallace Monument.

Rhyenn and Jesse with their Cape Town Granny. :)

Sketch of the action at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

Looking down towards the battlefield today.