To The Zoo

Every time we go to the airport, we pass the Edinburgh Zoo. Our interest was peaked enough we decided to check it out. I really don't know what to say other than the obvious...there were lots of animals. I'll let the picture speak for themselves.










One neat thing was that the Zoo is built on a side hill and at the top there is a great place to view Edinburgh. If you look to the left of the last picture, you can see the castle which is in the heart of the city near our flat. You can also see Arther's Seat which we mentioned in a previous post.

TESTING, TESTING

I am wondering how often Janna really looks at "our" blog, so I thought I would throw up this picture to find out. I think she looks sexy when she is goofing around, but have a feeling this picture won't be posted for long. The lucky few who see this should feel privileged.

Found Whiskey & Snow

Being in Scotland for six months and not visiting a distillery, I think we have broken some kind of a law. So before the authorities caught us, we decided to rectify the situation. Along the way we found a bit of home...Snow.


We had many distilleries to choose from, but a few of Janna's family members have asked about Dewar's so that's where we headed. The tourist part of the company is located in a town called Aberfeldy. They still make the whiskey there, but sadly the aging barrels are kept elsewhere. I was surprised that they actually open up the fermentors and let us peek inside. You can't imagine how amazing it smelled. Of course the best part was the tasting. Being a typical girl, Janna can't appreciate whiskey. But it worked out great...I got her tasting...yummy.


Aberfeldy is located northwest of Edinburgh on the edge of the highlands. I was amazed by the beauty of the mountains and scenery. We honestly felt like we were driving around western Montana (except everyone is driving on the wrong side of the road). Then it really began to feel like home. As night set in, the snow came in. We have driven in much worse back home, but here we drive a tiny little go-cart (they call them cars here) with non-snow tires (tyres in the UK). If someone had placed a quarter between my cheeks, it would have come out a dime. Never missed my truck so much. Thankfully there was only a few miles of snow before we dropped elevation and the snow turned into rain.

Beer Adventures

Because Janna is studying a lot and I frankly have almost nothing to do after work I have a new hobby....BEER. I have found there is a whole new amazing universe of beer waiting to be discovered and it doesn’t even require a spaceship. It is a place where the imports are now domestics, where unique rare beers are commonplace, and where warm beer actually tastes damn good.
Now don't worry…I want to make it clear that my inner redneck is and always will be deeply engrained. Budweiser and Coors still make my mouth water…yet I have discovered there is so much more. It is like I have been reborn (and Mom didn’t even have to gown up). I knew there were more places to travel than just the American Lager, but I had no idea how vast the beer universe really was. In my short adventure I have already traveled to many wonderful places such as to Schwarzbeir, to Scottish Ale, to Munich Helles, to Seaweed Ale, to Imperial IPA, to Mild, to Kolsch, to Bavarian Weizen, to Robust Porter, to Blond Ale, to Witbier, to Dobbelbock, and finally right past Lambic.
I know that soon when we return to MT the variety of this journey will diminish, but fear not, I have a plan. The plan was hatched long ago, but has only recently taken on a fever pitch. Get ready for the Back Shed Brewery (name subject to change), which will soon arise in my future basement. A new world awaits all my friends, family, and those who wish to climb aboard. There will undoubtedly be failure along the way, but from this we will arise greater and stronger to bask in the sunshine of good and joyous beer.
***The picture below shows a few causalities from my journeys***



The key to a successful journey is always planning. Feel free to join me.
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