I was very blessed to have won a trip to Scotland last year. It was an amazing opportunity to see the land where some of my father's people had come from. One day I hope to win a trip to Ireland where the ancestor's on my mother's side come from.
While we were there we saw the infamous Loch Ness as well as some famous castles. That's one reason this news story caught my attention.
Tourist Christopher Aitchison caught the eerie image in a photograph taken by in May 2008 at Tantallon Castle, which sits on a rocky outcrop along the Scottish coast, east of Edinburgh. The "person" appears to be wearing an old-style greenish ruff around the neck.
Tantallon Castle was built in the 1350s by a nobleman and soon became the stronghold of the Douglas dynasty. For 300 years, the Douglas earls of Angus held sway at the castle as one of the most powerful families in Scotland, according to Historic Scotland, which looks after historic sites for the Scottish government.
The castle also was the scene of violence, enduring three great sieges: in 1491, 1528 and 1651. The last, by Oliver Cromwell's army, resulted in such destruction that the fortress was abandoned.
It remains the "last truly great castle" built in Scotland, with enormously thick and high stone walls enclosing large courtyards, and high stone towers.
Michael called today. He said a car bomb woke him at 5 in the morning. He also said that someone tried to hit his vehcile the other day with an IED.
He did tell me that he plans to ask his girlfriend to marry him when he goes on a cruise with her. Mike's Dad is looking for a ring for him to give his girlfriend.
Well here are the blog contests I entered today:
Prize: Windex Outdoor All-In-One Starter Kit.
Prize: Any pair of non designer prescription eyeglasses with single vision lenses from EyeBuyDirect.com (ARV up to $49.95).
Prizes (2): Copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms: 101 Stories Celebrating the Power of Choice for Stay at Home and Work from Home Moms by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Wendy Walker.
Prizes (3): Yoplait Yo-Plus gift bag.
Prizes (3): Yoplait Kids Get Active prize pack.
