Due to technical idiocy (slash I think it's the network's fault, but how can one be sure?), the pictures, which I just painstakingly loaded onto this library machine, cannot be shown to you. You'll have to keep imagining the dudes in kilts throwing trees, what Chrissy looks like, etc. It's a bummer, but there it is.

A quick update, since I wasted so much time on the vain pursuit of photos...:

We checked out Rosslyn chapel yesterday afternoon. It's somehow related to The Da Vinci Code, which I still haven't read, and while they've apparently tripled the entry fee since the book exploded, I still thought it was worth seeing. The four of us shared a cab to get there, and while it's not far from Edinburgh, it was peaceful to the point of being otherworldly. It's surrounded by trees--what they claim are among the last of the old growth. The building itself is so ornately carved that you almost can't believe it. Just imagine a gothic cathedral (though somewhat smaller) with every single architectural element just decorated out the wazoo... and no two details alike. There's tons of pagan stuff, which I was predictably fascinated by, including a guy called the 'Green Man,' a sort of male version of Mother Earth, who was neat-looking and all over the place. There were also lots of connections to the Freemasons and Knights Templar which I gather the book makes a big deal out of. We hoisted a pint while waiting for the bus to go back, and I think I can say a pleasant afternoon was had by all.

We were early for our date with the Heweses and so hoisted yet another pint and began telling embarrassing stories. This is becoming an unfortunate habit. We managed to behave ourselves at the fancy restaurant, though, as we enjoyed both 'full-blown' and vegetarian haggis. We got home fairly early and so did a bit of singing before I started 'working on my presentation.'

Paul and I have to go to a function tonight--the ESU, the nice people who paid for us to come out here, are hosting us. I have no idea what they will do to us, but we're hoping to beat a pretty hasty retreat since Rania has organized another of her gatherings.

I'll try again with the pictures tomorrow. Love to all of you.