Greenwich, London

My favourite park in London definitely has to be Greenwich park. Although it is a little out of the way, it is worth the 15 minute train journey! The 180 acre royal park is home to the Royal Observatory, the Prime Meridian, the statue of JAmes Wolfe, rose gardens, and the Peter Harrison Planetarium. Let's not forget the amazing panoramic views of the River Thames and the city of London that the top of the hill gives you! Just on the outskirts  of the park is one of the Queen's residences and the National Maritime Museum. While at Greenwich Park, I only had a nice walk through to visit the Royal Observatory, the Prime Meridian, and a look at the Queen's house form the outside. Being the huge Geography nerd that I am, standing on the meridian was the highlight to my trip to London that weekend. It was so cool!

 The views!

 James Wolfe statue

 You can see the Queen's house behind the temporary stadium.

 Standing on the Prime Meridian!! Longitude 0°, Latitude 51° 28' 28" N

 The observatory.

 The planetarium

 The National Maritime Museum

 The Queen's House

The Queen's House from the front.

Climbing Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh

Arthur's seat is the highest point of a group of hills in Holyrood Park. It was once part of a volcano 350 million years ago and the peak is about 822 feet high. The hill can be climbed from many angles but there is a hard way which involves a whole lot of slippery, winding stairs made of rocks all put together and of course we came at the hill from this angle. It was quite a hard climb but it was well worth it (we took the easy way down, of course, once we found it). The view from the top is unmatched and just absolutely amazing. Panoramic views of the city and the North Sea were breathtaking to say the least. I'm a huge fan of "good views"/high places when I'm traveling and this definitely did the trick!

 If you look closely, there's a steep path of stairs up that hill, to the right. Scary stuff!

 Finally made it to the top and I couldn't have been happier! That's the North Sea in the distance.

 Pentland Hills Regional Park in the distance (the hills).

 On top of the [very windy and cold] world!

 The two highest points. The previous picture was taken on the peak where the person is standing.

South/west Edinburgh.

 Looking west, the castle! The grassy area in the photo is a lower part of Holyrood Park. Those lines in the grass are walking paths. So tiny!

 Favourite picture of the day. So happy!

 Looking south

The easy way down. Just a gentle(ish) hill to walk up and a railing to help! Would've been nice haha!

AND GO!

I haven't gone skydiving in a month and a half and I'm itching to jump again. I'm constantly looking at pictures of skydiving and re-watching videos made by the people at the dropzone I jump at. The ligaments in my wrist are still quite swollen and I still can't put all my weight on my hand which is required when exiting the plane. I'm just hoping so bad that it'll be healed enough to jump January 12th when the dropzone opens again!! Here are some photos from my second jump at Skydive Hibaldstow, England. And two videos from the University of York Skydiving Club. The first one is from half way through the first term and the second is from the end of the first term -made by the president, Krystian.

Looking nervous! And Steve is doing something to my parachute/static line. Which is probably why I was so nervous looking haha.

"In the door! Look up and in!"

"AND GO!"

1. The First UYSC Groundschools of the Year!

2. UYSC Christmas Party Compilation

Calton Hill, Edinburgh

Right in central Edinburgh, Scotland is a public park with important monuments and buildings. This hill is named Calton Hill. It is a location with lots of history and a fantastic view of the city and the sea (not as good as Arthur's Seat of course but the climb is a hell of a lot easier!). I was able to visit Calton Hill twice on my short 3 night trip to Edinburgh last week and I fell in love with it.

Me in front of the Nelson Monument.

The Dugald Stewart Monument

The National Monument of Scotland on the left and the Nelson Monument in the middle.

The north-west view of the city.

Me in front of the north of the city and the North Sea. 

Holyrood Park from Calton Hill. This park includes Arthur's Seat (the highest peak) and the Salisbury Crags (the cliffs on the far right).

The Castle in the background and the Scottish Government building in the foreground.

Princess Street.

The Salisbury Crags and Canongate Kirk cemetery. 

Me "holding" the National Monument :-)

I decided this cup-like statue reminded me of the cup from the Tri-Wizard Tournament in Harry Potter 4. I thought I should put my name in. 

Night Time in Edinburgh, Scotland

Experiencing Edinburgh at night was one of the highlights of my trip there this past week. The lights of the city and the carnival in the East Princess Street Gardens make city come alive in December and it is beautiful! My friend and I also went on a Sandeman's ghost walking tour. The tour itself was mediocre but it was creepy to see the cemeteries and it was amazing to see the city lights from the top of Calton Hill at night.

 The carnival. Part of the Highlands Village that is set up at Christmas.

 Me on Ramsay Lane. It leads up to the castle.

 The magnificent Edinburgh Castle!

 View from the castle entrance way. South side of the city.

 The view of the north side of the city from Calton hill.

 The National Monument of Scotland at night. This monument makes Edinburgh's nickname "The Athens of the North."

 The castle from Calton Hill.

Princess Street.