The one with the weekend fun - Exploring Aberdeen

This weekend was full of adventure and walking as we explored our new home! Saturday began with a trip to the bank to open an account-which has proven to be just as much of a task as applying for a visa! Though we thought we were prepared witha letter Greg's office put together proving our income, etc. we were denied bc of minor technicalities.  For example, the letter said "Greg" instead of "Gregory" and did not include details on who will be paying our rent. We thought that part to be a little interesting as we were simply trying to open an account...not take out a mortgage. Needless to say without a bank account we are still without a car and I am still without a phone.

After the bank, Puffin took me to what I like to call the "real" grocery store.  All the grocery stores downtown are the size of a drugstore back home.  While walking to the beach we ran into an ASDA superstore. ASDA is the Wal-Mart of the UK.  It was not as big as a super Walmart, but bigger than a Kroger.  There they had groceries, clothes, car stuff, electronics, etc. however they still don't carry the   abundance of different brands like in the US.  The grocery store pics are from one of the smaller stores downtown called Sainsbury.  Sainsbury is the HEB of the UK and does come in superstore size. :)

 Haggis and cracked Pepper Crisps

Shrimp cocktail crisps

Jack and Coke....premixed :)

Eggs (NOT refrigerated)

Cilantro! Yay! So glad to see it but confused as to why they call it coriander?

Puffin in produce section.

After we finished checking out the grocery store we walked down to the beach.  When the sun decides to grace us, the water is a very pretty blue and the cliffs are a perfect backdrop.  Most of the time however, it is grey and VERY windy there.  There were people playing ON the beach with their kids and puppies, but no one was in the water.  Many people were walking up and down the beach with ice cream?!   They have a boardwalk type set up with many small coffee shops, burger joints, etc. and there is also an amusement park that had bowling, putt-putt, arcades, and a couple small roller coasters.

On Sunday we took a bus out to Harthill Castle for Expro's 40th Anniversary "Scottish BBQ". They had a roasted pig, steak, burgers and hot dogs. I had a hot dog-but it was NOT a hot dog! I didnt know that it was possible to screw up a hot dog, but these Scots have proved me wrong! Greg and I cant wait to show them what a real BBQ is!

We weren't able to go inside the castle, but the grounds were amazing.   It was raining the majority of the time we were out there, so we would run out and take pics when it slowed down.  I, of course, did not pack my raincoat OR an umbrella in my suitcase so I got wet.  I have learned that scarves do make nice head coverings in the rain!

Me and Puffin at Harthill Castle

I am definitely wishing we had planned a little bit more when we were packing.  The movers went through our stuff so quickly that Greg and I were just grabbing clothes and putting them in suitcases! I have about 4 pairs of shorts with me-that's right, shorts!  I have a feeling I will never wear thos here! Unless, I start dressing like the locals and take up wearing tights underneath my shorts.  Do they do that bc even for them it's cold, or bc their legs are so white?  Stay tuned friends, I will have an answer for that!