#millennium clock

We nearly missed the train.  Thanks to Storm Ciara, an hour and a half was almost not enough to travel the 18 miles to Northallerton Station.  Our first major diversion was a mere mile from home, and things didn’t get better.

We were at the station in time. Just.  But the train was late.  Never mind. Beyond Newcastle, this is one of England’s finest train journeys.  The coast near Alnmouth, distant views of Holy Island, Berwick-on-Tweed, while enjoying a late breakfast, and unlimited coffee at our table – that stressful journey to the station had been worth it.

Gateshead from the train.

Alnmouth from the train.

Berwick on Tweed from the train.

Once in Edinburgh, this is what we were faced with.

We put our heads down and made straight for the National Museum of Scotland.  And there we stayed.  All day.  It was no hardship. We had an interesting morning in the fascinating if not photogenic gallery devoted to Scotland’s twentieth century of social change. A very light snack.  And in the afternoon, we followed no plan.  Every gallery had something of interest.  So we each followed our noses, and visited far flung Inuit territory in Canada, plunged into the oceans, watched the Millennium Clock strike three, wondered at unwearable clothing in the costume gallery … We know we’ll be back – so much to see, and it’s so beautifully displayed and interpreted.

That’s why we didn’t leave the museum.

On arrival, a taste of what’s to come.

So much to see, so little time.

The Natural History Gallery.

The Natural History Gallery.

Reflections observed from the Balcony Cafe.

So many bicycles..

The Millennium Clock – worth a post on its own.

The main hall, viewed through an elk.

A pac-a-mac? Or an inuit parka made from seal gut?

Yup’ik spirit dance mask, Alaska.

Court Mantua. British, 1750s

Back into the blizzard for the train home. Here’s something to smile at.

And here’s our journey home on the train.

Edinburgh Castle from the train in Waverley Station.

Dusk, leaving Scotland.

Gateshead at night.

@Tubridy2FM listeners texted the show with a number of suggestions for #celtictigermuseum on Friday morning:

[maybe a nod to @davidmcw's Breakfast Roll Man?]

The most iconic thing has to be the breakfast roll

Some other suggestions

Roundabouts - Paddy in Donegal

Anglo Irish GOLF BALLS [anyone have a pic of one?] 

Voting machine! Ger

Berties balls- put them in the Celtic tiger museum!! Mary

A five hundred euro note, a jumbo breakfast roll, a piece of decking, a bull bar from a 4 wheel drive.

Hi Dave, how about the high Vis jacket and the breakfast roll? Mick.

Lines of people queuing up over night to buy an apartment that’s worth nothing now!

an 06 Range Rover

Multi trip travel insurance

Kids with fake tan and false nails arriving in a hummer for their communion would be a good one for the virtual museum.

The clock in the Liffey

Things to put in a Celtic tiger museum, an Audi a4 and a Panini and big sunglasses via cover half your face.

Hi Dave, tickets for a weekend shopping trip to New York should go into that Celtic tiger museum. Ronan