Dieu et mon droit!

Roslin, 18 th August 2017 - Our UK-tour ends and we finish in beauty and blessing. South of Edinburgh we visit Rosslyn Chapel, built in 1446. This iconic place - Scotland is full of iconic places - was built by the Earl of Sinclair and attracts many tourists, who know it from The Da Vinci Code movie, based on Dan Brown's novel. I admit I never read the book, nor did I see the movie. I must say it is nice and cosy inside, but the gothic masterpieces in my hometown are much more impressive. As with all iconic places, you need imagination to appreciate it. The speculation about the connection between the Knights Templar, the Holy Grail and freemasonry for example. The guide mentions to look out for ‘two riders on a single horse’, a Templar symbol. After her speech, I try to find it but I cannot. The chapel is private property and belongs to the Earl of Rosslyn. His main task is conservation of the fragile building, hammered centuries by Scottish wind, rain and mistreatment, like wh...

Edinburgh, 17 th August 2017 – Britain is a fighting nation with a long tradition of combat and military discipline. If you ever doubt that, go to the Tattoo in Edinburgh. Even if the event is all about music, you enter the spectator stands under a threatening fighter plane. The Tattoo was first organised in 1950 and as from 1952, when the Dutch Grenadiers were invited, foreign participants take part in the show. The word ‘tattoo’ derives from the cry of innkeepers in the Low Countries in the 17th and 18th centuries. At closing time, the fifes and drums of the local regiment would march through the streets, their music signalling a return to quarters, and the shout would go up – ‘Doe den tap toe’ (‘turn off the taps’). Just before the start of the show, a poor fellow behind us literally has a heart attack. In the confusion, they carry him away from the stands on stretchers. I hope he is doing well now. The show is amazing. English and American bands give great performances, the Japa...