Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Sunday 17th June
Good trip on Eurostar to London, walked & walked & walked to finally get to Kings Cross station only to find that works on the tracks have delayed all services! When we boarded the 10.50am train at 11.30 we found good seats in the First Class carriage but it immediately became clear that the train was severely overcrowded. A rude, loud Scottish man & woman started argue ing with the man opposite about their seats. Then the woman put her face in mine & rudely told me to move over & let her husband have my seat - I said I would if she asked nicely. I can understand the woman's frustration but she didn't have to be rude to me - old b****! Then it was announced that the train was being downgraded & there was to be NO First Class service. NOT HAPPY JAN!!!!!
We were given some sandwiches, fried chips, water & some crappy dry choc biscuit & reassurances that we can put in for compensation !?!
Anyway finally arrived at Edinburgh station at 4.20pm where had to wait 40 mins for our connecting train to Dundee.
That was a s*** fight as the train didn't have room for the big bags that Mum & Moray have. So while Mum tottered off to get a seat we were left to lug the bags up the narrow aisles of the train. (story here as well re Mum's bag- tell later)
Arrived in Dundee at 6.10pm & made our way to hotel ( another story here re taxi, walking)
Hotel lovely but has 2 queen beds & not much room when Mum starts to spread her stuff around!
Sent out for carrot soup & roll as we were b*****ed & it was raining.
Not off to a good start in Bonny Scotland but can only get better(hope)
Monday 18th
Was asleep before Mum finished pottering about, didn't hear her turn lights out & go to bed.
Up early for stretches, shower & brekky.
Mum showed us around the inner city area - the shop she used to work in, the churches, museum & the old cemetery where some witches are buried. Think she enjoyed her little trip down memory lane.
Had lunch at a great pub - finally got my feed of fish & chips (haddock)! So fresh!
This afternoon while Mum went for a massage & Moray rested I went for a swim, soak in hot tub & sauna.
Turned out to be quite a lovely sunny day & warmed up a bit.
Nice to have a few minutes to myself while the others go for a spa.
Tuesday 19th
Mum & I had a Scottish cheese plate & glass of white wine for dinner last night, Moray was too tired so stayed in room & had room service - she's not feeling the best at the moment.
Woke up at 3 am & opened the window - the gloaming was really pretty! Daylight starts at around 3.30 am & sun goes down around 10pm but it never gets dark (that's the gloaming)
At 12.30pm we met Aunty May & her daughter Carol in the lounge of the hotel where we enjoyed some lunch (fish & chips again) & they left at 2pm.
I went for another swim, spa & sauna then we went to lounge for a drink while we waited for Sheila & wee Sheila.
They arrived at 6pm & it was as though we took up from where we left off 38 years ago! I thoroughly enjoyed the few hours we had them!!
We talked about the time we went in Sheila's little Morris Minor with Yvonne (Sheila's best friend) down to Coupar Angus to spend a weekend at a little flat they had rented. Fun time!
We talked about our families, work & hobbies/interests - was great - loved it!
Sheila offered to take us for a drive past St Andrews on Thursday & they want to meet us at the castle in Edinburgh on Sunday. I am so looking forward to that - should be great!
Enjoyed some dinner from the bar menu - crispy battered prawns with sweet chilli sauce & glass Sauvignon Blanc.
It was nearly 9pm when Sheila & wee Sheila left.
Wednesday 20th
Woke at 2am so took photos of the harbor in the gloaming- very pretty!
Caught the bus to Arbroath 40mins away where we looked through the ruins of Arbroath Abbey. This huge abbey sits on a hill overlooking Arbroath & was built by King William 1st in 1127. It was kept by an order of monks who wore grey woollen robes (other Orders at the time wore brown & black) & has been ravaged by wars & many fires over the centuries.
'William the Lion' - King of Scots was buried there.
Afterwards we wandered down High Street to the wharf for lunch at 'The Old Brewhouse' - we enjoyed a smokie & a clootie (both delicious!)
Had a sleep this afternoon before being pampered with a full body massage at the "U Spa".
Had a light dinner & into bed at 10pm.
Thursday 21st
Was woken at 4am with Mum's phone ringing!
Very windy & cloudy today with rain expected later. Sheila arrived at 10am & showed us some of her family photos. Then she drove us to St Andrews to see Fairmont Hotel which is a grand hotel overlooking St Andrews Bay. We enjoyed a nice coffee here before driving on to Scotland's Secret Bunker.
This huge bunker was built so that the country could still be governed in case of nuclear attack. It's the size of 2 football fields one on top of another 100 feet underground - hidden beneath a Scottish farmhouse. One of Scotland's best kept secrets but is now off the Official Secrets list.
Back in the car & on to Anstruthers for lunch at a busy little fish & chip shop. We all had battered Haddock & chips and mug of tea. Delicious!
A cone of home-made ice-cream topped it off. By now the weather had closed in with rain & fog so Sheila drove back to Dundee & dropped us back to the hotel. A good day!
Moray & I went for another swim, spa & sauna while Mum had a snooze.
Stayed in our room tonight watching & listening to the rain on the window & ate some ginger cake that Mum bought in Anstruthers.
Friday 22nd
Roslyn & Brian Came to the hotel at 10am & drove us up to the mountains to Braemar & Balmoral. We stopped at a ski resort for a cup of tea & a roll that Roslyn had brought with her, then on to Braemar Castle for a walk around only as it is only open in July.
We then went to Balmoral Castle - the Queen's country home! Here we were allowed to walk through the gardens & into the ballroom. I walked down to the River Dee - a lovely spot with Rhododendrons growing near the banks - very peaceful.
Next Brian stopped at the Royal Loch Na Gar Distillery where we took in a tour & had a tasting of 12year old whiskey.
Then it was on to Crathie Kirk - the church close to Balmoral Castle.
The weather was kind to us today with only a couple of rain showers & wasn't too cold.
We enjoyed a home cooked dinner at Roslyn & Brian's home - yummy veg soup, meat pie & vegs & a choice of trifle or apple & rhubarb crumble with custard. Yum!
Aunty May had joined us for dinner & after Brian returned from taking her home he took us for a drive around the streets where Mum used to live & then up the Law. A wonderful 360 degree view of Dundee.
Arrived back at hotel at 9pm.
Saturday 23rd
While Mum had her massage, Moray & I walked down to train station to get train times for tomorrow & Tuesday.
Mum & I took in the 'RRS Discovery' exhibition which was quite interesting.
The Discovery was the Antarctica Exploration ship commanded by Scott & Shackleton, it was returned to Dundee
& restored.
Afterwards we walked up to 'The Counting House' (one of the many local pubs)where we enjoyed Haggis, Tatties & Neeps and Fish & Chips. The Haggis was quite delicious!
Checked out a wonderful little coffee & tea shop called 'Braithwaites' which has been operating since 1868 & has retained its old world charm by not modernising. Smelt divine!
Mum then took us to 'Fisher & Donaldson' cakes & chocs where we bought coffee & tea. Moray & Mum bought some cakes for later.
Back to the hotel for a rest before a spa & sauna.
Was really windy here today but didn't rain & not too cold.
Sunday 24th
Took the 9.25am train down to Edinburgh where we met Sheila, Sheila & Ali. Ali wore his kilt complete with spurn & skeindo. He looked great!
We went through Mary King's Close which gives you an insight into how people lived back in the 17th & 18th century. Narrow lanes & streets and tiny houses of 1 room for 3 families (up to 12 people)- was dark, steep & depressing!
Did some shopping on The Royal Mile & lunch at 'Deacon's House Cafe' - a 15th century building that was formerly Deacon Brodie's workshop. The mural on the wall depicted life as it was.
(story here)
Sadly we had to say goodbye to our lovely family members- was feeling quite sad & shed a few tears.
Caught the 5.15pm train back to Dundee & enjoyed some dinner & drinks in the bar before retiring at 11pm.
Monday 25th
After brekky Moray went for a swim & spa, Mum & I walked up the street. We were told that we would have to change our Scottish money to English pounds as England will not accept it! Bazaar!
Had lunch at Fisher & Donaldson cake shop- we all had Stovies with Oatcakes & butter & tea. We then caught a bus out to Birkhill to visit Mum's friend Maureen. She met us off the bus & took us to her home where her husband Jim was waiting. She had prepared a lunch of ham & salads followed by meringue, ice-cream & strawberry.
Great that Mum could catch up with them and Moray & I enjoyed chatting with them (although we couldn't get a word in edge ways).
Maureen then showed us the way to the Birkhill cemetery as Mum wanted to look for her friend Wilma's grave. She left a couple of Aussie flags & a toy koala near the headstone. Got back to the hotel at 6.30pm.
Enjoyed a couple of red wines in the bar
with some crumbed Brie wedges before taking to my bed (as the Scots say) at 10pm.
Tuesday 26th
Up early this morning - stretched & showered before 7am. At 10.20 we got our taxi to the station. Mum was sure that the rels would come & see us off but no-one came! I think she was very disappointed but she didn't let on - I felt sad for her.
Our train left at 11.06am & we were offered food immediately! Mum ate a bacon toastie & we all had a croissant with butter & jam and a cup of tea.
About 1 hour later they were offering lunch! We all ate Smoked Haddock Mornay pie washed down with a gin & tonic. Just after 2 o'clock we were again offered sandwiches & another drink!! I had warm Spanish Sauvignon Blanc. ( can't say that I enjoyed it)
Then at 3pm they came around with tea, coffee & more drinks.
- comments
alicia It sounds like you are having a great time mum. Enjoying reading your blog. Can you upload any photos ? Hope Moray is feeling better. Gloaming sounds gloomy! Are you able to sleep much?? How is the food? The castle will be great. xx