THE FLYING SCOTSMAN! So I set off on my mammoth trek feeling a mixture of things. Excited about the wedding and seeing the family, gutted as I wasn't getting to visit London, nervous bout doing the trip on my own and finally wondering how I was gonna cope without my drinking buddy!!! I managed to negotiate my way across the world fairly unscathed but was running on adrenaline by the time I hit Edinburgh! Mummy and Aunty Teresa, kinda embarrassingly almost running through the airport, met me and we headed off home. It didn't feel strange being back - just like I was popping back from London for the weekend! I relaxed for the afternoon then mum and I thought we'd head out for a cheeky drink (maybe I had found a surrogate drinking partner?!?!?!) That cheeky drink ended up with my being the drunkest I have ever been in Scotland and I'm sure chatting s***e and abusing people!!! I'm blaming the lack of food, jetlag, Lynne not being there for back-up and anything else I can think of hahhahaha! I have to say that mother dearest was in much the same state and I'd love to hear her excuses?! Maybe the excitement of the Prodigal Daughter being home......?! Had to go for my Bridesmaid's Dress fitting in the morning and aside from the hangover the jetlag had arrived with a vengeance! Imagine my horror and embarrassment when I passed out in the shop! The dress fitting was rearranged and I know Carn was definitely stressing over her absent bridesmaid now hahahhahaha! Taken home and being fed soup by mother, whilst snuggling on the sofa was maybe even worth feeling like crap for! I tell you it took me 4/5 days to get any kind or eating and sleeping pattern - not good! Finally got my fitting done and lo and behold I had no more probs and my dress was the first one ready out of them all - maybe Carn would forgive me now heehee! My bezzie mate from Uni - Kate was coming to stay for a couple of days so I picked her up at the station and did a wee bit of shopping. Mum, Dad, Steven and Kate and I all went to the Gordon Arms for a meal that evening and we ended up nicely tipsy in the Linton Hotel talking to Oor Lynnith in Oz!!! I'm sure she was impressed getting ready for work and the landlord from the local is wanting to chat to her!!!! Kate, mum and I headed to Glasgow for a mammoth day's shopping and then back for home cooking - Haggis mmmmmmmmmm! Chilled evening and then had to say bye to Betts for hopefully not as long the next time?!?!?! The rest of the week was kinda spent seeing family, helping my bro and Carn where I could and just really basking in the Tropics of Scotland! Met up with the other bridesmaids and Carn for dinner and drinks on the Saturday evening and it was all very civilised - well the conversation wasn't but what do you expect from 4 women!!!! The next week kind of flew by in a blur of trying to catch up with people and having the excitement of the wedding. Spent the Thursday with Carn doing last minute bits and pieces whilst my brother picked up their American friends from the airport. I played tour guide to Penny, Bill, Kelsey and Sara on the Friday and had a great day. Did touristy stuff like Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Yacht Britannia (which we nearly had to resuscitate Bill on - he was so excited hahahah!) and in the blazing sunshine you remember what a nice city Edinburgh is!!! I have to say that it was a sorry state of affairs that lunch was had in McDonalds!!!!! I'd like to blame the kids but I think it was more Bill's idea.......! We headed to Dalhousie Castle for the Rehearsal that evening and a few drinks were had. Carn and Andrew made a little speech and everyone was given gifts. Carn had designed and had made necklaces for all the bridesmaids to tie in with hers and our dresses - they were gorgeous! Yet again the Yanks had a culinary treat in store when I stopped at the Chippie on the way home! I have to say hats off to Penny for wolfing down a Scotch pie supper, soaked in sauce at a rate of noughts!!! You go girl - I think the Americans were made for the Scottish "heart attack' food culture!!!!!!!! Got some preening done on the Saturday then headed to Carn's for dinner and to spend the night. The mothers joined us and I think the hyperness between the mothers and the groom could have lit up the national grid! The bride was as cool as a cucumber! Had a relatively early night and tried to catch some zzzzzzz. Some coffee, some cigarettes and we were off up to the hairdressers and beauticians at 9am! Not that they needed that long to make us beautiful - honest! We thought we were in fairly good time but when we were driving home and passed my mum's house to see that groom and the best man were outside and in their full-kilted attire and THEN for the limo picking them up to pass us we realised that we were running late! Carn thankfully didn't see the groom and she was happy that it was the brides' prerogative to be late!!!! Trying to get a bride, 3 bridesmaids and a fretting mother ready in 100 degree heat and in a confined space was pushing us all to the edge and I would say that one or 10 expletives were uttered! It was then a trauma as Carn emerged downstairs and her Dad didn't hold it together! Bless. There was a panicky make-up moment for all of us but a couple of more champagnes and all was forgotten! The car ride to the castle has to have been one of the funniest ever! We were in an old Roller but it had no air con and we were struggling, so we did the only thing we could - lay over the seats with our dresses houcked up and fanning one another! The driver was mucho bemused - pervert! - and the people that we passed in the cars either thought that we were all midget bridesmaids, or tramps!!!! Hahahhahahah! A quick Brandy sifter before walking down the aisle and then the proceedings begun. I'm embarrassed to say that I had a tear or two when I walked in and saw my bro standing at the alter looking up at me and I'm sure the video will look great with me trying not to screw my face up in tears whilst walking! Sorry for almost breaking your hand Dawn!!! Christ, you'd have thought it was me getting hitched! All was well apart from it being 109 degrees in the chapel (it was recorded) and the cameraman passed out as the ceremony began! Sort of a panicky moment until my bro declares that "he went down like a fckin zed-bed". Very funny and I think even the Minister raised a smile! It was a lovely service and it all went well. Photographs were taken and then on to the food - which we were all dying for by then!!!! The speeches were great and my brothers was highly amusing apart from when he thanked me for interrupting my "round the world piss up" - I mean what a cheek - I haven't even made it round the world yet hahahah! The rest of the evening passed in a blur so I can only imagine how quick it went for Andrew and Carn! I caught up with some old friends and family I haven't seen in years and it was just the most incredible day. Carn and Andrew headed on their honeymoon the next day to Koh Samui in Thailand (I wonder if it was Lynne and I's website antics that made them think of there?????) and now that they're back I know they've had a ball and have fallen in love with the country like we did! I did some last minute catch-ups, including a nice lunch with Harry and Marilyn (Lynne's folks) and shopping and packing and before I knew it my 19 days were up and I was heading back Down Under. I have to say that's it's the most enjoyable trip I've had back sine I left home 10 years ago so well worth the 2 days of travelling I had ahead of me! I won't even bore you with the journey but let's just say horrendous!!!! Well I was off back to the land of sun and surfers and my wee boozy buddy........