Blogs from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe - page 5

Our time in northern Scotland has been great. We've lazily risen in the morning, had a good breakfast and then taken slow drives to beautiful places. Yesterday we went to Leith Hall which is a 'house' (more like a palace) that was donated to a society (of some sort) by a widow who lost her husband and son in the war in the 1950s. We had a walk around the beautiful pond, which was frozen, and beautiful gardens. While we were there, it began to snow and it was breathtaking. Gordon and I took a short trip to the west coast of Scotland. We stopped by Loch Ness, but did not spot Nessie. Anywhere you travel in Scotland is not far, but because the roads are often one track roads and very windy, it can take ... read more

I don't think we ever will know why my Great-Grandmother Mary, a trained nurse, gathered her younger sisters together to catch a boat to Australia just after World War 1. The region of Aberdeenshire was booming and work would have been plentiful. Entering the small town of Strichen where she came from, it's understandable that she probably felt that there was much more to the world than the small pocket of Scotland that her forebears had occupied for centuries. Mary was a Cumming, a name which originates from the old Norman name 'Comyn'. Robert Comyn accompanied William the Conqueror over to England and then came to the region of Aberdeenshire and through advantageous marraiges and battles etc. (the way things were done back then) the Comyns, or Cummings as they were known by then, became one ... read more

The Scottish Hogmanay or New Year's Eve, is a very important date in our calendar, it is a time to think of the dearly departed and old aquaintances never to be forgotten and those that we may be lucky and have the good fortune to meet in the coming year. Don't write your name in the snow, the wind will blow it away! Write your name in the hearts of the people you come in touch with, that's where it will stay! It can be a sad time of year if you let it, but more often than not, it is for one full of optimisim and for the better times to come! It is a time to gather with friends and loved ones to celebrate and mark the passing of the old year and see ... read more

We have had a lot of good help form a lot of great people. We want to thank them all for the donations and the help they have provided us with. Thanks to..... Scooter Central www.scootercentral.co.uk Motorparts www.mpfl.co.uk First Group www.firstgroup.com Warrior Clothing www.warriorclothing.co.uk Slumit Tents www.slumit.co.uk Alan McGee (Creation Records) www.deathdisco.co.uk Freestyle Extreme Clothing www.freestyleextreme.co.uk Broadmyre Motel Harry and Barbara Greig ... read more

So needed the rest after the three full on days we had in Paris, it was nice to get home and relax for the day. Jase, Becc & I all went to their local gym & worked out for an hour, this gym has fantastic facilities, this is what we need in Tanunda.....but it wouldnt happen. Felt invigorating just to run on the tread mill, lift weights & do floor exercises... my trainer back home would be very pleased with me. Went for coffee across the road & then back home to start packing, washing for London in 2 days time. I will then feel like I am on my way home when I arrive in London as from there we head off to New York......I feel energised, well rested & the happiest I have felt ... read more