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Published: July 20th 2011
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Don't you hate it when you have dirty fingernails? There's something about the dirt that lies in the nail bed, its not clean dirt, not by any means, its the dirtiest of dirt, filthy even and it's under your nails. Its not a nice feeling, to have dirt under you nails. However it is a really great feeling to know that you have the freedom to travel. It is also a really great feeling when you know that your destination is somewhere you've always known you'd go, no matter what. The best part? I was going there with my parents, yep mum and dad were coming too. We were off to Scotland, and how excited I was.
Scotland, as it seems most other places, had always been on my list. Whether it was because of the stories I'd heard from my sisters about how wonderful the countryside was, or whether it was the fact that I'd met 4 amazingly funny scottish lads along my travels, whatever it was I was happy I was on my way, even happier with the fact that I was on my way in first class. How lucky were we! Sitting in our very comfortable high baked
chairs with the writing 'first class' embroided on the covers, laptops out, hooked into the free wi fi, coffee and tea, water and juice, softdrinks and alchol, of any kind; whisky, wine and beer being served every hour on the hour. Oh and I can't forget the food; from crisps to sandwiches, scones to muffins, oh and of course there was salmon tapas and the oh so delicious cheese and cauliflower pie. Oh yes we all agreed the cheese and cauliflower pie was a revolution. But I don't know about you, there's something that goes on inside you; whether your sitting on a plane,in a fancy bus or on a train, when you hear the wheels of that food trolley rattling, whether your not in the slightest bit hungry, or your dead tired and in the middle of a peaceful sleep, you wake up, you flip that tray table down and you eat. It's not free, not by any means, in fact with the prices we pay for travel these days everyone should be fed three course meals, but you feel absolutely obliged to eat it, you deserve it, it has your name on it and its free right?!
DEWARS!
aberfeldy whisky distillery So indeed we ate, I think I gave up after 4 hours, but mum and dad were troopers and went the whole 5 hours...and then here we were, about to arrive in Perth, a little heavier than when we stepped on the train, but in great spirits. We were about to meet Mary and Charlie, mum's cousin, and I'd heard good things about Mary's cooking!! so again, regardless of how full I was, there was no way I was going to turn down my first home cooked meal in a long time.
We were picked up in two cars! How's this for service (thanks again Bob!) and taken about 10 minutes down the road, past all of the beautiful scenery to Bridge of Earn, the small township Mary and Charlie call home. I was shown my very cosy little room up stairs and before we knew it we were indeed served our first of many delicious evening meals. After a very restful sleep I awoke only to be greeted by a yummy continental breakfast, in fact this followed a similar pattern all week. Oh the joys of something so simple as a couple of cornflakes in a bowl with skim
milk...you just can't beat it!
Our first field trip of many, we were off to the Aberfeldy Whisky Distillery (a great start) yes to taste some whisky just the way Amelia had done years before. Quite the taste isn't it! A lovely picnic on the lawn afterwards in the pleasant Scotland weather (yes lovely Scottish weather! as in no rain and lots of sunshine!) before making our way along the winding roads back home, with a stop over to have a look through one of the ancient Scottish Crannog's, the houses from many moons ago discovered in many of the lake beds in the area...no 'nessy' unfortunately but very interesting nevertheless; to know way back then my distant relatives were of the Viking variety! all stone bommy knockers and the likes!
So day after day, lovely meal after lovely meal, miles and miles of incredible scenery we came to the decision that we'd done a pretty good job of seeing Perthshire. Our stay wouldn't have been complete without a visit into the closest city of Perth, where Mary and I looked through the charity shops (amazing!)like seriously this one little city has over 20!! and cheap too!
Other activities during
the week included Mum and I taking a bus into Edinburgh to wander around the old castle, taking in the sights and the shops of course and what a wonderful place it was, oh Edinburgh! Unfortunately we missed Charles, yes it's true, he was visiting, just for the day and we missed him! but we weren't all that upset, or were we mum? Dad and Charlie ventured to the Royal Highland show and wandered around the machinery (sorry charlie!) and returned tired but very impressed with the set up, didn't you dad?!
We were lucky enough to be taken through the impressive grounds of Scone Palace just to get a taste of how they used to live....although we too were being treated like Kings thanks to Mary...the food, have I mentioned the food, amazing! I'm talking roasts and vegetables and tatties! ice cream and custard, soup, you name it, we ate it and oh how i enjoyed it. It was just like being back at nana Yetmans' eating all of her wonderfully traditional meals. and I couldn't help but have a moment when we were served roast on a Sunday, it had after all been a while...ahhhh awesome!!!
A big
thank you to Mary and Charlie, for many laughs, many miles in the car and their wonderful company. It was a pleasure to be a guest in your home, walk around your neighbourhood and meet your children/grandchildren! and I will hopefully be back to see you again soon!
To Scotland for putting on some fairly decent weather (believe it or not, it only rained twice!) and for your magic scenery. You truly are blessed with your lush, green, rolling hills, cute sheep and castles! ahhhhhh!
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