A Scottish Adventure......

Well hello, all...... here I am back in the rocking chair once again. Having my daughter home has meant that life has become a little unpredictable. She, together with my friend, Cheryl (more about her later...) decided that I needed to be kidnapped and taken on a Scottish Adventure. So last Monday, Diana, her friend, Sarah, and I set off north. Nothing like spur of the moment excitement here, let me tell you. I am sure that there were many reasons I should have stayed here and sulked, but in the end, I couldn't think of a single plausible reason not to go. And I tossed a bag in the car, and off we went.

We stopped at York for lunch with Glynis's daughter, Katherine, who works at the university, and is about to have her PhD graduation ceremony! Kate and Diana have been the greatest of friends since birth, so that was a really lovely reunion for them, although it was just for lunch. There will be more time later, of course.

Crossing over North Yorkshire, we discovered this little castle. Sarah and Diana lived in Brougham Street in NZ, and they decided this castle was meant for them.

It did, however, need a little work on the roof.

And then we got to Scotland, the home of one of my oldest friends. Probably THE oldest. We were trying to work that out. We met when we were 6. On a beach in Cape Town. Then later we were in the same class at school, at the same uni, and she was a bridesmaid etc etc etc.

Anyway, Cheryl and Robin live in a village north of Edinburgh, and it is one of my most favourite places on earth. We have spent so many wonderful family holidays with them, and if you remember, the first Christmas after Geoff died, David and I went to Scotland to spend Christmas with them. It is a place to go to relax. And, to be thoroughly spoilt too, may I add. A haven. Refuge. Peace.

The girls went off on their adventures every day, and I stayed with Cheryl. There was a great deal of talking, napping, enjoying the sun and scenery from their garden, eating - oh the eating....I cannot tell you what wonderful meals Cheryl created. I am still waddling.

We did manage to trip to the supermarket, and stopped for lunch at a nearby farm shop too. This "Heeland Coo" was in residence.

And this is a bench outside their home, where you can sit and just drink in the serenity of the view over Loch Leven. Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned on the island. Beautiful. Diana just loves being there, and this is one of her favourite places to sit.

Not the most stunning of photos, but it is the only one I have of everyone. Robin was doing a bbq, with a great many "helpful" suggestions from the women. The weather was great and we spent a great deal of time out in the garden. In the evening, the fire was lit, and we all curled up on couches indoors. Bliss, I tell you.

And this is what I did. I put my feet up and relaxed. It was absolutely just what I needed to be doing. I have many photos of my feet on different stools, benches or chairs.

And just in case you are wondering, whenever I tried to help, I was told to sit down and stop interfering. Sigh. I tried.

And that is where I disappeared to last week. It was wonderful. Peaceful. And I had time to relax with a special friend, and have my daughter around too.