Here I am--in Scotland!

A few months ago it didn't look as if I would be going to Scotland to visit my dear friend, M. It has been three and a half years since we have seen one another and we were long overdue for a visit. There is so much to catch up on when you go for years without seeing one another. My sweet husband is responsible for encouraging me, actually insisting, to book the ticket. M's first grandson was born when Bob and I were here with the pipe band in August 2004. We were able to see him in the hospital when he was just a day old. Now he is an adorable, and I REALLY mean adorable, extremely bright toddler with lovely blue eyes and a delightful personality. I love him to pieces! We bonded yesterday when he pretended to be a mewing kitten and I chased after him as he ran from sofa to love seat. What a sweetie.


I flew here on Aer Lingus, to Dublin and then on a short connecting flight to Glasgow. There used to be a very convenient AA direct flight from Chicago to Glasgow. Aside from the fact that the flight was not direct, I have to say it was one of the most pleasant airline experiences I've had in the last decade. Clean, comfortable seats, individual tv screens, decent food, ample soft blankets and pillows, and a very friendly flight staff. I will definitely try to fly Aer Lingus again.

Experts on jet lag and travel say that on the first day after a long flight you should stay awake all day and adapt to the new schedule. With just two hours of sleep on the flight, that method was not going to be a wise course. I took a short nap late yesterday afternoon, showered, and then felt fine until falling into a coma around 11 or 11:30. I slept for 12 hours (!) and am now right as rain, or as M said when I woke up, "That's you, sorted now." We had tea and a strawberry smoothie here at the house as we chatted in the lounge. Tea always tastes best in Scotland! (It is the water.) M treated us to a lovely brunch in a restaurant overlooking the harbor in Troon. We both had a bit of pan fried salmon, salad, roasted new potatoes, all presented beautifully in a lunch sized portion. Dessert was included: lemon tart for me and Scottish tablet ice cream with chocolate sauce for M. Cappucino was the perfect ending to our meal. Perfect!

Tonight I'm going to P's (M's daughter) to teach her to knit. I'm looking forward to our special time together. Tomorrow M, her two daughters, grandson, and I are off on a getaway venture. The destination is a surprise to me. How fun! All I know is that I am supposed to bring my "bathing costume". Thank goodness M told me that in advance. I tried the bathing costume on before I left and it didn't fall apart...yet.

Lentil soup is bubbling on the stove. My knitting is in the lounge. Weather is cool and daffodils, banks of them, and tulips, are blooming along the roadways and in the gardens. M's back garden has a stone wall that borders a farm field. We see cows (not the Highland variety) and sometimes sheep, grazing out back. A cup of Scottish blend tea with milk has just been placed on the desk by the keyboard. Tea and a good friend. I am a very fortunate person!