Going Home - Tue 06/01/2009

Our last words.
We enjoyed our daily route march and final views of the lovely castle. Ian was on the bbc news page and the headline said 'woman in court for murdering her husband by setting fire to his penis' so think on Ian. Min thought it said pen is.
Thanks to Tim for waking us up this morning for his daily grumble..
Ian Met his work mate Simon Basil , in the departure lounge. Lucky Simon had escaped the souths big chill by opting for a secret mission to the Perth office, He gets an upgraded seat courtesy of SSE But he didn't invite us to join him in his executive club lounge: (

Monday 5/1/09 birthday +1

Another cold day but a shower of rain makes it feel a bit warmer, We set off in our hire car to view the famous 4th bridge, we first see the rail bridge and further on the motor bridge, Maureen plots us a course for South Queensferry ,the bridge is an engineering triumph and before you can say " Paint the 4th bridge " you reach the other side. we visited Dunfermline & found the shops, Ian spent 30p in a self cleaning/flushing toilet near the Abbey.. money well spent I believe!

Next stop Aberdour Castle, Boasting a few more walls & floors than yesterdays ruin at Crichton, a chatty guide helped us on the history. The original Norman owners The Mortimers Passing the property to The Douglas Family ( a vast clan ) who were raised to Nobility in the 16C thanx to a royal marriage.

we stopped off at the equally historic tiny parish church ,where Hollie guided us through its religous history.

Back to the hotel for a swim & dressed up in our finest ( George at asda ) we headed to The Witchery By The Castle.

This magical restaurant is lit entirely by candles, Our table was in the Secret Garden at the back , Arched French windows lead out onto a balcony in the gothic style, festooned with Fruit & fairy Lights. The food was equally fantastic..min enjoyed pasta & veg soup , Sausages in red onion jam & leek mash. Ians Pate & steak accompanied by portabello mushrooms was to die for. I chose Scallops & monkfish to follow plus a desert selection...All mouthwatering !

Min is once again abandoned as we write this planning our next cocktail in the hotel bar, Sadly we leave tomorrow but all in all its been a wonderful few days. Lovely to arrange something FOR Ian instead of him doing all the work!...Might even do it again if the bank don't re possess the house when they see the size of this months credit card bill : )

going into the resturant


castle by night

min by candle light

Sunday 4/1/09 Ian reaches his 40th Birthday!
Ian was awoken this morning by 2 big lumps jumping on his bed singing happy birthday ..clutching a tiny fruit cake complete with candle supplied by Ian’s mum. Prezzies, cards and another hotel gut buster breakfast overlooking the castle. Can’t be bad?
Took a cab to the Avis car hire office & bullied the woman into a 2 level free upgrade, taking us from tandem & side car to Ford Focus “ style “ .
Maureen glued firmly to the windscreen ,we ventured out into the highlands. Our first stop Crichton Castle a wonderfully scenic ruin near Pathhead. We took an icy walk across the countryside & photographed the magnificent views.
Back to Edinburgh and a walk to the Edinburgh Dungeon, Min & I squealed our way round the scary scenes, our actor guides cackling & leering like loons ( sounds like my office! ).
All too soon back to reality & a damp rainy walk back.
We are now sitting in “ Brittania Spice “ one of Scotland’s most celebrated Indian restaurants . Ian is eating a stupidly hot chilli chicken dish, which has made his ears bleed. Min had her usual chicken curry , which proved a little spicy for her, My Chicken & spinach speciality was perfect.
The waiters have just sung happy birthday & Ian has blown out his candles for the second time today ( Perhaps that means he’s really 80??)
****Happy Birthday Ian ****
And many more.



Hello everyone!!!!!!
Having a super great time! Ian’s Birthday went excellently! Like a dream birthday!
I hope Ian enjoyed his Birthday as much as I did!
I am glad all of mummy’s surprises came off well!
I feel happy for mummy!
Hope you are all well!
I am now tired after all Ian’s route marches but im still raring for more walks in the countryside and beyond!
Thanks for reading.
Hollie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

mmmmmm curry

Sat 3rd - The castle

After our cooked breakfast eaten in the heights resturant overlooking the castle. We made a climb to the castle itself. The morning air was crisp and clear. We took photos of the magnificent views across the city as far as the port of leith. The castle boasts the scottish crown jewels and a comprehensive history of the scottish military, We locked Min in a cell in the old prison area (deb insisted I got her out - Ian). Back to the hotel for a swim. Later we walked the mile to the playhouse theatre to catch a performance of The Witches of Eastwick stopping at the theatre pub for a very good dinner. Unfortunately our seats were so high in the gods that we all had vertigo. The show starring Marti Pellow was well worth seeing.

What is Cullen Skink ? Friday 2/1/09

Evening all...Who'd have thought it? this time yesterday he didn't know he was going anywhere, tonight dinner overlooking Edinburgh Castle!

11am today, Frantic phone call from Ian, Flat tyre! Deb driving to the airport in her bean can.

Arrived safely at pink elephant parking & a quick courtesy bus to the terminal, after a suprisingly good pizza to share, we boarded our flight to Edinburgh.

Seemed like 5 mins later we arrived at our destination, after collecting our bags we were swiftly mugged by our taxi driver..Seems Scotland have a bank Holiday every third day & this means they can charge quadruple doubled by the biggest number you can think of!

The Apex International ,no less, a smashing 4* establishment seems just the job. we have a well appointed room & min has spotted the swimming pool. The room has been stripped of all courtesy items by min in her "scavenger " mode. We took a stroll around the area & discovered a full scale Fun fair in action. The castle is built on a hill top & we overlook the castle.. ergo..anywhere we travel is downhill the return journey is... hell for an unfit bugger like me!

Anyhow we are washed & changed & eating our dinner in the "Metro Bistro" , our hotel eatery.

Min has demolished Bread with olive oil & balsamic, followed by Corn battered pollock & chunky chips "Oy mr, Got any ketchup?" ( so common ) Ian went native with the Haggis Neeps & tatties followed by steak burger, I had Cullen skink (Peppery haddock soup, ask Caroline if unsure) & chorizo sausage & mash yum yum the beer is flowing, bed soon....night night