Day 174 - 16 Dec '23 - Glasgow. Another late night meant a late start to the day again, but I left everyone at the house when I walked to a nearby clinic to get my thyroid ultrasound done. This was free or part-charged in New Zealand, but here it's not covered on the NHS, so I had to pay £100 for it (and that was the cheapest I could find - one place was £363!!).
Once I got back, we drove to my old childhood home in nearby Waterfoot. It was quite odd going back there, and remembering all the houses (and the people that lived there), but also seeing all the changes that had happened. Everything also looked smaller and the street seemed shorter, which was quite strange!
I knocked on our old neighbour's house, but they weren't in, so I put a note through their letterbox; hopefully they get in touch soon!
We then drove to Eaglesham, where I showed Dan and the kids where I went to primary school, and the library, and the doctor, and the church, and the shop where we would get Milk Maid ice pops, and The Orry where dad took my brother and I sledging once. I say once, because I split my skull on a stone wall, and we never went back! (The Orry was for the 'big kids', because the hill was much longer and faster than the Inky Pinky, which was the hill back at our home street).
Incidentally, I showed the kids the Inky Pinky, and even that had changed; there were houses where the playground used to be, and also on the field we had to walk through (and dodge the cow pats) to get to the hill.
The next stop on my list was my old high school, where I showed Alex the castle that is on the grounds (and gave the school its name, Mearns Castle High School). It, too, had changed, with more buildings added on, yet the sports fields with a full-sized athletics track had remained the same.
We returned to the house to have our lunch, then at 2pm we left to go to the transport museum. It had moved to a new location, but still had all the amazing model ships it used to.
Tesco supermarket was next on our list, and we came across the BIGGEST gluten free section of packaged goods we have ever seen. And this didn't include their chilled and frozen sections!
We were left to ourselves in the evening, as Susan went out for the night with some friends, so I took the opportunity to catch up on some washing.
Day 175 - 17 Dec '23 - Glasgow. It was raining and miserable when we woke up, and the weather forecast said it was going to be like that for the next week. I had been wanting to take my family to the Botanic Gardens and also Roukenglen Park (where I went as a kid, that had paddle boats and swans), but both those ideas were somewhat stymied by the rain.
While Susan went to an appointment, we packed up our stuff. Even though we were welcome to stay, we decided she really needed a good sleep in her own bed before going back to work tomorrow. She was a bit upset about that when she returned, but we chilled out together all afternoon, and after checking in to our nearby motel, we came back for dinner.
Even though we were leaving Susan after dinner, we didn't say our goodbyes yet, as we were meeting her again later in the week after we've done a bit of travelling.
Day 176 - 18 Dec '23 - Glasgow to Falkirk. The rain had eased off a bit, the temperature had dropped slightly, and the wind had picked up, as we made our way to Falkirk.
Our first stop was the Falkirk Wheel, a marvel in engineering, and the world's only example of such a construction. It was designed to transport canal boats (or other small watercraft) across a vertical change in canal height.
Unfortunately, it closed for maintenance at the end of October and won't open again until March, so we never got to see it in action.
We carried on to the Kelpies, two massive statues of the legendary Scottish water-horse. They are the largest equine statues in the world, standing at 30m high, and were beautifully designed.
The wind was pretty chilly but at least the rain had stopped. We had some time to kill before we could check in to our motel for the night, so we went for a little drive to the Wallace Monument near Stirling.
This monument to William Wallace was built in 1886, and has 246 narrow spiral steps to the top of the 67m tower. There were three exhibit floors within the tower, which held some busts of famous Scottish people, as well as Wallace's 5'4" longsword.
We went all the way up to the top, where the wind (as well as the view) took our breath away! The views were amazing, but we didn't stay up the top too long, before making our way back down the winding stairs.
It was starting to get dark (at 3:30pm!), so we drove back to Falkirk to our motel for the night. We bought a dinner/breakfast voucher to eat at the local Beefeater, and then Dan and I played a really fun game called "try to discuss Christmas presents while the kids are in the same room and still awake".
Once they had finally fallen asleep, we played another fun game called "try to buy presents online and beat the other shoppers also trying to buy the same thing, so that the items in your cart remain yours". We weren't very successful with this game until almost 11pm, when whatever was going on with our cart, finally sorted itself out long enough for us to click the "buy" button.
It has been almost impossible trying to get anything sorted, as they ARE ALWAYS THERE!!!
Day 177 - 19 Dec '23 - Falkirk to Stirling. We started the day with a buffet breakfast at Beefeater (try saying that five times fast!). It was very yummy, especially my two slices of black pudding, which Alex eventually tried but didn't like. (Don't know what's wrong with him, ha ha ha).
We packed up our stuff and drove to Cumbernauld, to visit my last remaining great aunt and uncle.
It was wonderful to get to see them again, and to be able to introduce Alex and Abi to their Great Great Auntie Hazel and Great Great Uncle Hector!
We spent a lovely two-and-a-bit hours with them, and Alex and Abi were once again surprised with some sweets and spending money. They have been incredibly spoiled! Hopefully we will all get to meet again soon.
We were heading to Stirling for the night, but made a quick detour to a wee town called Denny, to visit a pharmacy that did travel vaccinations. We were supposed to have started them as soon as we arrived in the UK, as some require multiple administrations over a period of weeks, and now we were behind schedule.
The pharmacist explained he could get most of them sorted for us apart from rabies and yellow fever; rabies, we could get started but not completed, as they take four weeks for all three doses, and yellow fever needs to be done at specialised clinics, which his was not. He also promised to get us as good a price as possible, since there were four of us ordering A LOT of vaccinations.
It was while we were at the pharmacy, we realised we'd left our coats in Cumbernauld!
"Who would have thought we'd be meeting each other again so soon!" we laughed, as we knocked on their door for the second time that day.
After lots more cuddles we said goodbye again, and carried on to Stirling, where we were staying for the night. We walked across the town bridge into the downtown shopping area to get some fish and sausage suppers for dinner. Their Christmas lights had chandeliers, and were so pretty!
Day 178 - 20 Dec '23 - Stirling to Killearn. It was quite mild this morning as we walked back over the bridge to a barber, for Dan and Alex to get a tidy-up. Abi and I took the chance to look in the numerous charity shops for a jumper for me, but unfortunately, none of the six we looked in had anything that even slightly interested me.
We went back to pick up the boys, and found two very smart and handsome fellows indeed!
"It was a proper barber shave," Dan told us. "Hot towel, cut-throat razor, and warm air with oils blown on my face. They even trimmed my eyebrows!"
After walking back to the motel to get our stuff, we drove to Stirling Castle, which had been built in the 12th century, torn down by Robert the Bruce, and built again later on!
There was a guided tour that had just started when we arrived, so that was quite convenient. We'd thought about getting the audio tour, but had to change our minds when we found out we needed to have our own devices and headphones.
Some areas of the castle were closed due to high winds, and it was definitely a lot colder than it was earlier this morning. Seeing inside the renovated great hall was pretty cool, imagining the feasts held there by ancient kings and queens. The ceiling was incredible! It had been entirely recreated, and not a single nail was used - it's all connected by wooden pegs.
We also learned about why the hall was yellow on the outside. Once upon a time, they would cover the stone walls in a lime render that would be mixed with with ochre. Not only was this a display of wealth (as ochre was expensive), but it also helped protect the stones from the elements.
The palace apartments of King James V and Queen Mary of Guise had also been extensively renovated, with seven replica tapestries that took a team of weavers three years to create. The queen's chambers were much more elaborate than the king's, and that's because he died before they were completed!
After visiting the castle, then buying some lunch, we carried on back to Glasgow. We were meeting some friends of mine in the evening, but since we were early, we went to Braehead shopping mall, to once again go through the demoralising mission otherwise known as 'shopping'.
Jumper shopping would be my least-liked pastime. Trying to find a jumper that matches my singular pair of navy trousers, that can fit under my jacket, can be washed with all the other clothes at the same time and then dried in a tumble-dryer, and doesn't just hang off my boobs in an unflattering manner, has been IMPOSSIBLE!
The more items I try on, the less and less I enjoy the experience. And everyone knows that you need to be in a good headspace to go shopping. Also, liking your body-shape in its current fattened-for-winter state would help!
We wandered through a couple of other shops trying to find Alex some Pokémon cards. At one shop, Dan and I sat outside while the kids were inside, when Abi suddenly ran out with a toy hidden behind her back!
"ABI! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" I squealed, aghast at her actions. "YOU CAN'T WALK OUT THE SHOP WITH SOMETHING IN YOUR HANDS!!"
She realised what she'd done, and ran back inside. I followed her, and then had an argument in the store about how the thing she was wanting to buy (of which she already had one in New Zealand and didn't play with) was a waste of money.
Both Alex and Abi are dreadful when it comes to money they're given. They get money so infrequently, that it burns a hole in their pockets like a coal from Hell! They would have zero prior things in mind to buy, but as soon as they get some money, it's "I've always wanted this!".
Eventually, we left Braehead in time to hit the 5pm traffic, and headed to the West End where my friends lived.
Julie and her brother Craig grew up in the house behind my next-door neighbours (we'd all climb through the hedge at the end of the garden to play with each other), and we were also in the same Scout troop. They've both been out to visit us in New Zealand at different times, and I last saw them when I was here almost 20 years ago.
We got to meet Julie's daughter and Craig's husband, in Craig and Michael's beautiful flat, with a seriously huge Christmas tree! We were treated to some delicious nibbles and wine, and enjoyed a wonderful couple of hours catching up. The three kids got on well, if the squeals and laughter were anything to go by!
Around 7:30pm we had to say goodbye, as tonight we were off to my cousin Jonny's house in Killearn. He and his fiancée Jordyn had graciously offered their home for us to stay in while we're visiting for Christmas, so we get to stop and breathe for a while.
It was blowing a gale as we arrived, and the weather report had issued gale force warnings. Jonny warned us about the tree in the back garden leaning towards the house - hopefully it stays upright!
Day 179 - 21 Dec '23 - Killearn. I couldn't get to sleep until almost 2am. My lack of clothing options was keeping me up, as we've got a party to go to on Friday night, then there's Christmas Day, and Hogmanay too! I haven't been able to find anything in the shops that meets my requirements, and I have no clue how to modify my existing wardrobe to be even slightly nicer than what it is. Dan has limited options too, but at least he has two jumpers and two pairs of trousers!
My cousin Deborah invited us to join them for dinner at a local pub tonight, so that was another function to wear the same clothes to. I almost want to cry!
Rather than battle the hoardes tomorrow, we decided to go back to Braehead to do our Christmas shopping today. We only had to get a couple of little things and pick up something Dan had ordered online, but even that took almost a couple of hours.
It's been rather difficult getting presents for the kids when they're with us, so Dan went and bought some things while I had the kids, and then we swapped. That seemed to work relatively okay! Only one slip-up when I got back to the car...
"Sorry I took so long, I couldn't find the Lush shop, and walked back and forth on both floors until I eventually saw it!"
Dan glared at me. I stared blankly back. Crickets chirped. A tumbleweed rolled past.
Then the penny dropped.
"Why were you going to Lush, mummy?" came the voices from the back.
*shit!*
"There was such a queue, and when I went in I couldn't even find what I wanted anyway. I was trying to find something for daddy. Waste of my time."
All a blatant lie of course!
We quickly went to a supermarket in Milngavie, and made in back to Killearn at 4:32pm, and by the time we'd unloaded some key items as well as our frozen food, we got to the restaurant at 4:39pm, so only 10 minutes late in the end.
It was wonderful to see Deborah and Scott and their three children, as the last time we'd been together (my sister's wedding), they had only one six-week-old baby!
We had a fantastic evening and some yummy food, and both Dan and I were convinced that going out for dinner at 4:30pm was a brilliant idea, as by the time everyone had finished and made it home, it was only 7:30pm. Genius!
After the kids went to bed, we wrapped up their presents and put them under the tree that Jonny had thoughtfully put up, just for us. Seeing all the Christmas trees everywhere had been fantastic, but it's hadn't felt quite the same without our own tree to come home to. (Abi was also concerned that Santa wouldn't have anywhere to put presents).
As for clothes, both Deborah and another cousin Rebekah, have today kindly offered me some clothes (and shoes and even handbags) to wear to the various parties. So that is a massive relief!
Day 180 - 22 Dec '23 - Killearn, Strathblane, and Drymen. I had to get up early and drive to the nearby village of Balfron to get some blood tests. This had proved quite challenging to get organised, as moving around the country and needing to fill in temporary registrations at the clinics was not easily done. Thankfully, this clinic agreed to do it, which was a relief, as they were already three months overdue.
By the time I got back just before 9am, the kids were up and Dan was still asleep. It might be a tad depressing when it gets dark at 3:30pm, but the benefit is it's still dark until 8:30am, so you get some awesome sleep-ins!
At 11am we drove to nearby Strathblane to watch my cousin Rachel's daughter perform in their primary school choir. The service was at the local church, and after just 30 minutes, it was all over. Must be the quickest church service I've ever been to!
We didn't spend too long catching up with Rachel though, as we were seeing everyone tonight, as Rebekah was hosting a Christmas party. Rebekah even quickly came round to our house and dropped off some clothes for me, and some were even from a friend of hers (who had even written a note - so sweet!).
The rest of the afternoon we sat on the couch and watched movies, relaxing for a few hours before going out to the party at Rebekah's house in nearby Drymen.
Rebekah and her partner Scott were fabulous hosts, with plenty of delicious nibbles to munch on, and it was great to spend more time with all my family.
Around 10:30pm we got in a taxi to get back to our house, and five minutes into the drive Dan suddenly said:
"Did you get the keys, Nic?"
Disaster! The taxi driver turned around and drove us back, I jumped out to get the keys from the car, set off the car alarm, got back in the taxi, and then we carried on! Luckily he'd remembered about the keys at the start of the journey, and not when we got back to the house!
It's been a wonderful week of meeting family and friends, and we're looking forward to the rest of the family activities that will happen while we're here.
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