Scotland in photos!

So, I pulled the trigger and booked my ticket to Scotland.  I was quite nervous as I hadn't been away from the Little Prince since he was born and always in the back of my mind was, 'What if something happens to me?'.  Let's be honest, something could happen anytime, anywhere but flying makes me nervous so I was a little ball of stress leading up to my trip!  I did the responsible thing and saw my lawyer to do my will and get all of my documents, bank accounts and passwords in order.  I felt much better but still am not a fan of flying!  I sobbed in the airport while saying goodbye to my sweet, precious little boy and got on the plane with tears streaming down my face.  Sounds glamourous doesn't it!? 

My point?  I used to be a jetsetter...I flew all around the world and never gave it a second thought.  I would fly to London for the weekend, Florida on a whim, Montreal for bagels...and it never once bothered me.  Having a child has made me very, very aware of my own mortality.  Fortunately the guy next to me on the plane was drunk and Scottish and didn't shut up the entire time so he took my mind off things.  We had a good chuckle at the Canadian guy wearing a kilt on the plane *rolling eyes* the only time that's acceptable is when a man has been at a wedding, woke up still in his kilt and has had to race to the airport to get his flight home.

Our flight left the gate on time and all was looking good until we got out to the runway and we waited and waiting...finally the pilot came on and told us we need to go back to the gate because there was a technical problem and he needed to do some paperwork.  Charming.  Oh and the fuel we burnt off going to the runway and back had to be topped up so we left Toronto an hour late...and I had no way of telling my uncle at the other end because it was 2:30am for him!

You know in every group of strangers, on every flight, every bus, in every restaurant...there's that one guy who can't just go with the flow and has to make a spectacle of himself?  Yeah, he made himself known quite early in the flight by marching to the back of the plane where the flight attendants were busy working on drinks to calm down irritated passengers.  I had prebooked my seat so I had the very last spot at the back of the plane (right next to the washrooms and emergency exit) so I was able to watch this guy make his way from the front of the plane to the galley and I'm going to be honest...he spent wayyyy to much time back there.  I was going to ask if he is an air marshal but I heard him asking the flight attendants if they were going to tell him why we were delayed.  They told him they know nothing and to go back to his seat but he refused to budge.  I even had to tell him to move so I could get to the washroom and he wasn't happy about it!  This went on for most of the flight and just before we landed I heard the head flight attendant speaking to a couple of people a few rows ahead of me about him, letting them know they could file a complaint with the airline.  Hm.  Well this is interesting!

The flight landed and of course everyone jumps up the second the seatbelt light goes off (except for me, I wait until everyone is off the plane then disembark.  My luggage will be waiting for me) and they end up standing there for about 10 minutes before the pilot comes on and says everyone needs to sit back down.  Hm, this is new!  Next thing the annoying guy marches to the back of the plane followed by 3 big bad Strathclyde police officers!  Oh yeah, someone wasn't happy!  It seems the head flight attendant had decided being verbally assaulted, sworn at, called names and being subjected to sexually demeaning comments from a passenger just wasn't a part of her job description.  From what other passengers said, a good amount of this went on at the front of the plane (I should've been an investigative reporter) so I didn't witness it but I did see how much time this guy was spending at the galley annoying the flight attendants and I told the police I felt it was bordering on harassment.  Oh...I told the 5th police officer that...seems three wasn't enough so two more got on the plane.  Finally they let us off the plane to get through immigration, which took forever (I should look into getting a UK passport), and get on our way.  My poor uncle was standing in the airport for almost 2 hours waiting for me!

Now, I don't know if my Scottish experience is the most accurate for anyone travelling there as I tend to be kept in a little ball of cotton wool and never have to deal with reality while I'm there as I am fortunate to have great family in Scotland who never let me out of their sight or pay for anything. I do have lots of photos to share of my adventures so today I am starting with my random photos....

I have no idea how to drive in Scotland but I enjoy the highway signs! 

 One of the streets we walk down to get 'doon the toon'!

My uncle has a crunchy Downtonesque driveway!

No words needed. 

The view from the gate - the house across the street was once owned by an old woman who employed my great-uncle.  Legend is it was a bit of a Lady Chatterley situation and I remember her as being so very nice and I played in that house as a child.  There are secret doors and staircases!  It's now owned by one of the directors of Glasgow Celtic who is pals with my uncle but I didn't meet him when I was there.

The guard dog slash big softie.  We were watching Britain's Got Talent when I was there and every time Pudsy came on to do his dance the guard dog got in a huff and left the room!  I'm shocked the opera singers didn't win! 

A Scottish sunset. 

I love this fuzzy photo taken in the pub in Cambusbarron!  Everyone drinks Irn Bru - young, old and everyone in between!  This same evening I got my photo taken with Kevin Drinkel who used to play for Glasgow Rangers (that's more like it!).

 Why yes I do understand every Scottish granny I've ever met! 

Something I love about traveling is trying new foods or new combinations of foods.  I made my uncle sit and wait while I took photos of his lunch.  This is bacon, brie and cranberry!  The Suburban Prince will be having this for lunch soon enough.

I didn't have haggis when I was in Scotland but I've certainly eaten it enough times in my life.  Before you turn your nose up at it you should find the ingredient list on a package of sausages.   I actually prefer the tinned haggis tho and always have it in the pantry.

Cousin Willie's wife ordered me one of these.  Somewhere under all the cream and marshmallows there was a splash of hot chocolate!  Note the Flake stuck in the top!  YUM!

I had a snowball for lunch.  I skipped the savory portion of the midday repast and went right to dessert.  Snowballs are a bit hard to describe...the middle is marshmallowy but not like a north American marshmallow.  They are sweet and taste like my childhood...the next time you are in a British shop try one!

Cousin Willie and his wife picked me up and took me to see the Falkirk Wheel.  It's an amazing piece of engineering and it's very cool to watch.  It's used to get boats from the bottom part to the top part just like a lift lock.  You can watch a video of it here.

While out with Cousin Willie and his wife we went for a drive to the Forth bridge.  The wind and rain were out of control and we got out of the car to take a few photos...at one point I thought Cousin Willie's wife was going to be blown away!

The same spot, different direction.  I raced back to the car!

Hamish the Heilan' Coo!

I've got lots of photos of Stirling Castle in my next post about my trip! 

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Have a fabulous day!

My Scottish Itinerary...and useful information!

Here is my insane schedule while I was in Scotland...lots of photos and recaps coming!  I get a bit tired just reading about it all again!

May 8 - Leave Toronto and fly overnight

May 9 -Arrive Glasgow and make our way to Stirling. Spend the day getting a few groceries, cell phone SIM card**, go to dinner, take more calls in one evening than uncle is used to getting all week (I'm quite popular in Scotland!), watch Britain's Got Talent then collapse in bed.  Wake up to Skype with the Suburban and Little Prince.

May 10 - Wake up just before noon.  Scramble to get ready in time for Long Lost Cousin coming over with his son.  Spend the afternoon with them, take photos, learn about each other and grow our family.  Introduce a string of visitors to Long Lost Cousin and his son, they both probably wonder if I am related to everyone in Stirling - most likely, yes.  Uncle made dinner so we stayed in and chatted then under the cloak of darkness went to auntie's DIL's house to decorate the front gate for her 40th birthday.

May 11 - Manage to wake up by 11am.  Scramble to get ready and out the door to make it to the local Rotary lunch meeting on time.  Mingle with Scottish Rotarians, have lunch, exchange flags with them, get photo taken for the local paper then get a lift back to uncle's house.  Change into more casual clothes (hello, I'm meant to be on holiday) and get on the road to Edinburgh.  Take Granda's 80 year old cousin to dinner, give her chocolates, take some photos and get back to Stirling in time to go to the pub for the birthday celebrations.  Drink lots of Irn Bru and have photo taken with Kevin Drinkel (former Rangers player and former next door neighbour of uncle).  Marvel and the way dogs in pubs are accepted without anyone batting an eye.

May 12 - Manage to wake up within the 'breakfast' time frame.  Auntie thinks I'm the best house guest ever as I make my own breakfast and tea every morning.  Go to nursing home to visit great-uncle's wife who doesn't remember me but is fine with watching an episode from season 1 of Real Housewives of New York.  Go to Stirling castle for the afternoon as it has been a long time since I was there.  Take lots of photos, guess which country each tourist is from, watch uncle fall down the stairs (spend the next three days succumbing to a fit of the giggles anytime anyone mentions anything related to stairs), watch German tourists pick uncle up and ask if he is ok while glaring and auntie and me.  Get back to the house, auntie went to work for a few hours, uncle played on the interweb.  Walked guard dog to the old village and the post office then come back to make dinner for everyone.  Watch Britian's Got Talent finale...go Pudsy!

May 13 - Up by 10am, breakfast and visit from auntie's son and his family.   Visit garden centre for lunch and shopping.  Quite a fun place!  Auntie went to work and cousin Willie and his wife came to pick me up to to go the Falkirk Wheel and dinner.  After dinner go on a little pub crawl and cousin Willie played the drums at the open mic night.

May 14 - Wake up at 9am (getting the hang of GMT in time to go home!), go to Callandar for lunch and a wee bit of tourist shopping.  Pop into M&S for a few things then home to visit with auntie's other son and his family before going to dinner at the Portcullis, which was amazing! Then home to chat, skype, pack and figure out how I will get everything in one suitcase.  Best game of Tetris ever!

May 15 - Wake at 6am, finish packing and get dressed.  Make sure I have everything, eat some tablet ice cream (blech, it can't compare with my Gran's tablet), get on the road to Glasgow.  Catch flight, settle in for 7 hours, try to read, watch movie, doze.  Arrive at Toronto to be greeted by the Little Prince running up to me with flowers.  Home sweet home.

**If you are traveling somewhere you will have roaming charges, here is a tip...have your cellphone 'unlocked' before you go. For help with that let me know.  When you arrive in the other country go to the local mobile shop and get a SIM card, load it with some data/text/call dollars and put it in your phone.  This is what I did the moment I got to Scotland and it meant I could use my own phone, with my own contacts, email etc and gave me a Scottish phone number I could give out.  It cost me 15 GBP and saved me probably hundreds in roaming fees.  When the plane landed in Toronto I just switched the SIM cards and got back on the system I use here**

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Have a fabulous day!

My view for the next week....

My uncle lives very close to the castle...anytime I walk 'doon the toon' I pass right by it.  I am looking forward to a week of Irn Bru, fish & chips with mushy peas, visits with cousins, big burly accents and Coronation Street in real time.  I'll miss my guys 'sae muckle' but it will be nice to not have to cook or clean up after anyone for a few days.

Royal Ribbons will be 'closed' until May 17th.  I will be answering emails but not printing ribbon until I get back. 

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Have a fabulous day!

The Question Game

While reading The Enchanted Home I was so impressed with her answers to a series of questions, as well as, the questions she asked...I decided to take part!   These are such great questions, I have been quite enjoying myself answering them!  Please do the same, copy the questions and answer them on your blog.  Come back and share your link so we can all learn a bit more about each other!

 If there could only be one season year round which would you choose?

Autumn.  I love the crisp air, beautiful colours, sweaters, the hustle and bustle of back to school, Thanksgiving then Halloween.  It's a busy couple of months but my hair always looks great!

You get to spend a month in Europe, and can only go to one place..is it Italy or France?

France.  I  love the food and speak the language fluently enough to get by without calling anyone's mother a bad name.  I am pretty handy with a scarf so I am sure I could blend right in.  A month in Italy worries me...all that gelato and pasta, I'd come back 50lbs heavier!

Red wine, white wine or champagne?

Champagne.  Or Prosecco.  I'm not much of a wine drinker at all...perhaps drank too much of it over the years and now just can't get excited about it.  I do love bubbles tho! 

Dogs or cats?

Dogs.  I like my pets to look happy to see me when I walk in the door.

One word that best describes your life right now.

Chaos.  I have definitely tried to pack way more into my life than would fit but I just keep taking it on, hour by hour.  I have reached capacity tho and will not be taking on any new committees or projects for the moment.  Royal Ribbons is busy which is amazing!  I love creating ribbon for my customers.  I am working on getting back to regular blogging...which means less time spent on other things, like Twitter.  I have two awards nights coming up that I need to work on, a mountain of laundry, fundraising, magazines to read, and the last time I was out alone with my husband was March 25th 2011.  But, it's fun and keeps me out of mischief!  I wouldn't trade it for anything...cept maybe a week lying by a pool in the sun. 

One job you haven't had that would be a dream job.

I think I already have my dream job!   Maybe restaurant reviewer...or concierge.  I like being well connected so it would have to be something I would wheel and deal and make magic happen.

 One famous person you would love to meet.

Kate Middleton.  I so know we would be besties!   I bet we would go shopping together and she would totally confide in me, I'm a great secret keeper.  The only problem is how short and stubby I would look standing next to her in the photos.  Hmmm must bring an apple crate with me.

One movie that you could watch again and again.

Just one movie?  The English Patient.  It's such a complex story and has so many layers...I have read the book a number of times and am riveted anytime it's on.  I cry every single time.  The rest of my list would include Casablanca, Magnolia, and Legally Blonde.

You are given a plane ticket to fly anywhere in the world this weekend, where are you going?

I am sure this answer would change every single day.  Lately I have been craving some sun and warmth so perhaps somewhere with a pool, a beach, and a butler.  The Suburban and Little Prince can splash in the pool while I soak up the sun and sip a fruity drink.   There would be a strong chance of my getting caught up on my magazine reading too.  

Ask me tomorrow and the answer might be Paris, Morocco, LA, New York...it all depends on my mood at that moment!

One decade you wish you could have lived in (including this one).

I always thought I would be quite good at the 40s.  My gran went to work in a munitions factory during the war - I suspect I could do the same thing.  War is horrible but it's also romantic and I am sure I would've been great at keeping the home fires burning, rolling bandages, baking cookies, writing letters.  I'd give a soldier a reason to come home alive, and in one piece ;o)

If you had to change your name, what would you name yourself?

Oh that's easy...I've wanted to be Trixie since I was 9 years old.  In fact recently I told people they should start calling me Trixie to save me the bother of legally changing my name.  No one took me seriously.  The Suburban Prince plays along when he remembers...I also get called Pippa at home from time to time.

Now it's your turn!  Please let me know when you have posted your answers!

If you can, please leave your comments here instead of twitter.  Thanks!

Have a fabulous day!

Roadtrip!

As you read this I will be heading for the border!  I am spending the day in NY with a friend who loves American shopping just as much as I do!  Did you know Betty Crocker makes gluten free cookie and cake mixes?!  They aren't available in Canada so a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!

Yesterday at around 1:45pm I was checking emails and suddenly my couch was rocking side to side - I thought it was posessed!  I was sitting there wondering why my whole house was shaking!  It lasted for about 20 seconds which is about 20 seconds longer than I would like to experience an earthquake!  No wonder my poor little dog went and hid about five minutes for it happened!  Friends from Ottawa to west of Toronto all told me they felt it too so it must've been a pretty big one!  Yikes!

From the Toronto Star..."The U.S. Geological Survey reported this afternoon that the quake was 5.5 on the Richter scale, and was centred on the Ontario-Quebec border 19 kilometres deep."

A few of you have been asking for my flowers in Lilly fabrics.  Please let me know which ones you would like - Lilly isn't sold here so I have to import it...the fabric is already five times the price of most fabrics so unless I have orders for the flowers I dont know which ones to get.  It's a bit of a Catch 22 since I know you are waiting to see Lilly in my shop and I am waiting to find out which Lilly you want.  I am happy to get it so please just let me know which patterns you like and I will order it!

I have added this flower to my shop - you had to know something in pink and green would be coming soon!

Dont miss my Flower Power Giveaway!

Have a fabulous day!

We'll always have Paris....

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a great weekend!

On Saturday night the Bestie came over for dinner and a movie.  We decided to watch Casablanca since it was on the movie channel under 'Oscar Winners'.  It is my absolute favourite movie of all time so I was happy to watch it again!

The movie poster.

Casablanca takes place in the 1940's and tells the story of Rick and Ilsa and her husband.  You cant go wrong with unrequited love with WWII as a backdrop!

Rick's Cafe Americain

Steamy romance between Rick and Ilsa but my sensibilities are always slightly offended when she tells him he will have to do the thinking for all of them!

I commented in a previous post that Casablanca is nothing like in the movie - well the movie was filmed in Hollywood! 

In 2003 we went to Morocco and one of our stops was Casablanca - there is really nothing touristy there as it is a business centre as opposed to a tourist site but there is the most amazing mosque one could ever hope to see! 

Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca - it sits right on the ocean, holds 25,000 people inside and there is room for 80,000 outside.  When I was walking around the outside of the mosque a pigeon pooped on me.  I am told this is supposed to be very lucky and the Moroccans told me it was extra lucky because it happened at the Mosque.

Aerial view of Casablanca

One of the most powerful moments of my time in Morocco was standing in the Hassan II mosque looking out at the ocean crashing up on the shore.  While standing there in my socks, surrounded by the cool, dark marble, watching the power of mother nature, it was easy to understand why this location was chosen.

Have a fabulous day!