Welcome to 2009, and you are indeed, on the strength of what I read around me, welcome to it.
So happens to also be my 600th post. Must get a life.
Xmas, as I have alluded already, was in Scotland, as we went to celebrate my Father in Laws eightieth birthday on the 24th of December.
Arriving in Scotland, the first port of call was my mother's house, in Perth, and here are three generations of Newlands sitting on the couch, including an appropriately dressed Smallest Space Cadet of Them All.
So, that was a nice lead in to the festive spirit, thence we headed to Dagran's place, (Dagran being the best fist that the SSCOTA could make of Grandad when young.) Dagran has a snazzy electric tricycle to go the local shops on, and here we are all trying to make it work through the traditional Scottish martial art of swearing. (PS - a lot of the photos seem to be fuzzy and out of focus, and that's for a simple reason - Scotland has no light in the winter, a fact I had forgotten.)
And, near Dagran's house, we saw some Highland Cattle, just to prove that we really did go Scotland.
So, the celebrate the 80th, we had all of the kids and cousins all being hosted at my brother in law's house. (Actually, we were friends before I married his sister, but that's a long, if rather good, story.)
Here he is with his daughter, and is the tradition in Scotland, he is one wearing the skirt. Just remember that it's called a kilt, and you'll be fine. The weather is not a Photoshop effect, it was that bad.
We had a traditional celebration, as seen here with the youngest cousin entering in to the spirit of the affair with a kilt and beer, which the cunning little chappie had swiped without anyone noticing. He shows promise.
So we all had a great time, and had Xmas the next morning, and then it was time to head to Edinburgh for lunch. Here are Dagran, Mrs Spaceship, and my Brother in Law enjoying the morning air. Love is indeed a powerful and mysterious force, as I married into this lot of wanted poster suspects of my own free will. (Well, that's what Mrs Spaceship tells me...)
Then we had a very good and generaous Xmas lunch courtesy of my Mother in Law, who is Norwegian, and here she can be see in traditional Norwegian Bunad, with my Brother in Law's daughter. (Eyes have been red-eyed by by me, not well.)
Lots of cousins running about and shouting, and having fun. I managed to enjoy myself too.
Then the next morning we walked along to the "fun fair" in Waverly which reminded me of an abandoned one I visted in Moscow once. I think of it as being a Calvanist funfair. The Calvin and Knox Grim Emporium.
Here is the "People's Monochrome Plastic Doughnut of Gloom Ride."
And here is the "Committee for Social Order's Dragging a Tractor Tire up a Steep Dirty Slope Tower."
Then we went down to the country to see my sisters, brothers in law on the other side of the family, and yet more cousins. The SSCOTA and the two cousins are here lolling about, and as the younger boy has just got a PS3, the two lads were in seventh heaven. (The SSCOTA got Guitar Hero II for the Wii, which he hated on sight. Oh well.)
Then, we had a day off and did some shopping in Scotland. One side effect of the global collapse of everything is that the GBP (British Pound for those of you not used to ISO codes) is very low against the CHF (Swiss Franc) right now. It was 2.30 swiss for a quid, now it's about 1.55. That makes the 50% off in the sales even better, and I bought a couple of pairs of nice boots in Churches, and an insanely lovely Crombie coat for business, that I would never have persuaded myself to buy at real prices.
That afternoon, we went to the Scottish Museum, which is a great place, that I spent many many hours in as a nipper. I also got the chance to appear in a Spacesuit. Me and the SSCOTA had a great time.
Then to round off the trip, we went to see my father, and the Child Bride, his charming wife. Here is the child bride and the SSCOTA standing on a bridge over a ravine that makes up a rather splendid garden, as part of the grounds.
There was also great fun to be had ringing the tower bell, and other child friendly escapades.
Here are three generations of the Newlands, no real hint of family resemblance...
So, that is a quick summary of a trip to Scotland for Xmas, and thanks to all for great hospitality, and a wishing all a great 2009.
Comments