Liverpool? Again? Really?

Yes, really. Liverpool. It was so much fun the last time that my travelling companions wanted to do it again. i was only in Liverpool for one night the last time, so didn't really see much of it, but the others had three nights there and had a blast. This time, we checked into the hotel and then went straight to the Cavern Club, and there we stayed until they closed, just before midnight. It was absolutely fantastic. We somehow managed to score a table near the stage, where there was a guy playing a guitar and singing. We spent the whole night singing along to Beatles songs and other classic rock hits while downing quite a lot of Guinness. Enormous fun. 10 out of 10. Would do again.

In the morning we went looking for some Beatles-related landmarks. We found Penny Lane, Strawberry Field, and the grave of Eleanor Rigby. We had lunch at the Salvation Army cafeteria at Strawberry Field, then found a charity shop called Claire House, and I donated the long coat that I bought last week in Clydebank. It was much too big to fit in my suitcase. Then we headed out of Liverpool for the final leg of the drive down to London. We have one more night to go in the UK.

Wish you were here.

The Beginning of the End

Farewell to Bonnie Scotland. The long journey home has begun. We drove out of Glasgow on Tuesday morning after dropping Johnno off at Glasgow airport. It was another sunny but cold day in Scotland and as we drove past snow-covered fields, the phrase "Winter wonderland" kept occurring to me.

We stopped at Durham to have lunch with our cousin, Julia. Julia is a beautiful soul who has been cursed with chronic illness. She couldn't make it to Clydebank for our family meet-and-greet, so we decided to bring the mountain to Mohammed. I would not have felt right leaving the UK if we had not made the effort to see Julia, and I think all of the others felt the same way. It was a brief lunch date, but totally worth it.

Then back on the road, heading straight for London, right?

Right? No? 

Wish you were here.

Dear Old Glasgow Town

I ventured out on my own today. I took a train from Dalmuir, where we are staying, to Glasgow. I spent a few hours walking around and taking photos. I am glad to say that I walked the length of Sauchiehall Street in yet another moment where I had a moment.

Wish you were here.

The Bonnie Bonnie Banks

This morning, we all attended Mass at Our Holy Redeemer's church (OHR), and we were once again joined by Mum's friend, Beatrice. Mum and Dad got married in OHR in 1966, with Beatrice as Mum's bridesmaid, and I was Christened there in 1968. It is a beautiful old church, with many stained-glass windows, statues and gothic-style architecture. After the service, we were standing near the front of the church, chatting and taking photos, when the organist started playing the Australian National Anthem for us on the pipe organ at the back of the church, which was nice.

This afternoon, we drove to Loch Lomond with Beatrice, and we were met there by our cousin, Eddie, and his partner, Gemma. We were hoping that it would snow while we were there, but it only rained. We had a lovely lunch at the Duck Bay Hotel, and we all wore bright pink in honour of our sister, Claire. Claire would have loved all of this. It was yet another surreal moment for me, being there after having sung about Loch Lomond for many years.

Wish you were here.

Aussie Hollands in Clydebank

On Saturday morning we went to a part of Clydebank called Whitecrook. Mum grew up in Whitecrook, and we took her to visit some of the houses and streets from her childhood. We didn't go into any houses of course; we just walked and drove around the streets. We also visited Mum's friend, Beatrice. I think this was a nice walk down memory lane for Mum. We also visited Hamilton Street, where we lived just before leaving for Australia, but the building we lived in was demolished many years ago, and in its place now is a carpark (paging Joni Mitchell).

In the afternoon, one of the local pubs hosted an event for us called Aussie Hollands in Clydebank. Many thanks must go to our cousin, Scott, for organising the event and setting up the room with Australian flags, koalas, kangaroos, and a buffet. We put the word out a few weeks ago, inviting all our relatives to come, meet, and spend the afternoon with us. I don't know how many people turned up, but it was a lot, and I very soon gave up trying to remember how we are all interconnected.

Very special thanks to all who travelled to Clydebank for the event, including some who came from Ireland, and our cousin, Terry, and his daughter, Brooke, who travelled from Montrose and Edinburgh, respectively. It was great to meet/catch up with new and old faces alike.

Wish you were here.

Edinburgh

Today was the coldest day we have had on this trip so far. We had a late night last night, so it was a bit of a struggle to get going this morning, for me anyway. But we managed to catch a train from Dalmuir to Edinburgh at about 10 o'clock. Mum decided to stay in Dalmuir today, so it was just the five of us "youngsters". It snowed in Edinburgh this morning, but by the time we arrived, at about 11:30, the snow was gone. We actually got some sunshine while we were there, but almost no warmth from it.

We walked up the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle, but did not go in. We wanted to take an open-top bus tour of the city first, and then go into the castle in the afternoon if we had time. It turned out that we did not have time, but that's OK. The bus tour was great, but I only took one photo, due to being so cold. Instead of completing the whole tour, we got off the bus a couple of stops early and went into the very posh Caledonian Hotel for a drink. Then we walked around the back of Edinburgh Castle, and back to the train station for the return journey to Dalmuir.

We loved Edinburgh, but it was obvious that the areas we went to today, mostly around the Royal Mile, are entirely touristy. Every second shop sells souvenirs and/or authentic Scottish fare like tweed clothes and hats, cashmere scarves, kilts, tartans, and coats of arms. All of the eateries and coffee shops sell haggis and cullen skink. There were tourists everywhere we went, including us. We agreed that it was better to be there now though, despite the cold, than in the Summer when the tourists are probably wall-to-wall, and you probably have to queue for everything.

Tonight I am relaxing in the flat on my own. The others have all gone to our cousin's house. I just felt done when we got home from Edinburgh and I needed a rest. We have a big day coming up tomorrow.

Wish you were here.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Wish you were here.