Home for a flying visit...
Trip Start
Feb 28, 2006
1
17
125
Trip End
Aug 20, 2008
Aberdee,
Scotland,
United Kingdom
Thursday, July 13, 2006
We headed straight home and got caught up over some food and a beer. Once I'd found my feet, I had to go out again and head round to Duncan and Kaths house for Fox's Christening. Great to see everyone there, but to be honest I don't remember too much about it all - had already been up for over 40 hours and was struggling a bit! Back home for a carryout with Mum and Dad during the World Cup Final - must have been exciting, I passed out! Did manage to see the head-butting incident and the penalties though!
431 Great Western Road...
Monday was the Aberdeen holiday, so Mum, Dad and I were all able to head out for the day (with Spencer of course!) to Balmedie Beach up the coast. A simply beautiful day and actually quite warm when the sun came out. After all that I think we were all worn out and an afternoon of sleeping was the order of the day. Sadly Dad had to go back to work for the rest of the week but Mum, Spencer and I had more than enough walks to keep us going!
A visit on Tuesday with Mum, Seumas and Kathleen had me at the Gordon Highlander Museum (kinda had been meaning to go for years, but never got round to it!) Our family has minor fame there with a knife on display brought back from Kabul in 1879 by my Great, Great grandfather Private Alexander Gemmell who 'removed' it from an Afgan warrior. He picked up this souvenir while with the 92nd Gordon Highlanders after action at Sherpur in December 1879. After some banter with the volunteers at the museum I was taken into the archives and shown the records they have of him. Fought for the Highlanders in Kabul, was injured and returned home. In true Gemmell tradition, he couldn't fight on, so helped set up the Gordon Highlander Social Club on King Street... Knew I got my taste for beer from someone! Heh, heh, heh...
Tuesday night had a few of us meeting up for a wander around the local pubs - several shocked faces from staff and locals who thought (hoped?!?) I'd left for good
Afgan blade...
! I managed to make it home (slightly the worse for wear!) in the wee small hours of the morning - great preparation for my Mum's Birthday... Not!To celebrate Mum's big day we went to the Ferryhill House Hotel and enjoyed some fabulous food and drink in their conservatory. A wander home via the 'Short Mile' pub on Great Western Road had Dad reminiscing about his drinking sessions back in University - shocking!
Thursday night I was invited round to Susan's house for a fantastic meal and a catch up (and the chance to finally see her new place!) - fajita's were enjoyed with red wine and then a wander down to the River Dee to work some of it off... Susan's taken to the active life in a big way and loves canoeing and climbing mountains... Think I'll stick to less strenuous activities like walking to the pub, drinking in the pub, staggering back from the pub... Heh, heh, heh...
It was great to catch up with so many folk when I was back home; Derek (just back from Japan), Euan (visiting from South Africa), Shona and wee Isla (visiting from Chicago to see Seumas and Kathleen), Mikie, Andy, Claire and Mark... So many others as well along the way - there are some photo's which I'm sure will eventually make their way on to the website!
Saturday came all too soon and while I was able to head round to see Auntie Margaret with Mum and Dad, I didn't have time for much else. Quick BBQ and a walk with Spencer and it was time for me to head back to the Airport... Didn't I just come from there? Bags checked in no problems (well over my allowance again but my winning smile must have helped... Or maybe they just don't really care?!?) and we were able to enjoy a quiet drink together before I had to wander though security checks.
Really sad to say goodbye to Mum and Dad, but they're already planning to visit in October for 2 weeks which is something to look forward to - October the 7th arrival date, better remember to have the place tidy before then!
For now, it's back to Oz for me... Another 27 hours of travel - bring it on!!!
