A summer of fun, without much sun
Trip Start
Sep 12, 2006
1
92
100
Trip End
Sep 08, 2008
Perth,
Scotland,
United Kingdom
Friday, August 15, 2008
Nevertheless, we made the most of our time there. When the sun did break through the clouds, Ania and I got out to do some short walks in the stunning countryside surrounding the school. We also made a number of trips into Perth, usually for a sunday roast, but also for a couple curry dinners with our colleagues. Friday nights were pretty messy around the town, so apart from a late screening of the Dark Knight we didn't sample too much of the nightlife.
Some memorable students certainly passed through the school in our final couple of weeks. I was pretty amazed with the make up of a group of nine Italians I met at Glasgow airport one evening. Consisting of not only a set of twins, but a set of almost identical quadruplets! The three Puca sisters and their slightly mad brother always managed to put a smile on my face while they were there. But probably the most memorable students were a young Russian boy named Anton and an even younger black French boy named Quentin. Despite Anton having excellent English, and Quentin barely able to string a sentence together, they forged an unlikely friendship, and were inseparable during their three week stay. Cross cultural friendships - nothing like it!
One other thing that spiced up the final couple of weeks were the ghost stories that emerged from the school's history. Passing by a ruined archway at the entrance of the school almost every day, I often wondered what it was once a part of. I found it was the only surviving part of the original 16th century building, and it was said that a lady dressed in a long green dress could sometimes be seen standing there at night as if waiting for somebody to return. Needless to say, walking past it alone in the evening became a little more exciting!
All in all, it was a top summer at Strathallan. When the sun did manage to break through the clouds it was a pleasure to be there in such a stunning location. But above all the highlight was the students. Be it the Russians, the Spanish, the French group with little Gary, or even some of the Italians, there was always fun to be had. Whether we made it back to Strathallan the following summer was another question, although I knew I wanted another DOS position with the company somewhere. Free rent and food, and good company - one can't ask for much more!
