Final Week spent in Scotland

Our final evening in Prague was spent with Steph and Jed at the local Pub having a tasty meal and enjoying our time together before leaving for the airport to catch our flight back to Gatwick. We arrived about eleven and spent the rest of the night chatting and having a nap before going through to the departure hall at four in the morning. While waiting for our flight we had croissants and smoothies before wandering through the shops. The flight took off just before nine and we landed not long after ten in the morning. We had our directions from Ros so were able to catch the bus outside and then the train from Inverkeithing to Kirkcaldy. Ros met us as we left the station and took us back to the flat where we had a catch-up time over tea and coffee. After a light lunch Ros took us around the area showing us the shops and sea front. Kirkcaldy is a lovely place and I could see why Mom had enjoyed living there so much. After an early supper of fish and chips we were all in bed by nine.
Friday morning we had a leisurely breakfast together, after which Ros suggested we go to St.Andrews for the day as she had things to do at the bank and funeral parlour and would be a bit busy for a while. After taking some bags into the charity shop Diane and I caught the bus to St.Andrews. Once off the bus we made our way past the golf course and down to the beach where we took some pics and had a short walk. The day was rather overcast and rather windy so we only stayed a short while before looking for somewhere to have lunch. We found ourselves outside the Russel Hotel and liked the look of the special of the day – soup and Panini with tea/coffee – so we went in. It was a quaint old-fashioned pub with really good food. It poured with rain while we were eating but by the time we left it had cleared. We spent the rest of the day wandering around St.Andrews Cathedral and down to the beach again by the harbour before going into the botanical gardens. The gardens were stunning and full of flowers and waterfalls. By the time we had been in there we were rather foot-sore so we made our way back to the bus station for the 5.15 bus. The drive back was all along the sea front and the views were spectacular going through little villages with lovely old churches. We were back about seven and after supper spent the rest of the time chatting and watching TV until about 11 when we went to bed.
Saturday we were up fairly early for breakfast and after doing some cleaning left for a day in Edinburgh. We arrived at Waverley station and right outside were the sightseeing buses so we got ourselves tickets – from a South African guy- and jumped on for our tour. It was very windy and Diane and I were glad we had our Prague beanies with to keep our ears warm. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour going through all the historical parts and especially the Edinburgh Castle which is amazing. After the tour we walked back up to the Castle to take pics and get souvenirs before going back down to Princes Avenue to find somewhere for lunch. While on the tour the guide had recommended a little pub for the good Scottish menu so we decided to go there. It was a lovely place with fabulous food which we all enjoyed immensely. We all had a glass of wine with which we toasted Mom and her happy times in Scotland. After lunch we went shopping for Ros who needed two outfits – for Steph’s graduation and the summer ball. We were very lucky as she found the perfect dresses in the British Home Store. After our successful shopping spree we went back to the mall at the station for a juice before catching the bus to Edinburgh Airport to collect Auntie Joan. Her flight arrived at 8 and we caught a taxi back to Kirkcaldy. After a light supper we spent the evening chatting and watching TV before finally going to bed after 11.
Sunday was another leisurely breakfast before going down to the shops. Ros and Auntie Joan went shopping for lunch while Diane and I went for some souvenir shopping – and a suitcase to carry all the stuff we had been buying. We were back for a chicken and veggie lunch with Terry who Ros had invited over. We had a pleasant time together though Terry’s accent is rather hard to understand. Late afternoon members of the family started arriving ready for the Service on Monday. Early evening Ros, Diane and I went for a walk around the area before having a light supper. We were all in bed by half ten.
Monday morning we were all up getting organised early before family members started arriving. We had a full house by the time the transport arrived to take us to the Service. When the cars left driving so slowly that was when the fact of Mom not being there any longer really hit me and I was devastated. The Service was really beautiful and just what Mom had wanted. Ros was very brave and gave a wonderful memorial speech on behalf of all of us reading the poems Mom had chosen. Afterwards we had a snack tea at a nearby hotel before returning to the flat. By now the weather was very bad with very strong winds blowing. By four everyone had left and we walked Fiona back to her hotel before running in to the shops for some shopping. While in the shop the assistants were saying the bridge had been closed because of the gale. Trees were blown down in a lot of areas and flights were cancelled. The ash cloud from Iceland was also blowing across Scotland. After a light supper we were all in bed by half nine as we were all emotionally exhausted.
Tuesday morning the news was full of the fact of the ash cloud which had closed several airports including Edinburgh. Ros decided to pack up the flat and get the train back to London that afternoon so she wouldn’t miss Steph’s graduation. The morning was a hectic rush of getting sorted and organising the things for storage. Diane and I went down to the library every couple of hours to see if the situation had improved at the airport as Auntie Joan was due to fly back Tuesday evening. Just before twelve we went to the station to get a ticket for Ros to London and book ourselves into the hotel for the night. We made a provisional booking as we weren’t sure about Auntie Joan. All was sorted and Ros was ready just after half one. Diane and I walked down with her to the station to say bye before checking the airport situation again. When we got back to the flat we organised the final packing and left for the hotel before dropping the keys at the council. We booked into the room and went into town. I went to the council while Diane and Auntie Joan went to the Post Office and the library. We met back at the library where they had discovered the flight was cancelled so we quickly went to the station to book the train for London in the morning. We were now able to go back to the hotel and confirm we were all staying and relax after our stressful day. The evening was spent enjoying a good supper in the restaurant before spending the rest of the night watching TV.
Wednesday morning after a leisurely breakfast we packed our bags and left for the station where we caught the train just before ten. Passing the airport we noticed there was no activity whatsoever so were glad to be on the train which was full of stranded passengers. It was a pleasant journey through some very scenic areas. We arrived back in London – Kings Cross- at three and then made our way to Victoria Station and onto Lancing arriving at five where we spent the night.
Thursday was a sunny day and luckily the ash cloud had moved off so we knew our flight home was going to happen. We spent a leisurely morning with Auntie Joan leaving after lunch for Heathrow. By the time we got there it was raining and cold. We checked in and were told our flight had been delayed but not to worry as we would still make our connecting flight to Joburg. While sitting in the departure area we were called to Swiss Air and told to go to Terminal Five where we had been put on the BA flight direct to Joburg leaving at 9.20. We got across to the terminal and after been given the boarding pass for the BA flight went through security again. The flights had been cancelled because of a huge storm over London and we eventually took off just before 11. Luckily the flight was fairly empty and we had four seats for the two of us which made it a bit easier to sleep. We landed in Joburg just before ten and were very happy to be home though our luggage hadn’t been put on the plane and only came through on Saturday.