Travelling

Of course there was the travelling, the waiting at airports, the delays and so on.  Nothing particularly abnormal.

Abu Dhabi

The final stop on our trip - Abu Dhabi.  Really just a 2 night stopover in order to give us all a bit more energy for the long haul back to Sydney.  

This quite sophisticated city is largely man-made, and our hotel on Yas Island gives good views of some of the numerous cranes that indicate massive development being undertaken.  As a major stopover point for international travellers, much of this would be accommodation.

The weather now is quite hot (40+ degrees) and humid, so we are actually relatively happy to stay quietly around the hotel.  Though we do venture out to use the pool - amply warmed to a temperature that pleases me!

  Later in the day we decide to dine early at the hotel, before taking a taxi ride for a couple of hours sight seeing around the city.

As it is Ramadam, the Grand Mosque is very busy, with thousands (capacity 40 000) attending every prayer session before dining in the tents within the grounds.  We arrive as the crowd is leaving.  Certainly an impressive building.  2018 Ramadam focusses on honouring Sheikh Zayed, who reigned as Emir of Abu Dhabi for 38 years, and was the principal driving force behind the formation of UAE.

Dying in 2004, he was the first person buried at the Mosque.

The Presidential Palace is another significant building, which is said to have cost $490 million when it was built in 2011.  It spans 2 million sq. ft.  It would seem that the role of President (Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan) is somewhat familial, as he inherited the position when his father (Sheikh Zayed) died in 2004 - though the Presidency is said to be for a 5 year term.  There is also a royal family with the Crown Prince being Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.  

A visit to the market was of interest.  Most produce must be imported - the UAE being quite dry, and predominantly arid desert/sand.  There are some smallish developed farms, and no doubt some dates from the numerous palm trees.  Apparently recent laws banning imported vegetables from some countries as a result of chemicals used means that some produce is now imported from Australia - but at a larger price than previously.  The markets are large, and well stocked - with dates and olives being very obvious!

Of note as we drive around is the abundance of street, building, place names that reflect this family.  

Abu Dhabi is also the home of modern,adventurous architecture, with designers encouraged to explore diversity and sometimes quirky.  Goodness knows how the foundations are secured in all that sand - but I suppose they have some engineering strategy for this too!

It seems that most hotel workers, taxi drivers and in fact everyone we come across throughout our time is working here, but not from Abu Dhabi.  The indigenous population is actually quite small, and apparently generally working in control of the oil, mining and larger corporations.  We were told the indigenous population receives generous government salary and services.

Scotland

The arrival of weary travellers at Edinburgh could have been marred by the loss of one of the carseats- seems it was left at Mahon, Menorca by British Airways. Everyone at Edinburgh was so lovely that it was not so bad. They gave us a replacement seat to use while they try to track it down (which they have done, and it will be returned to Australia). 

Holiday Inn Express at the airport also made us feel welcome. Good service is definitely a winner, and we enjoyed our hamburgers in the restaurant!  But real priority is to lay our heads on our pillows.

David and Bill pick up the rental van - a VW this time - then off to Thornhill after a drive through Edinburgh and a viewing of the Castle.  What is not to love about the beautiful, lush, green  countryside with "so many sheepies" and cattle to keep Millie happy?  

And we are not disappointed after travelling down narrow country lanes to find our 'home' for the next few nights at Drumfanrig Cottage, Thornhill!  The gentle cattle greet us, and immediate site of a large trampoline certainly puts a smile on Millie's face.  Meanwhile, I am smiling at the sight of the indoor heated pool - which I know will get some use from me.  The cottage is small, but homely.  

Thornhill is a small village near Dumfries - in the Galway area of Scotland.  The area is surrounded with steep hillsides, with small streams running down them - and of course dotted with "so many sheepies".  Visually it is stunningly beautiful.  

Plenty to do at the cottages while David and Tara head into the village for pre-wedding meet and greet drinks at the pub.  This is our first own time with both Millie and Indi.  Yes, we enjoy every minute of it!  And yes, the sausages and fresh veges David has bought for us to cook for dinner are an extraordinarily welcome home cooked meal!  And yes, the girls are perfect little angels!

Some relaxing time talking to the cattle, trampolining and visiting the nearby Drumlanrig Castle with some of Tara's friends was a delightful way to spend the day before getting ready for the wedding.

 

What a cultural experience - with Jock as the MC, many of the men wearing kilts and the sound of pipers to greet us as we arrived!  But, having expected cool weather we were actually quite uncomfortably warm and humid, with a thunderstorm threatening (but held off).  This brought out the midges.  We did not come prepared with Aerogard!  The location at Auchenbrack - a hunting lodge owned by a member of the British aristocracy was absolutely stunning, though a narrow lane to access it was somewhat of a challenge when logging trucks came from the opposite direction!  

Once again, Nan and Pop had the privilege of some own time with the girls.  Although once again angelic and compliant for baths and showers - it was clear shortly after bedtime that it could be a more restless night.  Not a worry for us - its a rare event, but a shame for D & T to have to deal with this after a big night out! 

A morning pool dip was very welcome - while David slept.  All but Bill are coming down with head colds, so along with some heavy celebrating last night - KISS was in order for the morning. Indi was awake, and we felt it best to let T, D & M sleep, so Bill and I walked with her into the teahouse at Thornhill.  So lovely walking along the lane, with everyone we passed greeting us so warmly.  We enjoy the friendly, polite interactions of people in the UK.

The others pick us up to head back to Auchenbrack for the post-wedding "Hog Roast", but a heavy thunderstorm has finally hit.  Those gentle streams coming down the hillsides turn into rushing deluges but as with Qld, it does clear quite quickly.  The weather means we are all inside the lodge - but this creates such an intimate and cosy feel.  I cannot help but feel amused by all those galoshes on the floor!  So Scottish!  

It is truly lovely to get home, and cook up all the left overs to sit around and have a quiet, family meal for our last night at Thornhill.  No wonder Millie is saying she wants to live in Scotland!  I could too!  

The drive back to Edinburgh the following day takes us through more scenic areas, and we stop at a pub for lunch on the way.  This is really helping us to feel the vibe of Scotland!  Just love it.