Bonny Scotland...

Just to let y'all know....I do intend updating my blog, hopefully next tuesday.

I decided to go to Scotland this week seeing as I had over a week before I start work, and some savings that were burning a hole in my pocket. I missed my bus to Edinburgh yesterday morning (bad time-keeping as usual!!!!) so quickly booked one to Glasgow where good Uncle George put me in touch with Ian & Sylvia McKay, who are also ex-peebs(for those connected to peebs.net: Ian writes those brilliant parodies!). They have been wonderfully hospitable & kind! I stayed with them last night and again tonight!! Uncle Ian has spent the day showing me around Glasgow (unfortunately Aunty Sylvia had to work). We visited buildings with beautiful architecture, the oldest house in Glasgow (built in 1493, i think), the Cathedral, The Victorian Cemetry, The Burrel Collection, Pollok House, Pollok Park and managed to fit in a pub lunch!! I also almost stroked a furry Scottish Highland Cow and did stroke quite a scarily massive horse, which has the biggest feet and Uncle Ian informed me, is bred for strength and not speed, the opposite to a race horse. Scotland is sooo green and beautiful, and there's so much history and things to see & learn. And I'm convinced Uncle Ian knows everything about everything...my brain is buzzing from trying to absorb all the information!!

A few things for the record...
Scotland has been warmer today and yesterday than Kent has been for the last 2 weeks (contrary to warnings from numerous friends;-)...but i am told it may be colder on the east coast)
AND catching a 10 hour bus is worth it, cos not only did I get loads of reading done but I got to see some of the most magnificent countryside I've ever seen!! There were even little bunnies hopping around the fields...ag cute man!!
PLUS Megabus is dirt cheap(£14) and perfectly comfortable and basically never full!

Tomorrow I head for Blairgowrie, to meet my first cousin, Cheryl(and her family), whom I've only emailed and chatted to on the phone before. On Saturday night I plan to head for Edinburgh and stay in a youth hostel for saturday and sunday night and then back to London on Monday!

On Thursday I start work for a 29 year old client who lives in Welling, Kent (only 25 minutes out of london). I am with him for 2 weeks, and i don't yet know when, how, where or how long my next assignment will be for. But that's all part of the fun!!!

I am very happy to be exploring Scotland, and feel like I have made the best move, career wise...I can't wait to get started!!

Much love, peace & happiness
Fairy xoxoxoxoxoxox

And just to show how I've fallen in love with Scotland...here is the anthem...

ENGLISH:
O Flower of Scotland,
When will we see your like again?
That fought and died for
Your wee bit Hill and Glen!
And stood against him,
Proud Edward's army,
And sent him homeward
Tae think again!

The hills are bare now
And autumn leaves lie thick and still.
O'er land that is lost now
Which those so dearly held,
That stood against him,
Proud Edward's army,
And sent him homewardTae think again!

Those days are past now
And in the past they must remain!
But we can still rise now
Ane be The Nation again,
That stood against him,
Proud Edward's army,
And sent him homeward
Tae think again!

GAELIC:
O Fhlùir na h-Albann
cuin a chì sinn an seòrsa laoich
a sheas gu bàs `on
am bileag feòir is fraioch
a sheas an aghaidh
feachd uailleil Ionhair
`s a ruaig e dhachaidh
air chaochladh smaoin

Na cnuic tha lomnochd
`s tha duilleach Foghair mar bhrat air làr
am fearann caillte
dan tug na seòid ud gràdh
a sheas an aghaidh
feachd uailleil Ionhair
`s a ruaig e dhachaidh
air chaochladh smaoin

Tha `n eachdraidh dùinte
ach air dìochuimhne chan fheum i bhith
is faodaidh sinn èirigh
gu bhith nar Rìoghachd a-rìs
a sheas an aghaidh
feachd uailleil Ionhair
`s a ruaig e dhachaidh
air chaochladh smaoin