BUSY day! We started with a lovely coffee and scrambled eggs fresh from the hens. And of course, Michael couldn’t resist taking more photos of the property. Kate had taken the day off (thank you Kate!) and we headed to the Kelpies first. They were just as impressive as the visit with Mum, Joanne and Robin 10 years ago when they were brand new. There is much more development around them now, but they are still free to visit (apart from parking). There were other interesting sculptures around, but we didn’t get a photo of the unicorn – sorry Jade!
Next off to visit Uncle Ivan. We had a delightful visit and lunch. He is still living in the home he and Aunt Mary moved to 30 years ago. We hosted us to a very nice lunch at a nearby “slave/ tobacco” baron home which has been converted into a hotel/spa/ restaurant. We shared many memories of Mum and Dad. He had no memory of Eddie Addie (or Kathy Addie), the boy who would not lend his bike to my Mum so that she could learn to ride. But we did learn about Uncle Willie getting Uncle Ivan hooked on smoking. Willie quit by age 20, leaving Ivan addicted by himself (although Mum was on board by then I expect)! Uncle Ivan talked about the psychology of being a prosecutor – or basically the need in any job in order to be successful. In mannerisms and intensity (aka feistiness!) he is very like Mum. The endless miles and years may have separated them, but they were definitely cut from the same cloth.
After an emotional good bye with Uncle Ivan, Kate dropped us at the the train station and Michael and I spend the later afternoon in Edinburgh. We wandered around the old section, the Royal Mile, then over to Princess Street and up to Calton Hill with great views of the city. We also found the ‘Ice Cream Swirl Top’ hotel which was quite architecturally interesting – although the locals refer to it as ‘The Golden Turd’! I managed to pick up a couple of Still Game t-shirts for Joanne & Mark – couldn’t resist! Then a quick dinner at an Italian (Sicilian) pizza joint – very good pizza!
Andrew picked us up at the train station and then back to Chesterhouse where we sat having beers and chatting with Kate, Andrew, Mae and Isobel until 1am! Such a nice time – we can only hope for one or more of them to come to Canada some day so that we can repay the hospitality.
