We’ve been having such a busy time, I’m so sorry for not getting around to blogging daily.

We’re having a wonderful time and I truly love Scotland. I feel so at home here and the people are so friendly. With having more time to just stop and enjoy it this time around (my previous two trips here were for 3 and 4 days respectively), I really feel like a part of me belongs here. Then I open the curtains and notice that the skies are grey yet again. We’ve had quite a lot of rain and the temperature has not gone past 18 deg C, although older members of our extended family continually remind me how lucky we’ve been to have had such good weather. On Wednesday we put a thermometer out in the sunshine and it went up to a whole 27 deg C. Yesterday was the first time that Jake & Emma went outside at home to play with bubbles. Besides that, we’ve really had to try stick indoors, which is such a pity, because Scotland is just so beautiful outdoors. It even drizzled a little during our open topped bus tour and we were freezing (well I was) through our jackets. I’m so glad I’m here during summer, I don’t think I could possibly survive a Scottish winter.

So, topping up on where I left off after my last post… Monday. Glasgow was great and there’s so much to see and do there. It’s been voted the city of the year for it’s architecture (although I’m not sure that it’s this year) and is really quite beautiful. The open top bus tour was great (although I accidentally threw all the tickets away with an ice-cream paper, so we had to catch the tube to get back to the station at the end of the day. Thankfully, the end of the day.) I thought the kids might get bored with the tour, but they loved waving to people around them and they were really well behaved. We went into Kelvin Grove Art Museum, which was so interactive and there was so much for the kids to see and do along the way. We had a picnic outside Kelvin and the kids ran around on the muddy lawns. We went across to the transport museum next (basically across the road from Kelvin). Jake loved that and I can’t even begin to explain the amount of things they had on display. Supper out for Sharon’s birthday with family, which was delicious.

On Tuesday we went back into Glasgow to the Science Centre, which is really incredible. It’s all learning through play and the things they have for the kids to do are just unbelievable. Who knew science could be so much fun. We also went to see Kung Fu Panda at the IMAX at the Science Centre, which Jake thoroughly enjoyed (it’s a real boys movie). We had spent a little time playing at a park around the corner before going in and by the time we’d finished at the Science Centre the kids were really cranky and it was POURING with rain.

Wednesday; we went through to visit family in Stirling. Jake was pretty tired and quite a handful on my own. I’m sure they were quite relieved that we were only there for an afternoon. Thankfully there was another little boy there for him to play with and the sun did come out for a bit (that’s where we checked the thermometer), so they were able to play in the garden. Sharon had made us the most delicious spaghetti with meatballs when we got home and we consumed far too much wine (again). We eventually got to bed after midnight, but had a really great evening together. I’m going to miss her so much when I leave here.

Yesterday, the kids (and us) were really exhausted, so we decided to just take it a bit easier. Sharon had to go drop some things off at her school for the start of the new term, so we went through with her. Stopped off for a walk down Carluke High Street. Came home and watched a DVD with the kids, played games and just generally tried to relaxed. Both Jake & Emma were exhausted today though and have been hard work, especially Jake who spent time in the bathroom for losing his temper with Emma (he pushed her into the wall). I can’t remember when last I was so mad at him.

Last night, we had dinner with mom’s cousins (Elspeth & Davie) down the road. They put on quite a spread for us and I’m so stuffed. Home-made potato chips (unheard of in today’s age), steak pie and to top it off, pizza. We had jelly and custard for dessert and then coffee and little tea cakes (I was too full to manage more by that stage though!).

We’ve got a busy few days coming up too - it’s Emma’s birthday today, so Sharon’s got people coming around for lunch. Sharon got me a voucher for a spa in Carluke, so I’m going for an aromatherapy massage this morning. Tonight we’re out to dinner with family, but that’ll be quite early and we have to be finished and ready to leave the restaurant by 7. Tomorrow we’re going through to Biggar (don’t you love the Scottish town’s names? My favourites are Peebles and Penicuk) to see a puppet show with the kids and I’m sure we’ll do something out that way either before or after. Maybe a picnic. Sunday, I’m spending the day with family (Elspeth & Davie) and we’re going to Lanark Loch, which is quite nearby. I’ve always stayed with them on previous trips, so have tried to spend quite a bit of time with them. They adore Jake and are so patient. We’ve plans for the day on Monday, but Sharon’s sister, Fiona’s looking after the kids for us on Monday night and we’re going out to watch the new Mama Mia movie and out for dinner/drinks. Tuesday will be running around saying goodbyes and then we head off back to London. I can’t believe how quickly our holiday is going. We’ve seen and done so much and it’s been such a fabulous break with Jake (although I am definitely bringing home a brat!). I don’t want it to ever end!

Miss you all heaps. Sending lots of love, hugs and kisses to everyone,

Sue xxx

"Night time" in Carluke. I took this out my bedroom window at 22:10...

Jake & I with Maw Broon in Glasgow Emma, Jake & Sharon on our bus tour in Glasgow... Scenes from Glasgow... Kelvin Grove Art Museum. We had lunch just infront of the arches on the right... Jake & Emma on the stairs at Kelvin Grove... It's a bit dark, but this is taken at the transport museum... Jake & Emma feeding the swans at Lanark Loch... Sharon's birthday dinner at Lanark Loch. That's us with my mom's cousin, George. Jake took this photo... Me and Mae, another cousin... Jake and Emma with Fiona (Sharon's sister) and her daughter Eve... Jake, Eve & Emma... Sharon & Emma... Jake & I in Carluke... Kids checking out the ducks in a park in Glasgow before going to the Science Centre... Mischief... Learning to blow bubbles with paper at the Science Centre... No 35 Market Street. Jake outside my great grandparents house in Carluke... Jake getting stuck into Strawberry Tarts (again) at Ian's... Ian's daughters - Gillian, Ruth, Heather and Ruth's kids - Rory and Caleb... Strawberry tarts... The gathering. Ian (he looks so like my grandfather, it's frightening. He's much nicer though); Gaye, Margaret, Ruth, Gillian, Heather and the kids... Carluke High Street... Jake & Emma in Carluke Market Square...