My Flog for March 23 Is All About March 23, 1997 - Mom's Birthday Trip to Scotland, and a Family Reunion

March 20, 1997 - The start of our adventure - a mini reunion at Toronto Airport

Shirley and Mom above, Mike, Cliff and Penny below. Me? Well, who do you think is taking the pictures? Huh?

Well, I guess  Penny was taking pictures too. At least, she thought she was.Too bad she forgot to put film in her camera.

Air Transat - From Toronto to Manchester to Glasgow - we had to wait a bit for the plane in Toronto - I think part of it fell off or something and they couldn't find any duct tape. However, after a while we were up and away.

So what does one do when one is stuck in a plane for a thousand hours? One writes poems - as does one's family.

We're flying high above the sea
To meet our Scottish family
Our poor wee mam is in a state
Behind her is a 3-month wait
She knows not just what lies ahead
But how she feels she has not said

Two grannies we have on this flight
As we speed into this dark night
A sister and two brothers too 
And me - the youngest - that's the crew.
(well, not the flight crew - just our crew)

And now we're over Montreal - 
We haven't gone too far at all
-Me

Am feeling nervous about meeting sisters!!
-Mom!

And now we're over Newfoundland
No turning back, my dear
The Aunties waiting at the gate
The end is getting near!
-Cliff

I doubt we've really gone that far - 
We'd hear the crowd at Rocky's Bar
-Me

They must be in real good cheer
If we can hear them way up here!
-Cliff

From our seats here in the rear
We're soaking up a lot of cheer (bottled, that is)
When in Glasgow we alight
We'll be half an hour behind you
Disembarking from this flight!
-Shirley

The beer is good!
Better than Hong Kong
Noticeable lack of Chinese
My wife and I are necking!
Mmmmmm
Wonder what's next???
-Mike

I thought that it was turbulence
The pilot thought it too
But that's just Mike and Shirley
Both are on the brew
They think they're in a little pub
And soon will join the mile-high club
-Me

Another trip along the aisle
for this little book
It's Tamar's turn to write again
So I am off the hook!
-Cliff

My mind's on food
It smells so good
From our seats here near the kitchen
I think it's spaghetti
I don't mean to be petty
But is Air Transat to be Italian, itchin?
(sorry, Shakespeare)
-Shirley

Well, writing poems made the time 'fly' by (literally.) Plane lands at Glasgow about 7am local time. Lo-o-o-ong walk through customs and immigration.

March 21 - Then to meet 3 new (or should I say 'used?') aunties and Cousin Geraldine.

Rose, Mom, Minnie, Geraldine, Shirley, Catherine

Then to Auntie Rose's for a little visit until we could check into McLays Guest House, our B&B, at noon .... for a nap.

Well, we were supposed to be napping.

After our so-called naps, Penny and mom ate sweets and donuts and cream puffs and eclairs and jam cakes and cookies etc etc etc.

And David and Darleen joined us! 

 And Mike .... 

and Shirley! (looking back at this, I don't think the bottle of wine Mike is holding is the first one of the day for those two!)

We went to Shenanigans for dinner, and I learned to be aware of Scottish desserts. Darleen was looking forward to her Scottish breakfast in the morning, but I'm not too enthusiastic over oatcakes and porridge. We shall see.

We got one of these big black taxis back to Aunt Rose's flat -

Mom seemed a bit uncomfortable, but was taking everything in ... her sisters were so happy to have found her after all these years - a lifetime, actually.

Catherine, Minnie and Penny

March 22 - We went exploring a bit ... to The Barra's this morning. There was lots of junk there, lots of people. Terrible concoction they call coffee. Mom had a phallic-like blood pudding, deep fried in batter. Yuck. On the way, Mike met the Man with the Funny Hat ...

Wikipedia actually explains it best. It's a market place, with lots of vendors - when I realized what wares were being sold behind us, I insisted on taking mom's picture. I was always an evil child.

 I don't think she ever realized she was showcasing a knicker stall.

But  anyone who can eat That shouldn't mind a few knickers. We didn't force her to eat this Blood Pudding, really we didn't. It was her choice. Although seeing the look on her face now, I'm not sure of her true feelings regarding it.

Penny acted like a seasoned bargainer, and ended up with a nice jacket at an agreeable price.

 And Penny and I enjoyed (?) a cup of coffee. 

 To tell the truth, we didn't enjoy it at all. It was bloody awful.

 After a busy day, we ended back at Aunt Rose's for a party, to meet more family.

Bert and Mom's sister Catherine (Rena)

Rose was so happy to finally meet her big sister. 

Minnie and Louise - Minnie, on the left, is Mom's youngest sister

Here are a couple of cousins - Andrew and Anthony, and Uncle Bert, and I believe his grandson, Christopher.

 After a long conversation, Mike and Geraldine agreed to disagree - about what, I have no idea.

 Cheers!

 Very cheery!

And out comes the guitar - it ends up being shared by three. 'Let's rock around the clock - with some 70's tunes!' First, here's Andrew ...

 Then David ...

 Then Geraldine.

March 23 - Sunday morning. Shirley and Mike checked out and were on their way to tour Scotland. David and Darleen gave them a ride to the airport to pick up a car - 4 roundabouts! Cliff loves to help pack the trunk.

Cliff, Penny, Mom and I leave on a walking tour ...

Some views of Glasglow ... 

 Sauchiehall Street is so steep there's a handrail to help haul yourself up with. 

 But once you're down on the level it's a lot easier - you just relax and feed the pigeons if you have any pigeon food.

Penny and I and our scooter - or is it? David saw a scooter gang of about 40 go through a red light the day before - he figured they were Heck's Angels.

And yes - it was Mom's 74th birthday - the beautiful flowers were a gift from Geraldine.

We went to Aunt Rose's about 1pm, where mom got happy birthday presents and cards. Then we all went to an Indian restaurant for dinner - it was really good! David and Darleen bought her a Marks and Spencer birthday cake - she blew out her candles and got hugged, kissed and serenaded by no less than 4 handsome Indian waiters - one was even wearing a kilt! Thrills! 

 After dinner, David drove mom and the aunties home, and we walked back to McLays, stogged full and lazy as old dogs. Looks like mom is going to drive, doesn't it?

We had a few visitors in the evening,

David, cousin James, Penny and Clifford

 - but an early night. All that partying can wear one out! The rest of our trip began the next day ... but that's another story!