Recent stuff
The 1990s
The big event for us in 1990 was moving house from Dundee to Hurlford, near Kilmarnock. This picture shows myself with my three sisters - Marlene, Thelma and Anne - when they came to our housewarming party. I didn't like it there - our next-door-neighbour was a 'neighbour from hell'. I think she fell out with everyone in the street! One of my friends there was Janette Mackie. They had to move away though due to her husband's work, to Portlethan near Aberdeen. A few years ago, they moved to Johnstone which isn't too far away and we still meet up. Her daughter, Amy, was born in Hurlford and will be 15 this year.
In 1993, our first grandchild, Ewan Gordon, was born. It was nice being only about 20 miles away as we could see a lot of him. In 1995, his little brother, Neil Andrew, was born. The following year, Merle Robert and the boys moved house - to the next street! It was a bigger house though.
In 1998, we moved house too. We decided that it would be nice to be a bit nearer to Merle, Robert and the boys and so got a house in Ayr - about a mile away from where they are. In a very short time, Sam transformed a bare garden into something lovely which, with the help of my 'gardener', Albany McKay, I try to keep nice. At the front of the house, there is a small garden with a pampas grass, lots of shrubs and a border with snowdrops in the Spring and a variety of colourful blooms in Summer. At the back there is a huge patio area where I have numerous tubs. Beyond that is an area of shrubs planted in red chips.
Along the back wall there are three separate bits of garden divided by paths. One has a lavatera nd various shrubs, the next a lovely pale pink camelia, shrubs and heathers and the third is gravelled and has some shrubs including pieress, forest flame and hostas. Below is a picture of my house in Ayr, although you can't see much of the garden.
2000 - 2010
Sam was ill at the end of 2000; he was in hospital at Christmas and some days, didn’t recognise anyone. He had scans and an op, but he had lost 35lbs and took a while to put some weight back on. He had problems with his blood and thyroid, having to take lots of medication. He took ill again, in September 2003, while I was on holiday in Ireland; he had terrible nosebleeds as the Warfarin wasn’t working propperly to prevent the thinning of his blood. He had a stroke on 8th November and died next day.
In 2004, Merle, Robert, Ewan, Neil, Thelma and I went to London on holiday. While we were there, the underground had a strike; we were lucky, the railway, was just as near, so, we could get into the City. Robert took the boys to the ‘London Eye’ and Museums, while we went shopping. We had a packed lunch and sat on a pavement bench to eat it and ‘watch the World go by.’
We met up with Jacqueline and her family, Cindy and her family, plus Grant; we went to Hyde Park for a Picnic and we got absolutely soaked in a massive thunderstorm. We sailed down the Thames and did the open topped bus tour, where I left my sunglasses on the bus and as I went to retrieve them, the bus left again with me on it. The boys thought this was hillarius. Luckily, I could get off accross the square. A really good week.
Ewan moved from Forehill Primary to Kyle Academy in 2004. The school is quite near me, and if I make what he calls 'nice soup' - that being anything but lentil or broth - he comes round for lunch.
Ewan and some of his pals joined Ayrshire Voices - a choir made up of local children and teenagers in 2005. They practice once a week and have performances throughout the year, usually in the Town Hall. The last concert they did was for Chistmas and was very good. I think he will be a politician as he loves to talk in front of an audience with his hands in his pockets!Since 2007, Ewan has also been a member of the Kyle Mock Trial team. They have competitions with other local secondary schools and are doing well. Ewan is also currently learning Spanish.
Neil went up to Kyle Academy in 2007. Like Ewan, he enjoys computing and tried to teach me Power Point! I went to a Power Point presentation by Neil's class on Medieval Scotland last year which was very professionally done. Neil enjoys swimming and, like Ewan, attends the Boys Brigade.
Robert works as a Clinical Psychologist for Ayrshire and Arran. He also likes going walking when he can - although the boys call his walks 'long, boring walks'. Merle is studying with the Open University and is doing web design. Like me, she enjoys learning new things about her PC.
Merle is still busy with her Open University Web courses and spends a lot of time at her laptop. She has recently completed the ECDL certificate (European Computer Driving Licence).
I am still managing to keep the garden tidy - with a little help! I bought a new greenhouse and have tomato plants in there as well as cuttings from established shrubs and seeds including Lupins, Perenial Poppies, Calendula, French Marigolds, Lobelia and Pansies; if any of them survive, it will be a miracle.
Thelma, Nan and I went down 'memory lane' in May. We had a great time in Dundee and surrounding area, visiiting some of the places where we spent our childhood including Tealing and Scryne. I think a lot of the past has been demolished though, unfortunately!
In 2008, I had my last holiday at the Henderson Hotel in Blackpool as, sadly, it had to close due to lack of funding.
Ewan had excellent results for his Standard Grades! He went to Italy with the school on a ski trip. The lady in the Cafe gave him a chocolate bar for trying to speak Italian to her. Neil is now in 2nd Year at Kyle and choosing his subjects for Standard Gradws. The Smiths also went to France for two weeks in the Summer.
In 2009, I had a nice break at Windermere Mannor - although the weather wasn't too good. We also had our usual anual holiday in York. We also had a week in Skipton near the Leeds - Liverpool Canal. Ewan got A's for all his Highers and intends to stay on for a 6th Year before going off to University.
Both Ewan and Neil went on the school ski trip to Austria and Ewan also went to Peru for three weeks. He enjoyed this very much and learnt a lot, though he was the only one who could speak Spanish and was official interpreter.
In 2010, Ewan was accepted by St. Andrews University; He is Studying Spanish and Russian and loves it. In that same year, he travelled to Peru — staying in a centre for homeless street boys, teaching them English and generally helping out.
2011 - present
In 2011, Neil got very good Standard Grade exam results and went on a trip to Romania with the Boys Brigade and Scottish International Relief Charity where they helped at an orphanage with tasks such as gardening, re-surfacing the road, cooking and also helping at the nearby Gypsy Camp. He thoroughly enjoyed his week!
At the same time, Ewan and his friend Beth travelled round nine countries of Europe: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Russia and Poland - my Memory isn’t too bad yet.
Merle and I attended the wedding of Cindy's daughter, Kerry Pickering to Ben Kent in Bromsgrove. A wonderful day in beautiful surroundings.
I celebrated my 80th birthday on 19 January, 2012! I decided to wait until April to have the propper celebration in case the weather was bad. On 28 April, friends and family gathered at the Salutation Hotel in Perth where we had a lovely day with a wonderful meal and great music played by my nephews, Brian and Mike McKay and their pal. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day.
My neice, Cindy, became a Granny at the end of May when Kerry gave birth to little Oliver (Ollie)
We had our usual week in York in early July, where it rained most of the time! Ewan and his friend Richard joined us on their way back from a five-week cycling trip through Russia - an experience they were glad they had but probably won't rush to repeat.
The week after we returned home, I fell and shattered my wrist! It's amazing the things you are unable to do with a plaster on your arm. After about six weeks, I got the plaster off!
At the end of July, we went with Ewan to Edinburgh Airport as he was flying to Rionegro in Colombia to do his year abroad as part of his degree. He is teaching English at a University there and really enjoys it. His students vary considerably in their level of English, so it's quite a challenge.
Merle, Robert and Neil had a week in Oban, during which time Neil got his HIgher results: 5 A's, so we are all very proud! He is going on to do Advanced Highers now. Neil is also starting his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.
In September, Thelma and I spent a week in Fort William; we visited our cousin, Aileen, in the Forth Park Care Home. Sadly, she died 6 weeks later. I am glad we got to see her.
In early October, we attended Cindy's 50th Birthday Party in the Royal George Hotel in Perth. This was another good day with a lovely meal, great chat with family we hadn't seen for a while and, of course, great music from Cindy's twin brothers, Brian and Mike.
Evelyn had a bad fall mid-October. She broke her ankle in 3 places.
All the time Ewan has been in Colombia, we have been keeping in touch via Skype - a great thing as you don't then feel he's so far away! Ewan was home for Christmas and New Year, though I never saw very much of him as he spent the New Year in Arran and he was in Edinburgh and twice at St. Andrews. Merle had some of his Student Friends staying overnight, en route to Ireland---a good time was had by all. We had a birthday meal for his 20th Birthday at a Greek Taverna in Ayr which was lovely - Ewan, being Ewan, found a Russian speaker there too.
Neil has had 3 unconditional offers for University: 2 from Glasgow (for Computer Science and for Software Engineering) and 1 from Strathclude (for Computing and Law) He is waiting to hear from Edinburgh and St. Andrews, but hopefully will in the next few weeks.
I have now celebrated my 81st birthday on 19 January, 2013. I had a nice meal at "The Crofthead Hotel" on Saturday. Time to start the diet now!
Ewan has gone back to Colombia. We won’t see him until August, when his time there is finished.
Neil, received an unconditional offer for Computer Science, from St. Andrews.
Merle is now volunteering with RNIB again, this time for the local, Ayrshire service - Ayrshire Local Integrated Sensory Services (ALISS) in conjunction with Action on Hearing Loss.
In March, Merle celebrated her 47th birthday.
April saw birthdays for Thelma and Anne.
In May, Robert went for a 7-week holiday to Colombia to visit Ewan. He went with Ewan's University friend, Richard.
In June, I had a lovely week in Chester with Merle and Neil. The weather was fantastic.
Neil had a holiday to Zante with his school friends and Merle went to York for 3 days.
In July, Neil went back to Romania with the Boys Brigade. Again, a great time was had by all and they worked and played hard!
In August, Ewan and Neil went to Latvia and Estonia and then joined myself, Robert and Merle for the usual family holiday in York.
In September, Ewan went back to St Andrews and Neil started his course there. However, Neil did not enjoy the course or the St Andrews experience, so came back home in November.
Merle and Robert had a few days away in Skipton, Yorkshire.
Neil went to Turkey for a couple of weeks and decided to apply to Strathclyde University for International Business for next year entry.
Robert celebrated his 60th birthday. We all had a lovley meal in St Andrews.
Merle and Robert had a mini break in Carlisle, and almost got stranded due to the storms closing the railway line North.
We had the usual Christmas festivities at Crofthead Road and New Year 2014 at Holmston Crescent - Neil managed to go to his friend's party as well. Ewan was in Malta for New Year and his 21st with friends.
Neil had an Unconditional offer from Glasgow University and began researching volunteerign abroad, probably Europe.
In mid February, Ewan went off to Yaroslavl in Russia for 18 weeks studying at a Russian University. No easy option as he has to do a 4000 word dissertation in Russian for St Andrews University as well as all the Russian classwork.
Neil secured some voluntary work, in a hostel, in Osaka, Japan. He had visited a tower Block - 350 storeys high, then in Tokyo, the one there was 450 storeys high and had a Glass Walkway, at the top. The people were all very nice and he enjoyed his time there.
In mid April, Robert went on a week-long sailing course on the Clyde. He really enjoyed it and is keen to do more sailing as soon as he can.
Merle and I spent that week visiting family and friends in Dundee and Perth. The weather was lovely and we had a great time. We met with Thelma and Gillian, one day. Evelyn, Neno and Lesley and Sheila, Nicol, Lisa and Michael. We visited Margaret Mitchell and Margaret Barker - had a good blether; had news that Margaret B. {Lady Millhill} had a Stroke and was in Ninewells Hospital. Unfortunately, she never recovered from that and sadly died on 5th June; a day before her 81st birthday. Merle and I travelled to Broughty Ferry, for the Funeral Service, then to the lovely Churchyard, at Panbride; there, a Piper led the coffin and he played until Margaret was laid to rest. Then we went back to the Station Hotel, Carnoustie, for a buffet and a blether..
In May, Neil moved on to South Korea to work in another hostel. He managed to fit in some site-seeing there too, including a week on the Island of Jeju.
Neil returns home on 17th June and Ewan on 21st June.
We managed to fit in our anual trip to York once both boys were home.
In July, Ewan and his friend Richard went off to Spain to do walking/hiking. Ewan's walking boots fell apart and he had to buy trainers.
In August, Robert had a trip to the Netherlands. I was in Perth at Thelma's and met up with Merle. We visited Cindy and family at North Bank, where Nan and Martin were staying for a few days. Brian and Kerrie also paid a visit. Nan was looking well.
In September, Ewan went back to St Andrews for his fianl year and Neil started International Business at Strathclyde. Merle and Robert had a break in Skipton and Newcastle.
In October, I had a few days at Windermere Mannor Hotel. Hassle as the train was replaced by a bus to Carlisle due to a tree on the line. Then on the way back, my train was cancelled and the next one was choc a bloc with two train loads of passangers on one train. Had a nice time at the Hotel though.
We had our usual family Christmas and New Year celebrations at Merle and Robert's and my house, though Neil was at a party on Hogmany.
January 2015 saw Ewan, Richard and Nia off to Teneriffe.
Quiet spell until April when Merle and Robert had five days in Blackpool. It was very cold and quite wet, but they enjoyed their break nonetheless.
Ewan finished his Russian and Spanish Degree in St Andrews at the end of May.
In June, we went to York for our usual family week there. We had a lovely Sunday there with John, Jane, Brisn and Kerrie, Stephen and Nicole; lots of good food, Music and Banter. During this week, Neil went ‘Interrailing’ to 8 Cities in Europe (Amsterdam, Berlin, Viena, Krakow, Belgrade, Zagreb, Budapest and Prague). Later that month, Ewan graduated with a 2:1 with Distinction in Spiken Spanish from St Andrews. Merle and Robert attended the Graduation and Garden Party. Afterwards, Ewan went off to the Isle of Man and Cornwall to do a bit of research on their minority languages. Merle and Robert stayed on in Fife for a few days. I went down to Blackpool where it was VERY warm.
In July, Robert went sailing around the Isle of Mull.
In August, Merle and I went to Ireland for a week. We had a couple of days in Dublin, three days with Anne and Martin in Co KIldare annd a couple of days in Belfast. Nan wasn't too good while we were in Newbridge. She was very tired and wasn't up to doing much, but she made a valiant effort for our sake and hopefully enjoyed our visit as mucha as we loved seeing them both. Robert and Neil had a week in Slovakia. They spent some time in Bratislava, then went to the Tatras Mountains area.
Very sadly, on 4 September, Anne died. We went over to Newbridege for the funeral on 11 September. We got the ferry to Belfast with Thelma, Cindy, Brian, Kerrie and Mike. They drove down to Newbridge and Merle and I got the train to Belfast and train to Newbridege. Martin and his neighbours on either side put us up for two nights. Brian and Kerrie stayed with Betty, Thelma and I with Brida and Cindy, Mike and Merle stayed at Martin's. We went to the Funeral Parlour, then drove into Dublin to the Crematorium and tea in a nearby hotel. Later, we Had a Family get-together in the evening with music, singing and even a bit of dancing! We left next day for home, arriving in Ayr at 19;30. Also in September, Ewan and Richard went to Macedonia, where they had a nice walking holiday, despite beingt chased by a pack of wild dogs at one point. Thankfully, their guardian angels were watching over them and they escaped shaken but unharmed. Neil returned to Strathclyde University to start his Second Year. He is staying in the same self-catering Halls of Residence, but has nice, sociable flatmates this year.
In October, Merle and I went to Blackpool for five days. At the end of October, we had a Scottish Memorial Service for Nan in Dundee. We went to Balgay Cemetery to the family grave and sang a few songs and had readings, then some of her ashes were scattered from the top of the Law Hill. Finally we went to Doc Stewart's pub for lunch and lots more music and singing. It was nice to see so many of our family and friends, but under sad circumstances.
In November, Ewan went to Edinburgh for four weeks to do a CELTA course to give him a recognised, respected qualification for teaching English abroad. My cousin George Prain paid us a visit.
In December, Merle and Robert had a long weekend in Birmingham with Stephen and NIcole. The West Coast Main Line was flooded, so they thought they may not get back, but they were able to use their tickets on the East Coast Line, so not so bad. I treated myself to a new recliner chair. We also met up with Cindy, Rich, Kay, Thelma and Neil for an early Christmas lunch in Glasgow.
In January 2016, Ewan went off to start his new job: a year teaching English at a Language Centre in Khujand, Tajikistan. He loves it: the teaching, the people, the place and the food! Neil passed his exams and started classes again at University. I had my 84th birthday.
On 12 February, Merle went to her GP with stomach pains and was admitted to Ayr Hospital with appendicitis. They tried to treat it with IV antibiotic drip, but it didn't work, so on Valentine's Day, she had an operation to remove her appendix. She is recovering well.
On 4 March, we celebrated Merle's 50th birthday! Neil came down from Glasgow, I went to the house and Ewan Skyped her. We had a lovely Chinese meal. She got lots of lovely cards, messages and gifts and had a lovely day.
Ewan seems to be settling in to his new job in Tajikistan. The cost of living is a lot lower than here in the UK. For example, a three-course meal would cost around £1.50!
I spent a few days in Perth with Thelma and Stewart at Bracken Brae
Merle and Robert celebrated their Silver Wedding anniversary on 28 June, so in early July, they set off on a Mediteranean Cruise. Cindy, Rich and Martin were with them on the cruise. They visited Marseilles, Barcelona, Civitavecchia - the port for Rome, Naples and Livorno - the port for Florence. The NCL liner was called 'The Epic' and that it was! A great time was had by all. On their way back through France, Merle and Robert visited Aix en Provence for a few days before returning home.
At the end of July, Merle and I stayed with Cindy and Rich in Perth for a few days. We visited Alice and Allan in Carnoustie and met up with Gillian in Dundee/
In August, Neil went to Japan with friends to celebrate his 21st birthday. From there, he went on to Hong Kong to do a year abroad at university there as part of his International Business degree.
In September, Robert paid a visit to Ewan in Tajikistan. He met some of his new friends and Jamila, his Korean girlfriend. On his return to the UK, he met up with me, Merle and Maureen Curtin in York for a week in Fairfax Corner. Merle had been to visit Lesley in London for a few days too.
It was a quiet Christmas with just Merle, Robert and myself this year. However, we managed to have a 3-way skype with Ewan in Tajikistan and Neil in the Philopines, where he was spending Christmas and New Year. Along with some of the other exchange students, Neil had also been to Vietnam, Taiwan and Thailand in the months before this.
In January 2017, Ewan returned from Tajikistan and we had a second 'Christmas' with him, which was lovely.
Sadly, in April, auntie Alice passed away at the age of 96. We went up to Dundee to attend the funeral at the Crematorium then to a hotel for tea. That was a hectic day; from Ayr to Dundee via Glasgow, attended the funeral and back home all within 12 hours! We all shared happy memories of good times with Alice.
At the beginning of May, Ewan was off again to work abroad - this time to Peru for a year's contract with an NGO called SKIP (Supporting Kids In Peru).
In June, Neil finnished at University in Hong Kong, went to Beijing for a week, then came home. Then came the daunting task of finding a flat! This was eventually accomplished and in early September, he moved in to the flat in the former Homeless Hostel in Duke Street in Glasgow with his pal Lewis.
In July, Neil had gone to a music festival in England with his German friend, Gina, then on to the South of France for three weeks where her family have a house. He had a lovely, restful holiday there.
Also in July, Merle and I went to stay with Cindy and Rich in Perth again for a few days. We met up with Thelma and went to Dunfermline to see the Abbey. We also had a trip to Carnoustie to see Allan.
At the end of August, we had our anual trip to York. Neil joined us after his few days in Amsterdam/Brussels with friends. We had a nice day away in Sheffield - a new city for us.
Also in August, my nephew, Mike, died suddenly, so we were back in Dundee for the funeral. There was a lovely service at St Peter & Paul's Church, then the crematorium and then on to the Celtic Club for a celebration of his life. The place was packed with relatives, friends and musicians, many of whom knew Mike through his having been a member of Tap o the Hill band.
In October, Merle and I were back in Dundee to attend the retiral party of Ross, with whom i had worked for many years. It was hard to chat as the band were very loud, but a good evening was had by all, and I saw some old work colleagues I hadn't seen for over 25 years. The buffet was very nice too. I ended up losing my voice - some say that was no bad thing, ha ha.
Ewan was home for two weeks over Christmas. He came back via Norway for a few days, where he met up With Robert and his friend Nia. They had a lovely snowy time there. As Ewan couldn't travel to London in time to get his flight back to Peru on 2 January, he spent New Year in London with Richard, Cosmos and Nia. He met up with Beth and with Jamila too. Neil spent New Year in the Netherlands with the friends he had made while in Hong Kong. As that would have meant a very quiet New Year, we decided to bring it forward and celebrate on 27 Decembver when both boys were still in Ayr. We had our family Hogmany on 27 December and New Year's Day - combined with an early birthday for Ewan - on 28 December. This was in my house. We also had our anual viewing of The Steamie.
On 19 January 2018, I celebrated my 86th birthday with a Chinese meal and lots of presents.
I was taken to see Neil's new flat in Glasgow. it's in what used to be the big homeless persons hostel in Duke Street. This is now lovely, spacious student flats.
In February, I (along with Merle and Robert) met up with Cindy, Rich, Kerry and her two wee boys and Neil in Glasgow> It was Kerry's birthday, so we all had a lovely lunch and catch-up.
In April, Ewan returned from Peru. He had three weeks in Colombia with his friends there before he came back to the UK. Poor Neil has been studying hard for his Final Honours exams.
Merle, Robert and the boys had their anual week in York. I didn't go with them this year as my leg was playing up. Much better recently, so I'll be there with them next year. whilst there, Neil got his exam results. He got a 2:1 for his degree in International Business with Hospitality and Tourism, so is very pleased. Neil graduated on 29 June, wearing the full kilt outfit and his hood and gown in 30 degrees! We had a lovely Italian meal in Qua in Glasgow to celebrate.
In July, I had five days in Aberdeen with Merle, Robert and the boys in very warm weather. We met up with Betty Morrison and also Colin and Helen Middler. Did a lot of walking, visiting Hazlehead and Duthie Parks as well as the beach. There I had a lovely white chocolate and coconut ice cream. I didn't get much before it rolled off the cone and landed on the ground, promptly followed by a flock of seagulls. Later in the month, Merle and Robert went down to London to see Les Miserables. They met up with Ewan (who was down for a job interview) and his friends Richard, Nia and Beth. Merle carried on down to Devon to spend a few days with her friends Lesley and Rob in Exmouth.
Back in January, my cousin Allan had problems with his blood and then bone marrow. The cancer diagnosis meant chemotherapy, but sadly, he did not recover and died on 20 July. We feel so sad for his daughter Allana and are trying to support her as best we can.
In August, Ewan went to Spain and Portugal with Richard and Nia. It was very hot. Robert and Merle had a cruise round the Norwegian Fjords and had a great week. They managed to catch up with their Newcastle friends Brian and Audrey and Michael. Neil stayed at home and came to visit me a couple of times. Later in the month, Merle and I had a few days in Broughty Ferry and Dundee with family. I had a lovely time seeing my sister Thelma. her husband Stewart, her daughter Allison and granddaughter Amy, my niece Gillian, my nephew Brian and his wife Kerrie and my niece Cindy's husband Rich and my brother-in-law Martin. Cindy was volunteering in Romania that week. I also went to visit my cousins Evelyn and Marian. While we were in Dundee, Robert and Neil had a few days in Carcasonne in France. They had lovely weather, food, drink and site seeing. They also got to a music festival and saw the medieval part of the city. Ewan stayed at home and wrote his novel.
Ewan left the UK again on 17 September to start his new job in Iraqi Kurdistan. He has a nice flat with an American chap, John, who is also teaching there. He has made some good friends and found a church which he likes. There is a plentiful supply of good food.Neil left the following week and spent a few days with his friend Gina in Bristol, then a few days in Xian, China before flying to Bangkok, Thailand to begin his internship in eco tourism. He found a nice little flat and is now used to the heat and air conditioning. He has done some site seeing and is just back from a trip to the Vietnamese island of Phu Coq with his boss which he really enjoyed.
Neil came home for Christmas, then went back to Thailand in January 2019 for a further 11 weeks until the beginning of April. Ewan came back to the UK in mid January for a month before heading to Tajikistan for his new job with Arkon (the ecompany he worked with when he was there three years previously. I had my 87th birthday and had a Chinese take away with Merle and Robert.
In February, we went to a 30th birthday lunch for Mike McKay in Glasgow and saw lots of family. A good afternoon was had by all.
Merle and I went to Perth for five days at the beginning of April. We met up with Gillian, Cindy, Evelyn and Mike. We visited the V&A Museum in Dundee. We thought it could be more accessible as most exhibits were in glass cases with information in tiny print. This issue was going to be addressed in the near future. We also visited Thelma and Stewarty.
Neil has been job hunting to no avail and eventually decided to do a Master's degree. He was accepted to do Post colonial studies at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies). Merle and Robert went to Amsterdam for five days. They saw windmills, went to Utrecht and generally enjoyed themselves.
Neil moved to London early September. He is sharing a flat with his German friend, Gina. They have two cute kittens called Luna and Arya. Merle, Robert and the boys went to York for the usual week. I didn't go as my back was very painful and the house we go to has upstairs. Ewan was back in the UK for two week; a week in Ayr and a week in York/London. It went by all too quickly. He has a girlfriend, Zainab, who is from Pakistan. She is a teacher in khujand too.
Christmas was quiet this year; just Merle,Robert and myself. Neil couldn't come up as there was nobody to look after the cats, so he stayed in London. Ewan was working as his contract ends in mid February. We will have a second Christmas celebration with them both then. New Year was also very quiet. Merle and Robert came to my house and we had a nice meal. New Year 2020 was a quiet meal at my house with Merle and Robert.
Ewan came back mid February. This was meant to be for two or three weeks until he and Zainab headed to China for their new teaching jobs. Then coronavirus happened! They could nto get to China, or anywhere else for that matter. They are applying for jobs in Asia and Europe. Neil came up from London for a week and we had 'second Christmas' and Merle's birthday together. Gifts were exchanged, nice food was consumed and there was much merriment and banter.
Neil headed back down to London to continue his MA, but between lecturer strikes and the covid-19 pandemic, there was not much more teaching. During the 12 week lockdown, we all had to stay home as much as possible and avoid travel and meeting up with others to try to slow down/stop the spread of the virus. There is not much to say over this period as we struggled to shop with people panic buying and were not out and about until July time after the end of lockdown. Robert and Merle took up learning Spanish and Ewan was learning Chinese incase they could still get to China. We all cooked, baked and ate a lot during this time.
Sadly, during lockdown, we lost Robert's sister, Ella in April, our friend Nicol in May then Robert's Mum, Isa, in June. Neither had coronavirus. Restrictions on numbers attending funerals made this even more of a difficult time
Come the end of June, restrictions were lifted a bit, so Robert, Merle and Ewan were able to have some day trips to St Andrews, the Isle of Arran, Millport, Dunure and, of course, lunch on the outside decking area of the Secret Garden cafe overlooking the River Doon> Ewan also went walking further affield to Loch Doon, Aviemore, Dunoon and Dumfries and Galloway.
Neil came back up the week before his birthday for five days, so we all spent some more nice time together with a takeaway at my house and the boys staying over. Neil got a job in late August with a company called Unifrog - a platform to help school pupils identify and apply for the most appropriate university course. Neil's job is to liaise with international schools. Due to the pandemic, the deadline for submitting his dessertation was put back to April next year, which is just as well as he has little time with working. At least he can work from home!
Ewan did some online teaching with young children in China, but as the travel restrictions remained in place, he and Zainab had to seek employment elsewhere. They applied to an international school in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. They were successful, but due to covid-19 and visa problems, Ewan had to teach English, geography and history online to the school for almost three months before they could finally go there! Teaching online involved Ewan having to get up at 04:00 due to the time difference. They are now happily settled in Dushanbe with a nice house and jobs they enjoy.
I have been having a flare up of my arthritis and 'wear and tear' of my spine. I had an x-ray and have been trying various creams and painkillers to get the pain more managable. Thelma's Stewart haas been in and out of hospital with fluid on the lungs and is back home again now with some support.
We are all now hoping that we will get a covid-19 vaccine soon so that life can get back to some kind of normal again.
Ewan was in Tajikistahn for his 28th birthday. We had a nice video chat with him though.
My 89th birthday was spent with Merle and Robert. We had a lovely Chinese meal. I got lots of nice gifts, cards and messages. I also had my first covid vaccine.
Sadly, in February, my brother-in-law, Stewart, sadly passed away. My sister Thelma has a very supportive family.
For Merle's birthday, we had a nice meal made by Robert. He made a lovely roast chicken dinner and also lentil soup.
I had my second covid vaccine in April
In May, I finally bought a wheelchair for going out to town etc as I cannot walk very far these days with my arthritis. I was wary to begin with, but quite enjoy it now as I can still go shopping, out for lunch etc.
In June, Merle and Robert went to London and Newcastle for five days. They saw Neil and Gina, went to Kew Gardens, Petticoat Lane Market and walked around Poplar, where Merle's favourite period drama Call the MIdwife was set (but not filmed).They then spent a few days with their friend Brian in Newcastle/Wallsend visiting Roman Forts and walking.
Preparations were started by Merle for Ewan and Zainab's wedding in October at the Brig O' Doon House Hotel in Ayr.
In July, Ewan and Zainab came to Scotland for six weeks. They spent time with us in Ayr, did a lot of walking and also travelled a bit within Scotland, as far as covid restrictions allowed.
August saw Neil's 26th birthday, but we just had to speak to him via video call.
In the middle of October, Ewan and Zainab had their Muslim wedding ceremony online via Zoom, which was a lovely experience for us. A few days later, Merle and Robert headed down to London, (but Neil and Gina were isolating as their friend who had stayed with them had had covid) so they had to stay in a little hotel that night. The following day, they went to Ticehurst, near Hastings, where Ewan, Zainab and her brother, Hassan were staying for a few days. It was a lovely, secluded place.Sadly, Zainab's parents were unable to go.
Merle, Robert, Zainab, Ewan, Neil, Gina and Hassan all headed to Ayr for the wedding on 27 October. Thelma came over from Perth to stay with me for two weeks.
The day of the wedding finally dawned! It was pouring with rain! Spirits were still high as we all had a wedding breakfast and the ladies had hair and make up done.
The two things that happened which we can now laugh about were, Neil left the rings in his bag, but Merle was still at home, so brought them to the hotel. Then Merle left the bouquet on the dining room table and had to get a taxi back home to collect it.
It was an amazing day! Everyone looked lovely, the hotel, food, company and music were second to none.
Ewan and Zainab had a short honeymoon in Aviemore before heading back to Tajikistan.
In November, Robert's birthday was spent by him and Merle in St Andrews - one of their favourite towns in Scotland.
Robert and Merle came to my house for Christmas. We had a long group call to Ewan, Zainab and Neil. Gina was in Germany, visiting her parents.
Neil came up on 30th to spend New Year with us. New Year was quiet but nice. Saw quite a bit of Neil, who is job hunting as his current contract is coming to an end.
On the 17th of January, we had a birthday meal for me here as it was my 90th birthday on the 19th. On the day, we went for lunch before Neil headed back to London. I got lots of lovely cards and gifts and feel very loved.
Ewan and Zainab have decided to return to Scotlahndd in the Summer so that Ewan can do his PGDE (Postgraduate Diploma in Education) to advance his teaching career. As usual, viasa are a complicated proccess, but hopefully they will be in Ayr by August.
Neil has a new job! It is with a World aid charity called All We Can, based in London. He will be doing corporate fundraising.