Category Archives: Travel

2009-2010 Big family Holiday part 6. 30 December until 4 January 2010

Stopped at Loch Lomond but the snow was too heavy to even go outside so we travelled through to Stirling Castle later we visited Jim in East Kilbride, believe it or not, he said we are having a bbq.

We were booked into the Holiday Inn at Glasgow Airport for a New Years Eve party. Driving there was a challenge and finding parking was a nightmare. Got into our rooms in time for a shower and relaxing drink, which I needed after the drive. I finished showering and was dressed, Linda finished showering just before the power dropped out. The fun began. The staff were in a panic about 4 hours before new year with our floor in darkness. Eventually the people on our floor made it to the main reception. We were ushered into a large conference room and offered either a transfer to another hotel or stay here. Some people took the transfer but we were booked in for dinner and a party, plus Laura, David and the kids were here. Their floor had power on.

Linda ended up going up to their room to finish getting ready. I had a drink at the bar and about 30 minutes before dinner the power was back on. I think all the hair dryers must have come on at the same time🤣🤣🤣

4th Jan. 2010. Drove from Dalry to New Lanark. We visited the mill, old tenements and the school.

Great hall at Stirling castle. Note scenes from Harry Potter’s movies were shot here. The kids recognised the tapestries from the movies.
This tapestry was used in the HP movies.
Continue reading 2009-2010 Big family Holiday part 6. 30 December until 4 January 2010

2009 Big Family holiday part 5 28 to 28 Dec.

During this part of the holiday we caught up with some family and friends as well as visiting Laura’s first school, closed over the holiday period. Linwood, Glasgow, The Doctor Who exhibition at the Kelvin Grove Museum and the transport museum.

Laura went there for six weeks before we headed back to Australia.
Continue reading 2009 Big Family holiday part 5 28 to 28 Dec.

2009 Big family holiday part 4 23 to 26December.

Arrived at Heathrow very early on the 23 December, then caught the shuttle to Glasgow. Where we had hired two cars and drove to our rented cottage.

Finding the cars in the car park was difficult because the snow there was about 4 inches thick. You could not see bay numbers, car number plates and even when I pressed the car remote you could not see the lights flashing. Eventually located the cars and drove to Dalry. The major roads were fine as they had been gritted but when we turned onto the minor road and I stopped the car to check direction, but then could not get traction to move again. Luckily a local resident with a heavier vehicle managed to tow me the last couple of hundred meters.

Continue reading 2009 Big family holiday part 4 23 to 26December.

2002 Scotland and England

The holiday involved a stopover in Hong Kong on the way out and on the way back. Just time enough to catch up with both my cousins and their families. We arrived in London and stayed with friends for a few days Then down to Chichester to catch up with family before travelling north.

We made an early morning start heading north. Arriving at our first stop in York just after mid day. We had a really nice time sightseeing around the city and capped it off with a ghost walk after dinner. Next day it was on to Edinburgh but only after stopping and visiting Hadrian’s Wall where the Roman Empire finished. They did go north into Scotland and Built Antonine’s Wall, but they accepted that it was too difficult to actually conquer Scotland.

Continue reading 2002 Scotland and England

1999 Singapore

Went to Singapore with Paul for 5 days. On my birthday we went to the Raffles Hotel and had a drink in the famous long bar and another in the Writers bar.

We went on an island and dinner cruise, then Sentosa island.

It seems unbelievable but later that evening, on a very busy Friday night, we were about to get on the tour bus to take us back to our hotel. Two electricians, members of the ETU working there, walked around the corner saw Paul first and made some comment that this person looked like a younger me just as I walked around the corner. I had not met these guys for a couple of years so needless to say we did not get on the bus but spent the next few hours with them.

Continue reading 1999 Singapore

1998 & 1999 Darwin

David was in the navy and posted to Darwin at the time. After their March wedding and then honeymoon in Bali, they moved to Darwin. In August Linda and I travelled up there for Laura’s birthday. Linda also went up for a short visit the following year.

We had a great time the only downside was when we were at Berry Springs whilst in swimming I kicked off from the far side. Shocking pain shot up my leg. I had accidentally kicked hard against an underwater tree root. When I made it to the other side and stepped out of the water my foot was gushing blood.

Continue reading 1998 & 1999 Darwin