Pit and Peak

Yay, my first week as a housewife (busy-but not how you’d expect) and my last week in the UK for some time…

Pit

·         Every amazing thing that I do I know that I'm not going to do again for a long time.

Peak

·         Staying at the Pittodrie House Hotel which I love for a very long weekend.  Having a great long walk with Daisy and then an afternoon nap, sandwich and delicious supper on my first day of being a housewife.  Daisy and I went trekking for 4 hours all around the base of Bennachie and came back very muddy, exhausted but happy.  I can’t think of a better send off from Aberdeenshire.

·         Having the girls over for afternoon tea on Saturday and getting very unexpected leaving presents.

·         Spending a whole day with my Mum on Monday and then getting some Chinese food for tea.

·         Getting a big hug from the friendliest woman at my Church.

·         Seeing my brother on Tuesday and having a good old catch up and talking rubbish to each other for ages like in the old days.

·         Having the most delicious afternoon tea with my Grama at my favourite hotel in Aberdeen, The Marcliffe.

·         Having lunch with the girls from work on Wednesday and finally getting the last of the Christmas parcels to the appropriate people.

·         Unexpected visits from family….always very, very welcome.

Girly Chats

all taken by my good friend Fei

Something I want more than almost anything for our time in Singapore is to have just one good friend.  Today was my last meet up with some of the girls from work and it makes me a bit weepy to think this might be the last of my nonsensical girl chats for some time.  I think every female grows and learns so much from these chats, I don't know what I would do without them.

I'm so glad I was able to meet up as I'd had so much trouble with my phone beforehand that we nearly missed each other like ships in the night, it all worked out in the end and we managed to have a little catch up during their lunch break.

I'm going to miss everyone so much.  Oh well, more errands to do...

Three Days and Counting

Today I went shopping for the last of the Christmas presents, met my Brother, had afternoon tea with my Grama, made tea, tidied up for visitors, met friends and went down to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night by watching my Mum do a fire walk to raise money for the clients at her workplace....and breathe.

The last couple of days were always going to be busy and they really don't disappoint.  

I needed to get the last of the Christmas shopping done and wrapped up for dropping off for my Mum, Brother and Grama.  As they may just be reading this post I really can't say where I went and what I got, but let me tell you it was a little bit from all...over...town.  I'd set myself the goal of getting everything in one and a half hours, but seeing as I had to go and close an account and then deposit the money elsewhere in town the allotted time was almost used up just doing those tasks alone.  I managed to get everything I wanted to and didn't get very stressed as the main presents had been bought and all I needed to do was to get the last little things and stocking fillers for people.

Once I'd gotten everything I wanted to I rushed back to the apartment to wrap things up and them headed back into town to meet my Brother.  We grabbed a coffee and then headed to Church for my very last sermon there *sob*.  One of the very kind women there actually came up to me afterwards and gave me the biggest warmest hug which made me feel really quite emotional.

After that my Brother and I met my Grama who I was taking to The Marcliffe which is my very favourite place in Aberdeen.  Sadly it'll be closed by the time we get back so I will always remember the last time I was there!  Mark had taken me there two years ago for a Valentines weekend and it's the sort of place that spoils you as soon as you walk through the door.  Last time we were there we saw Alex Salmond the First Minister of Scotland, this time my Grama and I saw another Alex, Alex Ferguson. 

When my Grama and I got out of the taxi we went straight to the drawing room where we were seated and given our menus to pick the types of sandwiches and tea we would like.  We asked for a selection of sandwiches and went for breakfast tea and my Grama also got a hot chocolate as it really was quite cold outside.  I didn't mind whatever sandwiches we got, as my eyes were fixed on the scones and cakes....

Our taxi driver came back to pick us up a couple of hours (and many scones later) and I just about managed to roll in over.  Luckily I didn't have far to go in the taxi as I already knew I had to get organised for people coming over in the afternoon.  

It really feels like time is speeding up now that we are in the very final week before the move...

Our last Guy Fawkes for a little while

One of the great things about growing up in Scotland is that we celebrate Guy Fawkes night.  I'm excited about celebrating all the great things about Singapore, but this is one thing I will miss about the UK.

This is my last Bonfire Night for two years as I don't think the authorities in Singapore will be too pleased with me lighting a bonfire in the back garden and throwing potatoes into it!

My friends came over to our apartment so that they could come with me to see my Mum participate in the sponsored Fire Walk down at Aberdeen beach where the fire works display is held.  If we were staying in our old apartment we could have cartwheeled over to where my Mum had to go, but seeing as we had since moved we needed to leave over an hour before hand to ensure we were there in time.

Inspire

Mark was unable to go as he had invited a friend over, and because Mark had been working that meant that I needed to get the shopping in and make the supper.  Luckily we had found all of our 'lost' M&S vouchers so I was able to treat the boys!  Oh yeah, I mean it was all home-made.

I had invited some friends to come and see too so they came over once Mark was able to get on the phone and give better instruction's as to how to get to the apartment, apparently mine were none too clear.

The bus into town took forever which mean that I had to run from Broad Street all the way down the Boulevard to meet my Mum coming out of the pre-fire walk motivational talk (for a non-runner this is actually quite a bit to go!)

We all cheered and clapped so hard for my Mum when she did her walk.  It was actually a further distance than I thought it would be.  Although someone behind me in the crowd saw all of the volunteers and where they had to walk and casually stated they could do it.  When their friend told them to try and volunteer last minute they instantly said they didn't want to and they were going to do a parachute jump for charity instead (God forbid they do two things for charity, although I can't believe they would have done either.)

It was amazing and something I just don't think I would have the courage for.  My Mum wanted to make a get away after doing it and headed home whilst my friends and I stayed for a hot dog, some toffee and the fire works.  They lasted a surprisingly long time and made me really proud to be an Aberdonian.  

Good job it was such a clear night and great display as it will be my last Guy Fawkes night for a little while now.

Not the Same

Every Tuesday afternoon I would spend my lunch break going to Gilcomston Church in Aberdeen.  It was only a  little way up the main street from my workplace and it was a good way to also meet up with my Brother to introduced me to the church.  I always feel so alive after going there and everyone is so welcoming.  Normally my Brother would meet me at my work and we would take a leisurely walk up the road.  I used to always pick up the leaflets from the Church when I was at my old job and had a set time-table of lunch breaks, it seemed inevitable that I would start going to 'The Gilc'.  

One of the first jobs I need to do when we arrive in Singapore is find a new Church to go to.  Until then I will be able to listen to sermons on sermon audio.

My Mum

On Monday my Mum came over to our place at Mannofield to hang out and see where we lived.  This will be our last move and seeing as we are going at the end of this week we really are trying to squeeze as many visits in with family and friends as possible.
Mum came by bus mid afternoon so I was able to run some last minute errands.  We constantly run out of food with all this moving as it makes more sense at the time to get rid of what we have and do small shops instead of lugging around lots of tins and bottles.  I am also aiming (and have practically accomplished my task) to have every-ones Christmas presents bought, wrapped and handed out before we leave.  We may have a small family, but we want to ensure all of our friends have their presents too.
About a month ago I saw the most fantastic advent calender for my Mum while walking through Boots the Chemist on the way to get my inoculations.  This is nothing like the Christmas ones you get when you are little, this is the very much sought after Boots Beauty advent calender.  I was running late to get to my appointment when i first saw it so I had to find it on line.  Apparently there weren't too many left so I ordered it up and was able to pick it up on Monday.  I had to get some sun cream too and so was able to pick up everything at once.
When my Mum came out to visit I very proudly handed the box over (my Mum is a beauty guru and knows most products very well so I knew she would love it!).  Sure enough it was a big hit and good choice.
We had to get to an appointment so only spent a little time doing our own thing before we had to head to it.  When we were done my Mum suggested she order something from the Chinese takeaway down the street and Mark could meet us at Mums house.  
This move seems to have sneaked right up on us and I can't believe I'm now into the last week.  I'm only going to see my family a couple more times this year..

More tea?

I just do not get tired of this place!

I love the grand exterior 

'Our' window where we have tea 

the views out over Bennachie 

and the fact that you can take your dog into the drawing room, i mean Daisy is one of the family. 

More tea Daisy? 

I'm fine, just leave me with my paper! 

Just as we were sitting down to tea (lets just pretend it's healthy...ok?) we got a call from my Uncle saying that he was coming over to see us.  We ate up quickly (like I wouldn't eat this quickly anyway?!) and then headed down to see him sitting in the drawing room waiting for us.  My Aunt, Uncle and Cousin came along too and we sat chatting late into the night. 

I did really laugh at all the moaning I had been doing about all this moving.  It sort of came out all at once when I really saw my 'first world problems' and complained that my sundae looked more like a banana split.  I don't know where it came from, but right after I said it I instantly stopped, apologised and tried to be better (this probably only lasted a little while, but I thought I kept it going for ages)