Goodbye Vulcan Bomber

The first few days of my summer holidays have passed by in a pleasant blur. I have been delighted to sleep back in my own bed and chat to my boys and my cats. On Saturday I accompanied James, Ally, and Davie to East Fortune airfield to watch one of the last few flights of the Vulcan Bomber. Apparently it is now past its sell by date and after a few more visits to air shows this summer and autumn, it will be consigned to a flight museum. It was a fine, warm and breezy day and the boys enjoyed looking around the planes while I had a coffee and read my book. The Vulcan finally arrived early afternoon; the boys used their phones to monitor its approach up the east coast via Twitter. After about 5 minutes and a couple of fly pasts it went on its way. 

On Sunday evening James, Ally, Davie and Ewan set off to see ACDC at Hampden. We had dinner at Wetherspoons first then the boys went to catch their train while Heather and I stayed on for another drink. We then had a very pleasant evening playing with the kittens and chatting, with Glastonbury (Chemical Brothers and The Who) playing in the background. Going to a music festival would probably be my worst nightmare, mainly due to the inadequate toilet facilities, mud, and squalid, overcrowded conditions. A bit like an airshow but worse because you have to spend the night in a tent with your muddy wellies sticking out into the rain. James keeps telling me that there's a very civilised music festival in Perthshire each summer which is specially designed for folks of our age and tastes (middle-aged foodies with a liking for cleanliness and comfort). But although I don't want to go to Glastonbury, and I found Kanye West on Saturday evening to be truly and amazingly talentless, I'm not sure that I want to relegate myself to the anodyne nursing home version of a festival just yet either! The boys arrived home from AC/DC in fine spirits. They seemed to have enjoyed themselves although they mentioned that it was extremely loud and speculated on Angus' life expectancy! 

The Florence Nightingale Award

On Thursday morning I felt like an absolute zombie after two hours of sleep, however after a bracing shower and some breakfast I was ready to set off on our long journey home. Gastric girl was feeling much better I'm very glad to say. The other teachers had made up my packed lunch for me, and I managed to get another couple of hours sleep on the coach. Our last visit of the trip was to Zaanse Schans, just outside Amsterdam. It’s a pretty outdoors museum with windmills and houses around a lake. It was good to have a break and stretch our legs. It was touristy but interesting with traditional crafts and produce on sale. 

Once we were back on the boat at Port of Amsterdam the teachers played cards in the sunshine on the open top deck. We played scabby queen, gin rummy, and Jane taught us to play Hearts which was quite hard but fascinating.

Unfortunately, one more pupil came down with the gastric bug on our way home and the poor girl vomited on and off for the rest of the journey, although she did manage to get some sleep on the boat. I kept a close eye on her, encouraged her to keep sipping water to keep hydrated and reassured her. She was so exhausted that I arranged to get her taken off the boat by wheelchair so that she wouldn't have to queue through security and passport control. The crew member who accompanied us was a very kind man from the Philippines called Benjy and we safely helped her onto the bus at Port of Tyne.

During the last part of our journey home we had an awards ceremony. The award certificates were written on sick bags from the boat, which was both amusing and appropriate. The teachers had made them during the previous evening; Audrey did the bubble writing "Germany 2015" and the illustrations, and Jane and I coloured them in. The awards were of course for things that had happened during the trip such as the pupil who had most asked "are we there yet?" or the pupil who had done the best singing on the bus etc. It was all really good fun and even gastric pupil number three perked up. To my surprise there was one final award - for me! The music teachers gave me an award for "best nurse" together with a "nurse" mug that they had managed to find at the service station, and a beautiful bunch of flowers. I felt very emotional; I really didn't expect it and it was just so nice of them. I really like the music department who have all made me feel so welcome on this trip, and by volunteering to be the first aider I felt that I was doing my bit. It has been fantastic.

Back to Koblenz Hospital

The whole group returned to Boppard yesterday evening for our final concert. Except this time we were on their coach so instead of getting the tiny ferry we had to drive all the way up to Koblenz and back down the other side of the river which took about an hour!

The concert was great and the weather remained warm and sunny; it was a good gig.

However another pupil took ill with severe stomach pains during the concert, and they continued for hours. I consulted with Jamie by phone (my hero) and he was pretty sure that it was a gastric bug, but without being able to examine her he couldn't be absolutely certain. The pupil was doubled up with pain, so eventually I took her to Koblenz Hospital just in case it was something more serious - I couldn't believe that I was back there again! Long story short, it was indeed a gastric bug which was a huge relief. She was a brave girl. We got back to the hotel just after 4 a.m. and had to get up again at 7! We are now in the bus on the long journey home and gastric pupil is peacefully asleep. I'm going to try to get some sleep too. 

I'm glad that I went to Boppard!

During my visit to Koblenz hospital last night with my sick pupil, we were attended to by a very bossy doctor. I actually quite like bossy doctors because they inspire me with confidence. This one was particularly loud. When we suggested that the sickness might have been caused by a dodgy mussel on the ferry on Sunday evening, she was very dismissive. NO she shouted, IT IS NOT THE MUSSEL! YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN SICK AFTER TWO HOURS! THE MUSSEL IS GONE! She prescribed three different types of medicine for the gastroenteritis, one of which was by suppository; the pupil respectfully asked if he could have a tablet instead. IN GERMANY WE LIKE SUPPOSITORIES, THEY ARE QUICKER! she yelled, YOU NEED TO DRINK ONLY WATER OR APFEL JUICE AND ONLY EAT BREAD OR PRETZELS! I asked if flat coke would be helpful (as is recommended in Scotland for sickness) and she was horrified! NEIN! NEIN! NOT IN THIS COUNTRY!

The doctor then advised the sick pupil not to take part in today's activity; a visit to Phantasia land theme park. In fact she seemed quite disapproving of theme parks and demanded to know why we were going there. I explained that we have been performing a series of concerts and that our pupils would enjoy a theme park. WHY? she asked insistently, IT IS NOT CULTURE! YOU SHOULD TAKE THEM TO HAMBURG OR KÖLN! I didn't really have a good answer to this and she followed up with, I BET THAT WHEN YOU TAKE THEM TO PARIS YOU TAKE THEM TO DISNEY! Since this is in fact true, I didn't have any comeback apart from muttering weakly that we take them to cultural things too. She didn't reply but looked at me with thinly veiled disbelief.

This morning the sick pupil wisely stayed in his bed and I volunteered to stay at the hotel with him. This was no hardship for me as I have visited Phantasia land several times before on school trips, and although, as theme parks go, it is a good one, I was quite happy to give it a miss this time. I spent the morning reading and by lunchtime, sick pupil emerged from his room feeling much better and ready to venture forth for some water and bread.

A really lovely afternoon ensued. We went for a walk around the village and had lunch at a restaurant on the banks of the Rhine. The sun came out on cue and I ordered a toastie which consisted of ham with hot cherries and topped with cheese. It was absolutely delicious and I am going to make it for James when I get home. Sick pupil sensibly stuck to bread with a little ham.

We then walked for about half an hour along the river to a tiny ferry which took us over to the pretty village of Boppard. It was absolutely gorgeous and we strolled around the village with its little streets and cafés before having a drink on the flower filled terrace of the Bellevue Rheinhotel. It was warm and sunny and the views up and down the river were beautiful. No harm to Phantasia land but I'm glad that we went to Boppard and I would love to return there. Actually I will be returning there tonight for our final concert, but I mean on a future holiday! 

Rudesheim

I was very excited this morning to set off on our hour long Rhine cruise. We passed the Lorelei Rock where allegedly a beautiful mermaid lured sailors to their deaths. And we passed lots and lots of picturesque castles perched on rocks - our tour guide Sue told us that they are often referred to as ABC - "another bloody castle!" Pretty villages, islands and churches also abounded. There were many neatly tended vineyards on the very steep hillsides above the river.

Although we set off in rain, the sun came out during the cruise which was great, and we re-boarded the bus to travel to the beautiful but touristy village of Rudesheim to give our next concert. The highlight was the amazing Muskikabinet museum where there were all sorts of early musical instruments. The open cable car up to the top of the hill behind the town passed above the vineyards and the views of the Rhine were stunning. And kaffee und kuchen with the other teachers was delicious.

Unfortunately I ended up the day at hospital in Koblenz with a pupil who has gastroenteritis and vomited copiously in the coach. I'm really hoping that I don't catch it but am a bit concerned because it was me who cleaned up the sick I disinfected my hands straight away so hopefully all will be fine. 

Maastricht in the rain

What a day it has been! I slept remarkably well in our tiny cabin and soon we arrived in the Port of Amsterdam and set off towards Maastricht. I instantly fell asleep in the bus and was later shown a photo of me snoozing! Our concert took place in the bandstand in the Vrijthof Square and although we didn't have much time to explore I could see that it is an attractive place, with lots of medieval buildings. I would definitely like to visit properly to see more of its history. We had a quick lunch in a brasserie (while all of the pupils piled into a nearby MacDonalds!) then the musicians efficiently set up for the concert. Luckily the bandstand was covered because the weather had turned rainy, however despite the weather we attracted a small but appreciative audience. I was chatting to a girl from Luxembourg who is a student at Maastricht University and goes to Scottish country dancing classes.  

Back on the bus I quickly fell back asleep for almost the whole of the journey to the Rhine Valley - I must be very tired! When I woke up we were driving along beside the Rhine - it's beautiful (even in the rain!); big and wide and winding with beautiful villages dotted along its banks. I was really excited to see it but the pupils were much more excited when they saw a Lidl supermarket. Even though there is an identical one very near school. Words fail me. 

Our hotel is in Kamp-Bornhofen right beside the river and is clean and pleasant. I am thrilled to have my own room. After dinner we walked along the riverside to the afore-mentioned Lidl to stock up on chocolate, and relaxed in the bar until it was time to settle the pupils down. And despite all of my sleeping today I think I will sleep well tonight.

Below decks

I have never sailed out of Newcastle before - or Port of Tyne as the harbour part is called. It was fascinating; we sailed down the river Tyne before emerging into the open sea, passing small and large boats, smart new apartment blocks, industrial areas and finally the ruins of a castle. Perhaps it was the castle (once new I suppose) after which the town was named. It was nice to be out on deck, and as I looked northwards I could see the coast stretching into the distance towards Scotland and I felt homesick for my boys and cats.

The ship, Princesse Margarethe, is well furnished with lots of bars and eateries. The cabin that I am sharing with Jane and Audrey is on deck two, which I reckon is well beneath the waves - in the well known film about a ship beginning with T it is more like Leonardo di Caprio's cabin than Kate Winslet's. Best not to dwell on that! 

Squealy bags

I'm on my way to Germany with the Music Department! Again I'm supporting a pupil with Autism. First stop however was the Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle for our first concert. The pupils had to humph all the musical instruments up the steps from Johnstone Terrace to the castle esplanade and then up more steps to the top of the castle. It was a great setting! The concert was brilliant and started with bagpipes (aka squealy bags according to Chris!), there was singing and dancing and the finale of "Caledonia" really did bring a tear to my eye. Lots of tourists came in to watch. 

The pupils then got to wander around the castle for a bit while the teachers had coffee and scones at the very lovely Castle Tearooms. A great start to the tour. 

Auspicious?

I finished up at school yesterday - it's not the end of term until Wednesday but I'm going on the music trip to Germany tomorrow. It was a very, very busy week but I felt very happy with what I got done. Everything is in good order.

Today James and I went into town for a short but efficient shopping trip. I got one of my favourite parking spaces in the world (right behind M&S in Renfrew Street) - the risk of trying for these spaces is that there are only four of them and if none are available you end up miles away. However today I sailed straight in and felt it was a good omen for the day and indeed the summer ahead. After our shopping we went for lunch to one of our old haunts - Sarti's in Wellington Street. We have been lunching there since before the boys were born and have always loved the Italian atmosphere and excellent coffee. By mid afternoon we were home and sitting in the garden. The kittens however were fast asleep in their beds, no doubt having been awake since dawn.

I also did some pleasant admin such as booking a restaurant for after Davie's Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award at the beginning of July and booking a couple of dinners in Yellowstone Park, and of course did my packing for tomorrow. 

And now I am relaxing with James, Ally and Davie, watching On Her Majesty's Secret Service - I had forgotten how good it is! Diana Rigg was so gorgeous. 

Blackhope Scar

We had a lovely evening at Heather and Ewan's on Saturday. Heather's gardening skills were in evidence; their garden looked particularly lush and green in the early summer evening. We also admired their famous new shed which nestles in the corner of the garden. Great news about Andrew - he has passed all of his exams with flying colours and is now officially a lawyer. I am most indebted to Ewan, who has agreed to go to see AC/DC with James in a couple of weeks, thus sparing me the experience.

On Sunday I went hillwalking near Penicuik with James, Jamie and Davie. We had a splendid day. I chose to fall behind the others after a while, and happily walked on my own. I inadvertently surprised a grouse which had laid its eggs in a little hollow near the path, I walked on quickly so that it could return to its eggs quickly. I also saw a large mountain hare lolloping across the heather. Finally I reached the trig point at Blackhope Scar, a rather sinister name for a hill I thought, then I circled round  towards a wind farm, before making my way back down the valley. The hill was rather steep at this point and I lost the path. Inevitably I slipped and fell in an undignified but mercifully unwitnessed manner, after which I deliberately slid down part of the hill on my bottom to avoid further tumbles. 

Once I was back down in the valley, I walked along a beautiful grassy path along a winding burn and through farmland back to the car, the walk was about 12 km in total. James, Jamie and Davie had arrived half an hour ahead of me; they must have beasted along their much longer route. I had the car keys so they were locked out of the car, but it was warm and sunny so they weren't too disgruntled as they waited beside the reservoir for my return.

Ally and Cat were back at the house; they had decided on a relaxing day after Ally arrived back from Norway on Satrurday night. We all walked down to Wetherspoons with Grandma for a slap up (and very reasonably priced!) meal. A pleasant ending to a good weekend.

Battered Clootie Dumpling

After a really lovely and very moving Leavers' Ceremony at school I drove up to Dunkeld to join the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Group on Thursday. The weather was glorious and we went to the chip shop to pick up our tea. The owner was very funny and asked if we wanted extra salt, vinegar, gravy, mushy peas, or "a wee kiss and cuddle out the back!" The haggis supper that I ordered was the best I have ever tasted, and we ate at Shona's picnic table beside the river at the campsite. It was idyllic. I also had a side order of battered clootie dumpling which was delicious. It was a great evening in very good company.

Sitting out in the garden

Summer arrived today! I left work reasonably early and James made one if his signature dishes for dinner; tuna pasta bake. After dinner we sat outside in the garden and had a cup of tea in the warm evening sunshine. The kittens loved us being outside and ran around excitedly on the grass, brushing past us affectionately from time to time. It occurred to me that I would rather be at home than anywhere else in the world, and I wish I could spend more time here.

Blustery on Arran

I have been away on a Duke of Edinburgh expedition this weekend to Arran. There was great excitement from pupils and staff alike when Ally McCoist was spotted on the ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick, and he good-naturedly posed for a few photos. We had a really fun time and the pupils were in good spirits despite heavy rain and winds on Saturday. Unfortunately they got lost on the first day so their walk took much longer than it should have, but they stayed cheerful and learned from their mistakes which is what the expedition is all about. I laughed when one of the boys told me he was lighting some candles outside his tent "to set the mood!" I don't think he managed to light them in the tempest! The teachers enjoyed a curry in Carolyn's tent on Saturday evening; I enjoyed the company of my Dukie chums very much. Today the weather was much better and the walk was more straightforward so everyone ended up having time for a wander around Brodick and we popped into Arran Aromatics and the Arran Cheese shop for some retail therapy before catching the ferry.

When I got home James and Davie were still a couple of hours away on their way back from a day trip to Glencoe, so I unpacked, put on a washing and played with the kitties before making the tea. A very pleasant weekend indeed.

Two deaths

The Lib Dem politician Charles Kennedy died yesterday. He was a couple of years older than me and I remember him as a young, charismatic president of the GUU when I was at Glasgow University at the end of the 1970s. He went on to be an MP at only 23 years old. He struggled with alcohol addiction for most of his adult life. He was known as a down to earth, intelligent and friendly person even by opposing politicians and was leader of his party for some years. His Dad died in April and then in May he lost his seat as MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber after 32 years, and now he has died. It's sad.

This morning our elderly neighbour across the road was also found dead. She was a reserved, very dignified lady who has been our neighbour for 26 years and used to be a piano teacher and voice coach. It was she who found Tess cat's body when she was knocked down by a car. She was widowed for a long time, since before we moved in. She liked to potter in her garden and kept tortoises. Dougie from next door noticed that she hadn't raised her blinds this morning. When I got home from work the police van was still outside. It was strange looking across at her house and knowing that she has gone. And sad.

A surprise for the kitties

Despite it being the 1st June we were treated to a sudden heavy shower of hailstones this evening, followed by a flash of lightning and a loud rumble of thunder. The cats' reaction was priceless. They both woke up and stared out of the window before looking accusingly at James, who they suspect is usually responsible for anything loud or unexpected. After about half an hour of lashing rain the clouds cleared and we had blue skies again - strange weather. 

We were cosy inside, eating lasagne and watching the latest episode of Game of Thrones.