Royal Celebrations

It has been rather a nice few days. Jamie had some time off and came through to spend some time with family and friends. Ally has started his internship at a law firm so he has been around in the evenings. And Davie has finally received his unconditional offer from Dundee University to study his dream course of Biochemistry so we are delighted for him. And the weather has been hot and sunny interspersed with a few thunderstorms - I had forgotten what really warm summer weather is like!

Today was an exciting day - David's Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award presentation at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. It started off a bit TOO exciting - we set off a bit late (my fault) and then caught up in busy traffic as we approached the centre of Edinburgh. We were supposed to be in place by 10.45 (the ceremony started at 11) but instead Davie and I leaped out of the car at about 5 to 11 and ran up to the barriers while James parked the car. The police on duty were very nice to us and told us "relax, you're here now!" An army lady took us to our group and went back to get James, we were the very last to arrive! Our group presenter was the stand up comedian and radio host Fred Macauley who was very personable and friendly, we have some friends in common so we had a wee chat with him at the end. An army band was playing and the setting in the grounds of Holyroodhousehouse was beautiful, with Arthur's Seat in the background. And then Prince Philip arrived looking very fit and energetic. He came right over to where we were standing with the other parents; he was so close that I could have reached out and touched him (I didn't!) Then he went over to the young people and talked to one or two of them including Davie! I was so proud of David's confident and pleasant manner and he looked really tall and handsome in his kilt! Prince Philip asked if anyone had done their expedition outside Scotland and Davie told him that he had done his in the Lake District, to which HRH wittily replied "Did you get lost then?" Davie laughed politely.

After the ceremony we walked up the Royal Mile to have lunch with Jamie at Wedgewood, a small and smart restaurant. The food was modern Scottish and very tasty. There were a couple of Edinburgh University graduates in the restaurant wearing their distinctive white bow ties - today was also Andrew's graduation in Law and he was celebrating with his family in Edinburgh too! We had an ice cream beside the Scottish Parliament in the sunshine, dropped Jamie home to Stockbridge then headed back to Glasgow quite exhausted! We are all packed for tomorrow because we set off on holiday very early.