Meet ups

Last week I drove down to Biggar on a fine and sunny morning to visit my Uncle Bill and Aunt Katy. The drive was very pleasant through the rural Southern Uplands and I listened to some of my favourite music on the way. It was absolutely wonderful to see them both and we went out for a tasty lunch at the Elphinstone Hotel which is only a few steps from their home. Biggar is such a beautiful and traditional village, and Bill and Katy were telling me all about the New Year bonfire which the locals build at this time of year ready for the festivities in a few weeks. I am very fond of Bill and Katy and I love their wicked sense of humour; we had a great afternoon.

I also caught up with my friend Ally for lunch one day. She is always very positive; as well as enjoying her company I came away with lots of ideas such as a weekly newspaper that she subscribes to, and a French news podcast which I have started to listen to in the car on the way to work. It was via this French podcast that I learned of the death this week of French rock and roll star Johnny Hallyday. When I lived in France his love story with Sylvie Vartan was just ending, and the French magazines were not complete without yet another story about Johnny's lifestyle and amorous exploits! He was such a big star and had triumphed through so many crises and health struggles that I was quite surprised to hear of his demise. 

I have been catching up with quite a few people recently, and this is very much thanks to my new part time hours; I have the opportunity, and more importantly the energy to arrange meet ups. I have to say that I am thoroughly enjoying it; I am lucky to know so many nice people so it's lovely to have the time to see them.