That’s exactly what happened to summer. And my vacation! We’re starting the second week of September already — how can it be?
Our little Trippy Trip blitzed by in a flash — time flies when you’re having fun. I think it was pretty obvious from my previous post that we went to the UK. More specifically, Scotland and London. Way back last winter, Isabelle and I hatched a plan so that SweetiePie and I would come and be cat-sitters for a week, just like TheManoftheHouse and I did almost four years ago. But then, Isabelle’s Mum got sick and we had to start thinking of alternate plans. As the trip got closer, we decided that Isabelle and Mr. Life wouldn’t be able to go anywhere, but that SweetiePie and I would still come for the week and visit. And then, sadly, the week before we left, Isabelle’s sweet Mum passed away. I really felt that we should scrap our plans to stay with the Life family and started to look for other accommodations. But, after several e-mails with Isabelle and conversations with friends, we decided to cut our week to three days (after all Benjamin Franklin says “Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days”) and hope that our visit would add a little cheer to the Life home and help momentarily take their minds off of their sorrow.
And so, we were off! (And lucky to fly British Airways on the way over — so much nicer than the American flight we had on the way back.) Mr. and Mrs. Life picked us up at the airport. It was SO fun to see them again and introduce SweetiePie to them. And as sad as we were about the circumstances, the huge silver lining was that we were able to spend several days with Isabelle and Mr. Life — something that wouldn’t have happened if we’d been cat-sitting per the original plan. We had such a wonderful time and Isabelle treated us like Queens. There was a never ending supply of fabulous food (btw, Isabelle, I keep forgetting to ask you for that Chicken recipe!) and we felt totally at home. After our first afternoon of braving the crowds on High Street, it was fun to come back to Isabelle’s and enjoy her beautiful garden and just relax.
I loved that we were able to see the garden in the summer, with gorgeous blooms everywhere. (The last visit was in late October so most of the blooms were gone.) And, Isabelle’s favorite friends came out to greet us. (Avert your eyes if you’re slug creeped out!) We don’t have slugs here (well, at least I don’t ever see them) so I had to take a picture. Isabelle has talked about them and their voracious appetites so it was interesting to actually see them. Behold. A Scottish slug LOL.
Ok, sorry for that picture. The next two will be your reward. I couldn’t wait to meet the Grandbaby Life! I was beyond excited and so grateful that DD1 and her hubby made the trip across town just so I could meet this little cutie. (Sorry, the pictures are a little blurry — this little guy is always on the move.)
I’m pretty sure I can safely say this is the cutest little grandson on the planet. And, aside from being adorable, he’s perfect — happy and so well behaved the whole time we were there. We never even heard him cry, which I thought was pretty darn amazing considering we had dinner together and it was getting close to his bedtime!
Ahem. I might be grandbaby crazy LOL. Just thought you should know that Isabelle is much too modest when she talks about wee Grandson on her blog!
Anyway, back to the trip (sorry this is getting so long!), on our last day in Edinburgh, Isabelle and Mr. Life took us over to Fife and we walked a short segment of the Coastal Path. I’ve always wanted to walk part of the path and I’ll definitely do it again on my next visit. The weather was beautiful (maybe a little windy) and we had a wonderful time. The views were gorgeous!
We walked from Anstruther to Pittenweem — a short mile. We were going to walk more, but we discovered that we talk too much. I’m sure you’re shocked LOL. Halfway between Anstruther and Pittenweem, we came upon a swingset. All the children had a fun time swinging. Isn’t it fabulous? Swinging right there on ocean. {Sigh}
Then, a little farther along the path, we came upon a golf green and we were treated to a cartwheel. Isabelle showed a similar picture on her blog and, Molly, I’m very disappointed that you didn’t think this is me!
In Pittenweem we met up with Di from Woollie Wanderings for a little afternoon tea. What fun to finally meet her after several years of blog reading! Di had just been to the Highlands, where we were going next, so she was extremely helpful with our planning. Thanks for all your help Di — and for taking the time to come and meet us — I loved it! I’m so sorry that I didn’t get any pictures of us. Again, we were talking so much that I forgot.
And Di wasn’t the only picture casualty. A few days later, SweetiePie and I met up with Lisa of It’s Just Peri and Tess of Driftwood and none of us got pictures either. Well, I did get pictures of the boys. Here’s E and Milo — aren’t they cute? I asked them to each show me a favorite book.
Gabe was having none of this picture taking though, so I got a wiggly picture of him.
Thanks to you too, Lisa and Tess, for taking time out of your busy schedules to meet up with us. We had a great time – it’s amazing how you only know someone through blogs, yet you know them and there’s always SO much to talk about!
Speaking of which, I’ve rambled on long enough for now. I only took about 1500 pictures (ha!), so after I manage to get through a few more of them, I’ll be back with a top 10 favorites or something. It was a super fun trip and I’m ready to go back again!
XOXO,
Anna
So glad that Lemonade could be made out of lemons and that you had a wonderful trip. I can’t wait to see photos and hear about the rest of it.
What a wonderful trip you made! Thanks for sharing the pictures!
We have slugs aplenty here! I didn’t know you call them slugs. Is it because those are snails without a home?
Happy weekend!
welcome home!!!!
we missed you like crazy and next time you go to a foreign country, you must discuss it with all of us, so we can get things like:
audio recordings of men with scottish accents
photos of men with scottish accents
we’ll be sure to make our requests in advance next time.
:waves madly
You were here and you didn’t tell me! LOL Sounds like a great visit and I can’t wait to see your top ten pictures…which reminds me I out to do the same with my holiday snaps :o)
welcome home!
i cant wait to see the top ten list, scotland sure looks like a great place to visit!
That looks like a wonderful trip. And that baby is scrumptious.
What a fabulous trip! I think I am a little grandbaby crazy too, ‘cos I want one! (I can’t believe I just wrote that – don’t tell my boys.)
As for swinging by the seaside, count me in. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you’re back! I’ve missed your blog.
What a lovely English garden! I will have to turn my head when passing by my garden.what a handsome lad with the blonde hair and big beautiful eyes:) I hope to see more photos real soon.
It does seem like just a blink of the eye when you told us you were leaving. So glad you were able to make the trip work out and perhaps bring some cheer to your dear friends. Sweet kiddos. I’m looking forward to more pics.
Oh, Anna, it looks like you had a really good time! So glad the beautiful Sweetie Pie got to go with you and that you caught up with so many blog friends. I’ll look forward to more pictures. Love the swing set on the sea!
By the way, my maternal grandmother’s name was Anna. She was born in 1900.
it was so lovely to meet you, if I’d known how much you loved slugs I’d have brought you some from my garden……
Well, I’m glad that you’re planning your next trip already! It was so nice to get to know you again and Sweetiepie also (she really is a sweetiepie). As for the chicken dish… I can’t remember what I cooked. Remind me. Oh dear, senile decay… . I hope that Robbienae wasn’t referring to my garden when she mentioned an “English garden”…
Thanks for the slug photo(not!!) Looking forward to seeing more of your Scottish adventure ….. so sorry I missed seeing you. We are about to leave Sydney and head down to Melbourne, where Meredithe has great plans to entertain me!!
Looks like you and Sweetie Pie had a Grand Adventure! How lovely that you got to meet up with so many blog friends. Can’t wait to see more of your lovely photos.
I love the idea of losing weight by “acquiring it slowly”, as your spammy friend above suggests. I’ve done the acquiring weight slowly bit – it was easy. Also I’m interested in your other spammy friend, who has discovered that you’re planning global expansion. The world: covered with a big patchwork quilt and some nice knitted socks. Lovely.
By the way, you would NOT have smelt after three days staying with us!!!!
Welcome back xxxx
It looks like you had a wonderful trip Anna! I had the opportuniy to visit London several years ago and it as such a fun place to see! :)
You’ve been missed! Great trip! Looks like you all had a wonderful time!!!
Such fun! It looks like a real vacation!
What a fun trip! And how cool that you could bring Sweetie Pie with you. Welcome home!
Looks like you had a great trip! I’m so happy. And, yes, that little grandson is pretty stinkin’ cute! I’ve missed you. Glad you are back! Summer did go by in the blink of an eye, didn’t it?!
It sounds like you had a wonderful trip Anna – I’m sorry I wasn’t able to make it up to Alnwick to meet you this time – maybe next time?? Lucy xx
Sounds like you had a lovely time! Glad you are safely home, enjoy fall…..it has begun up here.
What a wonderful trip…and such gorgeous pictures of everything…yes…a top 10 would be a super fun post!
Great photos and story. Good for you. Plans are hard when they change like that. I’m happy you got to go. The children all look very british.
Hello! I am so glad that you had a lovely trip and it was great to meet you (and thank you for the lovely fabric – I am not sure that i thanked you properly before now and I apologise for that.).I am in Spain visiting a friend at the moment and having a great time. We´ve been to Portugal for the weekend and next weekend i´ll be in Switzerland visiting other friends – all go!
Crumbs, you almost passed my door! It looks like you had a great time. :o)
I’m with Tess on the fact that I could have brought you some slugs lol… we have monsters here, some even manage to climb through the catflap and leave their silver trails all over our utility yuk.. Milo has got really short hair now as there was a bit of an accident at the barbers !! xxx