Rare chance to get up to the land of my birth for a most delighful extended Christmas relaxathon. Turned off my work email at the border, ignored newpapers for the first time since I started my paper round (1985 at a guess) and slept so much I was occasionally dropping off while my grandmother was talking!
Managed to spend time in Gargunnock marvelling at Granny’s delicious cheese souffle, hearing tales of childhood naughtiness and tacking a very misty, very moist Beech Walk alone early on Christmas Eve.
Popped down to Edinburgh to lay the ashes of dear departed J.S.Crerar into the ground at the beautifully Liberton Cemetery (amazing views over Auld Reekie), before toasting his long life at my Auntie’s.
Took the heat off my Mama in Glasgow on Christmas Day by serving up a rather delicious Haunch of Venison dinner that seemed to go down well. Pressies from popupshop were well received. Down to Troon on Boxing Day for a curry chez Papa, followed next morning by a walk in dazzling sunshine along the beach. Then back to Glasgae to take Grannie to her childhood home in Kilmacolm, before heading off on Sunday with Rosie to yomp up the aptly named Conic Hill: definitely a hill not a mountain, but superb views nevertheless. All in all a gorgeously relaxed time in my favourite country on earth. Merry Christmas!
