Five days before take off...

Followers:
You might think that this trip is all about Scotch, so let me put your mind at rest. In reality, this is an 80th birthday present for my Dad (from my Dad).
My father was born in London in January 1930. He was the only child of older parents. He lived most of his young life in Forfar, Scotland with (strict) maiden Aunties. Actually, he was shuttled back and forth between London and Forfar depending on where the war was or wasn't. To make a long story short, in 1956 when he was studying at St. Andrew's University, he met my mother who was there on a year abroad from Vassar. He moved to the USA in 1957 and married my mother. Since then, he has managed to go back to Scotland every few years to visit his friends and family.
Lately, he has not been walking well. (which isn't a topic I want to get into right now). He decided he wanted to go "one last time" to Scotland. I don't know if it is his last time or not, but he is convinced it is, at this moment. His desire to go was also fueled by the death of the husband of his cousin, May. In the meantime, May has had a heart attack which leaves her weak and in an unstable condition.
In addition, the wife of my father's dear childhood friend passed away last year. Faye Mann was a great woman and I will miss not seeing her this visit. Fred Mann has been a friend of my father's since they were little boys. (I can't imagine my father as a little boy!)
His favorite cousins, Forbes MacMath, and Ivor McKinnon passed away quite a few years earlier. I might mention them later, since they were important in my Dad's life. (and mine).

So at this point, it is needless to say that my father wants to visit the few people who are left from his past before they are gone or he is gone. I can understand that. BUT for awhile, what I didn't understand was why I had to be the one to take him. Is it because I am single... is it because I am the oldest.. could it be that I am considered responsible??? My mother spent almost a year recruiting me to go with him. I have traveled a few times with my father. (my mother doesn't fly anymore!). She said he trusts me. I don't know that he cares who is with him.
In the past I was happy to do it, but with his new walking issues and the fact that they expected me to drive didn't make it a very tempting trip. (Driving on the "wrong" side of the road is hard enough, but in the past, my father would give me a tally at the end of the day of all the people, bikers and cars that I "almost" hit!) I am an excellent driver, I might add!

My mother finally convinced me to go when she said I could hire a driver and include my sister, Mary on the trip. (Alice is jealous, but her three boys wouldn't like her to leave for that long... and David feels guilty that his life is too busy to take the time). I understand. And David is darn lucky, he isn't the oldest or he would be going! It still doesn't feel like a vacation, but I agreed.

Dad is a kind man, but he can be a mean grump and fiercely opinionated. I can handle it, if I need to. Mary can handle it. BUT at this point, my worry is that the driver, Mike, will throw up his hands in frustration on a deserted Scottish road and make us get out to walk the rest of our journey. I chose the driver and have been in touch with him weekly for a few months.

I must admit that last week I wrote Mike and as delicately as I could, I told him to just agree with my father's lectures. My father is smart, but forgets to "discuss". He says what he says and that is it. And I am not sure if his opinions will be the same as those of the driver.
I also gently told him that my father is rather large and slow moving. (hoping the car will be big enough to handle him). I think Mike understood. SO far he has been more than helpful in arranging distillery tours, dinners and accommodations. I won't give his info until I actually meet him. (or he actually shows up to meet us... my parents have paid him in full).

So back to the point. This trip is a celebration of almost 80 years of life for my father. I hope this isn't his last trip, but if it is, Mary and I will make sure it is fun for him.

PS. Weather looks rainy, but not too cold. Mary reminded me that the way I planned the trip, we won't be outside much.... only in distilleries! NOT true. She and I plan to walk every morning, when my Dad is doing his morning ablutions. We will also visit some castles and even take a boat trip.