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Mary McMath, Barrie McMath, Stalker Castle, and Elizabeth McMathMonday, October 19, 2009
I am back
In case anyone is wondering I am back in Walnut Creek. It is tough to come back to reality and to the world of work. I don't know if I am entirely back mentally.
I enjoyed the 9 days of being chauffeured around a beautiful country, seeing lovely scenery, tasting good scotch, eating good meals and feeling the energy of my ancestors. It was great seeing family and feeling so comfortable with them. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to do this. I am thankful to my Dad and to my sister who made it fun.
I am so pleased that my dad has decided to get the hip operation that he needs so much. I know he is scared, but I don't see any other alternative for him except to be come less and less mobile which would be bad for everyone. I understand there are risks to any operations, but he needs this.
Anyway, Scotland is a country that I will never say no to. It is beautiful and full of generous people. It still seems wild and untamed as it grows and expands. It is full of variety and I don't even pretend to have experienced even a small percentage of all it has to offer.
I am a little angry that I gained weight, but I must say that no matter what people say about Scottish cooking... it has come a long way and I loved every bite. Have a mentioned that I love fish? I had a lot of Salmon and a lot of Haddock. I had a lot of fresh fruit and wonderful Scottish cheese. (the one complaint is the choice of wine!.. it was horrible in most places.) Oddly, I was never in the mood for beer, but I suspect their beer is fairly good.
INFO:
Best driver and tour guide (well.. he was our only driver): Mike Hardie www.tourinscotland.co.uk/index.asp He knew so much and it didn't take him long to understand what Dad liked to hear about and focused more on that. He was laid back and flexible with our schedule. His help was invaluable.
Best Bed and Breakfast: Aslar House http://www.aslar.com/
Best Scotch tour: Abelour http://www.aberlour.com/ I also liked Kilchoman. http://www.kilchomandistillery.com/
Best Scotch.... no way I can pick... Did you know that each distillery has its own individual water source? Still amazed me especially on Islay which is an island with 9 distilleries (or more).
Best Scotch store: Whiskey castle in Tomintoul http://www.whiskycastle.co.uk/
Best surprise tour spot: I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the Cooperage. http://www.speysidecooperage.co.uk/
Best dinner: Toss up! I actually liked the Russel Hotel www.russellhotelstandrews.co.uk/dining.htm
I also liked the Glass House and Doll House (owned by the same people in St. Andrews). http://www.houserestaurants.com/
I also liked the restaurant in Boat Garten (near Grantown on Spey). www.andersonsrestaurant.co.uk/index.php
Best desert: Sticky Toffee Pudding. http://www.rampantscotland.com/recipes/blrecipe_sticky.htm
That's it. I am overcome by jet lag.
I will write about my last few days with my dad in PA tomorrow.
I enjoyed the 9 days of being chauffeured around a beautiful country, seeing lovely scenery, tasting good scotch, eating good meals and feeling the energy of my ancestors. It was great seeing family and feeling so comfortable with them. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to do this. I am thankful to my Dad and to my sister who made it fun.
I am so pleased that my dad has decided to get the hip operation that he needs so much. I know he is scared, but I don't see any other alternative for him except to be come less and less mobile which would be bad for everyone. I understand there are risks to any operations, but he needs this.
Anyway, Scotland is a country that I will never say no to. It is beautiful and full of generous people. It still seems wild and untamed as it grows and expands. It is full of variety and I don't even pretend to have experienced even a small percentage of all it has to offer.
I am a little angry that I gained weight, but I must say that no matter what people say about Scottish cooking... it has come a long way and I loved every bite. Have a mentioned that I love fish? I had a lot of Salmon and a lot of Haddock. I had a lot of fresh fruit and wonderful Scottish cheese. (the one complaint is the choice of wine!.. it was horrible in most places.) Oddly, I was never in the mood for beer, but I suspect their beer is fairly good.
INFO:
Best driver and tour guide (well.. he was our only driver): Mike Hardie www.tourinscotland.co.uk/index.asp He knew so much and it didn't take him long to understand what Dad liked to hear about and focused more on that. He was laid back and flexible with our schedule. His help was invaluable.
Best Bed and Breakfast: Aslar House http://www.aslar.com/
Best Scotch tour: Abelour http://www.aberlour.com/ I also liked Kilchoman. http://www.kilchomandistillery.com/
Best Scotch.... no way I can pick... Did you know that each distillery has its own individual water source? Still amazed me especially on Islay which is an island with 9 distilleries (or more).
Best Scotch store: Whiskey castle in Tomintoul http://www.whiskycastle.co.uk/
Best surprise tour spot: I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the Cooperage. http://www.speysidecooperage.co.uk/
Best dinner: Toss up! I actually liked the Russel Hotel www.russellhotelstandrews.co.uk/dining.htm
I also liked the Glass House and Doll House (owned by the same people in St. Andrews). http://www.houserestaurants.com/
I also liked the restaurant in Boat Garten (near Grantown on Spey). www.andersonsrestaurant.co.uk/index.php
Best desert: Sticky Toffee Pudding. http://www.rampantscotland.com/recipes/blrecipe_sticky.htm
That's it. I am overcome by jet lag.
I will write about my last few days with my dad in PA tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
I forgot to post this: Arrival in Newark.
We arrived in Newark and we were greeted by a wheelchair for Dad. The woman pushing the wheelchair was really nice. She asked me if we were connecting and I said no, and she looked at her schedule and said... Oh I see, you are the ones that need a bathroom soon. I rolled my eyes and said yes, we are. I guess Dad told the flight attendants. We waited for Dad, and then went quickly through security. The wheel chair woman took us right to the taxi.... We got right to Alice's house in Basking Ridge with no problems. Mom was already there. Alice was picking up Matheson with Brendan, so Patrick came outside to greet us. He has grown. (he will be 4 on Halloween). When Matheson an Brendan walked in, they looked older, too. Matheson is in first grade now. He says that he isn't sure that he likes school, but he does like recess. He told me that he and his friends like to play a new game called chasing girls!! He is only 6 years old.
Brendan is walking and looked like a little boy instead of a baby. (he is 15 months). He is also fearless. He just does what he wants and goes where he pleases... nothing bothers him unless his mother leaves.
When we finally got to Springtown, PA, I was ready for some quiet time. The dogs were happy to see Dad and thrilled to see me. I am their walking friend. I take them for walks and they remember me for that.
Dad told Mom that he was really glad to have disposable underwear and read that they can even be worn twice. I still don't understand it at all, but he had extra room in his suitcase for all our Scotch which is a good thing.
Brendan is walking and looked like a little boy instead of a baby. (he is 15 months). He is also fearless. He just does what he wants and goes where he pleases... nothing bothers him unless his mother leaves.
When we finally got to Springtown, PA, I was ready for some quiet time. The dogs were happy to see Dad and thrilled to see me. I am their walking friend. I take them for walks and they remember me for that.
Dad told Mom that he was really glad to have disposable underwear and read that they can even be worn twice. I still don't understand it at all, but he had extra room in his suitcase for all our Scotch which is a good thing.
health care comment.
I was in agreement with my Dad on this. The British health care is appalling (at least for the senior population). I was shocked at the lack of care. I can only hope we don't go the way of the British. At least some of the population has options for private care.
End of Monday and Tuesday
Dad and I returned to the B&B around 5:30. Dinner reservations for dinner were at 6:30 at the Seafood Restaurant. It was just enough time to change and pack up my suitcase to give to Stan to take downstairs for me. He is strong. He also didn't want me struggling in the dark at 5:15 in the morning (and waking up his other guests).
With that settled, off we went to the restaurant (on foot) which is further than the other ones. As we were turning the corner onto a street, Dad slipped, grabbed onto me and I went smashing into big plastic trash bins. He was yelling at me that he was going to fall all the way down, but I was about to fall as well (he was hanging onto my arm). He was almost on the ground anyway, but I gathered all the strength I could and helped him up just balancing on one leg and using the arm he was holding. Let me tell you, he is HEAVY! Oh well. We were okay. I do have a couple of bruises, but other than that no damage. I will go to the chiropractor when I return. At least it set his resolve to get an operation for his hip soon.
We made it to the restaurant with no other incident. It is all windows and we got a table looking over the water/beach. This was a fancy place and the first time that we had a meal that wasn't' piles and piles of food. The meal was excellent except they added ham squares to my fish dish. I almost returned it, but decided I just would put it on the side and not make a fuss. I ended the meal with a plate of Scottish cheese and a dram of Balvenie 15 year old. The cheese plate included a cheese I had never heard of. It is called Criffel. It is close to a Scottish Brie. Dad also had a cheese plate and some earl grey tea which he usually hates, but this one was more aromatic than usual. ?????
We toasted Grandmother McMath because our trip was financed by the little money she left him when she died.
We walked back in the rain with no problems.
I stayed up a bit, and then tried to sleep because I had to wake up Dad at 4:40. He needed time to pack, dress and the fruit that Stan left for him in the fridge. I woke up at 3:30 and didn't go back to sleep. I will sleep in PA.
We were in the car by 5:25 and true to form Dad started talking to Mike. He told Mike stories about his army days. I didn't know that Dad peeled potatoes and I didn't know he worked in the kitchen baking bread and rolls for the officers. No wonder he still likes to make bread and croissants. I guess I should have listened carefully to his stories in the past.... but the honest truth is he is usually lecturing the state of the world and raising his blood pressure.
He also talked more about his Dad, when we were with Fred. After being in the army, my grandfather was asked to investigate into embezzling and black market rings within the ranks. One day they found him run over and over and over. No one knew what happened. Dad was only 11... sad.
We arrived at the airport and immediately Dad had to pop into the handicapped toilet. We finally got checked in, got a wheel chair and said good bye to Mike. Dad just loves first class, and of course we were able to get on the plane first.
More later.
With that settled, off we went to the restaurant (on foot) which is further than the other ones. As we were turning the corner onto a street, Dad slipped, grabbed onto me and I went smashing into big plastic trash bins. He was yelling at me that he was going to fall all the way down, but I was about to fall as well (he was hanging onto my arm). He was almost on the ground anyway, but I gathered all the strength I could and helped him up just balancing on one leg and using the arm he was holding. Let me tell you, he is HEAVY! Oh well. We were okay. I do have a couple of bruises, but other than that no damage. I will go to the chiropractor when I return. At least it set his resolve to get an operation for his hip soon.
We made it to the restaurant with no other incident. It is all windows and we got a table looking over the water/beach. This was a fancy place and the first time that we had a meal that wasn't' piles and piles of food. The meal was excellent except they added ham squares to my fish dish. I almost returned it, but decided I just would put it on the side and not make a fuss. I ended the meal with a plate of Scottish cheese and a dram of Balvenie 15 year old. The cheese plate included a cheese I had never heard of. It is called Criffel. It is close to a Scottish Brie. Dad also had a cheese plate and some earl grey tea which he usually hates, but this one was more aromatic than usual. ?????
We toasted Grandmother McMath because our trip was financed by the little money she left him when she died.
We walked back in the rain with no problems.
I stayed up a bit, and then tried to sleep because I had to wake up Dad at 4:40. He needed time to pack, dress and the fruit that Stan left for him in the fridge. I woke up at 3:30 and didn't go back to sleep. I will sleep in PA.
We were in the car by 5:25 and true to form Dad started talking to Mike. He told Mike stories about his army days. I didn't know that Dad peeled potatoes and I didn't know he worked in the kitchen baking bread and rolls for the officers. No wonder he still likes to make bread and croissants. I guess I should have listened carefully to his stories in the past.... but the honest truth is he is usually lecturing the state of the world and raising his blood pressure.
He also talked more about his Dad, when we were with Fred. After being in the army, my grandfather was asked to investigate into embezzling and black market rings within the ranks. One day they found him run over and over and over. No one knew what happened. Dad was only 11... sad.
We arrived at the airport and immediately Dad had to pop into the handicapped toilet. We finally got checked in, got a wheel chair and said good bye to Mike. Dad just loves first class, and of course we were able to get on the plane first.
More later.
Monday
Did I mention that on Sunday, Stan and Mary (the B&B hosts) were kind enough to wake up Dad and get him to breakfast on time? It was a great help as I was going with Mary and on my own tour and wouldn't be back in time. Yes, I was in charge of waking Dad and Mary up every morning. Anyway, I have to repeat myself in saying that Aslar is a gem in St. Andrews.
MONDAY:
I got up Monday and woke up Dad on my way out to do a little walk around the town. It was a sunny cool day. After a hearty breakfast, I ran over to the only bookstore I hadn't been in to try to find a children's book about Rory. for my nephew Patrick. It is a series of Scottish books about a little boy named Rory. I think we got the first book when we were there in 2005 for Matheson who would have been 2 years old.
I found one! and a newspaper for my dad. I think he has been in a much better mood than normal because he hasn't been reading the news or watching the TV. So I got a small paper called the Scotsman which has a lot of sports scores around England.
I ran back to the B&B because Mike was picking us up at 10. Dad was happy about his breakfast. He had a sausage that was locally made. THE BEST!. Other than that he had only fruit. That is a good thing. His weight has soared in the past few years.
Mike was on time as usual, and we got in the car and Dad started to talk.. Mike is really good to my dad who loves a blather as I mentioned.
We are on our way to Dunfermline to pick up Fred Man (the brother of Jean Dundas, who we saw on Saturday). Fred was an academic (very smart and amazing memory for information). He was involved with the Carnegie organization which was (is?) headquartered in Dunfermline. His wife (who died last year) was very involved in the abbey which goes back to 1072 and was built by King David I of Scotland for his saintly mother, Queen Margaret. Dad and I knew Fred would try to take us there for lunch so we told him we were taking him somewhere. We have been to the abbey quite a few times. I knew it would probably be good to get Fred out. He has two bad hips and has had a stroke so he isn't too quick or mobile so doesn't get out much anymore.
Mike and I had quite a time getting Dad and Fred in their seat belts in the back of the car. They couldn't get it done on their own. It has turned into the geriatric tour!!!
We drove along the coast up to one of a few fishing villages, called Anstruther. We had lunch at the Craw's Nest. It is a hotel, but being off season it was very quiet in the restaurant. I was able to get out for a quick walk down to the water while Dad and Fred had desert. Don't worry, Mom.. he only had fruit.
We got BACK in the CAR and drove up a few more villages and then back to Dunfermline another way. I took a nap, and Mike (who has picked up on what dad likes to hear about) gave information about all the places we were passing. It is just such lovely landscape that for me it is just fun to just be there.
At one point Dad said he saw a Rover (car that Britain used to make). He has mentioned a few times that he wondered why he didn't see any Rovers... then he says... oh they must have stopped production a long time ago. Mike, for the third time, that they only stopped in 2006, and there are quite a few still on the road. Dad for the third time didn't hear him. I just laughed.
Dad is funny. He has soooo much information in his head. He can talk to someone for 5 minutes and remember their whole life history. Amazing. And he tried to tell us that he is shy! He will talk to anyone.
We dropped off Fred, and drove yet another way back to St. Andrews. It continued to be such a beautifully sunny day. Mike drove us through a very cute town named Faukland. It was great. I just wish we had more time to explore and less time in the car. BUT this trip is about my Dad and what he wants and is able to do.
Dad really enjoys learning about new places and the history and he remembers things, so Mike has been a great resource. Mike put on a CD of Scottish music. Unlike my father, I can't retain information that rapidly, so I don't know the name of the group. In one of the songs, the lead musician says "I think I will have a wee dram of whiskey to project me into insanity" THAT I was able to remember. It was very funny. Dad liked it but doesn't like the word insanity, so he has changed it to oblivion. So if you ever hear him say it, that is where it came from.
MONDAY:
I got up Monday and woke up Dad on my way out to do a little walk around the town. It was a sunny cool day. After a hearty breakfast, I ran over to the only bookstore I hadn't been in to try to find a children's book about Rory. for my nephew Patrick. It is a series of Scottish books about a little boy named Rory. I think we got the first book when we were there in 2005 for Matheson who would have been 2 years old.
I found one! and a newspaper for my dad. I think he has been in a much better mood than normal because he hasn't been reading the news or watching the TV. So I got a small paper called the Scotsman which has a lot of sports scores around England.
I ran back to the B&B because Mike was picking us up at 10. Dad was happy about his breakfast. He had a sausage that was locally made. THE BEST!. Other than that he had only fruit. That is a good thing. His weight has soared in the past few years.
Mike was on time as usual, and we got in the car and Dad started to talk.. Mike is really good to my dad who loves a blather as I mentioned.
We are on our way to Dunfermline to pick up Fred Man (the brother of Jean Dundas, who we saw on Saturday). Fred was an academic (very smart and amazing memory for information). He was involved with the Carnegie organization which was (is?) headquartered in Dunfermline. His wife (who died last year) was very involved in the abbey which goes back to 1072 and was built by King David I of Scotland for his saintly mother, Queen Margaret. Dad and I knew Fred would try to take us there for lunch so we told him we were taking him somewhere. We have been to the abbey quite a few times. I knew it would probably be good to get Fred out. He has two bad hips and has had a stroke so he isn't too quick or mobile so doesn't get out much anymore.
Mike and I had quite a time getting Dad and Fred in their seat belts in the back of the car. They couldn't get it done on their own. It has turned into the geriatric tour!!!
We drove along the coast up to one of a few fishing villages, called Anstruther. We had lunch at the Craw's Nest. It is a hotel, but being off season it was very quiet in the restaurant. I was able to get out for a quick walk down to the water while Dad and Fred had desert. Don't worry, Mom.. he only had fruit.
We got BACK in the CAR and drove up a few more villages and then back to Dunfermline another way. I took a nap, and Mike (who has picked up on what dad likes to hear about) gave information about all the places we were passing. It is just such lovely landscape that for me it is just fun to just be there.
At one point Dad said he saw a Rover (car that Britain used to make). He has mentioned a few times that he wondered why he didn't see any Rovers... then he says... oh they must have stopped production a long time ago. Mike, for the third time, that they only stopped in 2006, and there are quite a few still on the road. Dad for the third time didn't hear him. I just laughed.
Dad is funny. He has soooo much information in his head. He can talk to someone for 5 minutes and remember their whole life history. Amazing. And he tried to tell us that he is shy! He will talk to anyone.
We dropped off Fred, and drove yet another way back to St. Andrews. It continued to be such a beautifully sunny day. Mike drove us through a very cute town named Faukland. It was great. I just wish we had more time to explore and less time in the car. BUT this trip is about my Dad and what he wants and is able to do.
Dad really enjoys learning about new places and the history and he remembers things, so Mike has been a great resource. Mike put on a CD of Scottish music. Unlike my father, I can't retain information that rapidly, so I don't know the name of the group. In one of the songs, the lead musician says "I think I will have a wee dram of whiskey to project me into insanity" THAT I was able to remember. It was very funny. Dad liked it but doesn't like the word insanity, so he has changed it to oblivion. So if you ever hear him say it, that is where it came from.
in PA
Bummer.... I wrote all about the past few days as a word document when i was flying today. thinking my computer always works in Springtown, PA at my parent's house. BUT this time it doesn't. I tried everything. SO I have to retype everything.
I am glad to be here off duty... seeing my mom and the dogs. (7 of them.... Ueschi, Simone, Avalance, Pilgrim, Erik, Brittia, and Ziggy). I went for a long walk this morning and I am happy not to be in the car today.
I am glad to be here off duty... seeing my mom and the dogs. (7 of them.... Ueschi, Simone, Avalance, Pilgrim, Erik, Brittia, and Ziggy). I went for a long walk this morning and I am happy not to be in the car today.
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