For the first time since June 2014 we visited Scotland. We spent 6 busy days catching up with friends and family, sightseeing, and even attending a family wedding.  Oh and eating all the foods I have missed.

I still get mixed emotions when I am at the airport.  It will take a while before I get used to not saying goodbye to my Dutchie at departures and doing the final leg myself.  It was nice to get to do our old rituals, like going to Per Tuti for a pizza and relaxing on the massage chairs, but it was even nicer actually flying together.

Our first day in a cold Scotland was spent seeing my best friend and her tired little girl Ellie. It had been over a year since Ellie had seen me, so she had forgotten who I was. She was unsure about me for a while, but bringing presents helped make her warm up to me.

Thursday we spent in Edinburgh, we got up early for some sightseeing before meeting up with friends and old colleagues.

Calton Hill is our favourite place in Edinburgh and we have spent time up there on several occasions.  It has amazing views of the city and is reasonably quiet considering it is in the heart of Edinburgh.  We even made the silly decision to start walking up Arthur seat, but gave up half way up!

Our sightseeing was cut short, because we were meeting with another good friend, Stacey, and meeting her lovely daughter Edith for the first time.  Me and Stacey share a love for food so where better to go, than my favourite buffet restaurant for a catch up!!

Afterwards, I met up with my old work mates that I hadn’t seen since I left and had a well needed chat up and gossip.  It was great hearing what everyone is up to now and it was like we had never been apart!

Friday was the day of the wedding of my dad and his girlfriend.  Me and my little sister were asked to be bridesmaids along with Susanne’s daughters.  Our dresses were long, we all had different pastel colours and Susanne looked stunning.  The wedding ceremony went perfect and my dad even got choked up.  The rest of the day was spent with family, eating, drinking and dancing the night away.  And my Dutchie looked amazing in his suit… he wouldn’t wear a kilt!

Saturday was the first day we got the chance to meet up with my family, we went out for a lovely meal and got a chance to celebrate me finally getting a job with bubbles.  My sister was extremely hungover after the wedding, so it was fun watching her struggle through the meal.

Over the few days that we were in Edinburgh, boy did we eat! I decided to weigh myself a day before going home and I was shocked to see how much weight I had put on! (I won’t say how much, but it was shocking!)  But no wonder, I was drinking Irn-Bru by the gallon, and eating far too much.  Scotland is known for its unhealthy food options, but all the unhealthy foods taste the best!

Sunday was an early start, we took our dad and Susanne to the airport.  We do not live that far from Edinburgh Airport, so I agreed to chum my sister. She failed to tell me that they were flying from Prestwick!! The drive through was quiet and I tried my hardest to fall back asleep as it was only 3am.  The drive back certainly woke us up! Trying to locate somewhere to eat at 5am while you’re half asleep is a challenge. But after getting lost and totally guessing which way to go,  and laughing so much we found a McDonalds.

We spent the whole of sunday with my sister, laughing and kidding on like normal and talking about her visit here in July. It was nice seeing my mum’s dogs again, she got them just before I moved and were tiny. And lets just say they have grown… a little.

                  

Monday morning came so quickly and before we knew it, it was time to head to the airport. We got dropped off by my sister, but had to try and keep it tear free so she could drive home safely.  But as soon as she pulled away, god did I cry!

We had an amazing time in Edinburgh and it was so nice getting to catch up with people I have missed for the last year, but since being in The Netherlands I have gone soft and can not handle the Scottish weather any more!  Time to get back to the sunshine and start getting ready for my new job!

N x