Tom Kitchin

Valentines Day was something special this year as Irene and I treated ourselves to a meal at The Kitchin , an award-winning restaurant just up the road from our apartment in Leith. We strode out confidently for our 21:15 hrs table reservation stopping off at The Roseleaf for an aperitif. We then realised that we were uncertain as to whether we had to turn left or right  on Commercial Street to get to the restaurant.  Needless to say we took the wrong turn and then we managed to walk past it. I convinced myself  that we were in the wrong part of Leith and strode off with a reluctant Irene following in the direction of the Malmaison hotel while calling them to discover it was behind us. Even with this knowledge we had still to consult a taxi driver to locate the entrance.  The signage is very discreet! Once in the restaurants and relieved of our coats we sat down and studied the menu. there was not a huge selection as was to be expected and there was a predominance of game and fish which would not be to everybody´s taste. Irene chose a mackerel to start but it turned out that the last portion had been sold. She struggled to find something else to her taste but the maitre de insisted she try something and prepared razor clams with chorizo especially for her faithfully promising that the chorizo would not overwhelm the seafood as can be the case. I had scallops. To follow Irene had deer and I had duck. I finished off with a rhubarb soufflee and Irene with a chocolate concoction. The meal was truly fabulous and the bill was too (a bottle of wine GBP50) although I noted with relief that Irene´s starter was on the house. The portion sizes were modest so we were satisfied but not overfull. I treated myself to a malt on returning home!

Sofia’s Naming Day

Irene and I flew back late Thursday and spent the night at our apartment. We picked up a hire car and headed north to Aberdeen, calling in on my Dad on the way past, and checking in to Woodbank shortly before 1500hrs. We then met up with Ailsa at her place of work after which we accompanied her to the nursery in Cove Bay where Sofia spends her days. She beamed when she saw us! We beamed back. Then we went back to Ailsa an Barry’s place and were enthralled by our lovely grand-daughter. We headed back to the Sell Club in time for dinner. We woke up boiling in the middle of the night having turned the heating on rather too powerfully and with too many bedclothes and in a smaller bed than we are accustomed to.

Saturday was Sofia’s big day and she was beautifully presented and wearing the silver bracelet we had given her. We were joined by Sheonagh, Richard and Gordon plus Auntie Sarah and Uncle Ewan. Unfortunately Irene’s Dad called off as he was not up to the trip. We met with the other guests at the Rusty Nail in Aberdeen. The celebrant delivered a very nice address and we tucked into a nice spread of small eats and a lovely cake. Sofia could not have been better behaved and smiled and gurgled throughout.

Fitness Fanatic

Even by my own standards I overdid it this weekend. The Malaga hash was a good 6km of cross country on Saturday. On Sunday morning Irene and I did a close to 10km walk in Guaro to view the almond blossom. The weather could not have been better. The hills could not have been steeper!  We ere joined by the Michies, Buxtons and Chishicks although only Irene, Sandy & I took on the long walk; the others opting for a 4km stroll!  To cap it all I then dashed to the Mijas Hash to be told by the hare, Kindergarden Cop, that he had laid a “ball-breaker” alternative with me and other runners in mind.  Meantime Irene et al tucked into a nice lunch. My run turned out to be a 12km one through what can best be described as country lanes. It was excellent and I amazed myself by mostly running it making my weekend total some 17-18km. Both Irene and I have sore muscles this morning!

Christmas in Scotland

I have been remiss in not updating my blog for a few weeks and as a consequence I will now combine two weeks of intense activity into a few paragraphs.

We departed from Spain on the afternoon of 16th December. Ryanair landed us safely and almost on time in a mild Edinburgh late at night.  We uplifted our luggage (more than normal as we were carrying presents etc) and grabbed a taxi to Water Street. We were home about 2300hrs and settled ourselves in.

On the Sunday, after her hair appointmen,t Irene met up with Sheonagh for Xmas shopping and a Barbour jacket was the result. That evening we took the bus all the way to Colinton to meet up with the ex-Shell Wests for dinner. We had a great time and shared a taxi back into town with the other guest. On the Monday I had a meeting with my tax advisers and later we honoured another dinner engagement with the ex-Delhi Grants in South Queensferry. Sheonagh was able to drop us off on her way back to Kelty. We had a very enjoyable time with the ex-Delhi (still Cairn) Jones also in attendance. We got a lift back this time, resulting  in considerable savings in taxi fares thus far!  Irene had a shopping expedition with Gordon this time, though mainly to support his buying more than buying for him. That evening we had drinks in the Guildford Arms with the ex- Moscow Smiths and caught up on the exploits of respective children. Wednesday saw us set off for Waverley station to take the train north. I hopped out at Dundee to visit my Dad and borrow his car (as I did some 45 years ago!). Irene continued to Aberdeen and took in a DUCKS (Dubai Aqua-aerobics etc) lunch before joining Ailsa in Portlethen. For the next several says she was in Granny mode and helping Ailsa with Christmas preparations. I got back in time to hash on Wednesday.  The venue was the St Vincent bar, not far from our old flat in Melgund Terrace. The run was good, with a whisky mac stop, although the trail was hit and miss in parts. I shopped and messed around for the next couple of days before collecting Gordon after work on Saturday and driving to Aberdeen. Sheonagh had arrived earlier in the day so we were now all in position. We checked in to the Premier Inn, a short walk from Ailsa and Barrys. Ailsa had open house on Christmas eve and neighbours and friends called in.  It was cramped but nice! We sneaked out to visit ex-Shell ex-1970s neighbours Browns in Cammachmore. We then had a light meal before retiring. Next day we drove over to Ailsas and had óur traditional breakfast (eggy soldiers made by Barry to my recipe!) and then opened presents. Sofia did rather well!  barry then took Sofia to visit his relations while we got the meal and table organised. We nibbled extensively and unwisely during the process! Stewarts beer was also on offer courtesy of Sheonagh. We sat down to soup followed by turkey plus trimmings at about 1600hrs, but had to hold off on the puds till later and we forewent the cheese altogether!  After a big clean-up we settled down to watch Dr Who and left on foot after Abfab! Next day we called in for breakfast and then set off to visit repsective Dads. First stop was Carnoustie where we rustled up lunch of leftovers with Ewan also in attendance. Sheonagh had driven down separately and left a little ahead of us to get back to Kelty for a meal with Richard´s parents. We then decamped to Taycliff to sit with my Dad and were joined by Ailsa & Joe. We set off about 1800hrs and dropped Gordon off at his place. We then had two days of peace and relative quiet! I took in a second hash (my 88th) on the Wednesday. This was a great run from the Omni Centre and I was first back! Thursday was another busy day. Firstly I bussed to Cairn to collect calendars. Next we headed for Markinch on quilting business and then we inspected Sheonagh´s new abode with Richard in Kelty. Richard kindly bought us lunch at a nice pub in Dunfermline after which we headed back. On Friday we had the busiest day ever, setting off early to catch my Dad; then off to Glamis to meet the ex-Dubai Johns for coffee; then back to Carnoustie to say goodbye to Irene´s Dad and up to the cemetery to visit her Mum´s grave; we then called in on Ed & Kate, and then visited Sarah to view her impressive home cinema room (I want one of those!) and finally back to my Dad´s to drop the Ford Focus off and then be dropped at Taybridge station by  Sarah to catch the 1600hrs  train back to Edinburgh. Whew!  Next day, Saturday, New Year´s Eve, we had enough time to complete the packing and close up the flat before taking a cab to the airport. We were surprsied to find no queue at the Ryanair desk but this was explained by the fact that I had noted the flight time down in Spanish time (+ 1 hour) so we were in fact an hour later than intended but fortunately still in good time. A few hours later we landed in Malaga, collected the car, stocked up on essentials at Mercadona and were reunited with Nami.

Family Invasion

Over a two week period we hosted the entire family comprising Ailsa, Barry & Sofia, Sheonagh and boyfriend Richard, Gordon and our niece Jessica (on her second visit in 2011!)

We had a busy visit programme which included a hash, a murder party, a dinner party, BBQ and spaghetti nights, and local trips including one to the Malaga Motor Museum.

We took the oppotrtunity to take a family photo and I have included to the side the two best (captured by Richard).

Cat Crisis

There is a nasty cat around that is terrorising the cat neighbourhood. Nami has been in at least three fights this past month and this last one in which her tail was bitten and became infected necessitated a visit to the vet. Nami took fright on seeing the transport cage yesterday and Irene and Graciela chased her around the house before finally trapping her in a towel. She was given antibiotics and an injection. The visit today was no less traumatic and she knocked over one of our Botero figurines which smashed into 1000 pieces.  She is on the mend. However she is now not sure which is more terrifying , staying indoors and being caged, or venturing out and getting into a fight. She is a timid soul. To cap it all there is a litter of wild kittens a few doors up and sooner or later they will snoop here!

Jessica’s Visit

Jessica arrived last weekend to work on her year round tan. So far I think she has managed to clock up more thanm 100 hours in the full glare. I should really talk to her about skin cancer. I took her to the Classic Car Club dinnner on Tuesday. On Wednesday she joined us for supper after bridge at Los Morenos. On Thursday we drove up to Nerja for a late lunch with Eric, Dilcia and Marisela. We gazed out over El Balcon de Europa. Yesterday we took a trip to Marbella, later than planned as we had to take Nami to the vet after she was in volved in yet another fight with (we assume) that nasty Tom cat that stalks in the evening. We had a light lunch in Orange Square followed by yoghurt ice cream to die for from  a shop discovered by Jessica and it turns out owned by a Russian! That same evening we had George and Linda round for drinks after which we dined al fresco at La Boma.   Jessica drove back. I have decided this is too much for a pensioner couple and we must cut back!

Family Matters

Ailsa is settling into her maternal routines now and Sofia appears to be thriving having put on decent weight. She dominated the new mothers group in terms of weight and length spite of being the youngest there.  She has also been out and about in the pram and has paid a visit to the office. Her plan to visit Great Grandads and Aunties in the Dundee area this weekend has been put on hold as Alex has suffered a fall and cut and bruised himself badly. He has been  hospitalised and may have to spend time in respite/rehabilitation before being sent home. Ewan spent his holidays dealing with this crisis.  Sheonagh is enjoying and being challenged  by her new job with Stewarts Brewing and even delivered kegs from the back of her car the other day! She is in  our flat meantime. Gordon is happy in his new flat and now fitter such that he might now be able to keep up with Big Mac!

Grandparenthood

We are slowly getting accustomed to our new status as grandparents. For me, turning 60, retiring and becoming a grandfather all in the space of a single year has been something of a shock. Uncle Gordon and Auntie Sheonagh are also coming to terms with their new status as part of older generation!

We get daily updates on parents, Ailsa and Barry, and on baby, Sofia. The first few weeks are always tough (although we tend to forget this with our own children) and Ailsa and Barry have certainly not had it easy but they are sticking with it and making us proud. We wish we could be geographically closer but Skype webcam gives us sound and video in real time – not something we share with our parents when we were overseas. We made videos and mailed them! Even phone calls were limited due to time differences, availability of lines and sheer cost!

Nena’s got wheels

To help her with her new job the bank of Mum and Dad have bought Sheonagh a new car. After a bit of internet research and some phoning around the choice was narrowed down to the sub-compacts : Peugeot 107;  Hyundai i10; VW Fox; Toyota Aygo; and of course the tried and trusted Kia Picanto

We settled on the i10 for the best combination of price, spaciousness (5 door), economy (5 year guarantee, 5 year roadside assistance), and above all availability (24 hours in white!)

We pick it up tonight. I will transfer my cherished registration from the Morris – DTS 377 – to it!