Our final week - UK

SCOTLAND


Now this was another fantastic part of the trip. Months ago I made a list of things I wanted to do with mum – I also asked her for a ‘wish list’. The only 2 countries she really wanted to visit was Switzerland and Scotland and if she could see a ‘real’ chalet in the Swiss mountains, listen to some yodelling and see a Lock (lake) in Scotland then that would be a dream…… Having made the massive effort to make it so far, I wanted to do something special. I had organised for us to stay 3 nights in a Castle – Knock Castle hotel and spa in Crieff. Mum has not complained once about our accommodation. She graciously stayed in share rooms and in the car to save on money and boy was it worth it. Perhaps it’s a country thing, but we often slept better in the car than in a bed.



We arrived late on Wednesday night and stayed in a little motel on the highway (bit cool for the car). After a nice little sleep in, we jumped in the car and I simply drove into the country side in the direction of Crieff. Mum had no idea and didn’t’ ask questions. She just thoroughly appreciated the green rolling hills and old fashioned stone walls and homesteads.

We then rocked up at the castle and I said ‘surprise’. She couldn’t believe it. And neither could I. This castle has only been operating as a hotel since 2007 and it is just as I had hoped. Actually it was better with the spa – so discrete and OMG amazing!!! I had also booked us into a day at the spa where our time there went something like this;


9am – stumble out of bed for breakfast on the rooftop
10.00am – put on our dressing gowns and slippers provided by the hotel and made our way down to the ‘relaxation room’ to completely chill out in anticipation of our first treatment
11.00am – we both had massages
12.00pm – 2 course Table de Hote meal in the roof top restaurant with a glass of wine
2.00pm – back to the relaxation room for a spot of reading and closing of the eyes to the music and sound of running water
3.00pm – second treatment, facial and exfoliation massage
4.45pm – when we woke up (on the massage table) ….. we slowly come to life in the relaxation room and decided to watch a movie in their cinema – Out of Africa.
7.00pm – upstairs to get changed for dinner then pre dinner drinks in the bar
8.00pm – dinner in the restaurant
9.30pm – what the hell.., another movie in the cinema – The Constant Gardener.
11.00pm – perfect nights rest and sleep in ……


I have never indulged like this and thought a lot about it before deciding to jump in and it was absolutely brilliant. I would recommend everyone do it at least once. I was ready for Peru before but I am biting at the seams to get into work again now. Only 3 more sleeps until Peru!


It was so funny – mum didn’t know what to do. The therapists were terrific and just took control making us feel so welcome, relaxed and fantastic. Don’t know that I would do it again anytime soon but I would highly recommend it. Everything was luxurious from the the room (adorned with robe, slippers and scottish butter biscuites) to the restaurant, castle library, pool/spa/sauna/gym and full CD library. The staff were outstanding and even though the hotel was fully booked on Saturday night (a whole 20 rooms) we barely saw a soul.



The entire 4 day experience in the castle was sensational. We even wore our robes to breakfast! When we werne't by the pool, having treatment or eating, we were lounging in the library or out for a wander in the neighbouring valley with its literally breathtaking views. What more can I say…. Very relaxed and revitalised. And good thing we are….



Today is Sunday and as I write this we are sitting in Crieff hospital waiting for someone to see mum. She is ok, but with a wee bit of pain in her abdominal area. She can’t sit, stand, walk or lie comfortably. And we have an 8+ hour drive to London in front of us…… oh boy.

The nurse sent us to Perth hospital to see a doctor (about 25 min away) and mum was given a couple of prescriptions for a pretty nasty infection. She experiences the least amount of pain when she walks slowly – it will be a slow, limited drive down south with regular stops until the antibiotics kick in. If only we didn’t have to be in the London for the flight. :-( Can hardly believe our trip together is almost at its end.




LONDON



This city has long been one of my most least favourite cities. It’s busy, cold (in both meanings of the word) and expensive. This trip has made me think differently. The weather was sunny and pleasant, the people nice and excursion great.



I decided to take mum on a tour to see all the sites and receive a detailed description on each (something I was unable to do in 1 day). Our accommodation is located very close to Heathrow airport so the hike into town by underground took almost an hour.



The few things mum wanted to do and see included;
Standing in a red phone box
See the Thames river
Ride a red double decker bus
See the London Bridge and
Walk around Buckingham Palace



We managed to do all these and more. The journey into to the centre of London (Picadilly Circus) tooks us almost an hour on the tube. We entertained ourselves by identifying all the names on the train line that are on the manolopy board game. Fun times.



We arrived into town, grabbed our tickets and jumped on the red double decker tour bus for an awesome fully guided adventure. It took us all afternoon but we saw more in 4 hours than I saw in 3 days. It really was terrific. We saw the impressive London Eye (massive ferris wheel), Trafalgar Square, Downing Street (where the President lives), Big Ben, Leicester Square, Saint Pauls' Cathedral, Hampton Court Place, Westminster Abbey and caught a ferry on the River Thames.

We had traditional Fish and Chips for lunch and had a magnificent pub meal for dinner. It was an action packed day. I can now see why so many Australians and people from all over the world enjoy living in working in this oversized city. I would happily return.



Even though mum was still feeling very uncomfortable from her nasty infection, she soldiered on like a trooper and made the very most of the day. Please know she is doing ok and thank you all so much for your concerns.

We packed our bags that night and headed for the airport early. We slept like babies. It was nice to be in a bed.

Our last journey together was in Kenya 2010 (also in this blog) so this trip has been a very different experience for mum. She has been able to fulfill a dream of visiting Switzerland and Scotland and she has had a blast experiencing the diverse cultures. It has been a wonderful 6 weeks, so happy to have experienced it with Mum. No doubt we will be planning our next adventure soon....