Scotland Part I of II

A last minute chance encounter by Rupert, with a key Canadian embassy employee allowed us to renew D’s passport in time and shove off for the second week of the girl’s school holiday. An even more last minute change in plans, switched our destination from Rome, to Scotland and we were off.

Home base for our six days was Steve & Paul Ritchie’s house in Collieston, a small seaside Scottish village, just north of Aberdeen. Steve and Paul are Mark’s (Rupert’s Stepfather) father and brother - we could have not have dreamed of better hosts.

The clean air, spectacular scenery and a dose of family was just what the doctor ordered. Our days were filled with long oceanside walks, castles, scotch, haggis and Mark Knopfler playing in our heads.

A view from our Steve & Paul’s house in Collieston

D at Hackley Bay

P admires her daily haul of shells, at Hackley Bay

We made the rabbit avoiding pilgrimage to the seaside village of Pennan, the location of the family favorite movie, Local Hero.

P makes a call to Mr. Happer. No answer

Collieston is conveniently located just a stones throw from the Whiskey triangle. Ru, P&D amongst the stills, at the Glenfiddich distillery

D with Errol castle in the distance. The castle is thought to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula

Making paper in Paul’s very cool studio.

The BC’s and the Ritchie’s outside Seaview

Scotland Part II of II

The last 24hours of our vacation was spent site seeing in Edinburgh. We toured the very cool neighbourhood of South Queen’s Ferry, the Royal mile, Edinburgh castle and had good old Scottish pub meal.

Outside Edinburgh castle

Before we set off for the airport, an ambitious Ru suggested a hike up to Arthur’s Seat, a small piece of highland landscape, smack dab in the middle of Edinburgh. Our uneducated choice in route proved to be quite steep and extremely windy. The girls had to stay low at the top, or risk being blown off.


Our trip definitely had its influence on the girls. In a game of “restaurant”, shortly after our return, D ordered a scotch from her server.
Note to reader – NonLocal Hero fans may find this post occasionally confusing

Fun with the Millepattes (hockey sur glace)

Finding hockey in Paris was really tough, but it was really worth the effort. The Colombes Millepattes practice 10:15pm on Monday's and Thursday's and play many Sunday nights in a friendly interclub format. The team is 2-2 since I joined, and until last Sunday, most were close games. Last Sunday the score was 23-2, the most lop-sided game I've ever played. I only had 2 goals and 5 assists, but another Canadian had a triple hat-rick. The hockey is fun, with a good mix of experinced skilled players, and a handful of novices. The hockey is helping me stay in shape, practice my French, make friends and play a sport I love. Mary Jo said no one would be interested in my dumb hockey news:), so this one is for James, and me when I read the blog in my old age.

Colombes new version of Nick Lidstrom

Wanna buy a Castle?

A new real estate agency opened up next to our building last week, that specializes in selling Chateau's. I can't help but stop and look and the tens of Castles displayed in the window every time I walk by. What's even more amazing than the number of French Chateaux on the market, is the prices - many less than an average sized apartment in the middle of Paris. Apparently the upkeep is the killer.

When four little girls were asked "which castle would they like to buy", all four responded, "the white one" (bottom right). Not my first choice, but who can blame the Cinderella loving cherubs.