Friends old and new

We didn't set out to do it this way, but what stands out for this trip was the enjoyable experiences that we had courtesy of family, old friends, people we hardly knew and those we met along the way.  

Family comes first. 

It was such a treat to see Honey, Lorien, Dylan and Elodie, but we didn't want to overload them at first (Elodie was only ten weeks old when we arrived) so we didn't stay with them on that leg. Nevertheless Honey had plenty of advice on travel and other matters, and when we stayed with them after the Scottish experience it was so relaxing. (It was also like this with Bruce & Annie and Jennefer too)  B&Bs and hotels are fine, but a home is a welcome break.

Friends from the past

Bruce and Annie made us so welcome, and their house is just a dream.  And the warm scents of the cooking as we came back each day were very welcoming.  The added stories of Edinburgh rounded out the experience marvellously, and even if I chose not to bow my head reverently before Sandy's home, I still felt the glow of the literary district.  The richness of the experience at the Malt Whisky Society was a real highlight and gave us another sense of gracious living (a colleague from work here has put an offer in on a house around the corner) and the Canny Man's is a place really worth a return visit.  As for their guided tour of the Gallery, it beat anything else we encountered.

I've known Jennefer for twenty years, and she also has a gem of an apartment in Den Haag.  She's also well-organised for visitors, with loads of information and a couple of transport cards ready to use.  We were lucky to be able to share a Sunday with her, and a few nights - which was fortunate, as she does travel a lot.  

Ulli we've also known for many years, and she really put herself out for our Berlin trip, with advice on restaurants and things to do - and a truly memorable and thrilling adventure journey over the Bundestag Bridge.

New friends

I'd only known Jan through a Patrick O'Brian discussion list (where I admired her French name) and an abortive foray into Scrabulous until I found out that she knew many more words than I did.  When she offered to be our guide around London, I was touched but completely unprepared for her wealth of knowledge and her enthusiasm.  And her memory, as she was the one who prompted me to find the nightingale for Judith in Berkeley Square.  She is a fantastic guide and a lovely person.

And we enjoyed meeting many people in B&Bs, but we have to give special mention to Johnny and Sandra at The Green in Cotehill, just outside Carlisle.  Sandra's welcome was so warm that far from wanting to collapse after a tiring day, I was happy to sit back with a cuppa and enjoy the afternoon countryside.  And what a treat it was to run into Johnny at The Greyhound and to yarn with him over a pint.  They were so kind.  It was a really good time we had there.