Jim and Jo

Well it has been a few days since an update, but find it rude to do in someone else's home. Especially when we are so happy just to share time with them.

So have waited until we are in our B and B for the night before our ferry to Belfast. Sitting with a glass of sherry of all things, but it's free in our room, so it would be rude not to oblige.

Arrived at Jim and Jo's place on 23rd late avo. It gets dark here by 3.30pm and Jim was home to greet us. Jo arriving shortly after having finished work for a week or so. Easy night of catching up.

Then 24th dawned and Karen goes for a shower and as i was stepping out of the bath my foot slipped and the floor of the bathroom is slightly lowerthan the bath - oops i fell. Very loudly crashing that Jim heard it and jumped out of bed. Rossi had gone back to sleep - say no more. Jim asked through the door if i was ok but i wasnt, so Rossi came in and got me, still wet of course (and the rest). Anyway my left wrist was off the wall sore. Off back to bedroom with ice on which i kept on for about an hour. In between nearly passing out and getting dressed. Anyway after Dr Rossi checked for movement very very gingerly, i decided it wasnt broken. But has it ever been sore and the tendon stretched or sprained.

Eventually we went off to get a few top ups for Christmas. Well Rossi was in 7th Heaven - non alcoholic beer, wine, cider, mulled wine. Unbelievable and nice. Plus of course alcoholic mulled wine etc. The

mulled wine was especially nice and warming and good for the hand. Didn't get much else done that day. Neighbour's started arriving to exchange gifts so we had to drink and Yvonne and Muir ended coming out to tea with us. Last minute decision but restaurant was great about it. Good night had by all.

Christmas day dawned with Rossi wearing his Santa t-shirt and Jim and Jo's daughter Sophie, husband Dion, son AJ and daughter Bella joining us for the day. Really lovely, great grub and full tummies all round. Missed our family though?? but you can't have it all.?

(Rossi here) Boxing Day was a wet one all day so decided to drive to Glasgow for a look around. First visited the "garden centre" for a coffee and sweety cake, for Karen, of course (cool looking handbasins and urinals the same style I understand) and a spot of shopping for a change. Mentioned to Jim and Jo that I had some family ties to Blackwood which was not too far away so off we went search for the Blackwood estate where I own land as a Lord of Blackwood. Well I own a piece 12 inches square to be precise??.

Had a coffee in the village of Blackwood and after a bit of searching we found ourselves at the Estate. Very exciting for me. Celebrated with the odd photo (which we will publish later as they are on Jim's and the little camera because wing - Karen was still winging it) and an appropriate wee on "my land". Just made it all before darkness.

The day finished with a very nice meal at Frankie and Bennies, an American style restaurant. Good rock n roll music and talk about sharing the hugest sundaes we had ever seen. Photos to come later also.

Brain damaged I think too cos days don't seem to add up - anyway we did end up having a good drive around Glasgow seeing all the sights to ensure we could say we had seen it. And can say we have seen the metal horse heads as well.

Plus we had a day in Edinburgh yesterday. Didn't know there was another bloody big hill called Arthurs chair. It seemed to come out of nowhere. Plus the markets and up the Mile again for a special photo. Good to get back to Edinburgh. It even faced snow lol.

Last night neighbour Ann and Ian, and their 6 month old Western Isla, invited all the Neighbour's and us for drinks and nibbles which went till about 1am. What a night and what great Neighbour's Jim and Jo have. Very welcoming to us. Yvonne and Muir may well end up in NZ on holiday.

Hard leaving today but nice trip to our B and B along the West coast.

All up great Scotland stay. My we have done well. Wrist very slowly coming right. Rossi has enjoyed drying me off out of the shower - sorry kids ????

Lots of photos missing cos on other devices but you can see we are having FUN. Learnt an easy new game especially for having after drinks are flowing, so look out. Trick for new players.