Bonjour Edinburgh

Haggis Flavoured Crisps

Safely ensconced in my second home in Scotland. 

Very glad I had Kitty reshoed at Under the Bonnet (excellent little garage) before we left for Belgium. Had a very near miss on the way up the M1. Pulled into the inside lane at exactly the moment the inside lane decided, inexplicably, to stop! One of those mysterious traffic kinks that cause tailbacks for no reason other than an itchy brake peddle. 

There was an impressive screech of tyres and about a credit card's width between me and the bumper in front. Not an encouraging start to the northern leg of my road trip. Plus it was grey, overcast, and I ended up travelling up the East side of the country, which bypasses all the gorgeous mountains around Shap, and Westmorland Farm Shop. There was a brief glimpse of the sea, and the rusty outline of the Angel of the North, which summed up the bleak landscape pretty accurately. 

Angel of the North
Which doesn't look quite that impressive from the A1.

We also went past the giant power station at Ferrybridge or, as I like to term it, the 'cloud making factory'. Which sounds so much less ecologically destructive than 'heavy industrial plant'. 

Also not quite as picturesque from the A1.

Isn't it amazing how attractive PhotoShop can make just about anything look?

Anyway, made it safe and sound.

Martine has just returned from a round the world trip: Australia, to see her daughter, then Vietnam and Cambodia. She's fallen in love with Laos and she's shown me some incredible photos of ancient burial tombs and landmines!

She's also fallen in love with Ruairí. 

They're getting married! Two of my closest and dearest friends, marrying each other! Absolutely wonderful. It's going to be a very quiet, closed ceremony - only two witnesses. Myself and another volunteer from Rwanda. Ruairí's arriving on Tuesday and there will be much wedding discussion. Can't wait!

Meanwhile, Martine's trip to Asia has resulted in some culinary delights:

A traditional bean noodle dish from Vietnam. 

 

Followed up with birthday chocolate cake with cream and vast, vast quantities of wine.

Plus, plenty of natural colour.