I’ve been remiss on making these entries; there has been so much happening lately, but I’ll give a shot at catching up.

May 11 came early again; it was difficult to sleep late as the morning light arrives very early in Scotland this time of year.  Dave and I ventured to Two Thin Laddies again for breakfast; it’s hard to resist the temptation as it is so yummy and not an experience we get very often.

Dave ventured out to a bike shop on Lothian Road and I stayed at the flat, chilling out, listening to a Reiki CD I got in Aberdour and doing laundry.  It’s heaven to have the convenience of doing wash, but the machine is a washer/dryer combo and takes a couple of hours to do one small load of clothes.  I don’t mind; it’s so nice to have clean, dry clothes!

Later in the day we made appointments at Bizarre Ink for our tattoos.  I got my first one there during our 2007, and we both were going to get this done this time over.  Fortunately, we were able to book with the same artist who did mine, and we’ll go see him in a couple of days.  Cool!

We spent quite a bit of time simply walking through Edinburgh.  I love this city.  New and ancient, both in the same instant.  The weather was pleasant today and we had a good stroll, just soaking up the sights and sounds.

Today was Paul’s birthday and he came over to join us for dinner at Biddy’s and then spend the night with us at the flat.  Ian, Rose and Fionn popped in at the flat for a very fun visit after dinner.  We all had such a good time with each other and being constantly entertained by the wee lad.  My heart just swells with affection and honor when he walks up and hands me a book or something else he wants to share.  So, so special, it’s difficult to describe.  After they left, it was just me, Dave and Paul for the remainder of the evening.  Enjoyed his visit, although I was truly suffering with allergies and a nasty congested cough.  We visited, watched some TV and headed to bed shortly before midnight.

The morning of the 12th saw the three of us headed back to…you guessed it…Two Thin Laddies for our morning fare.  Paul had never been there, so it was a new experience for him.  I had not slept well and was still under the weather, so Dave headed to Kirkcaldy alone to see the aunts and uncles.  I truly hated not going with him, but really needed a day to rest and figured my presence with coughing, etc., would make the visits less than what they should be.  I snuggled on the couch in the flat with a blankie and watched, of all things, “The Vikings” with Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis, dozing off and on. 

Refreshed a bit from my nap, I ventured next door to the church.  On our previous stay at TKR, I had wanted to go in the church but never managed to find the time.  Technically Catholic, I have not attended Mass in ages; however, I do “go to church” on occasion, this being my wandering into a Catholic church and sitting, thinking, giving thanks on my own terms.  The beauty of this church took me a bit by surprise; it was quite impressive and yet very welcoming, peaceful and joyous.  Karen constantly in my heart and thoughts, I lit a candle for her and asked that gentleness, peace and mercy be shown to her in these her last days.

Damn.  The tears still come when writing this.  She had said before we left that she would wait until we returned.  I had told her to go if she needed to.  Calling her every day from Scotland, the conversations were very short - “I love you, baby.”  “I love you, too.”  That was about it.

After Dave returned from visiting his relatives in Kirkcaldy, we sat outside at Biddy’s for a while and then got take away at a little Italian place down the street.  Back in the flat, we just chilled in the evening watching TV, updating our journals, looking at photographs….nice, relaxed evening.

The 13th saw us enjoying another “no plans” day, really, with the exception of taking care of some business in the morning and then our tattoo appointments at noon.  This was my second, a Bear pawprint on my left ankle.  Dave got his first, a very impressive thistle…the Flower of Scotland.  Kudos to our artist at Bizarre Ink for making it a fun experience and for being so professional.  No bothers with this one, just like the first one.

After takeaway lunch from Two Thin Laddies, we enjoyed some lazy time alone in the flat, even managing to sneak in naps.  In the early evening we were back once again at Biddy’s and then to Maggie’s for dinner.  We parted ways before reaching our snug abode, Dave going off alone to spend some time in a few pubs in his beloved Edinburgh.  I know he misses that and I’m glad he took the opportunity to get some alone time.  Funny, though, here he is in his country and I still feel protective of him.  I have no fear or anxiety walking the streets of Edinburgh alone, night or day, and I’m not the Scot!  But there I was “watching over” him in his native land.

Yep, guess I am my father’s daughter.  I can be anywhere and feel like it is home, like it is so natural.

The 14th was our final day in this amazing country.  I finally had a good night’s sleep and we awoke to an absolutely brilliant day.  By now you can guess where we had breakfast!  Dave made another trip to the bike shop on Lothian Road and I wound up the last loads of laundry, trying to take home more clean clothes than dirty ones since we would be working the day after arriving home.

After Dave returned, we again sallied forth on a walking expedition around Edinburgh.  So many people enjoying the Gardens this day.  Strolling along, I began to hear a drum!  As we neared, sure enough, there was a young man playing a djembe.  Ah…the universal language, music.  Halfway around the world, I find a common interest…drumming…with someone in a foreign land.  It was so special….

After an afternoon of chilling out at the flat, we had an evening walk down through the Grassmarket and into the cemetery where Greyfriar’s Bobby is buried, as is his master. 

Checking the Web for airport info and flights tomorrow, I noticed that many airports were screening people for the H1N1 virus…  I know what I have been suffering with is not that and hope I can slide through checkpoints without being quarantined!