Edinburgh 60th Celebrations

"We should get the JET SET all together to celebrate our 60th Birthday Year!" 

PLANTING THE SEED

The seed was planted by three Scottish school pals many months before, at one of their regular meetups in Glasgow. The invitation then extended to the other two members of the Larkhall Academy Jet Set, who had defected "down south" 40 years earlier. Invitation accepted, all that remained to be decided was Where and When? 

The Matriarch had already had her milestone birthday in mid October 2018, but the Baby's was not until 18 months later, in February 2020.  So a date, kind of midway, September 2019, was put in the diaries with the venue TBC.

WHERE?

It was left in the hands of the Scottish contingent to choose a destination, and after various ideas, Edinburgh was chosen. It is a relatively easy place to reach using most modes of transport, and of course a beautiful city.  Lesley, now retired and who loves researching holidays, was happy to take on the task of finding the ideal accommodation to suit five mature, but young at heart ladies, for a 3 day stay in the Scottish capital city.  Somewhere with a room each for a reasonable price, and ideally walking distance from the City Centre.  An Airbnb property came up with the goods.

Edinburgh Apartment

MONDAY

LIAISONS 

The five school pals arranged to meet on Monday afternoon.  Fiona and Lesley, already in Edinburgh on the Monday morning, met first, then met Anne off the Tram from the airport. As Anne disembarked she failed to spot her pals, and for a moment thought the plan has failed.  However, the other 2 were so busy chatting, that they had not spotted her as she got off the tram. Next priority... for Anne... was food.  Proper food. Since the other two had already eaten, the cafe on the top floor of Jenners was just the job for a hearty bowl of soup, which also served to pass some time until Gillian's now delayed train, arrived from London into Waverley Station.

The final Jet Setter, Margaret, was to attend an interview in Edinburgh that day, and would join the group at the rental house late afternoon.  She arrived at the house beaming with the news that she been accepted on the spot to join a research project at Heriot Watt University, and on completion would gain a Doctorate degree.  Margaret was first to leave school, after O'levels, and has never stopped studying since. She thrives on it. Fantastic news!

IN OR OUT?

Cups of tea and coffee consumed, (with complimentary Tunnock's Caramel wafers) a decision was needed on where to eat that night? There were plenty of local restaurants, but by popular vote, a quiet night in with plenty time to chat, tasty food and drink was instore.  By luck, 130 year old Valvona & Crolla was just around the corner, so the ladies set off on a mission. Homemade Ravioli, ham, cheeses, Rosemary breadsticks, fresh pesto, joined  pate, courgettes and tomatoes in the wicker basket. This lot totted up to £50.  The wine there is a bit pricey, so a quick trip to Tesco for the wine and few other basics including Haggis Crisps, was another £50.  Sorted!  Margaret had also brought along Prosecco to get them off to a good start, and Fiona some tasty bread to accompany the meal.

Margaret and Fiona in Valvona & Crolla

Gillian, Fiona  Lesley

Gillian (with coat still on!) fries the courgettes

Fiona

Dining table looking tempting with more still to add. A wonderful
table for group dinners.

Margaret and Lesley patiently waiting. The bottle of Prosecco was proving a
bit tricky to open! C'mon!!

Success at last.

5,4,3,2,1 ... and the grapes are beautifully in focus!

Second attempt.. still not in focus. But here they all are. Looking good ladies!!

WHO REMEMBERS .....?

During the relaxed meal, and a few glasses of wine a whole range of topics were discussed, accompanied by music from a playlist on Anne's iPod. These included Bryan Ferry, Andrew Gold, Bad Company, Eagles, Free, Peter Frampton, Steely Dan, Queen, Thin Lizzy and a couple from Led Zeppelin. The music reminded them of teenage years and house parties (often at Lesley's whilst her parents were out dancing), or at the school "Friday Night Club" or at "The Rat Pit", a Sunday night disco on the edge of Larkhall.

A few years on, and some Jet Setters ventured out on a Sunday night by minibus to "The Covenanters Hotel" in Darvel. This was the first experience of lights which made anything white look amazing, and also give everyone a suntan! Yes, even the pasty Scots!!  Parties in Strathaven, sharing a bottle of dry Martini and a packet of St Moritz cigarettes, also reminded some of the walk home to Larkhall..... in the pitch black.

Gillian, a subscriber to Spotify, extended the music choice further via bluetooth connection to the house speakers. More favourite songs were requested over the two evenings spent in the house to include Bowie's Jean Genie, T-Rex, Steely Dan's Haitian Divorce. All joined in with precision timing to the backing vocals to Gladys Knight's "Leaving on the midnight train to Georgia" which was too tempting to ignore.

Woo, woo.
Goin' back to find.
And I'll be with him (I know you will)

TEACHERS AND STUFF

The topic of old school teachers, class placements, school tuck shop, Saturday jobs, boyfriends, school trips, and other school pupils were inevitable. Who remembers the crowd from Strathaven?  Bob Marshall, John McGowan, Mandy Begg, Alan Young and so the names were reeled off. One name caused a bit of a stir since by coincidence, Gillian had recently befriended him on Facebook.

A photo of the group was shared on her page, and EF was one of the first to comment on it. Spooky!  Within another few minutes a slightly disturbing PM from EF was sent to Gillian, suggesting they meet up? She chose not to respond. (This was not to be the end either. A Private Voice Message was to follow. Gillian did not have the courage to listen!)

(Update since I wrote this....it turned out that Gillian accidentally called EF. As she says HE is probably thinking she is stalking him!!  😅😅😅)

The weary travellers were in bed before midnight.

TUESDAY

SUNSHINE ON LEITH?

Breakfast hadn't quite been planned for the following morning. However that winning combination of pate, chocolate Hobnobs and strawberries filled a gap.

A celebratory lunch had been booked for the group at Tom Kitchin's restaurant in Leith for 1.15pm. With rain more than 50% of a possibility, armed with rain jackets and brollies, they decided to risk the walk to Leith, rather than jump in a taxi. The walk took in a tour of the Botanic Gardens.

Entrance to the Botanical Gardens

Passing tourist were asked to take this one. Attempt number 3.... without their finger over the lens

Different location in the garden, and different tourist took this one. 

Castle view

Some views within the gardens.....

 And now on to Leith..... Fitbits recorded this as around 4 miles. It was certainly more than 3, so lunch was calling!

The Kitchin entrance

The ladies were very restrained ordering Non Alcoholic cocktails to start. So that they could make it home again!

At The Kitchin

The Set Menu lunch was chosen, and included a delicious Shellfish dish with Parsley sauce, and also an open Mushroom Lasagne for starters. But first an amuse Bouche of crackers and a cheese dip, followed by a Tomato Consomme.  Tom had written a card for them too. He was in the kitchen until 3pm, but the ladies missed introducing themselves, since they were too busy chatting, and he was gone before they finished.

mushroom ravioli

Shellfish mouse, with parsley sauce. The smell was to die for.

To follow, Lamb two ways,  and Plaice were chosen, and one Vegetable Risotto option.

Mouth wateringly good Lamb with a Lamb bonbon and Fennel and Orange. 

Then 4 out of 5 opted for the Coffee Souffle (and were not disappointed!)

Bramble in pastry with Whisky cream and Bramble sauce. Yum.

A little extra dessert, compliments of the Chef

Fiona and Lesley leaving the restaurant, lined with Silver Birch tree trunks

ONWARD AND UPWARD

After a stroll around Leith, time to head back uphill to the accommodation for a lie down. Leaving a reasonable gap until 8pm, the previous nights leftovers reappeared, including the wine, and the chat continued around the dining table, then in the comfortable lounge.

Families, parents, ex-husbands and partners, ailments, careers, pensions (very topical) were all discussed. Meantime by phone alert of news, it seemed that the newly elected Prime Minister Boris Johnson was creating havoc almost by the hour, trying to get a Brexit agreement sorted.  It was to be a very strange week in Parliament.

WEDNESDAY

FOND FAREWELLS

Everyone was heading home in various directions by lunchtime today, so brunch seemed the best idea. A visit to the Portrait Gallery offered shelter from threatened rain, an interesting look around, and a simple lunch.

Just as everyone was leaving, the sun finally came out. Here is the view back to Leith. The Proclaimers would have been delighted!

Anne reboarded the very efficient Tram which turned into Princes Street.

Princes Street

Approaching the airport and the Tram crosses fields.

END OR JUST THE BEGINNING?

A fantastic few days together, and already talk of making it an annual event. Quite an emotional farewell, as the ladies all felt totally connected once more to friends they have known almost 50 years.

A Synopsis of where the ladies are in 2019

• Fiona is soon to move her office and home to Edinburgh, after 30 years in Glasgow with Anna. Raffa and Tano now left home. Her business Arrivo Consulting specialises in Project evaluation for the Government and public sector. Parents both living at home and independent.
• Anne lives with husband John in Wokingham. Son Jamie in Reading, and stepchildren in New York, Aberystwyth and Caterham. Also now Nannie to 7 grandchildren. Still working as Garden Designer, now part time, and soon to retire. (she says!)
• Margaret lives with husband Des in Aberfoyle. After years in the Health Board and ultimately Director roles, now self employed and working in the Charitable sector turning companies around. Scott settled in Glasgow with Tesse. Mum still in dementia care home in Glasgow, after 15 years.
• Lesley retired this year after a lifetime working in local government, laterally in HR. She and partner Alan currently rent a flat in Glasgow, but have other homes they own. Rachael now living in the family home in Larkhall with her boyfriend. Mum recently had a stroke, but managing to live in her home in Hamilton with her partner's assistance.
• Gillian lives with husband Bruce, Hamish and Rosa in London. She is Director of Music at The Southbank Centre. Music has been her life , and was awarded a CBE this year for services to music. Her son Hamish plays double bass, and has just performed his debut Prom performance at The Albert Hall. Rosa is still at school.  Her Dad now in care in Fort William, where she visits regularly.