Ethan and Finlay

We stopped at Helen's and Andrews for a few days for our visit to Durham for the Lumiere.

Finlay Learns to laugh

Ethan prepared for battle

Ann and Geoff dropped in for a visit on the way to Sheffield to see their new grandson.

Further photos can be found HERE

Durham City Lumiere

We had two evenings at the Lumiere in Durham City. Ann and Geoff joined us on Thursday and on Friday Helen, Andrew, Ethan and Finlay also came.

The Elephant Hologram

Cathedral Projections

Further photos can be found on my Google+ Album HERE

Maggie and Mary's Retirement Night Out

We had a very enjoyable night out at Cecchinis  for Mary and Maggie's retirement.

Good to be in my old workmates company. The banter was sharp as ever and a few of us are of the age where we can swap grandkids photos.

Maggie and Mary  live nearby so we are starting a Forehill/Castlehill retirement club. Hopefully we can get together once a quarter for a lunch. The rest of the group are invited when WORK allows!!!

Other photos can be found HERE

Ethan's 8th Birthday

Ethan and Eric on their birthday

We were in Darlington with Katherine, Erin and Rhys for Ethan's birthday. A crowded house but some good times.

I could not miss all 4 grandkids being together.

Ethan, his cousins and a large gang of friends spent the afternoon bowling and "killing" each other at Laser Quest. Andrew and another father joined in the war games.

More photos can be found HERE

Cruising the Baltic 2013

Approaching Stockholm harbour

This is our retirement treat. I for one have always wanted to see the Scandinavian capitals.

The complete album is at this LINK

We had one night in Copenhagen before boarding the Vision of the Seas the next day. We visited Tallinn, Estonia, St Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm returning to Copenhagen. There were two extra nights back in Denmark.

The weather was poor as we arrived and for the first day at sea. The remainder was above average for the time of year at +20C.

I had not appreciated that there was 3 time zones involved in the tour which meant reducing days until Russia and then a more relaxing schedule as the shipped sailed back west.

The Scandinavian's look to have a great, if expensive, life style. Whole families on bikes. Every size and design of 2 wheeled transport. Expensive bikes which have minimum security. Left in the open obviously with no risk of theft. All the streets are litter free and buildings well maintained. Painted in bright uplifting colours. The only drawn back was the eye watering price of beer!!!

I read recently that Scotland has the most obese population in Europe and I could well believe that watching the typical Swede or Finn.

The stop at Tallinn in Estonia was enlightening.  I knew nothing about the country. The tour guide was the one of best. She showed passion and enthusiasm for her country. Using references to her life and here grandmothers during the German and Russian occupation of the country. How Estonia secured independence. 40% of the population have a university degree and the company which invented Skype is Estonian.

First Formal Dinner on Board

Finlay Leaves Hospital

Katherine and I arrived just before Helen and Finlay were brought home from the maternity hospital.  Jean had travelled by train earlier in the week.

The highlights are HERE.

More to come in the next few days.

Robert and I's Retirement Bash at the Taj

Robert and I had a celebration for our retirement at the Taj in Prestwick.

A great group of friends joined us for a simple meal and a few drinks. I could control my emotions today unlike my last day at work. I could enjoy the company. I was please to see several from Glasgow made the trip.

Due to my infection and the antibiotics there was little drinking on my part. It looked like Robert stepped into the breach! Jean picked me up at 11pm while a small group headed to the bars in Prestwick.

Robert my co-host

Fiona and Robert took a number of group photos so I decided that I want individual portraits of my friends. I'm quite please with the results. A few are not well lit but I could to little about that.

The portraits can be found HERE