Christmas Day 2024...

Christmas was our last full day in Glasgow. The day started with the cousins opening their stockings, as they did three years ago in Cape Town. We all then went to the mid-morning service at the beautiful Glasgow Cathedral - one of the city's oldest buildings. The service was really well-attended and the message was quite appropriate, about how Jesus is the greatest gift that you can ever receive. 

We then wandered around the Necropolis and saw the memorial to Sir William Wallace. The rest of the afternoon was spent opening presents and enjoying leftovers for lunch and supper. Candace and I also feverishly packed throughout the day, ready for our flights back to Detroit the very next day.

Opening stockings first-thing in the morning.

The Tolbooth Steeple, dating back to 1626.

View inside the cathedral after the service.

The lovely stained-glass windows above the entrance.

Statue of David Livingstone outside the cathedral.

Walking down towards the Necropolis.

William Wallace memorial in Glasgow.

The back view of the monument.

Eliza poses with the sword.

Walking back across the bridge from the Necropolis.

Opening presents in the afternoon.

All the cousins loved their presents!

Anya was delighted with her pink monkey. :)

Riaan also loved his gifts.

Late afternoon activities. Reading books and doing puzzles and games with auntie Shirley.

Family photo on our last full afternoon in Glasgow. :)

Christmas Eve 2024...

After a leisurely morning doing some last-minute Christmas shopping, we spent the afternoon and evening of the 24th December at Shirley and Montassir's place. We prepared our traditional Christmas eve dinner, and Montassir and Shirl both outdid themselves with an amazing spread of food. I was put in charge of the stuffing and Brandy butter, and those also turned out well. :) 

We enjoyed a delicious meal together, complete with Christmas crackers and a whole range of pudding options, too. The children had a late night playing games, reading, and pillow fights with their cousins.

Hanging out with Jesse.

Working on my stuffing.

Some of the delicious meal.

Some delicious drinks, too.

Eliza and Anya enjoying their meal.

Christmas pudding aflame.

Pillow fights with their cousins...

And snuggle time, too. :)

Christmas Eve bingo.

Selfie as we enjoy our meal together. Yay for family time!

Train Trip to Edinburgh...

We visited beautiful Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, on Monday, 23rd December. We caught ScotRail's service from Glasgow's Queen Street Station to Edinburgh's Waverley Station. The train ride was lovely, passing through rolling green meadows with snow-covered mountains in the distance. Anya was particularly excited whenever she spotted sheep grazing in the fields. :)

Once in Edinburgh, we walked through the Christmas market at East Princes Street Gardens, before climbing up towards Edinburgh Castle. We didn't enter the castle, but rather admired the views from the top of the hill. We then strolled slowly down the Royal Mile, enjoying the street performers and buskers. It was a drizzly day, but it didn't dampen our spirits. 

We headed back to Glasgow in the middle of the afternoon, enjoying the train trip home. It was a great outing in Scotland's capital city. :)

Catching the train for Edinburgh.

Eliza with her aunt. 

Anya and Riaan enjoy snacks on the train.

Snowy mountains in the distance.

Edinburgh Christmas market. :)

I love this photo of Edinburgh Castle with the Scottish flag.

Candace and Anya enter the helter skelter ride.

The Christmas market was so much fun, right in the shadow of amazing history!

Looking towards the Christmas market as we begin our climb to the castle.

I found this sign amusing, as back in Junior School children would rhyme my name with Curry. :)

Monument to those Black Watch soldiers who fell in the South African War (1899-1902).

Walking up steep streets to reach the castle.

It was worth it!

Selfie of everyone who went to Edinburgh.

Walking down the Royal Mile - plenty of buskers, including this smart bagpiper.

Philosopher David Hume's statue - people rub his big toe for luck, apparently. :)

Beautiful flags.

The Scottish unicorn outside St Giles' Cathedral.

A view back up the Royal Mile.

Eliza and Riaan with the statue of "Oor Tom."

Back on the train. This is Murrayfield, Scotland's national rugby stadium.

Enjoying a brief glimpse of the setting sun.

Flower pots at a train station.

Anya was so excited to spot some sheep!