We saw, we conquered

We've been to Scotland. We've hit the north. And now, like conquering heroes we return to Cambridge for Christmas. We're nearly on our final train journey, which is great. But it was worth it as a good time was had by all 'oop north', as they say.

Below, some photos from up north. (dark Satanic mills not pictured)

Bluet meets Della

The first meeting of Della and Bluet is drawing to a close. They went to the railway museum, a library storytime, had a pub lunch, met up with Della's grandparents, and have pretty much synchronised their eating and sleeping times. At the moment they are both asleep upstairs while their parents recover on the sofa with a glass of whisky. It's obvious they've enjoyed meeting each other, and especially each others toes.

For a bit of fun we also got the paint out. The picture here is the result of their artistic efforts - Della in red and Bluet in blue...

(this blog post was written by Uncle Simon)

Today in York

A fun morning so far for Della and Bluet. First, a trip to the library, where Christmas books were read and songs sung. Then, Emily went for a run around the city walls whilst Simon and I took the cousins to the Railway Museum. Della and Bluet were thrilled., as you can see from the photos here.

Liveblog from York

We have arrived in York. Della was asleep, Bluet was hungry. Then Della was awake and Bluet was sleepy. So the big meet up has yet to happen. In the meantime here are some pictures of Bluet meeting Simon and Angela, and Emily meeting Della.

And some pictorial evidence we really are in York.

Stay tuned for more festive updates.

The lost Aberdeen photos

Due to a computer 'incident' yesterday's post lacked photos of Bluet meeting Uncle Nick. Here they are. As I am doing this post on the 15 mins of free wi if available on the train, check back for annotations. Ps we just left Aberdeen bound for York

Bluet in Aberdeen

So here we are in Newmachar*, celebrating Bluet's 8 month Birthday. Video to follow.

Right now Bluet is sleeping, Emily is out running, I'm writing a blog and Uncle Nick is being very hospitable. We've eaten traditional Scottish fare (fish and chips, a deep fried Mars bar for afters (surprisingly nice), some butteries for breakfast (Aberdeen's sole contribution to world cuisine, a bread product. Imagine the taste of one tub of salt, one block of butter and a small amount of flour - traditionally eaten smothered with more butter; we opted for baked beans and eggs). Later we will meet some old family friends, and probably take Bluet out in the snow. She seems to be happy so far - must be the bracing Scottish air.

I will also get to look through all my old stuff. Which is very exciting.

So in conclusion, the 8 hour train ride up here was totally worthwhile**. Some might say we are in the middle of a winter wonderland. The plants are lightly dusted with snow, but the sky is blue, and the heating in the bothy where we are sleeping is working remarkably well. We might even avoid frostbite!

*although I always say I grew up in Aberdeen, really it was a small, quite rubbish village a 30 minute drive from the metropolis that is Aberdeen. Our house is nice though.

**Bluet survived a bus ride to Cambridge station, a train to Peterborough, another train from Peterborough to Newcastle, a train from Newcastle to Aberdeen, and then the bus ride to Newmachar. She didn't sleep much, but didn't fuss much either.

To Aberdeen and Beyond

Bluet is on the train to Aberdeen. We are almost there.