Monday, September 29, 2014

In the Toilet

Here, bathrooms are called toilets or occasionally the loo.  If you're in need of relief you ask where the toilets are.  It's funny that it took me a bit to be comfortable using such a blunt term, but there it is. Also, one should always carry a bit of change as some of the public toilets will charge for entrance.  Here is a wee tour of our own family toilet, in case you were curious.


1. We are lucky to have have two, but this is the only one on the main living floor so we share and get along just fine.

2. With the exception of a "shavers only" there are no electrical outlets in the bathrooms in Scotland, not sure why. Even most light switches will be found outside of the bathroom door in houses and hotels, etc . . .  This means that I have to do my hair drying/straightening in the bedroom.

3. Most sink faucets have a hot handle and a cold handle.  Doesn't seem like a big deal, but when you're trying to get warm water to rinse your face with you have to run them both at the same time and do a quick hand cup of cold then hot and splash.


4.  The heating in the homes here comes from radiators in each room.  The one in the toilet helps to dry your towels quicker in the damp, winter months (we don't have a dryer.)

5.  To turn on the light tug the bottom pull.  To turn on the shower tug the top pull.

6.  Our shower is pretty cool in that you can preset the temp you like with the dial and then press the on/off button below it for the water to flow.  It's so nice not having to play the cold to hot ratio every morning.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Riverside Museum, Glasgow

We had a five day weekend last week and did absolutely nothing . . . and it was great!  So many times after a vacation we've said that we need to take time off and just stay home, but we never did.  But, as our budget is tight and traveling wasn't an option this month, we were finally given the opportunity to enjoy a "stay-cation" and were quite pleased with the result.  Five days of sleeping in late, brunching, napping, and evenings at the park.  We did take one outing into Glasgow to explore one of the many free museums there.

The Riverside Museum is on the banks of the River Clyde and boasts the permanent anchorage of the Tall Ship, originally built in the 1800's.  It was quite fun to explore every level of it and we were shocked to see how much space was below deck!  At the very bottom was a children's play area and pirate dress ups but the best part of the whole thing was getting to swab the decks- seriously the kids could have done this for hours.


The museum is sometimes called the Transport Museum as it houses all kinds of historical vehicles- some of the very first automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, trains, double decker buses, trolleys, etc...  There was quite a lot to see and a little model street with shops and pub and fancy dress to play in.



Saturday, September 20, 2014

Scotland: Yes or No?

It would seem amiss if we didn't give some information on the Scottish Referendum that just took place here.  For a country to be given the opportunity to succeed in such a peaceful manner is truly unique.  And it has been impressive to see the opposing opinions on the matter dealt with, for the most part, respectfully.  That's not to say there hasn't been political propaganda but the easy Scottish sense of humor has enabled opponents to banter and oppose each other with a cheeky smile more often than stab in the back.  At least, this has been my own limited perspective.  I don't claim to be an authority so perhaps I am wrong?  Anyway, for those who might have been interested here are a couple of political authorities you can rely on . . .





In the end the vote was  "No."  And, so Scotland will remain part of the United Kingdom.  We don't feel qualified to give an argument either way, not having lived here long or been exposed the political issues, but we are very impressed by the voter turnout and it has to be admitted that the Scottish people had their say either way.
ChoiceVotes %
Referendum failed No2,001,92655.30
Yes1,617,98944.70
Valid votes3,619,91599.91
Invalid or blank votes3,4290.09
Total votes3,623,344100.00
Registered voters and turnout4,283,39284.59
Voting age population and turnout4,436,42881.67
Source: BBC NewsGeneral Register Office for Scotland

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

In the Kitchen

So, I thought it was time we crushed the fairytale image that has been painted of our life here and get down to the everyday nitty gritty.  After all, we aren't actually on vacation in Scotalnd- we are living here.



We, like many in Europe, do not have a dryer- it's not so bad except for the crunchy towels.  This is pretty much what the kitchen looks like every other day. The washer is in the kitchen; it looks small but it is decently deep inside and I have only so much hanging space anyway!


  • Our fridge; it's tiny (we purchased an additional fridge/freezer, same size, on Gumtree- like Craigslist.)
  • There is an On/Off switch for every. single. outlet. in the whole house.
  • Fairy brand soap!
  • We have 5 rubbish bins: Paper, Plastic, Metal/Glass, Food, Anything Else. Yay for recycling!


Before = most days.  The sink has only one normal size basin with a tiny one next to it and a stainless steel surface. The cupboard under the "surface" part is actually a wee dishwasher.  And thank goodness, because dishes pile up fast in a family of five.


British things I like:


  • You know how in the States you are pretty trendy if you buy the brown eggs, here that is the only choice! Also, fun fact, they are not refrigerated or found anywhere close to that section of the store; they are usually in the baking or bread aisle.  Saves on fridge space.
  • Beans!  Beans are a big deal here and are pretty much a breakfast food.  You'll be hard pressed to find traditional American bbq baked beans, but I'm a big fan of the british beans on toast.
  • America has Hershey, Britian has Cadbury- no contest.  And it's on, like, everything.
  • Tesco has really yummy porridge.


Things I'm not so keen on:

  • British cottage cheese- too thick and kind of chalky?
  • British canned Tuna- might taste fine, but it looks like ground up cat food.
  • Everything snacky comes in little pre portioned bags.  Portioning is good, but what if I want less, or more?  I like my freedom to choose.


An Education in Dairy

  • Extra Thick Double Cream: almost butter, but not yet a solid, kind of a honey consistency.
  • Clotted Cream: it's pretty much butter, yet people eat it dalloped on scones with jam and call it a cream tea (when accompanied by tea.)
  • Cornish Clotted Cream Ice Cream (not pictured)  sooo yummy!
  • Creme Fresh = Sour Cream.  You can find Soured Cream but I think this is closer to our american version.
  • Soft Cheese- lot's of different brands, comparable to Babybel and yeah for Philidalphia!
  • Monterey Jack Cheese- every so often this pops up in the store, but it's very sporadic.

So there you are- a little intro into our world and it's kitchens.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Balmaha Hike

We met up with a group of Jon's colleagues at the Balmaha trail of Loch Lomond.  It was a beautiful day for a hike in the hills.  And quite a hike it was!  The children did well, but we were all a bit spent on the way back down.  It was a pretty steep walk all the way up, but the highland coos on our path and the views from the top were well  worth it, as they always are. When we did finally make it back down we got together with everyone for a really good lunch at the restaurant across the road from the trail.  



The Oak Tree Inn, loved this place- the food was yummy (though a bit high priced) and the atmosphere was perfect.  Lot's of people with piles of backpacks next to their tables, all enjoying the outdoors with good food and happy chatter.  A sign outside the restaurant said "Muddy Boots Welcome," but you wouldn't think so from the interior- decorated with tartan carpet and china tea dishes hung all over the walls and from the ceiling. It was wonderfully Scottish and charming.

We tend to end our outings with ice cream, so posting about it may become redundant, but this ice cream is worth a spotlight.  If you are visiting Loch Lomond, or anywhere near, make a stop here- you will not regret it. Literally, the best ice cream I have ever tasted.  I had strawberry and it was so dreamy- going back for another scoop was a given.  I would drive the hour just for this treat.


Thursday, September 11, 2014

I Kinda . . .

like this Guy.



In the end the children will all grow up and move out and fall in love themselves. And it will just be she and him, which is fine, 'cause he's a pretty cool guy to spend forever with.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Out With Arden

With the two big kids in school all day, Arden and I have a nice three hour block of "it's just you and me" time.  And, of the three of them she needs the extra time together the most.  She craves it really and so many times we get distracted or brush her off.  Not because we don't want to be with her 24/7 of course, but it can be difficult to rehearse the repeated three line dialogues that the ponies/mermaids/petshops speak in.  I like your hair too but what is your opinion on Scottish independence?  But then, politics are small matters when Nightmare Moon is about to take over the whole world!  So, having a window that is just ours allows me to give in and play and read stories or go exploring with my little chicken little.

The exploring is usually the result of needing to run a small errand here or there, but that is just the excuse.  Sometimes we explore our new town and then the rain starts to poor and we must pick out a new umbrella . . .



Sometimes we go into Glasgow, a 30 minute drive,  and walk the streets sharing an ice cream cone and meet up with Daddy for lunch . . .


Sometimes we go and explore some place altogether new and walk the High Street -popping into toy shops or book shops and making wish lists for the always anticipated next birthday or Christmas . . .


Of course, sometimes we just stay home and play ponies or watch too much KidsNetflix together.


Out with Arden: Dean Castle Country Park

This park is only five minutes away and we always love any time we spend here.