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55th CLASS REUNION IN ATTICA

       My wonderful neighbor, Jeannie, left work at lunch time to take me to the airport….twice.  The first time was the wrong day the second time I was out waiting for her.  I arrived on time, flew through security after checking my bag with American Airlines AND paying ransom for my suitcase.  We arrived in Chicago 10 MINUTES BEFORE MY CONNECTION SHUT THE GATE….WHICH WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AIRPORT….I RAN UNTIL MY LEGS CRAMPED THEN LIMPED THE REST OF THE WAY TO BE LAST IN LINE …BUT I MADE IT.   NEVER FLY AMERICAN!  


     Helen was at the Cell phone lot when I called and picked me right up.  Thoughtful Helen had some Pasta with fresh tomatoes and garlic waiting to warm up with some nice wine before bed.  We caught up on things since last we saw each other in Oaxaca .  I spent the summer in the UK and Holland while she took a few weeks with her granddaughter Sonia and visited Paris.

     We spent the next day at Highland Park after our ritual breakfast at Jine’s Restaurant on Park Ave where I have patronized since the early 60’s.  Breakfast was better than ever.  Highland Park had added a Vietnam Memorial that honored all Vets but those from the Rochester area name by name.  It also had a history of that period in our lives and paid tribute to all Vets.  Later we visited a Castle there but it was closed so we walked around back to the gardens and then to the Highland Bowl where occasional concerts are performed.  It was a beautiful day.
      We ended it with dinner at the Park Avenue Pub (Park Ave Grill that I also patronized in the 60’s before it burned down).  It still served outstanding food with a nice Happy Hour with the local Park Avenue crowd of regulars.  Helen introduced me to Lois one of the neighbors and we later had a fabulous meal that we ended up taking home for lunch the next day.  Helen drove me to the Airport where I had arranged a car rental and we bid goodbye until after my reunion when I would return to spend the last couple nights in Rochester.
We discussed the possibility of me renting a summer apartment in the area for next year.  I could drive up and visit my friends and family while enjoying the summer in NY.
     I checked into the Red Roof Inn at Batavia and had Roast Beef on Wick at Alexis Restaurant near by.  I visited the Holland Land Company Museum first.

       The next day I was off to meet my Granddaughter Rose and celebrate her birthday.  She is my oldest Grandchild.  We were to meet at Sophie’s Restaurant, a real Landmark in the same area my daughter lives in Buffalo, but they were just closing to install some new kitchen equipment so we met down the road at the Kenmore Village Restaurant…another 5 star Breakfast and Lunch independently owned and operated place with exceptional food.  Her Son Zander joined us. He is 5 or 6. We had a nice time.

     I returned to Batavia for a short rest then drove back to Jennifer’s house to have dinner at Fat Bob’s BBQ with my daughter.  We also had a nice visit and enjoyed the food though I couldn’t eat it all.  Drank the Community Microbrewery Ale that was great.  Switching to Micro Brews with Malt barley, yeast, hops and water ONLY.  I dropped her back off and we planned Saturday afternoon at the Knox-Albright Art Gallery in Buffalo.  

    Saturday I picked her up and we spent the afternoon enjoying Picasso, Cezanne, Warhol , Van Gogh, Magritte, Dali, etc…very nice small but established Gallery. 

I joined my granddaughter Taja and her 3 daughters after I returned Jennifer to her home.  We had a nice dinner at Texas Longhorn…again I couldn’t eat it all.  Her new child Melie was all smiles and her other daughters were not as shy as I remember and carried themselves well in conversation with politeness and class.  Taja seemed more relaxed with all the responsibility of a single mother and doing well at her job.


     Sunday Jennifer picked up her daughter Alexis and her boys to meet at my hotel.  We drove over to the Paradise Water Park at Quality Inn just down the street for an afternoon of water slides, arcade games and fun before finishing it at the Pizza Parlor then Oliver’s for Ice Cream.  Gavin, the oldest, asked where his Grandmother’s mother was.  I explained we divorced after I returned from Vietnam, I took custody of my daughters then moved to Boston where I remarried and had another child, your Aunt Heather.  My first wife took up with another man, had more children and moved to Alabama where she died of cancer.  Well where is you wife?  Oh, we moved to Arizona and after 15 years we divorced when she fell in love with my friend and left me.  I explained that love effects people in different ways and isn’t always meant to be forever.  He looked at me and said: “Yes, Love is very Mysterious!” 

      That was an understatement.   It was a great weekend with my family and felt good.
       I checked out of the Red Roof Inn and headed for my Cousin Helen’s home in Coxsackie, N.Y. about 270 miles away, to spend a few days with my other Cousin Barbara, Helen’s husband David and Helen’s granddaughter Jenny that lives in an apartment in their home.
Helen had a nice dinner all waiting for me with BBQ Chicken, potato salad, Baked beans, and Orange/Pineapple Ice Cream.  I drank a few Vodka mixed drinks before bed and woke with Gout in the middle of the night. Fortunately the pain subsided and I vowed to take Vodka off my diet. 

      The next day we spent catching up on the past year and scoring a Cannabis Vape for the rest of my trip. David and I went into town that evening and returned with some Pizza for dinner while we watched America’s Got Talent…last episode with the finale tryouts. 
      Barbara came by early Wednesday for our trip to North Adams Mass to see Mass MOCA, a large textile factory converted to a huge gallery with assorted exhibits from Light Shows, to Black and White Photo exhibit, Modern Art, Contemporary, and some really weird things but I liked the architecture of a stripped down factory converted into all these different venues…they even had a Micro Brewery!  

       Barbara had made reservations at Max’s in Greenville NY, one of my favorite restaurants.  We freshened up after driving back and were off for dinner. I had the Sole with Shrimp in Lemon Wine sauce, Chocolate Mousse and Calvadoros Brandy. The surprise was when the deserts arrived with candles on David’s and mine while everyone sang Happy Birthday.  I slept well that last night.

ALL LOOKED BETTER BEFORE WE ATE MOST

       The next morning David had made a coffee run to Dunkin Donuts and brought me Coffee with an Old Fashioned Doughnut.  I drove to the Attica Hotel

that day then to Louie’s Bar for Happy Hour with Beaver, Louie and Bev showed up.  They recommended a new Restaurant that served Polish/Italian Food. 
         I tried it out with “Italian Wedding Soup” , a couple Potato Pancakes, Pasta with Marinara and added a side of fresh Vegetables to that with a glass of wine. I returned to try my new Vape…after 3 hits I was asleep.

         FryDay our Class got together outside of Attica at the Bennington Lanes for our Fish Fry Dinner and gathering for the first time in 5 years.  Sally Drew and Rosie Baggs showed up but hadn’t been to any reunions so after 55 years I had to ask, “Who are you”.  Most of the crowd arrived and we had a Pollack Fry instead of Cod or Haddock…but a great salad bar to go with it.  It was a fun relaxing evening.

       Saturday I washed the family gravestones and stopped at the Attica Prison Preservation Society to tour the Museum. 

Bob Emmons, and his wife Harriet met me at Bryncliff Resort early for our private reunion…we cooked together after we were drafted into the Army in 1966 and was with an engineering outfit in Ft Stewart Georgia before taking a boat to Vietnam where we were assigned to Bien Hoa airbase until I got transferred to MACV Saigon to work for General Abrams the Deputy Commander of Vietnam at the time.  We have remained friends for over 50 years.  


      The Class of 63 started showing up around 6 pm so we went into our private dining room where drinks were served and the Reunion was starting.  There was about 50 people and it was great to see them all.  Bob and Harriet live in Cuba N.Y. so knew of some friends of my classmates and got along great with everyone.  The dinner was excellent and we ended the night around 9:30 and bid goodbye until the next reunion in 2 years during the Attica Rodeo the first of August in Attica.

     It was a rewarding two week trip and I hope to rent a place next summer and drive up to really travel around the area I grew up and visit friends and family.
     I 
    

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I’M HOMEWARD BOUND…IN 4 MORE DAYS..ADAM, NYC, AND SCOTTSDALE ….add TWO More to get home.

       We all enjoyed another dinner from Braii the South African BBQ joint.  The owner/manager even bought me a glass of wine while I waited to return with our excellent meal.
       Today I am off to see Amsterdam Food Hallen, an old train depot converted into a shopping mall of sorts.  I read about it before I left but forgot until Jeannette told me they were having a Seafood Special over the weekend so I will have early dinner today while visiting the mall. Spotted a familiar couple on the way but can’t place them???

       When I arrived I went to the only Seafood place and his special was one Oyster for $3.5 Euro and that was everyday after 3 pm.  I ate some Dumplings then after browsing the whole mall, I started to return home. 


There were many other Non-Food Shops and a Movie Theater that I checked out.


As I was departing,  I passed the Hallen Hotel and the restaurant Relieve 43 or something like that was doing a Pop Up Seafood Bar on the Patio.  That is the Special I had been looking for in the Food Hall.  I got some Yellow tail Tuna Seviche, One Oyster, and two dishes with Herring then returned home.

      I headed home….



      Saturday I went to Westerpark and had a nice lunch at a little Shack just before entering the Park. 

It was a Chicken Sandwich but very good.  It was hot and I walked a lot in this huge park until I finally got to an area with swimming, roller skating, tennis, bars, and restaurants.  It was getting late so I found a Tram just outside of the park that took me to a transfer stop that took me home for Fresh Fish, Roasted Potatoes and a nice salad that Peter made.
      
           Sunday I packed and had lunch/breakfast at Goos near by

then that evening we ate Burgers but they were wrapped in a Tortilla and were excellent.  I retired early so I could get up and be out by 9 am.   
 ​
           I rose at 8:30 on Monday the 23rd or 11:30 pm Sunday night in Scottsdale Arizona, my destination today with arrival time of 7:22 pm. It was on Norwegian Air from Amsterdam to JFK in NYC then a 2 1/2 hour lay over for a connecting flight to Scottsdale on American Airlines.  Jeannette wasn’t quite up yet but I was getting nervous and left .

      I was at the Tram stop by 9 am to get the train at the Rai Station to Schipol airport to catch my 12:25 departure for JFK, with boarding at 11:25.  I suspected this was to be a bad day when at the first stop, a young man departing the Tram with loads of luggage got off first but the door shut before his wife with a backpack and the Tram tickets got shut on while trying to validate her and her husbands tickets before departing. She desperately tried to get the door to open while her husband was trying also, both pressing buttons before the Tram left the stop. The Tram cashier attendant just behind her just watched with a blank stare while the women begged her to Open the door. A Dutch woman yelled for help to the conductor in the front of the Tram to Open the door but went unheard while the Tram left the stop with the husband in Shock and the Wife watching him disappear as we approached the last stop. She validated the tickets of her and her husbands but now had to buy more to return to her husband waiting at the other stop. The Tram attendant still sat there without saying anything , showing no emotion except shrugging her shoulders as if to say…too bad!
          Now, it was my turn.  I approached the entrance and passed my card over the sensor to open the gate to enter the train station but it turned red as if there was no credit on the card and it was invalid which I knew was not so. I tried another and another then yelled for assistance. A man came out and told me there had to be a minimum of 20 Euros on the card to ride the Train. Now I find out on my last day that I had to go outside and use a machine to purchase a train ticket with my credit card and an International flight I had to check in for more than two hours in advance. There was no ticket sales at the Rai station only machines. My credit card was rejected…no credit but I could use my Debit card but that too was rejected. I reported this to the attendant and he came out to assist me but the debit card still was being rejected. He got me through the gate and told me to get off at the next stop where I could purchase the ticket at the sales office. 
      I climbed the stairs in the heat with my jacket on, struggling with my bags, waiting for the train, boarding, arriving then standing in line while the cashier spent 10 minutes helping a man with directions. He sensed my urgency and offered to go ahead of him but she refused and said it would only take a minute as she got on the phone  to confirm her directions with a co worker.
           Finally got the ticket, took the train and ​arrived 2 hours in advance but spent  the whole time getting the boarding pass, going through security, boarding the Norwegian Air  Dreamliner 787 to the next to the last row  in a center seat with no leg room and an 8 hour flight ahead of me and only 2 hours to go through customs then get my boarding pass and board my connecting flight. It would take 30 minutes just to exit this plane of 360 passengers from seat 38 H. I did manage to carry on my luggage without a problem so can go straight to Customs and Immigration with my speedy Global Entry Pass . 
       A slender girl sat in the Window seat and as good luck would have, Mr Lazarus I would discover, never made his flight so I got the aisle seat which help the leg room and frequent urination problems.  I ordered my lunch/breakfast of a small bowl of fruit,hot chocolate, and a warm loaf of bread with a slice of cheese and mustard for $15 from a computer menu with 
credit​

BITE TO EAT BEFORE BOARDING…ORDER ON THE  I PAD THEN PAY ON THE I PAD WHEN YOU LEAVE

EVERYONE HAD HIS OWN I POD…NOW REPLACE THE DELIVERY PERSON WITH A ROBOT?

DO NOT HAVE TO TALK TO ANYONE…JUST PLAY WITH THE I POD…BARTENDER???????

card payment. The attendant delivered my order with all the efficiency of a robot. We then sat on the runway for close to 2 hours. I could only hope my connecting flight would also be delayed. It was but after boarding and waiting on the tarmac where I was not able to get on.  

          We landed at JFK at  4 pm with my AA flight scheduled for 4:40 take off BUT our gate was occupied with another plane set to depart in 10 minutes…then ten more..and by 4:40, we pulled into and exited the plane. 
          I checked my phone and it turned out my plane was delayed until 5 and was leaving for Gate D 40 at terminal 8.  I ran to immigration to discover 11 of the 12 Global Entry machines were OUT OF ORDER! The line was long and was not moving. I got in the regular line with a few hundred people but they had machines similar to Global Entry but 30 of them all working. I found out that to get to Terminal 8.   I had to take a train and it was now 5:10 but on the way I checked my flight to see it wasn’t taking off until 5:50 so when I arrived I headed  right for Gate 40 but couldn’t get through security without a boarding pass. I saw an Help Desk for AA and explained my situation and that is when I found out my plane was on the tarmac and there were no more flights until 6:30 am on Tuesday so they put me down for STANDBY!
          To check any other airline flights I had to go to their terminal so back on the train to Delta terminal 4 but got on the wrong Air train going to Howard Beach, then returned, exited and got on the right train to Delta terminal. I asked if they had any flights leaving for Phoenix tonight. one with one business class available. Great! How much is this one way flight…$1600.00 !!!! 
   It was getting late and I was already on Standby for 6 :30 am so decided to take the Jamaica train to a hotel then take it back the next day. I finally booked a room through Hotel.com for $130, then took the train but it really didn’t go far and I knew I would have to call Uber to get me to the hotel which was actually in  Queens. Uber has been reliable and for less than $20 a good deal . I arrived in a really seedy area with the hotel entrance in the basement. There was no place for Uber to drop me except in the street out front. 

      I checked in and found the nearest restaurant was Wendys a block away. It was after 8 pm and I was hungry and needed food now so I could get at least 8 hours sleep. I got a bowl of chili, cheeseburger and some chicken tenders which I was too full to eat. Had some Famous Grouse Scotch and fell asleep around 10 after setting my phone alarm for 5:45. I woke after a restless sleep at 5:40…just before the alarm. I had taken a shower before bed so just dressed and called Uber for American Air to check on my standby. 


       When I arrived the lines were out the door,but I was on standby and that line was 1/2 the size, so I jumped in line. One hour later I was still in the same position and was unable to get any info on the status of my standby BUT while trying to just book and pay for ANY  available flight that day, I got nothing but none available. After checking over 8 flights I got on Google Flights and discovered Delta had a flight to Phoenix leaving at 12:25 at terminal 4. I booked it noticing that was the time my Amsterdam flight left yesterday. I booked it on my phone before the 3 available were taken…$580…and it was at LaGuardia airport.
        $200.00 more than I paid for my flight from Amsterdam ? I wanted to get home! 
        I called Uber to take me to the NYC LaGuardia airport to catch my flight. A female driver arrived but said she couldn’t find me. She called on the phone but the wind was blowing and I couldn’t understand her and requested she text me after I told her I was standing by the only stop light there with my suitcase.jacket on and a tan baseball cap. She asked if I was at B and I said I didn’t know what B was and that I could not see her car and walked to each and asked and they were all men. Was she at the right place? I told her signs displaying all the airlines were lined up but she never replied and said she was leaving Terminal 7 even though I was there and said I could go back on Uber and call for another driver. I had my GPS on but she was NOT on it. 
      I called another and I could see Marcus in his Lincoln MK what ever coming around the entrance and blinked his lights when he saw me. He jumped out and loaded my suitcase and we were on our way. He was a cook at a Nursing home in Manhattan, a union cook for 20 years, married and a NYC Licensed Taxi driver that now worked part time for Uber making $150 a day part time and after being on his feet all day enjoyed his leather seat in his new Lincoln. His wife and he packed it up every February and left for Rome, then Paris and next year Spain. We exchanged information but he wasn’t allowed to accept mine. I could call his home number and he would get full fare if I or anyone used his service. I can email him with info for his vacations. I have to change his name and info on my blog to protect his job. He delivered me to Delta terminal at LaGuardia in time to have breakfast/lunch and make the flight.

MORE SECURITY THAN MEXICO CITY??

LOOKING FOR A BATHROOM…I FOUND ONE FOR ANIMALS SO I ENTERED….

DIDN’T WANT TO URINATE WHERE SOME DOG HAD BEEN.SO BOARDED THE PLANE


But The flight never left the ground for an hour and a half making me miss my Phoenix connection by 15 minutes.  I did miss the Atlanta connection so…..

       I went to reschedule again but this time I was told I could fly first class and board in an hour and a half. So I had dinner then boarded the plane with complimentary everything and first class seating. I should have waited for a Steak dinner instead of Chicken Caesar salad for $32 and a glass of $4 wine for $15. 

Nice view in First Class as we approach Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.


            I am landing and it is 8:15…ready to call Uber and glad to be home.

​ It was 104% when Uber arrived and I was glad to get home…next day 114% 127% and all time record in Death Valley.​ My first day was busy checking mail, etc.  That evening I was anxious to continue my Audio Book with David McCullough: Americans in Europe in the 20’s.  I put on my headphone, snuggled into bed but couldn’t hear though the volume was on Max so I went to Hearing disabilities in settings to adjust it higher when I noticed a setting for Visual voice which sounded like it would improve the quality.  Turning it on, I discovered differently.  My Kindle Fire was talking to me…hello David and I lost control of the computer.  When I clicked on something it highlighted it and told me I clicked it but it didn’t 
do anything.  One hour later I gave up and went to sleep.  The next morning the same so I decided to go on my Desktop to Amazon for tech help…but my computer that was running fine the night before wouldn’t display on the monitor so I couldn’t enter the Internet or even sign in to my account.  This was a curse from the airlines…I knew it.     

  I cleaned the house a bit, showered , and went to get a haircut.  Alex is now my new barber/stylist and she is good.   I hadn’t had my haircut for 2 months and she was the one that did it last but she had just started on another and I wanted to get a new pair of sandals and be home to fix my computer so opted for the other barber who butchered me. Nothing I could do but wait a month and have Alex fix it for me.  
       I left and got my new Teva sandals then on the way back, my ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON  TO CHECK MY VSC WITH A SWERVING CAR NEXT TO IT.  I called the dealer and service asked me to come in to check my Vehicle Stability Control.  I took a loaner and the next day the worksheet was sent out with a total of $2700 to fix it.  Well I cut it to $1300 and called Discount Times to replace the tires the dealer wanted $1300 for with new Michelin tires for $600.  So next week I will take care of that then still have a major list of repairs for the future when I hit the lottery.  Should have just told them to stick it and trade it in but I do like it and after 110k miles it needs some work.  It was the airline curse. 

 I did get my Kindle Fire back on track but giving up on everything else until I get back on track.

HOME SWEET HOME…GOODBYE UNTIL NEW YORK IN SEPTEMBER

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GLASGOW: I BELONG TO GLASGOW…DEAR OLD GLASGOW TOWN..FOR 5 DAYS AT LEAST

           Jimmy, the bus driver and I were the only ones left for the ride to Glasgow.  Jimmy, being the wonderful man he is…dropped me at my hotel, another Premiere Hotel for 5 days.  I unpacked and went to a recommended Vegetarian restaurant close by.  I am located on the South side of Glasgow across from the Central Mosque. 

A short walk and I arrived at the Lotus…no alcohol restaurant.  I ordered spring rolls which were fried then fake chicken with cashews…had to order separate brown rice and an Organic Lemonade. The bill for this so-so meal was $20 pounds or $32 dollars…a real rip off.  The owner shook my hand and thanked me.
         I ran across to The Laurieston Pub.

…”Just a Pub” for a glass of wine for $3.50…now we are talking…my kind of place..but being tired and full…I headed back and slept until 8:30 then had another $16 dollar breakfast with hard boiled poached eggs…ugh.  I decided to spend most of the day playing on the computer and relaxing.  The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is an hour walk so maybe tomorrow morning…God knows I need the exercise after stuffing myself for 3 weeks and sitting on a bus.
      Today I tried Uber and was impressed.  Ahab showed up in 5 minutes and delivered me to the Kelvingrove for $6.  It would have been a long walk.  

The building was beautiful as was the Museum and Gallery it housed. There was a Pipe Organ concert so I went to that but thought it terrible and returned to see as much as I could.  

COFFEE MAKER



 I got hungry and left for the Ox and Finch…a upscale urban Restaurant serving all small plates.  I liked that idea and walked over with one rest stop and ordered a glass of wine , a Beetroot Hummus with whipped Feta and Chicory…Poached Hake with an Almond Crust, Ajo Blanc with capers and Rocket….Afacato with Biscotti for desert. It was a little more than the Lotus Vegetarian and way better…WAY.

     I walked to a nearby liquor store and bought Oban Scotch Whisky for Peter and Jeanette’s Anniversary then called Uber…Mohammed arrived in one minute but it was $13 because of the hot spell…taxis were busy.  There are a lot of Muslims here but they are in the background.  Both Uber rides were in Uber Prius’s sold to the drivers by Uber.  Mohammed’s was 3 years old with 65,000 miles on it…he bought it in London for $8000.
       I started my 24 hours high speed internet and decided to stay in tomorrow afternoon and work on my photos and blog.  My 24 hours ran out around 3 pm so I called Uber and Amit arrived and took me to Guy’s Restaurant but their Credit machine was down and I didn’t want to use the ATM until I arrived in Amsterdam so went to the nearby Marketplace Compound of Restaurants for a mid afternoon lunch of Fresh Sea bass on a bed of fresh sauteed vegetables.  Very nice but I was still hungry so decided to walk back to Sharkey’s Pub next to my hotel.

      It was Friday, warm and sunny.  The streets were crowded with people all speaking Scottish…very difficult to understand.  The Muslim populations spoke English I could understand.  The ladies were wearing hot pants , mini skirts, and really short one piece summer dresses.  I was bumping into telephone poles.  As I drew closer to my hotel there was a large park where I had heard music all morning. It was a large concert with different bands that was playing all day and night.  Many ticket scalpers on the street selling tickets to get into the event.  Bruno Mars was coming next week.

        I crossed the bridge and was at Sharkey’s shortly and ordered an appetizer of Southern Fried Chicken…the waitress brought the dinner with Fries and Salad.  I was too tired to complain and ate most of it before returning to my hotel.

        My last day in Glasgow I was going to the Flea Market but found out it was over 30 minutes my taxi so I decided to lay low and enjoy my hotel room.  When it was was 3 pm I was getting hungry and in need of exercise.  I walked over where the TRNSMT Festival was going on and all the noise had been coming from since yesterday morning.  There are 7-8 bands a day playing in the park for three days this weekend and next.  The crowds had multiplied. All the pasty bleach white Scots persons who were shedding clothes in the heat would be fire red by the end of the day.  Most were already drunk or high on something.  Barely able to walk and overcrowding the bars…sitting on the sidewalks so you couldn’t pass.  They weren’t allowed alcohol in the park so were getting their fix before they staggered in.  They were covered in Glitter, and flowers in their hair…like a Woodstock gone bad. No fights or anything…waving the Scottish Flag and drinking whiskey straight out of the bottle.  Lots of smokers but no marijuana…cigarettes and booze. Ambulances coming and going every 10 minutes.
       I took three or four stops before I finally made it to Gandolfi’s Fish and Chips…touted the best in Glasgow. 

Nice sit down restaurant with outdoor seating and a bar…full menu with a side entrance for Take Away.  I ordered the two course $17.95 pounds ($29 DOLLARS) for a Shrimp cocktail and Fish and Chips.  Also had a glass of wine for $11 pounds ($17.50 DOLLARS)…it was my last day.  The Shrimp cocktail was about  6-7 oz of small shrimp in a Mayo sauce on lettuce with one piece of toast.  The Fish and Chips (I subbed a salad) was one Fillet of Fresh but tasteless fish…cod I think with greasy heavy batter that was also tasteless. 

I had to have something good before I left so for $8 pounds ($13.50 DOLLARS) more I got a superb Rhubarb Pudding with Creme Frache and a small measured shot of Armagnac Brandy.

I did leave a 10% tip on top BUT my Uber ride back was only $4.50 pounds ($7 DOLLARS) with Sahib driving.
        Time to pack for the airport hotel in the morning.
        My Breakfast attendant paid for my Breakfast this morning.  He tried once before by asking my room number, then other employees think I paid in advance but the first time I told him I didn’t pay and handed him my credit card in front of everyone.  This time I said 233 and he pretended to check it off the list and I had a free breakfast.  I thanked him as I left for my Uber ride to the airport hotel.  
           Yesterday when I checked Uber for my ride….it was 16 pounds….today it was 23 pounds claiming it was busy.  I think they track it with cookies and knew when I logged in today they had a fish on the line.  It I had been smart I would have stayed where I was another night.  I already paid the Airport hotel 95 pounds but arrived early thinking I would wait in the NO lounge and 1 1/2 hours before check in.  She charged me early check in of 10 pounds…and I still had to get a taxi in the morning to take me a mile down the road for another 6 pounds.  Live and learn.  

No restaurant on premise…just a Continental Brekki tomorrow for another 5 pounds.  I could have saved over $75 by staying and taking the Monday taxi directly to the airport.  I walked to the closest place for food…you guessed it: Cosmos Fish and Chips takeaway…no place to eat.  Next door was a liquor store so I bought a pint..that with the Fish and Chips takeaway was 14 pounds.  So 130 pounds is …..$210 for one night with extras. I did get a can of Scotland’s Irn Bru…an orange soda that Jimmy wanted us to try and no one wanted all the sugar…I mixed it with Vodka.
       Brekki was lousy. A crust of bread, sweet sickening yogurt, boxed juice, dried scrambled eggs with greasy potato scone. Got to check out by 10 am with flight to Manchester at 2:30 . Two hour wait for flight to Amsterdam. Soccer finals …no where to sit.

TAX FREE?



SOCCER TOURNAMENT…NO SEATS AVAILABLE








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TUESDAY THE 26TH LAST DAY OF OUR TOUR OF ENGLAND

 The bus pulled out of Aberdeen, one short.  Wei Ling left yesterday.   We departed for Edinburgh to drop everyone off at the train station to London and home. 

 We passed out through the city and stopped to see a famous Castle but only a photo opp before we continued on to Dundee for lunch.


Dundee is a lovely town on the water that the ship The Discovery is stored.   This was the ship that took explorers to the Antarctic regions  in the 19th Century.

I discovered a healthy fast food restaurant that cooked everything to order and perfection….and it tasted great!!!


We continued on to St Andrews.  A University town and famous for the oldest golf course in the world.


Now the final destination for everyone except Jimmy and I….Glasgow was ours.  Edinburgh is a great city.

ME AND JIMMY


GOOD BYE EDINBURGH….HELLO GLASGOW.  JIMMY DROPPED ME AT THE FRONT DOOR OF MY HOTEL!  OH…I FORGOT…I BOOKED 6 DAYS AT THE PREMIER.   I TRIED TO CANCEL WHEN I DECIDED I DIDN’T LIKE THEM BUT IT WAS NON-REFUNDABLE CANCELLATION BOOKING AT ALMOST $700.
    OUR TRIP COVERED 2145 MILES OF THE UK TOTAL, 16 HOTELS AND 23 DAYS …FOR ME…GOT THERE JUNE 3 FOR 5 DAYS IN LONDON.

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MONDAY 25TH: DAY 15…BRIDGE BOBBY BURNS BUILT…THEN ABERDEEN

We  departed Elgin for the coastal route to Aberdeen…but I have to admit I took photos but not sure what they are…..until we arrived in a small town for lunch.




A CUP OF CREAM OF  CHICKEN SOUP…NO FLAVOR NO CHICKEN

VIEW FROM MY SEAT

A HUGE MOUND OF PROCESSED CHEESE WITH A HAMBURGER UNDER…MAYO AND FRYS WITH A SALAD AND NO DRESSING..UGH

                                                         OIL RIGS OUT IN THE SEA
We did stop in a small lovely drive by village to see one of the oldest bridges in Scotland that Robert Burns helped make possible.  It was very pretty and a pleasant visit.

STONE HOUSES WERE IN THE SURROUNDING AREA…WELL MAINTAINED

ANOTHER WAR MEMORIAL FOR THOSE VILLAGERS THAT LOST THEIR LIVES IN WWII

We arrived at another …and the last Premier Inn of the trip in Aberdeen, checked in and went out to scout the city.  Free time in Aberdeen so I walked around a bit then stopped for a lousy Pizza before returning to the hotel. 

  I was expecting an Industrial working class dirty city and got the opposite.  A Grand City but no time to see anything..only an overnight stop.

GOOD NIGHT ABERDEEN

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SUNDAY THE 24TH DAY 15: DUNROBIN CASTLE & FAREWELL DINNER IN ELGIN

The next day we were back on the Ferry and in Scotland on our way to Elgin. 

We stopped for a short break in Wick but it was Sunday and only the Betting Parlor was doing a brisk business.

We followed the Coastal Road and back roads to Elgin.

Then we stopped at the Duke of Sutherland’s Castle…one of the most hated landlords in Scotland but a great Castle and they had a Falcon demonstration in the back yard that everyone enjoyed.

I COULD LIVE OFF THE MONEY SPENT ON FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS IN THIS CASTLE

FALCON EXHIBITION

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

IT WAS A BRAW DAY THE DAY AS WE HEADED FOR ELGIN AFTER HAVING LUNCH AT THE CASTLE

 It turned out to be a “Bonnie” day and forecast for a whole week of warm and sunny.  A big change from the last week.  Two more days and I get dropped in Glasgow for 6 days Rest and Recuperation.   Now in Elgin and our last dinner together as a group.

THE GENERALS DISCUSSING STRATEGY

HAPPY HOUR IN ELGIN

CAROLYN DOING “THE ROSE”
JIMMY DOING A SCOTTISH BALLAD
The meal was OK and we finished it with song before bedtime.
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SATURDAY THE 23RD : TOURING AROUND THE ORKNEY’S

Chris met us at the Ayre Hotel where most of our group were staying.  We departed on the bus for the Ring of Brodgar and an ancient Viking settlement of Skara Brae followed be a popular local Distillery.

CRUISE SHIPS ARRIVE TO FILL THE SMALL TOWN WITH TOURIST FOR A DAY

ONE HUMAN GIANT AMONG ANCIENT GIANTS: RING OF BRODGAR

ANCIENT VIKING SETTLEMENT : SKARA BRAE

OFF TO NEAR BY HOME OF GENTLEMEN FARMERS…LANDLORDS


YES IS IS COLD AND WINDY IN ORKNEY HOW THE VIKINGS LIVED HERE IS ASTOUNDING.

 THIS WAS OUR GREETER AND HER PET OWL


THE DISTILLERY

WEE DRAM ANYONE?
WE WERE NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE PHOTOS BEYOND THIS POINT

BACK TO THE NORTH SHORE RESTAURANT

WORTHY OF ARNAUD’S IN NEW ORLEANS
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FRIDAY 22nd: Con’t: FRIDAY THE 22ND : JOHN O’GROATS AND ORKNEY ISLANDS

We boarded the bus for Gills Bay and then boarded the Ferry for Orkney Islands and Kirkwall.

BUS ABOARD FERRY

ROAD CONNECTING ISLANDS BUILT TO KEEP GERMAN U-BOATS OUT OF HARBOR IN WWII

MONUMENT TO ITALIAN PRISONERS OF WAR THAT WERE KEPT AT A PRISON CAMP HERE

PRISONERS CONVERTED A QUONSET HUT INTO THIS CHURCH SO THEY COULD WORSHIP

USING FAUX PAINT TO MAKE FLAT SURFACES INTO 3 DIMENSION
EVEN THE PIGEONS HAVE INTERNET IN ORKNEY

CHRIS MATTHEWS OUR GUEST GUIDE THAT TOLD US EVERYTHING ABOUT THE ORKNEY ISLANDS…EVERYTHING!

We checked into our Hotel in Kirkwall.  Our group was split between two close Hotels.  I checked in and joined Chris on a guided tour of Kirkwall on our way to St Magnus Cathedral where a Choral Concert was being held that night.

Then there was much anticipated beautiful dinner at the North Shore Restaurant before retiring to my room after a long day.

This was a Crab and Seafood Tart…like a Quiche that was part of one of the three best meals I enjoyed this trip.  The Third meal would be Fish Pie tomorrow at this same restaurant.

FRESH SEA BASS ON A BED OF ASSORTED FRESH VEGETABLES WITH A BAKED POTATO

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FRIDAY THE 22ND : JOHN O’GROATS AND ORKNEY ISLANDS

We left Thurso for Dunnet Head Lighthouse then Duncansby Head Lighthouse on the way to our destination John O’Groats.  Not the end of the tour but our objective.

 Finally we arrived at our destination…John O’Groats…the Northernmost point of the British Isle.   Not the end of the tour but it completes our journey from Land’s End in the Southernmost point.

A quick lunch at a tourist trap…board the bus for Gills Bay and on to the Ferry to the Orkney Islands and Kirkwall.

OK…
SEEM TO BE HAVING PROBLEMS SO WILL PUBLISH THIS AND START A CON’T POST