Pinterest

Follow Me on Pinterest

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Fairy Tales DO Come True! (Part I)

Have you experienced a fairy-tale in your own life?  I did...when I turned 40.  It was 1995 and shortly after my Mom died, Dad and his wife invited me to join them "on a shoot in Scotland."  It was to help the grieving process of losing Mom and I suppose, turning 40. 

Dad and stepmom made this trek annually to Lord and Lady Gladstone's estate. First, we met up in London - Cranley Mews, actually - don't you love it?  We were staying three days to tour London.  We did the norm - Tower of London, Hamley's - a monstrous toy store, The War Museum, Harrod's. 

Doing life with Dad and L. allows me a very different perspective to take it in.  It's done well, shall we say.  (If they could just see ME in my every day, oh my.)  One night L. and I had dinner with three women involved in the Romanian adoptions that were quite the craze back then.  The founder of The Body Shop was one and a portion of the proceeds from The Body Shop went to Romania.  In fact, one such young man was with us...on this trip.  You see, my half-brother, was adopted by Dad and L. when he was but two.  I believe he was 5 or 6 in 1995.
Dinner at Rule's is a must for a first-time visitor.  It was established by Thomas Rule in 1798 making it the oldest restaurant in London.  Those of us that read historical fiction may recall Rules in one of our books.  My dear Dad has a sense of humor so he had to use this gift when ordering dessert.  "We'd like some spotted dick please."  Well, I nearly spit out my beverage all over the white linen table cloth!  Americans think it's such fun to say.  I shall NOT be serving spotted dick at my next dinner party...

On day 4, we flew to Banchory, Scotland to meet up with the shooting party.  Our "hotel" was not up to U.S. standards but lent the perfect atmosphere. Old, dark and small.  I was shown my room and was to be dressed for dinner and meet everyone in the bar.  My dad's friends are an international-worldly-set.  I was rather intimidated when I entered and "the gang" was all there but they could not have been more welcoming.  Mr. and Mrs. S. took me straight to the bar.  Mrs. S. ordered "Famous Grouse" neat.  So did I.  It helped ease any discomfort...if you catch my drift.




The picture below shows exactly how well everyone got along.  It could be, perhaps, the baudy waitress that flipped her skirt up just as someone clicked the pic.


                                           (My Dad's smile is absolutely gleeful...love it so!)

After drinks, it was while at dinner that Dad and I reminisced and got mushy.  It was a lovely evening!

(Next post more of Scotland...)

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I die!!! This portion of your life is a fairy tale. Do people really do these things? It's like a movie and you are the star. I am loving every word of it. I must alert "the girls" to read this. Thank you so much for sharing.
xoxo Dianne

Pam said...

I am loving this too! Please share more of your life with us...it is like a fairy tale! xoxo

annielnb said...

Va, I am loving this, and a bit nostalgic....I miss living in Scotland, our oldest daughter was born in Aberdeen, Sigh......how lovely that you got to go and do this!!! Fairy tale indeed!!! Please continue to share your life with us, You inspire me every day!! Blessings to you....