Marly from Mississippi - October/November 2011

Marly arrived in Scotland on Sunday 23rd October and left on Friday 4th November.

Sunday 23 October - Marly arrived at Sandie and Colin’s with no luggage. Went back to the airport to collect said luggage from the carousel..... it was lonely and looking for her.
Steak pie, marrowfat peas, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes for dinner.

Monday 24 October - Sandie and Colin 25th Wedding anniversary. Went to the Pink Turban Indian restaurant for lunch with Sandie, Colin, Gillian and Courtney. Went to Garrion Bridges Antique and Garden Centre. Didn’t see any plants! Forgot to look.... But did see rings and jewellery. Bought 2 rings.  Watched cr*p movie in the cinema room. Hans Solo in true Technicolor.....

Tuesday 25 October - Slept late AGAIN.... Drove to Alloway near Ayr in Ayrshire. Visited Burns Cottage – saw the actual bed he was born in. Saw the largest vegetables ever seen. The Brocolli was on speed...  Visited the Auld Kirk (where he found the inspiration for the poem Tam O’Shanter).
Walked through the garden, up to the top of the Burns Monument and then over the Brig O’ Doon (bridge over the river Doon in American). Visited the new Burns Musuem which opened in January 2011.  Went to the Electric Brae – the car drove up the hill on it’s own! Yes, Marly – too many magic mushrooms for you. Fish n Chips at night.

Wednesday 26 October - Went to Glasgow city centre – shopping trip. Got the train from Harry Potter into Glasgow with Sandie. Went to Miss Cranston’s tea room in Buchanan Street for cappuccino..... Shopping in Buchanan Street. Went to Wetherspoons to meet Sandie’s workmates – Kirstin, Jo, Natalie and Judith. More shopping. Train home at 6pm.

Thursday 27 October -  Sandra had to work. Colin and Gillian took Marly to Glasgow Airport to catch the flight to Cork. Arrived in Cork at 3pm and met by Kevin and his friend John O’Connor at the airport. Ziggy’s Bar then next door to the Spailpin (owned by John). Kevin went MIA.
Marly spent night in the Garnish Inn B&B.

Friday 28 October - Flight back to Glasgow. Sandie and Colin picked me up at Glasgow at 1pm.
Back to their house. Lazy day. Watched Avatar in 3D.
Saturday 29 October - Went back to Garrion Bridges Garden Centre with Sandie. More shopping for rings. Went to another Garden Centre. IT RAINED! Coffee and cake. Yummmmy

Sunday 30 October - Went shopping to Hamilton – Watt Bros & retail park.
Drove around Hamilton showing Marly our old house in Whitehill and Hillhouse.

Monday 31 October - Went to Hamilton Shopping Centre. Found dolly for MG and onesie’s for MG....At night Karen and Kerry Anne came round for food and drinks and Michael Jackson Wii night..... Ha ha (wee night!)

Tuesday 1 November 2011 - Went to Stirling Castle and walked around Stirling town and Marly managed to find even more shops that sold silver rings.... Gregg’s chicken bake! Mmmmmmmm.
Sandra made home-made Lentil soup.

Wednesday 2 November 2011 - Went to the Railway Tavern for a bar lunch with Gillian and Sandie. Pea and smoked ham soup followed by steak pie, veg and fries.
Visited David Livingstone Centre in Blantyre. Contained Shuttle Row mill houses - this is where David Livingstone was born and worked until, at the age of 19, he started to study at Anderson College in Glasgow to become a doctor.
Visited Strathclyde Park and Loch to see the swans! They were scared...... woman with a floppy hat scared them off.     Watched the movie “Bronson” starring Tom Hardy! Excellent movie choice.....
Thursday 3 November 2011 (Courtney 19th birthday) - Chill, rest and relax.
Checked in for flights home. Early to bed since someone booked themselves on the 6am flight from Glasgow.

Friday 4 November – Marly flew home (boooo hooo hooo) no more shopping in antique shops or eating Gregg’s pasties and drinking Irn Bru ... sob sob