Jargon

Hi all,
We are slowly picking up on the Scottish jargon over here, although we often need one of the more seasoned South Africans to translate for us! Even with Megs and Kends at my side I have already received some strange looks and had some embarrassing moments!
~ chips vs crisps: chips only refer to 'slap chips' or hot chips, even then fries are more commonly known. If you want something like Simba Chips or Lays, you need to ask for crisps, otherwise you get blank looks!
~ when asking for or giving for directions don't talk about traffic circles or robots! These are strictly roundabouts and traffic lights!
~ don't ask where the nearest garage is if you need fuel, over here they are filling stations.
~ pants are NOT the same as trousers... as I found out in a clothing shop while loudly discussing which pants to buy. I was soon informed that pants mean underwear in conservative Scotland.
~ there is no such thing as airtime, ask for credit.
~ we've already had our first braai here, so exciting and the sun even stayed out. But it's called a barbecue, and if you can find the right butcher you need to ask for South African Sausage because they have no idea what wors is!
~ if you are a fudge fan like my mom, don't get caught out and buy fudge. Look for 'tablet', which is the Scottish version of South African fudge and extremely yummy and rich! The variety of sweets, chocolates and small ready made deserts is huge. We're having way too much fun trying out new treats with too much help and encouragement from Aunty Debbie!
Other small differences are learnt very quickly, like don't stupidly wait for the lady at the supermarket to pack your grocery bags... do it yourself! The same goes for filling up your car at the garage - I mean filling station!
In other news - FOUND MY FIRST HEDGEHOG!!! Thanks to Brian who found one just down the road and brought him home for us to see! It's incredibly cute and we let him go in the garden once he uncurled. :-) :-) :-)
Done some more exploring around Scotland, details to follow... watch this space ;-)
Loads of love and hugs to everyone! XH♡

Out and About in Dumfries

Well here is some real news!
Tim and I finally made it to Dumfries, somehow without getting lost and managing to work out the train and airports! We were very relieved to see Megs, Kends and Debs waiting for us at Lockerbie Station.
The countryside beautiful and we have managed to do a bit of exploring. The farms are lovely and green, mostly with stone walls. I've even been lucky enough to see the local 'belted galloway' cows! We're still getting used to all the bunnies  hopping around the fields.
We went to Gretna Green, the last stop before England. Due to the lower legal age of marriage in Scotland, lots of young couples would hop over the border to get married by the blacksmith at Gretna. Unfortunately there was a wedding on the go so we couldn't go inside, but it was very interesting wondering around and we got to listen to our first Scottish bagpipes! I found an example of the Wilson tartan but need to keep looking for a scarf and perhaps a kilt for dad?!
We climbed up to the local Dumfries Waterloo Monument for spectacular views of the surrounding area. After the walk, and catching our breath, we went to look at the Sweetheart Abbey, a beautiful 13th century monastery built in memory of a lady's dead husband, whose embalmed heart was later burried with her... romantic I think? It was fascinating wandering around the grounds and graves, there is nothing so old and full of history in SA.
Yesterday we went on a roadtrip with the whole family, poor Megs in the boot! We started off by visiting the little shetland ponies that Kendra sometimes works with. They are seriously cute and I think a definite retirement option for our old collie, Kep! We then continued through Castle Douglas to Kirkudbright and to the Dundrennan Abbey. It was built in 1142, unbelievable!
We drove through the Galloway forest to have lunch at 'otter pools', a cute picnic site in the forest with little rapids and waterfalls on the River Dee. After lunch we found some local wild goats (!) Then heading onto the rainbow trout fish farm where Brian's nephew Zane works. It was very interesting and muddy! Of course it started raining but the drive home felt like it was out of a Scottish picture book with the misty farm hills, stone walls, narrow winding lanes and lochs! Everything you imagine when picturing Scottish country!
I've tried to keep our news shortish and not too boring! I finally have a UK sim so you can whatsapp or message me on 0044 785 8044 839.
Loads of love and hugs and thoughts! XH

Departure and Arrival

Hello to everyone who is interested in hearing our news and wants to follow us on our adventure!
We were FINALLY granted our visas and booked the cheapest, soonest flights possible. What a wait, thanks to home affairs. But I left the farm at 6am on Tuesday 6th August for a long trip involving a 7 hour drive to Cape Town, 9 hour flight to Dubai, 6 hour flight to Birmingham and 3.5 hour train to Lockerbie... arriving at Bramley House 36 hours of travelling later! (With Tim and I even still speaking to each other!)

We are lucky enough to catch the last little whisps of Scottish summer, enjoying patches of sunshine while they last! I have found my first wild bunnies, red telephone booth, bagpipes and narrow country roads. As of yet I am still in search of a hedgehog, badger, fox and Loch Ness Monster.

It has been fantastic to catch up with the Yates, especially since we worked out that Megs and I haven't seen each other for 7 years. Wow! We have done lots of site-seeing of Dumfries and surrounds, it really is a beautiful area.

This is just a quick write-up to see if I can get this blog thing working. More news and photos to follow soon!
Love and hugs, Hx