London, Glasgow, Skye

We had organised at pretty short notice to jet over to the UK for Elli's Gran's 80th birthday, as a surprise present to her. The first time we paid for the ticket, Zoom Airlines collapsed. The second time Elli's mum paid for the ticket, her credit card was rejected. Of course, we didn't find THAT little gem out until ten minutes before boarding cut-off... we were at the ticket counter frantically trying to fit the fare under the limits of four or five separate credit cards; oh how we laughed.

Anyway, we managed to get on the flight, and we've been refunded for the Zoom ticket. The trip itself was great, if very busy. We arrived in Heathrow, and were wisked up to Glasgow by Elli's parents Angus and Jane. There Elli surprised her two sisters, who live together in an awesome flat in the Westend.

Surprising Kate...

... surprising Jill!

We hung about Glasgow for a day before heading off for Portree on the Isle of Skye. There we surprised Elli's Gran at an awesome five-course dinner at the ancestral manor of Lord Donald, head of the MacDonald clan (or something). (If you ever get to try out wild pigeon, go for it - surprisingly tasty, very gamey.)

Passing through Glencoe on the way to the Isle of Skye

We stayed with a friend of Elli's aunty Aileen, named Donna, who was lovely. The day after the party we took a little walk around Portree and hung out with Elli's extended family. Family really seems to be an important part of Scottish life, much more so than Australia. Of course, this could just be the case of comparing a sample size of one with another sample size of one =). But they were all very happy to see each other, and very generous and kind.

Portree