Sleeping under the stars

Well my ballerina daughter has been inspired by the Scottish Highlands, not to do a Highland jig, but to thump around like Shrek doing ballet in our attic room. We had a lovely time in Edinburgh in the tartan carpeted, gorgeous Howard hotel with very nice butlers making pots of proper tea. Edinburgh was glistening with the sun shining brightly. The kids went underground to visit the Close’s of the plague era and I went to pick up the car. A lovely walk along the Royal Mile from the castle to Holyrood in the Scottish sunshine (yes really) was gorgeous.

I parked the car in the back of the Howard and when it came time to get it out I remembered the non forgiving Scottish stone and the nerve inducing maneuver’s that are needed when the car park fills up and blocks ones rather long car in amongst the Scottish stone.

The drive up over Glencoe was done in the moonlight (even if it was only 4pm), with the massive Scottish peaks covered in snow. We did wonder how the Highlanders managed to have such ferocious battles when it would be too damn cold to take your hands out of your pockets to yield your broadsword.

The drive through the great glen was lovely but a bit too winding for one occupant so a stop was in order. Snow covered fields, swirling mist, massive Scottish Highland mountains and a weird sort of moon made Lydia convinced that the dementor’s were coming to get us. She made us all think happy thoughts whilst she summoned up her best Expecto Patronum spell. Yes it is a laugh a minute travelling with a ballet dancing, wizard who can summon patronus spells with a wave of her mobile phone.

A slight panic with Kings Cross closed as repairs had gone over time. We weren’t sure whether we would get to Edinburgh on the train as planned. All trains were cancelled and the news was telling us trains to the north would be unlikely to run – hmmm I guess I can drive up if I have to but the snow in the north on the TV makes me slightly anxious. It is dark here by 4pm so the thought of snow and the darkest dark is not a drive I would relish. We start yawning at 4pm as it really does seem like 10pm at night. We had a lovely Sunday morning. Our hotel is quite close to Old Spitalfields market so we walked via Petticoat Lane in search of Sunday morning breakfast. After a great breakfast in true British style we wandered around the lovely market before the short walk along London Wall back to the hotel. Twitter is useful for train updates and the East Coast line via York, to Edinburgh was up and running – quite a relief that the long drive north would be done in the comfort of the London to Edinburgh train. We are getting used to the rug up and I have never thought of winter as so stylish, but I am so enjoying people watching – the Eastern European women on the train in their fur coats and hats and the women at Kings Cross looking like something from the 1920s. Out the train window are the green fields of Yorkshire covered in snow. It is 3.40pm and so pretty with the sun setting, casting gorgeous light across the snowy fields. The low stone walls are covered in snow – I am sure it will seem like midnight when we arrive into Scotland but for now Red Leceister and Caramelised Onion British crisps and Gone Girl will entertain me I am sure. Hmmm spoke too soon – the train in front of us has broken down – two hours sitting amongst snow covered fields – thanks to National Rail a free trip to Edinburgh.

The snow out the window is beautiful as we train it across England towards Scotland. The flight over was really easy thanks to being so damn tired and sleeping for about 16 hours. Arriving into London it was a chilly 2 degrees but twinkling with the Christmas lights. We stayed in a really comfortable hotel near the London Wall. It was a few minutes to Liverpool Street Station so getting around London was really easy. We walked for miles after arriving; down along the Thames, past the Tate and to Big Ben. We fell into bed totally exhausted before 8pm.

After sleeping solidly from 8pm I was awake at 3am. I snuck up so I wouldn’t wake Lyd and decided I would read in the bathroom. Was quite pleasant sitting on the heated floor. Craving a cup of tea I grabbed the rail to climb up cause my feet had gone to sleep. Well I thought the rail was attached but it was a drop down rail so after banging myself on the head, seeing stars and swearing loudly I decided Lyd had slept long enough.

Our hotel was in London’s financial district so incredibly quiet. We spent a great day walking 35,000 steps around London. The changing of the guard at Buck Palace was quite different to the summer with the guards swaddled in huge grey overcoats. The Christmas market in Hyde Park was full of roasted chestnuts, woodcarving and mulled wine. We walked through the park and down through Kensington and a stroll through Harrod’s.

We staggered back to the hotel with our fitbits telling us we had walked almost 30km. A short sleep, and then rugged up in coats, gloves, hats and scarves we caught the tube to Waterloo to the gorgeous Christmas market on Southbank. Sitting just beneath the London Eye all lit up in blue, the trees twinkling with thousands of fairy lights, Mariah and Buble crooning everywhere we walk, and the freezing cold being warded off with mulled cider in the cedar chalet – it definitely feels like Christmas.

Another lovely Hawaiian day. We have been told that the weather here is the same all year round and only varies by a couple of degrees between summer and winter. It rains every day. Torrential tropical rain that only lasts for a few minutes and then the sun comes out. It was pouring when I stuck my head out this morning so a swim in the rain was called for. The pool is lovely but the hot tub is damn hot. The sun is now shining and the waves are slightly tamer than yesterday. The massive sets rolling in before the reef were like a washing machine. Obviously our friends the turtles had the same idea as us … going out past the buoys was not a good idea. I had a snorkel on and just a few steps from shore there were two enormous turtles – the biggest ones I have ever seen. I was floating on top of them and was intrigued, as they were only a metre or so below me. All of a sudden one came up to the surface, lifted his head out right beside me as much as to say ‘lets have a chat!’ His back was the size of a small table – I think I liked him but his head was a little too reptilian to feel totally comfortable. Having that face only a few inches was both fascinating and hmmm.

We are bracing ourselves for Halloween Hawaiian style. I am not sure whether you wear a witch’s hat with your bathers or whether just bathers are enough – that sight alone is pretty damn scary.

Hard life – now for my breakfast of eggs, local tomatoes, and avocado at the table outside watching the waves crash on to the reef

A few steps to the beach, a few steps into the water, a snorkel and you enter the magical world of a reef. Swimming amongst great schools of angelfish has been fantastic but yesterday was floating around looking at big rocks when one moved. A lift of the head, flippers going and I took a great big swallow of sea water. One fantastic big turtle – but scared the crap out of me!

Our view out our door

What happens when three women take to the roads of Oahu. Whilst Turtle Bay is a gorgeous resort, around us is really rural Hawaii. The native creatures are all suntanned, bleached haired surfer types with boards out the back or on top of huge monster trucks. We have a great small Ford Focus that is easy to drive – well it should be! Between us we have managed to have major spatial difficulties figuring out how not to hit the curb (yes kids the Death Mobile revisited), have driven down the wrong side of the road, driven down a bike path, gone through a red light and generally been total hoons. But, we are in Hawaii so no-one seems to mind much. We went up yesterday to watch the World Triple Crown surfing competition, that is on at the moment, just a couple of bays around. The waves were at least 20 foot and they all made it look so easy. To our right we had the world champions and to our left scruffy kids that were just fantastic. Carol had to head home this morning so I drove her to the airport at 5am. I think we kidded ourselves that there would be no traffic. It was bumper to bumper the whole way. Driving back myself was pretty awesome. The sun was coming up and the boys were out on their boards. The sunrise was not quite as stunning as the sunset but in this little part of paradise all seems right in the world. The only intrusion is the army helicopters that occasionally sweep over the coast, but even they seem pretty cool amidst the backdrop of enormous surf and swaying palm trees.

Well from Canadian bears to turtles, very weird ferret looking creatures and stunning fish. We are in one of the most beautiful tropical ‘do nothing’ spots I have ever been in.

Turtle Bay is on the North Shore of Oahu and is a magical place of palm trees, tropical gardens and huge surf. We are in a lovely three bedroom apartment that sits right on the ocean. Out the back are beautiful gardens and a wonderful beach with oh so white sand and a gorgeous swimming spot. Out the front is the wilder surf beach. The Ocean Villas that we are staying in are exceptionally comfortable five star apartments that are so well equipped. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a lovely outdoor area, a pool, hot tub and everything in between.

The beach is almost at our door and definitely looks like something out of a Hawaiian movie. I have been driving my poor colleagues mad singing beach boys songs. A few hundred metres away is the hotel. There are a couple of lovely beach side restaurants between us and the hotel so it is so easy to stroll down and sit and while away the time sipping on a pina colada.

The sunset here is amazing – I really haven’t ever seen anything like it. It is nice to be away from the touristy Waikiki beach – all of the tourists there don’t know what they are missing a mere 50 minutes or so at the other end of the Island.

Aloha! From beautiful BC to the tropics via a super efficient Westjet flight with the best service that I think I have ever experienced on a plane. Our somewhat crazy senior flight attendant was a crack up telling the whole flight that we were headed to Yellow Knife in the Yukon instead of Hawaii cause the pilot had changed his mind. Probably not a great joke if we were on a certain other airline but the filled plane took it all in with clapping when we were all told that we had a 100 year old woman headed to Hawaii to celebrate her birthday. Our flight attendant at 35000 feet reminded the full plane that if they weren’t happy with the service there were eight exits – he was hilarious. Palm trees, sun and scantily clad people of all shapes and sizes – welcome to Oahu !!

The conference was great but had a quiet afternoon so decided to go whale watching. I could have gone out on the large boat but decided to brave the Zodiac, as something memorable, on what for me was a slightly surreal day. I noticed a missed call from my Head of School and I thought .. hmm what is wrong. Checked my emails thinking she would email me if something terrible had happened. Well there was an email, but it was from the Vice Chancellor congratulating me on my promotion to Professor.

So I dressed in the funny red suit, looking like the Michelin Tyre Man. Looking around my fellow whale watches we all looked the same and really we were off to see some of the largest creatures in the world so rather fitting we looked the same. There were twelve of us, on what at first seemed like a sedate rubber raft, as we slowly bobbed out of Victoria Harbour. Not for long though, as the boat quickly gained speed and we skimmed across the top of the water surrounded by amazing scenery. Well OMG. I can’t even describe the sight of the massive Humpback mother rising up out of the water with her calf. I can’t even write about it. The only way to describe it was awe inspiring.

We went shopping in the lovely streets of Victoria and the choice of my promotion present was easy. I am now sporting a lovely ring with the great creature carved into it by a talented First Nation artist. Fish pie and a fantastic cider cocktail with Canadian apple cider and limoncello finished what was a truly memorable day.

We spent Monday in a great meeting at the fantastic campus of the University of British Columbia. UBC is a lovely campus surrounded by water with students of all nationalities studying amongst the stunning surroundings. We wandered down part the world famous Museum of Anthropology. The timber and tall glass fronted building is stunning amongst the trees, water and totem poles. There was a group doing yoga in the main building amongst the First Nation artifacts and all seemed well with the world.

We organized a bus from Vancouver to Victoria via the ferry. The trip again was super easy with the bus driving us on to the ferry so we didn’t need to lug bags. Carol was with me and we thoroughly enjoyed the 90 minute ferry crossing with views of the beautiful Canadian coastline, Washington State and Vancouver Island. We arrived into Victoria quite late and were transferred to the lovely Delta Hotel; super comfortable beds and great views!