Having fun with the Hoosiers

The greater part of last week was spen twith Nikki Broady and her grandson, Jack, both from Indiana in the US. Nikki is a glam gran and has a warm, generous nature, a great sense of humour and a killer smile, Jack is eleven year old and could talk for America!

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In order to give Jack some company and Nikki some respite, I had enlisted the aid of a neighbour's kid, Lloyd, to be with us. We did 2 Walking tours taking in the Old Town on the first Day and the New Town on the third. I watched as Nikki was overcome by auld Reekie and fell victim to its wow factor. Jack and Lloyd got on really well; and did what boys of that age do, they became friends for life. Nikki and I also became close friends and that evening we had pizza at Zizzi.

On the second day we Were joined By Eric, our driver from Creative Travel Connections and had a drive through the Borders and went first to Scott's View and to Melrose Abbey, enjoying this stunning part of Scotland along the way. We then drove East to the charming fishing village of Eyemouth where the boys had the thrill of feeding Lady, the blind seal which hangs around the harbour living off the scraps from the seafood stall on the harbour wall. Back to Edinburgh by the East Lothian Coastal Trail And with the sea having focused us on a seafood dinner, fish and chips at the Tailend. Many thanks to Eric, who helped make the day so special.

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Nikki had asked for Jack to get to hear traditional Scottish music. Difficult because it usually happens in pubs and kids aren't allowed in. So I booked us into Jamie's Scottish evening at the Thistle Hotel. King James Centre A great night thoroughly enjoyed by all, especially the boys. Best of all, the Host of the show, my friend Bill Torrance had arranged for complimentary tickets for us.

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I like to get close to the friends who go on tour with me and I certainly felt that I had been in the company of friends during that week. Nikki and Jack, haste ye back!!

Bill

Comments

Submitted by Nikki Broady (not verified) on Sun, 01/08/2010 - 18:08.

Dear Bill,
My grandson Jack is still talking about his trip to Scotland and meeting cool LLoyd who shares many of the same interests. We both have so many delightful memories it is hard to single out any one particular thing as a favorite. Here are just a few: the blue bottle fly that flew into one of our parties' trousers and went buzzing around until we could find restroom facilities to free it from its confines; Scott's View; the tumble down Arthur's Seat into the nettles; the al fresco picnic in Melrose; NOT flinging fish juice over other people while feeding the seal; Luca's ice cream; the fish and chips at the Tail End; our driver, Eric from CTC who never failed to get us to our destination even though we were off the beaten path in Eyemouth; the sunset at Musselburgh while the boys explored the wet, sandy beach; Gemma on the fiddle and Gordon on the accordion; Hawick's Balls; retrieving my backpack after I left it at the cafe and on and on.

I will definitely hire you again if I am fortunate enough to return to Edinburgh. Our trip would not have been nearly as memorable had it not been for you and your wonderful neighbor, Lloyd. Even without his cute freckles he is a delightful ambassador for Scotland.
Warmest Regards,
Nikki Broady
Evansville, IN USA

Submitted by Bill Hill on Mon, 02/08/2010 - 08:31.

Hi Nikki,

As I write this, you will be still asleep before getting up to go back to work. You are one in a million and a friend for life,

Slainthe,

Bill