15th September . Flight Edinburgh Scotland to Amsterdam, Netherlands and Dinner with Dutch Family.

We departed the Hilton Carlton on a cool morning. Ken went to Waverley Station Car Park to retrieve our rental car but found the pay machine was out of order and being serviced by a technician. He eventually returned to the Hilton parked out front at 9.30am and we loaded the car, departed with the intention of going to park near Edinburgh Castle , but with 2 large international conferences in Edinburgh there were many streets closed and thousands wanting to walk up to the Castle. It proved too hard so we drove to the airport, returned the rental vehicle and made our way to checkin.

it was at this time that we find the KLM City hopper has been delayed from 12.15pm until a likely time of 2.10pm. We are concerned as our schedule in Amsterdam is tight.

This drags on, we ebentually board at about 2.09pm but departure is delayed until 2 .35pm. Our short flight has us on the ground in Amsterdam at 4.05pm but with the time change it is 5.05pm and our luggage doesn’t arrive until 5.27pm. unfortunately, Jeanette’s new case has a wheel missing, torn off. But can’t do anything now.. We meet out Blacklane driver in a new E 300 Mercedes. We drive quickly to Doubletree by aHilton, very near Central Station. Checkin is quick we are in our Room 918 by 5.20pm, unpack , iron and change and are downstairs awaiting a taxi at 6.50pm.

Our taxi arrives at 6.53pm, and we arrive at Mark and Marilee de Jager at Marriottplein 1 at 7.16pm, where we meet Peter and Wendy Sarborne and Mike Priessman and his son, Brad. We also meet their 2 young boys Max (5) and Arthur (2).

Mark a tax lawyer for a Private Equiyt Group, provides a superb meal. His wife is completing her PhD and is a radiographer. They are an impressive couple and we have a pleasant meal, following which we depart and make our way by tram #14 Back to Central Station by which time it is 11.35pm. It has been a long and frustrating day. We walk the 300 metres from the tram stop to the Doubletree .

A great start to our time in Amsterdam, before joining Oceania Marina on 17th September,

Tomorrow we do an excursion to Windmills, Fishing Villages, Cheese factory, Clog factory and Waffle shop.

12th September Drive To Crieff and Scone Palace then through Perth and Motorway back to Auchterarder

It was another clear but quite windy morning and after breakfast we drive to Crieff through a back way drive through Barlow rural laneways and roads. It is beautiful scenery with thousands of hay bales, and various green fields as well as shaded roads. A very pretty drive.

The Crieff Visitor Centre is Home to Caithness Glass and they are busy manufacturing the 2020 product.

Jeanette selects a lovely piece for her November birthday present, we then enjoy morning tea.

The drive then takes us almost an hour to get to Scone Palace a wonderful Castle where the Scottish Kings were crowned. It remains a working Palace for Lords and British Monarchy, but has several rooms set up as displays reflecting the wonderful history andnto our surprise we learn much of Scottish slavery and slave laws including Wilberforce judgement. .

We then drive back to Auchterarder, make arrangements to visit the Solheim Cup and Merchandise and watch several members of both teams practice. Tom buys a lanyard for Veronica, but Ken decides against.

We then return to our beautiful Holiay home, change for dinner at one of the best local restaurant in Auchterarder named Jon and Fernanda’s where we enjoy a final superb meal with Tom and Veronica. Great food, fine Argentinian wine in wonderful surroundings.

After Ken pair the bill ( we wanted to ) we say our goodbyes as they head off to London and then Portugal, whilst we head off mid morning to Edinburgh for a couple of days prior to flying to Amsterdam.

Jeanette and I have enjoyed our time with good friends.

13th September Auchterarder to Edinburgh.

We depart Auchterarder mid morning on a perfect sunny morning to drive to Edinburgh, but are delayed by the road closures and event management issues around Auchterarder for the Solheim Cup and are forced to use several back laneways to eventually secure exit and on to the freeway.

The trip takes almost 2 hours to eventually find thenHilton and then park , get our luggage unloaded then park the vehicle at the WAVERLEY Station Car Park.

GLen Eagles in all its Splendour

Our final day in Abu Dhabi then flight Dubai to Amsterdam and then to Edinburgh Scotland

We awoke to a clearer morning with a stronger breeze, but by breakfast the temperature outside was 39C on the way to a maximum of 42C.

Breakfast was enjoyable and following such Ken intended to visit the Palace Hotel and then visit the Grand Mosque, but as we have visited on prior visits, decided against due to the extreme weather.

View from our suite on 44th flooR at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers

Jeanette taking photos from our suite- simPly amazing.

Following this decision Ken did venture for a walk to the Grand Hyatt which is next door. He also took photos of the pool and beach area here at Jumeirah prior to meeting Jeanette in the lobby whilst our room was cleaned. It is too hot to do anything.

This afternoon we repack for our evening pick up and transfer back to Dubai International Airport Terminal 1 for KLM flight to Amsterdam then transfer and flight to Edinburgh. We pick up a rental car and then drive to Loch Lomond for the late morning and early afternoon before we make our way to Auchterarder, where we have rented a holiday home for 3 days.

Tomorrow evening we catch up with Tom and Veronica Burns, good friends. Tom is cooking.

our time here in Abu Dhabi has been just right and we have enjoyed the hotel, thoroughly fascinated by the Louvre Museum.

The Palace hotel, abu dhabi.

Etihad Towers where our Jumeirah hotel is located

The imperial palave abu dhabi

The beautiful lobby at Jumeirah at etihad toWers -simply stunning

The afternoon we have been emailing Tom Burns in Scotland confirming our plans for tomorrow after we arrive in zEdinburgh and pick up our rental car.

We have checked in for our KLM flights and following dinner we will be picked up at 9.00pm following check out and then be driven to Terminal 1 at Dubai International Airport. That is a trip of some 90 minutes,

Our Dubai then Abu Dhabi stopover has worked very well.

Visit to the Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi

We woke early at 4.00am checked scores and the news for 45 minutes before returning to have another 3 hours sleep. It is a clearer morning and took photos of the Palace Hotel and the Palace of the ruler. Simply stunning and it was very clear..

Breakfast was in Rosewater buffet where we dined last evening. Breakfast had every conceivable breakfast item. We commenced by intending to be very good, but that soon turned to decadence as we both enjoyed. We relaxed and enjoyed a great breakfast.

Ken went outside to take photos of the pool and external restaurant, but it was just so hot with temperatures of 37C at 9.30am.

We returned to our suite, and Ken decided to visit the Louvre Museum today rather than tomorrow. Most things are closed on Mondays here in Abu Dhabi. Jeanette decided to relax in the cool air conditioning. Ken departed at 9.50 by taxi, which took about 20 minutes to get to the Louvre Museum.

It is a stunning building, which was under construction during our last visit, almost 3 years ago.

Ken exited the taxi and was hobbling slightly and a chap rushed up and drove me the 300 metres to the main entrance.

Purchasing a ticket was easy, through security then spent 3 hours walking through the wonderful exhibitions. Really just fantastic.

After 3 hours he decided having been through the total gallery display to have a coffee in the “Cafe Musee”.

Then with batteries recharged he walked through the key gallery items and again walk through the amazing final exhibit of walls of cotton threads, but there is a walkway through the exhibit.

Simply fantastic.

Ken departed the Louvre Museum at 13.45pm having thoroughly enjoyed the galleries, appreciated the stunning building with its wonderful ornate roof.

on the return to Jumeirah at Etihad Towers we drove past the Corniche, took photos and decided not to visit the Grand Mosque because of the heat. We have visited on 3 prior occasions.

This evening following dinner we want to watch the “light show” from the Imperial Palace.

when exiting the taxi w

Ken was advised that it was 43C at 2.15pm, just too hot to do anything.

The afternoon after a quiet period of rest we visited the Observation deck 300 in the adjoining Etihad Tower. Whilst it was quite hazy the views from the74th floor were quite stunning.

We were able to visit several raised podiums and take photos. Our room is on level 44, but the additional height accentuates the panorama. The view is also stunning in demonstrating the amazing man made islands some of which are fully developed and others are in course of development/ creation. Also the establishment of another Atlantis such as is in Dubai at the Palms Island is quite spectacular.

9th -11th September 2019 Flights Abu Dhabi to Edinburgh and then time in Auchterarder.

We departed Abu Dhabi with our driver picking us up and driving quickly at 130-140 km per hour back to Dubai International Airport -Terminal 1 for our flight at 12.40am to Amsterdam and then after a two hour stopover the short flight to Edinburgh.

We both slept very well on the first leg and KLM Business class was just excellent. We had our beds made up after takeoff then slept for 4-5 hours. Transfer in Amsterdam was via the new KLM Lounge, simPly fantastic and flight time arrived quickly and our trip Amsterdam to Edinburgh was first class. Only 90 minute flight, then upon arrival in Edinburgh it was a very heavy damp mist.

Collected our luggage walked under cover to EuropcR Rental area, collected a very comfortable VW Estate about 12 month old, Then drove the 75 minutes to Auchterarder where the Solheim Cup is being held. Security everywhere checked in to our Hliday cottage “Auchterarder 30” on Feus Rd just on the edge of town. It is a superb cottage with beautiful fit out with bedroom and en-suite upstairs. Just beautiful and whilst on the main road, with double glazing, no noise.

We unpacked then showered and changed excited as to dinner with Tom and Veronica Burns and their beautiful dog, “Milly”and son David. We had shopped for our essential supplies for the 3 nights stopover here.

We were picked up by Tom at 6.45am and he drove through the town turned right at Auchterarder Golf Club, then turned into “Underwood” their beautiful home. Great excitement and we talked for a period then Tom served a superb 3 course dinner. Tom is a wonderful chef and now in retire,ent he has the time to practice.

This was complemented by a superb St Emilion Merlot. It was an evening to remember. We covered a lot of ground. Tom and Veronica are putting David on the train Ashe returns to London, having iced into Canary Wharf area. This is Thursday morning.

Tom advises that he has booked golf tomorrow at St Andrews. We will hitoff at 12.40pm. We are tiring and depart their home at 10.20pm after a wonderful evening and make arrangements to join them at 10.15am after breakfast for coffee and cake at the famous Glen Eagles Hotel.

Jeanette and Ken sleep through the night. We were tired following a long and tiring day. But enormously satisfied, reengaging with good friends, sharing a beautiful meal.

We awake to a cold overcast showery morning, but with a forecast of clearing weather. The winds are blowing at 20 mph here in Auchterarder.

We visit Glen Eagles and enjoy cake and cappacino then walk around the Glen Eagles Hotel.. just brilliant..

Later we travel in Tom’s Porche to St Andrews where we are playing golf at 12.40pm on the Edan Course, right next to Old Course. The wind was blowing at 25-40 miles per hour and gusting. Tom introduced me to Vishnu and David and we have a wonderful day, but don’t play particularly well.

Tom and I get beaten 4 and 3 then promptly win the last 3 holes. I never came to grips with the gale force winds, the glassy greens, but it was once in a lifetime experience for all golfers, both good and bad.

We then drive through the town before travelling back to Auchterarder . I am dropped off at 7.10 pm, tired but elated.

Flight Melbourne to Dubai on Emirates EK 407 Seats 20 E and F. Then bus to Abu Dhabi and commencing our stay Jumeirah at Etihad Towers.

Greetings from Abu Dhabi after an excellent flight on Emirates EK 407.

Gavin picked us up at 6.00 pm on Friday 6th September and we had an amazing trip to Tullamarine International Airport arriving at 6.50pm and we proceeded through checkin, then security and immigaration within 25 minutes and strolled through the terminals many luxury shops to the Emirates Lounge, where we found seats in front of a large screen to watch the first half of AFL final at the MCG.

We enjoyed a terrific light meal with champagne and relaxed brilliant being called to board at 8.30pm. We were seated in business on the upper deck in 20 E and. F.

Flight departed early at 9.10 pm for our approximately 14 hour flight.

we enjoyed a beautiful 4 course meal with superb French wines. Then slept for about 7 hours in the comfortable bed, although Jeanette had an unsettled sleep. Ken watched 3 movies.

Breakfast was served at 2.30am (Dubai time) and it was excellent . We arrived early at 4.50am, walked miles through Terminal 3 before processing through immigration and security, collecting our luggage and making our way out to the Emirates bus which depats At 7..15 am for Abu Dhabi and we travel along this wonderful highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Weather is hot at 37degrees Celsius on the way to 42c late today. The trip is uneventful.

Ebentually we arrive at Emirates City Office, where there is a row of Taxi waiting to take us to the hotel. The bus had arrived via Yas Island and driven along the beautiful Corniche, before entering the city limits.

We are staying at the beautiful Jumeirah at Etihad towers in Abu Dhabi. It is a significant complex of 3 towers. The foyer is simply stunning. We are offered cool towels and fruit drinks, check in and are whisked to our floor and deluxe room 4409.

Wenate greeted with rose petals wishing”happy birthday” and a delicious cake. The room is beautifully furnished, the views are simply amazing .

We unpack, then fall into bed by 11.15am and sleep until 2.15pm. We didn’t want to sleep for too long.

Ken ventures to take photos, but it is just too hot outside to venture down to our beach.

Th n man mad sland fRom our window

The beautiful pool area here at Jumeirah

14th September 2019 Edinburgh highlights , lunch with Jim McLeod then packing for flight tomorrow to Amsterdam .

After our dinner last night at Bella Italia, we returned back to Hilton Carlton, a very comfortable hotel on North Bridge and watched some television but we were both very tired and had an early night then went to sleep at 9.30pm and slept through the night. Awoke at 7.00pm and it is a cold windy morning. We had breakfast at Hilton, then rode the hop on hop of bus around Edinburgh.

Having lunch with Jim McLeod, but Rosie is unwell and cannot join us.

Prior to that we walked around the Central area near WAVERLEY Station, took photos of the main buildings and Scott Monument, Edinburgh Castle and rode the bus.

Wind is very cold, but dry, no ran forecast.

We return to the Hilton change and have a block to walk to Ondine Restaurant.

The Hilton Carlton, Edinburgh -our Hotel

We walked from our hotel to a stylish Restaurant named Ondine specialising in fish. We walked in and we were greeted by Jim McLeod who apologised for Rosie’s absence, Jeanette presented a bouquet of fresh flowers for Rosie and we hope her infection vanishes in the near future,

We enjoyed a lovely meal, with excellent wine and sparkling repartee from Jim. It was great to catch up, we enjoyed reliving our Indian holiday together of some 4 years ago. Following our enjoyable lunch we said goodbye to Jim, as he went to catch a bus home.

Jeanette and Ke then meandered back stopping for a Piper at the Edinburgh Cathedral and watching the bride arrive. We then passed by Parliament then the Court buildings, took more photos.

It has been a fantastic couple of days here in Edinburgh.