The Ordinary versus the Extraordinary – A year of travelling with three children: 16 August 2015

It is already Sunday again and the weeks are really whizzing by. We went back to New Community Church Inverurie to meet with the friendly congregation there. We have felt so comfortable there and it was nice to be remembered and welcomed. One of the members, a charismatic man from Ghana, Nana, preached an inspiring sermon on trials and perseverance. There was a good deal of coffee and tea drinking and chatting before and after the formal part of the morning. Luke loved being there with the group of kids and played happily which left us free to talk! Yay!!

New Community Church, Inverurie

Wild flowers on the walking track, Aberdeen

Walking over the George VI Bridge over the River Dee

The River Dee

Scotland is coming to the end of their summer school holidays so there are kids milling about looking for local activities. We decided to drive to Duthie Park in Aberdeen where there was a little festival raising money for a local charity. The activities were targeted at younger kids so Luke enjoyed chasing the dinosaur and going on the double decker bus but the big kids found it a bit tame. I enjoyed the Scottish country dancing and the obviously rehearsed wrestling!

Old double decker bus

Driving an old car!

Scottish Country Dancing

Luke loved this dinosaur so much!

Wrestling!!

Duthie Park occupies 44 acres by the River Dee and has a couple of playgrounds and plenty of space, some pretty flowerbeds and a Winter Garden. The Winter Garden reminded us of home as it had many familiar plants we have at home and even the scent was familiar. Inside the Winter Garden was considerably warmer than the chilly breezy conditions in the park. Scots were dressed for summer, I suppose so their clothes get a bit of wear, but at 15 C with a chilly wind, I felt I was underdressed with a cardigan rather than a coat on!

In memory of Lady Duthie

Tim and Luke enjoying a slide race!

Driving back to Kirkton of Rayne down the A96 is really lovely looking out over the rolling hills and then turning down the little country roads before we turn into our unnamed street! We found out today that the golden fields we thought were wheat are actually barley. Ach, ye leern summat every dae! The beautiful song by Sting: :"Fields of Gold", comes to mind. It has a folky feel to it and I think he's captured what I feel!