So we made a last minute decision for Nicolas and I to join Benedikt on his business trip to Germany and then go on from there to Scotland to see my folks and brother. We were all going anyway the following week to Mark's wedding, so it was just a very cool way for me to spend more than the original 5 days there. So I got my seat in the morning of the 24th and flew that evening! It was a little bit hectic getting everything sorted for Nicolas and I but having just been to Germany 3 weeks prior, all the things to pack were still fresh in my mind. What jet setters we are! So we stayed with Nina (Benedikts sister) and Thomas in Munich for 2 nights which was very cool.
And Benedikt's parents met us there. They had quality time with Nico while we went off to Munich on the Friday and shopped up a storm. Wow, that city is AMAZING. SOoooooooooooo futuristic. Free wifi everywhere, a seriously cool apple shop, huge shoe stores where the staff all have mike's and ear phones and amazingly big sports stores with EVERYTHING in them - all the latest running shoes and cycling clothes. 
In the afternoon we went and swam in this cool lake nearby Nina an Thomas, although it was very odd as it was next to a construction site. Germans swim anywhere. And sunbathe on anything. At least they were all wearing clothes. So Benedikt left early on the Saturday morning and I hung round with Nina, Irene and Heinz until it was time to take Nico and I to catch our flight to Edinburgh. That turned out to be a bit of a palaver as our beautiful new buggy was missing a piece (presumably lost by the airline from Nairobi) and I was left to carry my massive suitcase, plus buggy, plus hand luggage and Nicolas! Impossible! Heinz and Irene were great though and helped me through to passport control. It was my first time flying with Nicolas alone and I was asked twice to prove that he was my child because our surnames are different! Luckily his clever efficient german father had given me a copy of his passport and we were allowed through.
I had two lovely russian sluts next to me on the plane who were fantastic with Nico, plus I went to the front a lot where he pulled another little boy's hair... so it was an easy 2 hour flight.
And yay, Granny and Grandpa picked us up in Edinburgh! I was SOOooooooooooooooooooo happy to see my parents. They had been in Edinburgh for the festival so it all worked out really well. We packed the car (the first of many stuffed car trips) and drove across Scotland to Troon which is where my brother currently lives. The 2 hour drive was lovely - Scotland is such a pretty country. I had been there before but only as a little girl so it doesn't count. We put Nicolas to bed AS SOON as we got to Marks, it was Nico's latest night to date: 9pm. Also the first of a few late nights on this trip. Poor little guy. Although he handled it all so well, as long as I was around he was happy. (Read: he was ultra clingy)It was funny arriving at Marks though as we were attacked by a long board as we entered, then restricted by a kayak when trying to move the cot (which Nicola had very kindly bought for us), then had to rummage through loads of kit laden cupboards in an effort to find towels and sheets!
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So Mark is based in Troon which is south Glasgow on the west coast of Scotland. He is there in total for 2 years while he works as a search and rescue pilot for the navy. He is LOVING his job and his (council) flat. Its RIGHT on the beach... which for Mark is just ideal. He LOVES water sports and he loves WINDY water sports, so the fact that he can just walk out of his from door and go kite surfing is just the bees knees for him |  |
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So next up was Glentress - a mountain biking Mecca that is well known throughout the world for its amazing trails through beautiful forests and up and down mountains.
We stayed in these unique wigwams for the next two nights. I'd bought the cot with me and the baby bath and booster seat, so all was good in Nico land. As soon as we got there I put Nico to bed and Mark, Sarah, Adam and I went off for a ride while Nicola watched Nicolas. (How often do I type those 2 names incorrectly?!) It was sublime riding and that was only the nearby blue route we did. Unfortunately it was getting dark and cold so we called it a night after an hour. Adam and Sarah are separate friends of Nicola's. Adam is an adventure racing, triathlete, dubai adventure sports leader, cool dude of note. While Sarah is an army doctor and triathlete and also has a little boy. The 3 of us hit it off straight away. Which was a good thing because we spent a lot of time together during the next days! 
Mark and Nicola had to keep dashing off to do wedding errands, so we ran the wigwam camp as people came and went. I enjoyed every minute of being with Nicolas full time and loved how our bond grew even deeper. But boy was I envious of the others going off riding all day in that amazing place. Mark looked after a very unhappy Nico for me in the morning while I went on a cool ride with Adam and Sarah although I cut it short as I knew Mark would not be enjoying his screaming! Poor little boy was just upset because he was in a new place (every few days) and was surrounded by new people. All very overwhelming for a 1 year old I'm sure.  |  |
On the Thursday the stags arrived for the first part of Mark's stag do. Apparently a lot of them had their best riding ever that day. Feeding off each others energy and just enjoying the flowing, challenging riding. A perfect day for a sporty stag!
Us hens packed the car, again totally jam packed, with King Nico in his seat then set off to Edinburgh city centre via the evening restaurant to drop off booze. It was Nicola's fun fun fun hen party that day and night - but more on that in next weeks blog entry
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