Note: This is a scheduled post of our Summer Holidays in Scotland (9th to 25th September, 2022)
After a long day the day before, but feeling not too frazzled as we had AJ driving us around Falkirk and warming us up with a bit of Scottish gossip and history. AJ is a Scottish Borderer (originally from Kelso). Our Day Tour to the Scottish Highlands the next day was shepherded by a Glaswegian (Lowlander) who knew the Scottish Highlands like a Highlander but he introduced himself as an ‘Outlander’ 😅
We were up early for breakfast and left the hotel on foot to the bus terminal at Queen Street where the Rabbie’s Coach awaited us on Stance 2-3.
Glasgow Queen Street Bus Terminal
Being one of first to enter the Coach, we took the very front seats just behind the driver’s cockpit separated by a plexiglass that became our “mirror” for the entire day 😂
Reflection from the Plexiglass
Our Coach departed from Glasgow Queen Street bus terminal at exactly 08:00. Stuart Hunter was our bubbly and animated Glaswegian guide who talked non-stop, telling us stories and legends of the Scottish Highlands and Highlanders. His Glaswegian accent was the icing on the cake. Loved it!
Rabbie’s Day Tour package to the Highlands – Glencoe, Loch Ness, Loch Lomond
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomond!
I really loved the song when I first heard it many moons ago when Music was one of the many subjects I had to take during my lower secondary school. I didn’t know the story behind the song, let alone, the origin of the song. When Stuart said, “Our next stop is Loch Lomond¨ and then he asked, ΅Does anyone know this song – On the bonnie, bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomond?”. Awkward, but true, I was the only one on the Coach who knew that song. ☺️
Stuart played the 1997 live version at Stirling Castle performed by the Scottish Celtic band, Runrig. I happily lip-synched to the song while recalling my nerve-racking 13-year old me playing the recorder with Mrs Majoribanks listening on. Lol!
Loch Lomond
By the way, Loch is the Scottish Gaelic word for lake or sea inlet.
Glencoe
It was 10:17 on a lovely 14C morning. We passed many breathtaking landscapes and backdrops of the lochs (lakes), bens (mountains) and glens (valleys) on the way before Stuart stopped the Coach with a dramatic landscape in front of us. Stuart reminded us of the 1969 Bond film with Sean Connery, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, when Bond reveals that his father is from Glencoe! In “Skyfall”, with Daniel Craig as 007, he returns to his Scottish roots to his childhood home, hence the stop of the view of Glen Etive. Glad to be part of an unpremeditated quest for the Bond trail 😜
Glen Etive near Glencoe, the childhood home of Ian Fleming’s 007 Agent, Bond
Magical Harry Potter locations
Scotland is home to many locations from the Harry Potter films. The majestic Glencoe was used for various outdoor scenes: The Goblet of Fire, The Order of the Phoenix, The Half Blood Prince and The Prisoner of Azkaban.
With only 10 minutes to snap our breath away, I managed to get some photos of Glencoe. It’s the short and sweet stop that made our trip worth the while. The leg-stretching did us good and the toilet stops, of course 🙂
Glencoe
Loch Ness
Everyone was looking forward to meeting Nessie, if she’s (still) there. Loch Ness is one of the most touristic locations of the Scottish Highlands as can be seen even before crossing the barrier to Fort Augustus.
Entering Fort Augustus
Fort Augustus was our main stop for the day where we had our lunch at the Caledonian Canal Brasserie.
Highland Burger at Caledonian Canal Centre Café, Fort Augustus
The quest for Nessie was on, but where’s Nessie?
All we saw were enchanted looking houses along the Ness with boats and yachts berthing at the pier waiting to attract gullible travellers.
Loch Ness Cruise on the Caledonian Canal and the village of Fort Augustus
The Ness walk did us good so we were not complaining. It was a lovely walk to the mouth of the lake where I thought I spotted Nessie’s shadow. Can you spot her? 😉
Loch Ness, Fort Augustus
Nessie’s nest
Two hours at Loch Ness in the settlement of Fort Augustus went by in the wink of an eye. But what I was eyeing for most was to have a closed up view of the almost dwindled breed of rustic herds, the Highland Cows (or Heilan/Hielen/ Heeland Coos). They’re easily distinguished from their long horns and long wavy woolly coats. The hair gives protection during the cold winter in the Scottish Highlands. Don’t they look cuddly?
The Highland Cows
The reddish brown breed of the Heeland Coo
The usual coat colour is reddish brown with ca 60% of the population, while the rest are either pale silver, brindle or black. I have not seen the black Heilan Coo. Better luck next time?
Friendly, cuddly Highland Cows 😊
Today’s rain is tomorrow’s Whisky
“This is an old Scots saying that expresses innate optimism”, says Stuart.
What proper timing when we stopped at Pitlochry, best known for the whisky distilleries. There are 2 in Pitlochry, one of which produces Edradour. I didn’t have the real thing but the Edradour Highland Single Malt whisky ice cream at £3.30 for one scoop, was to die for.
Edradour Highland Single Malt whisky ice-cream bought at Scotch Corner in Pitlochry
There are many whisky distilleries in Scotland, but none of them are the same. Every distillery has its own colourful history and unique setting.
Welcome to the land of Whisky 🥃
Homeward Bound
Time to leave the Highlands of Scotland for the Lowland. We arrived at Glasgow Queen Street Bus Terminal at 20:30. It was dark and chilly. A good night’s rest was very much anticipated.
Zzzzzz…
Until a brand new day with a speck of Royalty😉
Homeward bound from the rugged Highlands to the rolling green pastures of the Lowlands
Note: This is a scheduled post of our Summer Holidays in Scotland (9th to 25th September, 2022)
<<< Flashback …
Ringgggg…
I received a call from someone in Scotland, someone I have not met for more than a quarter of a century! It’s great to touch base again. It’s been too long.
The caller had this to say ,”When you decide what time you plan to take the train, let us know.”
>>> Fastforward >>>
Hmmm… who was the mystery caller with a UK number calling me in the hotel room? 🤔
Apparently the mystery caller and I have been WhatsApping for a while. When I told her in June that M and I were going to Scotland in September, she wrote, “We could try to meet up”
MY moved to Scotland more than a decade ago to be with her true love 💕
Well, the last time I met MY in the flesh was back in 1995. We were colleagues back in Kuching. Not only were we colleagues, MY is my maternal cousin! Yup, it’s a small world after all 😀
ScotRail and THAT unforgettable stop!
“Remember to take the train from Glasgow Queen Street and NOT Glasgow Central to Falkirk High”. This reminder was crucial to newbies like us, as it did make a difference where we had to travel within Scotland via ScotRail.
Glasgow Queen Street Station
We took the 10:00 train from Glasgow Queen Street Station to Falkirk High (towards Edinburgh). Falkirk is mid-way between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Our ETA was 10:21.
Waiting for the 10 am train to Falkirk High at Queen Street Station
I was so engrossed watching out for the time that as soon as the train stopped at a station at 10:17, we didn’t budge immediately until M saw “Falkirk High” from his side of the window. We got up from our seats and rushed to open the door, but to no avail. The door was fastened tightly and guess what? The train started moving and I saw MY pacing up and down the station platform hoping to see familiar faces to alight. She was not aware we were in the moving train. Alas, it was too late. Yup, we missed our stop!
I immediately texted MY.
“We stopped at Falkirk High, but the door didn’t open for us. I’ve no clue where we are. What do I do now?” Oh shucks! MY didn’t read my messages!
“Where to stop? Please advise. We’re stuck on the train heading for Edinburgh”. Still, no reply. So, we did the best thing we could by stopping at the next station, Polmont. I googled the place, it was about 8 km from Falkirk High and a 10-min drive.
Polmont Station
After a quick call to MY, all was solved. We finally met MY and AJ in their red Ford. Phew!
It was lovely listening to a real Scottish accent for a change. AJ drove us to North Queensferry Station and bought us tickets to experience a brief train ride on the Forth Rail Bridge (Red steel bridge). Completed in 1890, it is considered a symbol of Scotland, having been voted Scotland’s greatest man-made wonder in 2016, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
North Queensferry Station with the lovely mural of the Forth Rail Bridge
With MY at North Queensferry. The Forth Rail Bridge can be seen in the distant background
Overlooking the Red Bridge are the ‘newer’ suspension bridges, the Forth Road Bridge (1964) and the Queensferry Crossing (2017).
View of the Queensferry Crossing and the Forth Road Bridge from Forth Rail Bridge
By the way, the Queensferry Crossing had appeared on television the entire day on 11th September, 2022 on a worldwide scale as that was the last journey of the late Queen Elizabeth II when her casket was carried en route from Balmoral Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh. Glad to have experienced a part of the soon-to-be-history during our holidays.
A short drive to South Queensferry sealed the deal with the breathtaking view of the 3 bridges running parallel with each other.
Intersecting view of the Forth Rail Bridge (1890) and the Queensferry Crossing (2017)
With such lovely sunny weather, we couldn’t resist some Scottish ice-cream. The artisanal ice-cream made using grass-fed cow’s milk was exquisite.
Dessert before Main 😅
The Dutch Inn
Coming to Scotland is not complete without trying haggis. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, that’s for sure, but I was game for new things, especially foods! Ha ha …
The Dutch Inn, Falkirk
The Chicken Highlander (stuffed with haggis) and the Sticky Toffee Pudding combined were the pièces de résistance of the day. It was pure indulgence 🤪
Chicken Highlander (Chicken breast stuffed with haggis served with Drambuie sauce, vegetables and fries) and Sticky Toffee Pudding
I was curious about the name of the restaurant, “Dutch Inn” and then I saw Belgian Waffle on the menu card (that’s why …). MY had that and she loved it.
Belgian Waffle, or to be precise, Lèige Waffle 😉
The Kelpies
When MY and AJ asked me what I wanted to see while in Falkirk, I said, “I come to Scotland with an open mind. Bring me to places that will trigger my memory for a long time, ie, somewhere or something I can remember Falkirk by.” AJ knew exactly where he would bring us – The Kelpies!
The Kelpies is a 30-metre high horse head sculpture depicting kelpies (shape-shifting water spirits). The name reflected the mythological transformation beasts possessing the strength and endurance of ten horses; a quality that is analogous with the transformational change and endurance of Scotland’s inland waterways.
The Kelpies
With MY (ex colleague and cousin). Memories are made of this
The Helix Park is home of The Kelpies and The Kelpies have transformed the area into a 5-star tourist destination. The park was an amazing space, literally and figuratively speaking.
Helix Park, Falkirk
The Falkirk Wheel
It would have been great if we had arrived on time to experience a boat trip of a lifetime rotated by the Falkirk Wheel. Alas, we were a boat too late, however, we managed to watch the Wheel lifting / raising the last incoming boat. Impressive!
The majestic Falkirk Wheel in action …
The Falkirk Wheel is the only rotating boat lift of its kind in the world. Although we didn’t get to experience the lift, it was awesome just watching the Wheel turning.
The Falkirk Wheel
Stirling Castle
We hit the road heading for one of the most popular Castles in Scotland where a string of Hollywood movies and Netflix series were shot: Game of Thrones, Outlander, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, just to name a few.
Stirling Castle taken from AJ’s car
Oops! Late again. We reached the parking lot of Stirling Castle at 17:45, a bit too late as the last entry into the Castle was 17:15.
Stirling Castle entrance notice
Stirling Castle taken from the parking lot
The inside of the Castle would be great, but what we saw outside of the Castle was enriching in itself. Each landmark and statue tells a story.
Statue of Argyll and Sutherland Highlander soldier from the Boer War
The Star Pyramid, aka Salem Rock is a massive sandstone, ashlar pyramid dominating the area below the Stirling Castle beside the Old Town Cemetery. The Pyramid is dedicated to all those who suffered martyrdom in the cause of civil and religious liberty in Scotland.
Star Pyramid aka Salem Rock situated just below Stirling Castle
The statue of Robert the Bruce on the esplanade at Stirling Castle looking out at the William Wallace Memorial was captivating. King Robert I was one of the most renowned warriors of his generation. He led Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against England and fought successfully to regain Scotland’s place as an Independent kingdom. Robert is now revered in Scotland as a national hero. Now I understand why the Scottish people are craving for independence post Brexit
Statue of Robert the Bruce
Stirling Castle was also the childhood home of Mary, Queen of Scots and it was there that William Wallace’s Braveheart speech: “Freedom!” was filmed, portrayed by Mel Gibson
William Wallace aka Braveheart’s “Freedom” speech played by Mel Gibson was shot on the compound of Stirling Castle
Homeward bound …
It was a fulfilling day spent with AJ and MY. We would not have thought of going for that short train ride on the Forth Rail Bridge to watch the historical Queensferry Crossing that marked the last journey of QEII. We would not have thought of visiting the mythological horse head sculpture or watching the raising and lifting of boats powered by the majestic Wheel. Thanks MY and AJ 🤗
We headed back to Glasgow from Falkirk High. It was 20:00, cold and dark when we reached Glasgow Queen Street.
An early next day start awaited us for another full Day Tour of the Highlands with the many lochs, bens, glens and coos.
Note: This is a scheduled post of our Summer Holidays in Scotland (9th to 25th September, 2022)
We wanted a different holiday and we got just that.
From our countless trips to the land of lavender fields, wines, quaint hilltop medieval villages, daily Provençale markets, artisanal breads and luscious pastries to the land of whisky, ringing bagpipes, kilts, bold tartans, castles, highlands and haggis! What a trade-off, and an enriching one at that 😬
We had arrived at Glasgow Central on schedule at 07:20 via the Caledonian Sleeper, a 7-hour “hotel-experience-on-rail” journey from London Euston. Being sleep deprived the past 24 hours, we trudged the streets of Glasgow googling our way to the hotel that was to be our accommodation for the next 7 days.
Maldron Hotel on Renfrew Street
We reached Maldron Hotel, but shucks, it was way too early to check in at 07:59. Another 7 hours to go before we could get that much-needed snooze…
We left our luggage at the hotel and started roaming the streets of Glasgow walking on different terrains: cobblestones, turfs, earths, tarred roads, cemented pathways and crossing overhead bridges. Our first accidental stop was Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum via Kelvingrove Park.
Kelvingrove Park
Direction Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum
Every picture tells a story … if you know how to read it
The Museum was a great find with everything Scottish from Charles Renmie Mackintosh to The Glasgow Boys.
We stayed in the Museum while waiting for the Daily Organ Concert, a solo performance by a locally known organist. The opening recital of ‘God save the King’ was appropriately performed while savouring the classic Victoria Sandwich (Sponge) Cake, the way Queen Victoria would have enjoyed her cake 😊
Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Glasgow
By the way, I was glad we had the Victoria Sponge Cake because there was more walking to do before I could snug in my comfy bed. At that moment, I felt like a headless chicken, with our totally impromptu schedules plodding our way through the woods until we chanced upon two of Scotland’s top Universities.
We felt like students again, ambling our way around the University compound and the University shop. After all, it was the Universities’ Open Days.
University of Glasgow
University of Strathclyde
Road to Nightmare
The walk back to our hotel seemed eternal.
Long hilly roads in Glasgow
When we finally reached the hotel at 15:33, we checked into Room 1208, the topmost floor but only to find out that there was ZERO WiFi connection. Anyway, we were too tired for anything digital that evening after the insomniac journey on the Caledonian Sleeper.
With the Queen’s recent passing, all that was seen on the TV were live coverage of the Queen’s death.
When the live broadcast from Buckingham Palace announced: “The Queen’s funeral will take place on Monday, 19th September”, this didn’t go well with our holiday plans, as Monday, 19th September was THE day I was looking forward to: the much-awaited day trip to the Isle of Skye and the Eilean Donan Castle.
True enough, M received an email the next day that our Day Tour scheduled on Monday, 19th September to the Isle of Skye and the Eilean Donan Castle was cancelled by the Tour Agency.
Oh no!!!
With so much happening the past 24 hours – lack of sleep, the long and winding impromptu trails around Glasgow, the ZERO WiFi connection in our room and the distressing news about the cancellation of our pre-booked Day Tour. Well, what can I say, but it’s clearly NOT a great start to our Scottish holiday.
Note: This is a scheduled post of our Summer Holidays in Scotland (9th to 25th September, 2022)
Breaking News … Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96 in Balmoral, Scotland according to Buckingham Palace.
It was 18:30 on 8th Sept, 2022. I was busy packing for our maiden 15-day trip to Scotland and was very excited at the prospect of the trip especially when hubby and I had been planning – and fingers crossing – for a seamless vacation 3 months prior. The news of the Queen’s death, although sadly received, jolted a surge of anxiety.
We’re to leave for Scotland the next day. The first thing that came to mind was, “what will become of our holidays?”
It’s All About … Trains and Stations in one Evening!
It’s Friday, 9th Sept, M and I left the house at 15:00 for our train journey from Leuven to Brussels South Station. There was a large congregation of people at the station, more precisely, holiday-makers waiting for the check-in turnstile to open to board the Eurostar to London St Pancras International.
Boarding the Eurostar at Brussels South Station to London St Pancras International
Our ETD was 18:52. A serene arrival awaited us at London St Pancras International as we saw frames after frames of photos and posters in the Underground, shops, streets – practically in every nook and cranny – of the late Monarch, QEII.
Remembering the late QEII. R.I.P Ma’am
From London St Pancras International, we took the Underground at King’s Cross to London Euston Station.
King’s Cross is just one stop from London St Pancras International
London Euston is the southern terminus of the West Coast Main Line. It’s a gateway from London to popular destinations like Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
It’s been almost 6 hours since we left Flanders and we’d been IN and OUT of train stations and we had not yet arrived at our final destination. We still had to board our last and final train to Glasgow with an ETD of 23:50 ! Thank goodness the open space at London Euston Station was a breath of fresh air, literally speaking.
The open space at London Euston with nearby shops and restaurants
While our best buddy is our cellphone when time passes by at snail speed, dining in at Nando’s seemed to get the clock ticking at supersonic speed.
Late dinner at Nando’s London Euston
It was a short and quick dinner but it ticked the box of passing our time idly while waiting for our most long awaited Sleeper Train.
The Caledonian Sleeper Lowlander: London Euston to Glasgow Central
Le moment suprême est arrivé! This was the moment we were looking forward to. Our first experience in a Sleeper Train. How cool was that … 🤔
The Caledonian Sleeper is a gateway of overnight rail service with the comfort of travelling between London and Scotland. I bet most Scottish and English travellers have used this mode of commutation, but the level of comfort is subjective …
By the way, there are 2 routes, (1) the Caledonian Sleeper Highlander route that runs between London Euston to the Highlands of Fort Williams, Inverness and Aberdeen and (2) the Caledonian Sleeper Lowlander route that runs between London Euston and Glasgow Central or Edinburgh Waverley.
We took the Lowlander route to Glasgow for approximately 7 hours journey.
First impression? Very impressive, indeed. Very long train with split coaches that carry passengers to Edinburgh and Glasgow. It’s critical that passengers board the right coach either Edinburgh or Glasgow because the train will ‘split’ at a certain point of time in the wee hours of the morning. Be warned that you do not wake up in the wrong city 😅
The Caledonian Sleeper Lowlander.
We boarded coach K heading for Glasgow Central Station.
The Caledonian Sleeper Lowlander: London Euston to Glasgow Central. Our Coach number was K2 (Club Room)
While the exterior was impressive, the interior was “What?!” Super narrow corridor. That was my first impression. Ha ha ..
The one-person corridor
We had the Club Room with an en-suite bathroom and shower inclusive of breakfast. Not going to lie, the room was tiny with bunk beds, a small sink or washbasin with a hidden foldable table under the sink that could be pulled out making the room very KonMari.
Club Room – A hotel experience on board the Caledonian Sleeper
The first task we had to fulfil upon checking in was to place our orders for breakfast and indicate our preferred time of room service. Since we would be arriving in Glasgow at 07:20, we had no choice but to have an early breakfast at 06:00. We could have ordered a traditional Scottish breakfast of Haggis, sausage, baked beans, tatties, tomatoes, mushrooms and toast, but my 6 am tummy says “No can do!” It’s a shame because I would love to try the Haggis brekkie 😀
Instead, we ordered (room service) the Muesli Yoghurt, Orange juice, and coffee/tea. My tummy was still digesting from the Nando’s grilled chicken some 8 hours earlier …
Our 6 am room service breakfast
Claustrophobia?
Hmmm … our first experience walking into a compact travel capsule. I won’t say it’s a minimalist way of travel at all, because we had the ‘comfort’ of a hotel experience on rail, however, I will not recommend anyone who has claustrophobia to travel with the Sleeper.
I slept on the lower bunk with a view of the ladder to the upper bunk, a tiny washbasin, a window and the door leading to the ensuite toilet cum shower.
The view from my bed facing the little window above the washbasin/ foldable table and the en-suite toilet and shower aka our cosy Club Room 😜
The toilet is a shower room as well. When the cover is lifted, it’s a toilet complete with a toilet roll and flush. When the cover comes down, the space becomes a shower. Cool innit?
Toilet cum Shower in the Club Room
Freebies and Creepy-Crawlies
The Club Room included Scottish freebies of hand and body lotion, conditioning shampoo, hand and body wash and a bottle of pillow spray! There’s also a sleep kit containing ear plugs and eye masks.
Complimentary sleep kit including Scottish toiletries
Due to time constraint, we didn’t use any of the items except for the hand and body wash and the pillow spray. In hindsight, I should have sprayed the entire bed! To be honest, I could not sleep a wink despite how tired I was. Felt some creepy-crawlies were sharing my bed the entire night. I was so awake that I counted the Sleeper stopped 3 times. The first stop was for half an hour from 02:17 to 02:47. My guess was that the Coaches to Edinburgh splitted ways. The subsequent 2 stops were shorter for a 10-minute stop each.
Glasgow
A peek out of the window looked promising with acres of green pastures and mountains. I was looking forward to my Scottish experience already 😉
Looking forward to the next days …
The Sleeper arrived on time at 07:20 at Glasgow Central. It’s only then I realised we were in the UK listening to another level of the English ….ooops, sorry, Scottish or Glaswegian language and accents. Time for us to bring our ears closer to the speaker’s mouth. Ha ha ..
As we sang the Auld Lang Syne, clinked champagne flutes with the sounds and flares of the fireworks in the skies and bade farewell to 31st December, 2019, we had zero notion what would await us all at the turn of the year. Looking back to my 2020, my 365-day page was devoted almost entirely to the big C word that has drifted by with the passing of the 4 seasons (and counting …?)
In retrospect, there is probably one magic word that befits anno 2020: resilience. It is amazing how in the course of a few months we have been tested on our bouncebackability. Our ability of being adaptive and creative have been phenomenal.
Here is a snapshot of my diary of the year 2020 like no other.
Wedding of the Year
2020 could have been the year with a record number of weddings. Without a doubt, it was truly a blessing in disguise when my brother in Canada sent out early wedding invitations in 2019 to meet in Kuching for the wedding of his eldest son. The matrimonial vows were exchanged on 30th January, where families and friends hugged, laughed, shook hands and cried tears of joy. Here’s the write up of the wedding of my nephew and Nanako: Wedding
Wedding of Ivan & Nanako
And then, the invincible invisible enemy crushed all hopes of all planned weddings in 2020. No church weddings, no banquets, no friends or families allowed. It’s gloomy days ahead for a long time.
Traffic Lights
The WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March and lockdowns began in countries around the world. I would not have imagined that the colours of the traffic lights would dictate our way of living, but it had .… uptil now! Teleworking had been the new norm. I have been working from home since mid-March and it has been almost 10 months down the road. It was good at first as I hated the morning rush hours. When the days turned to weeks and then months, WFH seemed like an added chore, a drudgery of sorts. I don’t hate it but I don’t love it either. Let’s just say, it’s growing on me.
I did go back to my office 3 times since our first lockdown in mid-March. Although my office is prepared to have the employees back to the building, however, with the protocol of measures in line with the Fed Government’s, return to office is still not recommended.
Our ‘welcome’ pack
Basement parking for 200+ cars has never been this empty
Creative Minds
For many people, looking back at 2020 is painful and frustrating. Keeping our distance from loved ones, friends and colleagues or not being able to attend a funeral, reunion party, potlucks, film, concert, workshop, meetings all led to isolation, hence a new word is born, “social distancing”. The introverts did not mind that, but definitely not the extroverts!
The corona virus might have taken the centre stage, but 2020 was also a year full of NEW ideas, NEW initiatives, fun and loving moments.
By the way, a surgical mask that cost a few cents became the most sought after item in 2020. When masks were nowhere to be found or sold in pharmacies and supermarkets, people were forced to get creative. YouTube Channels were exploded with tutorials and ideas of “how to make your own mask”. Millions made DIY masks. I was intrigued by the idea but the execution never got off the ground. I still have a bagful of cotton towels, mini sewing kit, filters, elastic band spools, untouched. When I wanted to start making my own mask, we received free masks from our commune, my company and from some friends. Not long after that, surgical masks were once again, allowed to be sold in pharmacies and supermarkets, but no longer at the price we knew pre-Covid.
We were told during the lockdown to stay healthy, to move around the house every so often despite the movement restriction order outdoors. It ain’t easy for the outdoor types, the extroverts. While swimming pools and gyms were closed, the free outdoors became the new ‘fitness centres’ of our world. There’s no stopping walkers, joggers, runners, cyclists working out in the woods and parks daily or weekly. Mind you, bicycles, sports suits, walking/running shoes and dumbbells were hot items in 2020, and pets, Netflix and Airfryer, too!!
And I just had to jump on the bandwagon!
How creative can a human mind be with a bad hair day during lockdown become a norm? When nonessential shops like a hair salon are closed for months, my hair was growing in all directions. YouTube seemed to have read my mind like an open book. Suddenly a video of an interview with George Clooney by Jimmy Kimmel appeared on my recommended feed. It was not just an interview but a surprising confession from the actor that he cuts his own hair … with a vacuum cleaner, aka Flowbee! After checking out all the Flowbee videos, I told my boys, “I want a Flowbee!, too!” Unfortunately, it’s an American product and it’s only available in the States, and they’re all sold out! Helaas!
Instead, I watched my boys having fun cutting each others’ hair while I snipped mine myself blindly …
Short and Crisp
Speaking of YouTube channels, I noticed so many new accounts created since March: all for the sake of entertaining the lockdowners. Some channels made it big in such a short span of time. I love watching musicals, singers and songwriters and one that stood out is a father-and-daughter vocal duo, Mat and Savanna Shaw. Their debut video cover of Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli’s “The Prayer” published in March, garnered 8 million views (and counting), as I write. They have since published global livestream concerts and made their debut Christmas album in less than 10 months of owning a YouTube Channel. And I’m still watching them uploading perfectly harmonious songs. That makes me absolutely happy during this lockdown.
I’m afraid I am not one who has the patience to watch a lengthy movie in one sitting. Give me a good short story of 30 minutes or less at one sitting and I´d binge watch the videos in one night. Omeleto is my favourite pitstop and CGI animated short films is another. JinnyboyTV and Wong Fu Productions published quality videos with great acting and stories that are relatable with Asian values.
Corona Summer
Summer 2020 was unlike any other summer. Airports were deserted. Commercial Planes were not flying, trains were sporadic. Many opted for a trip close to home, famously coined as “Staycation”. It was a hard decision for us, too, cancelling our trip to London via Eurostar. Infact, for ALL of us in these difficult times. We did, however, make a mini trip in September by car. We were very careful, maintaining our distance and adhering to the corona protocol and measures during our entire stay in South France.
Once a popular destination, all were quiet and almost deserted, but it was a much needed break for us. In hindsight, I’m glad we made it…
A picture is worth a thousand words.
Daudet’s Windmill, Fontvielle
Arles
Les Baux de Provence
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Provence
The Pass that Failed
When the Belgian railway company launched the free pass “Hello Belgium” by promoting travel within the country, valid from 5th Oct 2020 for 6 months, I was thrilled. I had bookmarked a trip to Bruges with my son, but hey-ho, it was not meant to be. Belgium was flagged ‘red’ and entered into a stricter 2nd lockdown on 1st Nov when cases surged. There goes my free pass. It failed!
A Cancelled Concert: Despair vs Hope
Perhaps the most disappointing news was the cancelled live tour of my newfound favourite singers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Josh Lee Turner, Carson McKee, Reina del Cid and Toni Lindgren. Their live concert in Belgium in November where my husband and I were supposed to go, was cancelled. So we are reliving their music in our home and keeping our ears and eyes opened for new dates of their live concerts. Fingers crossed!
To keep the live musical theme alive in our home, we are listening to our 2 boys making music, yes, making and singing. Feeling blessed
Counting Bubbles
“Bubble” during this pandemic means social contacts. How many contacts we could have were decided by the Government in alignment with the number of cases locally and regionally. Currently, Belgium allows only 1 cuddle contact (“knuffelcontact”) who does not belong to our own household. This “close contact” implies contact that lasts more than 15 minutes without having to maintain the social distance and wearing a face mask.
As far as I could remember, the number of bubbles in Belgium have been fluctuating like a yo-yo between March to December: from 2 to 4 to 15 and down to 10 and then to 4 and currently, to one lone ranger.
Bustling Kitchen
My kitchen has never been used so much the past 10 months. I was on my toes daily, balancing kitchen activities and office work. It was doable in the initial stage. I was like a duracell bunny hopping around the house with my daily chores and prepping daily meals for my menfolk. It was exhausting, so I thought the right way was to slow down and leave the cooking to either my older son and/or order takeaways.
Here were some snapshots of the memories of my bustling kitchen ideas, savouries and sweets
When I was weary, down and out, I passed the baton on to my older son. Here’s the outcome …
While I am not in the mood to cook, and the older son flashes his white flag, I had to resort to ordering takeaways. Here are the results …
Time will tell
A year in review might suggest that the moments are behind us, but what anno 2020 has shown is the events that will last a lifetime
Both my boys had to follow their University courses online. With lots of patience and determination, my older son graduated with his MSc degree last year. My younger son, on the other hand, is showing signs of losing hope. Hang on there, son. Hope works with Time and Time is capable of understanding how valuable Hope is.
The UK finally exits the EU and Time will tell how and what the future will be
The world stood still, but Time is catching up with us. We experienced a lockdown, felt vulnerable while the virus made a major impact on our daily lives. We had to get used to the new normal and the universal 1.5m social distancing, a word we had never used pre-Covid days. Shaking hands, attending a party, travelling and grabbing a shopping cart have not been the same and Time will tell if we will (ever) get back to our previous norm.
Following a public vote, “Knuffelcontact” has been named Word of the Year by the Van Dale Dutch language experts. The word literally translates to “cuddle contact” or “hug buddy” and refers to a close contact outside of one’s household in alignment to COVID-19 regulations.
The world stood still, but many have enriched their lives by staying healthy, eating right and being closer to their loved ones who are staying apart. It’s just a ZOOM away.
I look forward to the prospect of a new year in which we can see each other in person, give a hug and pass one another in the hallway with a visible smile on our face and a simple “Good Morning”
The fact that our freedom was limited the past year did not make it easy for all of us. But I know, we’ll come out of the rut year stronger than ever before!
Here’s to a Healthy, Happy, Stronger and Safer 2021 and to all Mothers-to-be and Grannies-to-be, enjoy a new Life in your lives. 2021 is one hell of a baby boom year. The Stork is working overtime in the Year of the Metal Ox.
By the way ... 