Saturday afternoon- Puppysitting

Last Saturday- after having brunch with Hannah at Urban Angel where we sat outside snuggled in their blankets and watched the world go by. We walked back down to Stockbridge where we met my Mum and got a coffee to go (so much caffeine!) we then walked along and met Becky and Dougie who were puppy-sitting for our friend Stuart and Vicki, who were at a wedding.

Samson is so cute and growing very fast!

Dougie and Bex had a good run round Raeburn Place (where Nathan usually plays rugby) to tire Samson out. By the time we got there he was pretty exhausted and ready for some snoozes!

Becky, Mum and I with a tired Samson.

When I saw this photo back on my camera the next day it made me very upset. From now on there is only the 3 of us girls left. No Dad. No 4th person in our photograph- in our life.

It is a pretty picture though and we look nice and summery. It was a really nice afternoon so I thought better to remember it and cherish what we do have.

Saturday 26th- Conor's Birthday

I love these two together- they are so good together.

On Saturday 26th Hillary organized a 30th Birthday party for Conor. It was held in Ghillie Dhu in Edinburgh which has just recently been done out. It was a lot of fun and was great to go to a new place.

Ghillie Dhu bases it's self on a traditional Scottish pub but is also a live entertainment venue. On the Saturday night after 10.30 there was a live band so we were all up having a dance- it was great fun.

(I don't have pics of everyone and am sadly missing Becky who looked stunning in her new black and white dress that she had been hunting for a while- she found it that day in the sales! Bonus!)

It was good to see Ramen and Fiona, Emily and Paul and to have a giggle with Becky and Dougie... and of course meet Conor's family and friends, some of whom we had met before.

Dougie, Ramen and Fiona.

Hillary, Fiona and I (we all used to work in the same pub together at Uni- small world!)

Paul and Emily. Emily went to school with Hillary.

Nathan and I in Ghillie Dhu

Hills and Conor just make me laugh!

Sooo cute!

RSNO Summer Pops

Although the last few weeks have been very difficult they have not been without enjoyment.

We knew Dad was ill but had no idea that he would pass away when he did so it came as a shock.

After visiting him in the afternoon of Sunday the 13th of June I came back to our house where Nathan and I hosted Ed and Wendy for dinner. Nathan had cooked a great Sunday roast, which was very tasty.

Nathan had signed up for free tickets for one of the RSNO (Royal Scottish National Orchestra) summer concerts. So after dinner we hot footed it to the Usher Hall for their New York, New York programme. It was brilliant and the conductor was fantastic.

It made for such a different Sunday evening.

Nathan, Wendy and Ed at our table at the front of the stalls.

The music that was played included bluesy Gershwin and jazzy Ellington (Caravan, The C Jam Blues, It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) and Bernstein’s classic show-tunes from On The Town.

At one point I thought to myself that Dad would have really enjoyed the evening and perhaps we could invite him to another of the events they were holding this summer- but it wasn't to be.

Nathan did however secure free tickets for 2 other events over the 2 weeks of the 'pops' season. He couldn't attend the one on the Thursday night so instead Hannah, Corinne, Zara and myself made it a girls night and we went to see the Britain’s Top of the Pops concert on the 24th of June. 

It was really good fun and was just what I needed. The music was from Bond to The Beatles…via Elgar and Walton. We enjoyed famous marches, romantic classics and the pick of the pops from the silver screen. They played the beautiful Londonderry Air, Arnold’s Scottish Dances, Jupiter from Holst’s Planets and had a great Best of Bond medley.

The last event was the RSNO Scottish Prom on  Sunday 27 June 7:30pm. We took Nathan's Mum and Dad, who kindly treated us to dinner before the concert.

Percussion virtuoso Dame Evelyn Glennie joined the Orchestra, RSNO Chorus and Neilston Pipe Band for an evening of classics which I recognised a few of.

I really enjoyed the American conductor Jeff Tyzik who was a great guide for these concerts. He explained everything so well and even made sure you learnt what instrument played which key sections. It was really good and I hope they do something similar again soon.

Lily runs the 10k Race for Life

Back on the 13th of June Nathan and I went to Holyrood Park to support Nathan's Mum, Lily who was one of the thousands of women running the 'Race For Life'. Lily was taking part in the 10k which is no small task when you have to run up part of Arthur's Seat!

The start line in the Queen's Park in Holyrood Park at 10.30am.

Nathan and I cycled down to the Park and then after we saw Lily off we went with Nathan's Dad, Neil to Foodies at Holyrood for a coffee and a bite to eat.

Lily on the home straight!

Crossing the finish line!

She did really well and we were there to cheer her on as she crossed the finish line.

Lily and one of her fellow Body Attack gym classmates with their medals. There were a number of them from the class who ran the race.

Neil and Lily- Nathan's parents after Lily had completed the 10k race for life.

Flowers and Cards from Friends

In the last few weeks I have been so thankful for my sister- who is doing an amazing job sorting through a lot of Dad's affairs. We have smiled as we remembered our camping trips when we were younger and the person that my Dad was. This past weekend was difficult and it is starting to sink in. He's not coming back. 

I have also been so grateful for good friends and Nathan and I have been busy over the last few weekends- more on that later. My Dad was always dismissive of his cancer and never let it stop him living life so Becky and I are keen to honour him and continue with our lives whilst still respecting his memory. 

 Beautiful Peonies from Amber in London

Friends have sent texts, cards, e-mails, facebook messages, phoned, met up for coffee, walked with me, chatted- you name it they have been there. Even from the States and Australia.

I have also loved receiving flowers and the top and bottom photo just proves how much my friends listen to me. Peonies are my favourite flowers and two friends sent me exactly these flowers as a comfort.... and they certainly were.

The photo below is of the beautiful flowers that Nathan's Mum gave me. They smelt amazing and looked fantastic.

Flowers from Lily.

Gorgeous Peonies from Carine that were sent to my work. 

Thank you to everyone for all your support and time. I am so thankful for good friends. Each one of you has helped me in the last few weeks. x

Evening News article.

This morning the receptionist in our office brought in a copy of last nights Evening News where my Dad's obituary was picked up and printed in the Real Lives section. 

I am pleased that this article appeared in the Evening News as I know a lot of my older relatives buy this paper.

We now have a lovely collection of 4 articles to keep and show to our children  in the future so they know the respect and regard that people had for my Dad. He has left a strong legacy. 

More Press for my lovely Dad.

It has been such a lovely honour to have seen Dad's Obituaries in the newspapers. The same writing (with a slightly different edit) appeared in the Herald yesterday, with a lovely smiley photo of him. It was the same photo as the Scotsman article. To see the online version click here. 

And today his friend Graham wrote a nice peice in the Scotsman about the work my Dad did for the Scottish National Photography Centre. To read Graham's appreciation please click here.