FUN FILLED FAMILY FROLICS

Day 1 Friday 13th September 2019 The Mexican Stand-off

This is the first Fun-filled Family Frolics blog, but hopefully not the last.

The trip to Inver Lodge, near Braemar has been a long time in the making. There were endless emails setting out all of the where, when, what and even the why. These were completely ignored by many of the participants and the organisers were plagued with messages asking all sorts of questions, the answers to which were already on their phones!

However, the day did arrive and everyone remembered, which was something.

Bob and Sharon, being super efficient and also having nothing better to do with their time, arrived hours before they needed to. They weren't backward in letting everyone know they were at the Lodge and so everyone decided to let them know that they were on the way.

Here are three out of four of the Elders. Not the oldest, just the Elders.

Looking very summery and full of hope, happiness and the expectation for a good time.

On the other hand, here are all the Stewarts, well Ryan and Alastair in the mirror. I'm not sure how Ozzy Osborne got in the car, but was stopping at MacDonald's strictly necessary? Clearly they were a bit nervous about getting a decent meal that night.

Then there were the Williams. Two slightly grey people, a dog we couldn't see and which could not see us, or them. Nor, come to that, could Chris see out of the rear window.

The four McRaes looked really happy to be on the way, although Darren's face was hidden, so you just never know.

Katie and Millie were also on the way, although the whereabouts of Iain and Robbie could only be guessed at. That was true of much of the weekend. They were the last to advise of their departure and they took a bit of a circuitous route, so were last to arrive.

Whilst they were all still packing their cars, children and dogs, we were having a nice leisurely light lunch in Braemar - Spicy parsnip and apple soup and a filled roll. This was to be the start of a marathon eating event. After lunch, it was off to the Lodge to get our car unpacked and a huge amount of stuff placed strategically about the house.

Here is the house, sitting right by the roadside, which is what you would expect of an old Coaching Inn, which is what it was. It was built in 1760, which is quite a while ago. The hotel was flooded in the great floods of 2015 and the building re-opened as a B&B and rental property following refurbishment in the following year.

We've done this sort of thing before, so we headed straight to the bar for a swift one before anyone else arrived. The bar was poorly stocked at this point, but you will notice that the barmaid had managed to find her bottle of gin.

Just as Bob was settling in to his happy place, everyone else began to arrive.

However, it wasn't long before they were all here and taking over the happy place.

Soon the bar was stocked up and the young crowd arrived to take it over.

Elain demonstrated her inability to pour a pint. Most of the rest of her time was spent on the other side of the bar.

Even Cameron was aghast.

Millie, on the other hand, was much more genteel and ladylike.

She also showed off her musical skills, doing a fine duet with Cameron.

It certainly kept Rory amused.

Of course, it wasn't all about drinking in the bar, we were drinking at the dinner table as well.

We had a Tex-Mex meal cooked by Sandra, Chris, Ryan and Jill. They certainly entered into the spirit of the theme, dressing up to serve the Tequila shorts, with salt and lime as well.

Even the children were given some. I think it was non-alcoholic, but some of them did behave a bit oddly afterwards, so who knows?

Elain was horrified by how quickly Jill had managed to grow a moustache.

However, everyone believed it was possible for Sandra to have such a luxurious growth on her top lip.

Lindsay is well known for throwing up after drinking tequila, so nobody was sitting near him.

Chris watched on expectantly.

Down it goes.

Down it stayed, but only just. He's already reaching for the Corona to wash it down for sure.

Sharon, on the other hand, embraced the whole thing, just lapping up the salt.

Down with the tequila in one go.

A bite of lime, just to finish off.

Sandra, in the background, wasn't holding back. Elain looks like she can do this without hesitation, but she is a bit like Lindsay and is expecting to hurl the tequila across the room.

But no, she just manages to keep it down. Sharon is clearly not sympathetic to her plight.

Millie thinks they are all mad.

So does Liam.

Robbie is game for anything, even when Uncle Darren tells him drinking tequila can turn you into a bit of a monster.

Cameron is just astounded by all this mayhem.

Liam and Robbie decide to give it a go.

Robbie says "This is lovely".

Liam - "Aye Right!"

Oh Wow!

Jings! That's rough.

I'll just have another go to be sure.

It is fabulous.

OK, anything you can do...

Hmm, this might just come back up!

We did it, hurrah!

Anything that the pimpy big boys can do, I can do as well.

Me too.

Then the food arrives and some of the craziness abates as people stop drinking and start eating. Very good it was, too.

Katie may not eat meat, but she looks like she could wolf down a baby's leg.

Sharon rescues him.

Just as the meal ends, Chris breaks into one of the Corries greatest hits about lost love over the hills and far away. He soon clears the room.

It was all too much for Georgia!

Once we had all eaten and drunk enough, or too much, we started to play stupid games, which were only marginally less embarrassing than Chris's singing.

Here are some of us trying to get an After Eight mint from our foreheads to our mouths. Success was variable.

I may have fallen asleep at this point.

After all that hilarity and some sensible quiz games and some noisy articulation, it was time for bed and for some, hardly any sleep, not because they weren't tired, but because their children weren't.

Day 2 Saturday 14th September 2019 - Currying flavour.

A cool and breezy day today, but that didn't stop the children getting up at the crack of dawn for some more fun and games.

However, for the discerning gentlemen, there was the much more serious business of a trip to the Royal Lochnagar distillery to get ready for. So, Lindsay prepared everyone a fine breakfast of bacon, sausage and egg rolls after which Bob, Chris, Darren and Iain were ready to take on the world, or at least a whisky or two.

Sandra drove us the short distance to the distillery, which is just round the corner from Balmoral Castle. That closeness was to be the making of the distillery. There had been a distillery on the site since 1824, although that burnt down in mysterious circumstances. The replacement burnt down in 1841! The present "new" distillery was built in 1845. The owner, John Begg hit on the publicity wheeze of asking Prince Albert if he fancied a dram or two in 1848. The next day Albert brought his Missus and three of the kids along, which probably was three people more than John Begg was expecting. However, he got his Royal Warrant that year, which probably didn't do his business any harm at all.

We were on the warehouse tour, which meant we got to miss out the technical 'how whisky is made tour' and went straight to a small and quite dark warehouse. Here were a number of casks of a wide range of whiskies and the smell was quite fabulous.

These whiskies were from different distilleries, but they all belonged to the owners of Royal Lochnagar, Diageo. This whole set up managed to avoid all sorts of tax implications as it was described as being for educational purposes only. Ha-Ha.

Before we could pick which whiskies we would like to try, we had to nose them. We could pick as many as we liked to nose, before settling on two to taste.

Darren was there in a flash!......

........And drew some whisky from a cask of 14 year old Clynelish.

We weren't allowed to try the Millburn, which was a shame. The distillery used to be in Inverness but closed in the 70's when it was then demolished, so it is almost impossible to get any of that whisky these days.

I have some of the stone from the demolished distillery in my back garden walls

Chris took the whisky from the Royal Lochnagar, which was 18 years old. It would have been rude not to try some of the stuff made on the premises.

Our guide Annie, took the whisky away to let it get up to room temperature and took us on a little whistle-stop tour of the distillery. It is very small and makes only 27 casks a week. Once the whisky is in the cask, it is sealed with a bung made from Poplar wood. Even now the bungs are sized in imperial measurements of eighths of an inch.

There are only two stills, which is why they don't make very much whisky.

Soon we were back in a very nice room with 5 glasses in front of us. The glass on the far left had whisky which wasn't whisky in it. This was the stuff that goes into the cask, so it was clear and very strong - over 60%. Annie didn't give us very much of that. She said we should add water, a little at a time, because we couldn't take the water out later.

Next left was the standard 12 year old Royal Lochnagar. None of us had ever tasted that before and it really was very nice. We tried it with a little water - only a little mind, because you can't take it out later as Annie so accurately told us.

Then we got to taste the two whiskies we had taken from the casks. They were a bit stronger than the 12 year old at somewhere above 50%. The consensus was that the Clynelish was the better of the two, but we would not have turned either down. Again it was worth trying them with water and luckily Annie suggested that, but just a little at a time, because you can't take it out later.

This was all very pleasant, but it had to come to an end. In all the distillery tours I've been on the end is the shop. So three of us bought a bottle of the 12 year old Royal Lochnagar and Darren bought some Clynelish. All in all it was a really good tour and we learned a valuable lesson about not putting too much water in whisky.

Happily Sandra was waiting to take us home again.

She had not waited about for us, though, she had, instead, been playing with little children.

While we were suffering at the distillery, Katie and Lindsay were trying to catch up on some sleep in the bar.

They did manage to wake up and go to the kitchen, where the children who were old enough waited impatiently for Karyn and Lindsay to make hot chocolate for them all.

Georgia was so desperate that she was trying to eat the table.

Robbie and Liam were just waiting, not sure what to expect.

When it arrived, they weren't sure what they had received.

It didn't take them long to dig in.

I think they liked it.

Millie preferred a more direct approach.

Georgia's was in the plastic cup, which must have made it a bit difficult to eat the marshmallows.

Katie and Rory didn't have any.

Cameron didn't want any and went outside with Elain to play with Blue, who hadn't seen that there was any chocolate on offer.

As Alastair had missed out as well, Sandra decided to slip him a wee bit of beer.

Then it was time for lunch, so we just had some sandwiches and soup round the kitchen table. Oh, and one or two people had a beer.

Georgia and Millie felt it was time they got to know the rules for Bar Billiards.

Then they thought they should try wrestling as well.

Things were a little boisterous, so Elain made them all sit down with their bunny ears on.

She was explaining the rules for a treasure hunt that they all could play. Turns out that she didn't explain fully enough as there was some dispute among the children about who should win and the game finished rather more quickly than expected.

I found the rules too complicated.

So did Chris and Sandra, so they went to the bar with Alastair who was far too young to understand the rules anyway.

Before we knew it, Ryan was just horsing about.

It was clearly time to get outside before cabin fever set in.

Luckily, Sharon and I had taken boules with us and we had the foresight to pick pairs so that there would be no argument about who was to pay with whom.

Cameron was out like a shot, getting in some practice to try and get a bit of an edge on the other players. In fact that wasn't necessary, to be honest.

Georgia was a bit puzzled by it all.

The first game with Karyn and Ryan against Elain and Millie was not that close. Karyn and Ryan won 2 ends to nil.

A good result considering there was football pitch invasion.

Iain and Georgia were up next against Chris and Sandra. Chris was remarkably casual against such formidable opposition.

Georgia was bowled over by the prospect of playing with Iain that he had to help her to her

feet.

She was a little disoriented by this that she wanted to play in a different direction from everyone else.

Aunty Sharry sorted that out.

It made no difference. Iain and Georgia lost 2 ends to 1.

Once again the winning adults hadn't had it in their hearts to let the little children win.

Talk about competitive.

In fact, Chris dismissed the idea of holding back with a smile and devil may care attitude.

Lindsay and Blue had other ideas.

Katie couldn't look.

Ryan and Jill were distraught for poor Georgia.

Millie decided boules wasn't for her, gymnastics was the thing.

Next was a clash of the Titans. Cameron and Jill were playing against Lindsay and Liam.

Lindsay had even gone to the extent of putting on sports shorts. That's how seriously he was taking this.

Liam had an interesting style!

Jill didn't want to be recognised.

It was all too much for Karyn - should she support her sister or her husband?

In the end, Cameron and Jill won 2 ends to nil, which is what Karyn had been hoping for.

The final quarter finalists were Katie and Sharon against the dream team of Darren and Robbie.

Robbie had been practising with Blue, but that didn't really help.

It was close, but Katie and Sharon beat Darren and their son and first born grandson without the slightest hesitation. The lure of glory was too much for them and an innocent child suffered as a result.

Into the semi-finals and Sandra and Chris were playing Karyn and Ryan.

Karyn was determined to win.

And she did (along with Ryan) by 2 ends to nil.

The other semi-final had Cameron and Jill against Katie and Sharon.

Jill was plainly nervous.

Off they went.

Would Katie and Sharon have pity and let the last remaining child through to the final.

No!

They beat Jill and poor little Cameron 2 ends to 1.

Finally, the Final.

Sharon and Katie against Ryan and Karyn.

Sharon tries to gee the crowd up in her favour.

Elain throws the jack and away they go.

Katie tries hard.

Karyn tries to put Sharon off.

It was tense.

It was full of drama and near things

But, Karyn and Ryan win through in the end by a comfortable 2 ends to nil.

Well done to them.

All this fresh air and exercise was helping to work up an appetite. Luckily Lindsay, Karyn, Iain and Katie were cheffing up curries in the kitchen.

We were soon all sitting at the table waiting for what smelled like a very good dinner.

It wasn't the fastest service around, so we had a bit of time to sit and chat among ourselves.

Rory and I had time to put the world to rights.

Darren and Elain had time to cuddle up.

Chris had time to say Grace as the starters were put on the table.

The wait was worth it though. The curries were really good as was the rice and the naan bread and the sides. The samphire Pakora were fabulous and they were the only thing I took a photo of. Unfortunately, they were all eaten by then!

We kind of had this all the wrong way round. Usually you go to the pub for a few beers and a game of darts and then go for a curry. We went for a game of darts after the curry, when some of us were a bit too full to really move.

The younger element thought it would be fun to pile over the end of one of the sofas.

That seemed to me like raising the risk of sickness or worse, but no, it all turned out OK.

Then it was time for Mr and Mrs - another potential recipe for disaster.

There certainly was plenty of discussion and incredulity at the answers.

Iain lost the will, or maybe the ability, to keep his eyes open

Luckily it was now time for bed and we all went upstairs with a bit of hope in our hearts. We weren't all disappointed, but the children were still less than settled for the whole night.

Day 3 Sunday 15th September 2019 - Buon Compleanno!

A bright and sunny morning this morning, but then again it wouldn't dare rain today because it was Sandra's birthday! It was also Sunday and I had foolishly promised to get up early, take the children downstairs and make them waffles for breakfast.

Robbie and Liam had not forgotten and were waiting on the stairs for me to fulfill that promise.

Going back to bed was not an option.

So, waffles it was for just about everyone.

Meanwhile, Sandra, the birthday girl was doing what she loved the most - a bit of vacuuming. If she had been able to wash some whites, she would have been in seventh heaven.

After breakfast, the older boys went out to play with Ryan.

Darren took Cameron and Blue out for a walk as well.

Darren was clearly as excited as Cameron to be out and about.

Meanwhile the girls were doing what they are best at!!!

The little girls were hiding under the bed to make sure they wouldn't be roped into domestic servitude or forced to play with the boys.

Millie had already decided how the day was going and had dressed up as Snow White!

Well, Sis, how does it feel to be so old?

Oh dear, I think that might have been the wrong thing to say.

Please forgive me.

Oh alright, big Sis. Let's go down the pub.

Elain and Cameron watch on as all this happens and are pleased to find that it turned out alright. Cameron learns an important lesson about women and age.

Katie just keeps her head down.

In preparation for going down the pub, Katie did Elain's nails. Anything Mummy has, Cameron must have, so he got his done too.

Soon they are all ready to go to the Craigendarroch Hotel for some cocktails and chat. I said I would take their photo when they were all ready. That was a mistake.

Elain and Katie were ready first despite being involved in the nail salon a few minutes before.

Where are they all?

Sharon appears next.

Then Sandra and Blue are out.

Blue disappears to look for Jill and Karyn.

He doesn't find them! It is a family trait, this lateness thing, I can assure you of that!

However, they all made it to the pub, even Karyn, who was pretending not to be there by hiding behind Jill. I know they took Alastair and Rory with them, but they seem to have abandoned them in favour of the cocktails.

Oh No! Karyn was there after all, and she found Rory!

Soon he was being passed around. This always happens when a baby is in the company of a number of women.

Back to Karyn.

Jill looks indecently happy not to have Alastair in her arms.

Here he is with Katie!

While they were all living the high life we were having second day curry for lunch, and very good it was too.

The girls all came back, and apart from Jill, they are all a bit light headed. They are soon marshalled into place at the dining table for the presentation of the birthday cake.

Here it comes, preceded by Snow White.

Everyone gathered round.

A bit of help to blow out all these candles.

More help to cut it up and give everyone a piece.

Not forgetting the champagne.

Sparkling orange juice for the children.

The cake is good, apparently.

Jill's not so sure.

As we were all in the one place, we presented the prizes to the winners of the boules - Ryan and Karyn, who were well pleased with their magnificent trophies.

The 5 walking children all got a medal for taking part in their quiz.

All that cake and celebration meant that a bit of a runaround outside would be good before we had to eat again at dinnertime!

Good technique, Cameron.

Start them young!

Even Blue got involved.

The Goalie.

The fall.

The penalty.

Great goal, goes the crowd.

You're my hero, Iain.

Is this how you do the Mexican Wave?

It might have been a goal, but I've got a medal.

Snow White playing frisbee, who would think such a thing could happen.

He still has that old magic, but not the old body shape.

Soon, it was time for dinner again - Italian this time.

Robbie liked it.

Liam was a bit more reserved.

After sunset, we all had some more fun.

More picture quizzes. Here are Sandra and Karyn arguing about Old English Sheepdogs - it was a Bearded Collie anyway.

It wasn't Australia it was the US, but that was a different table.

Darren and Elain quickly found Australia, sorry the USA.

Katie and Lindsay trying to remember cartoon dogs. I don't think they had a Scooby Doo.

Jill should have been answering questions about bands with her partner, Chris, but he had disappeared.

Oh! Here he is! He still didn't have a clue when he got back.

Iain and Ryan were pretty good at guessing the chocolate bars. So good in fact, they won the prize.

Then it was into the bar for more drinks and darts before bed and an early rise tomorrow before we all had to go home.

Day 4 Monday 16th September 2019 - Homecoming

Up early today - we were trying to be out of the house by ten. Get the children fed first!

I think Liam likes croissants and chocolate spread.

Yep, I'm sure he does.

Just time for a group photo before Jill, Ryan and Alastair had to shoot off.

Once we were all tidied up and the remaining food was divided up, it was time to say our farewells. We all headed off for our own homes after a great weekend which I'm sure everybody enjoyed. Hopefully, we will do it again.

But! This is not the end.

Oh no. Sharon and I are retired. No need to rush home to get stuff ready for work or school. No we could stop off on the way, so we did.

Who could resist having a closer look at something as dramatic as this?

This was Corgarff Castle, built in the 1500's and occupied by redcoats after the Battle of Culloden in 1745.

The redcoats were responsible for the star shaped defensive wall around the tower house, but as the Jacobites were all slaughtered at Culloden, these defenses were not tested.