2020 to 2029

Memories - 2020

Ewan came back mid February. This was meant to be for two or three weeks until he and Zainab headed to China for their new teaching jobs. Then coronavirus happened! They could not get to China or anywhere else for that matter. They are applying for jobs in Asia and Europe. Neil came up from London for a week and we had ‘second Christmas’ and Merle’s birthday together. Gifts were exchanged, nice food was consumed and there was much merriment and banter.

Neil headed back down to London to continue his MA, but between lecturer strikes and the covid-19 pandemic, there was not much more teaching. During the 12 week lockdown we all had to stay home as much as possible and avoid travel and meeting up with others to try to slow down/stop the spread of the virus. There is not much to say over this period as we struggled to shop with people panic buying and were not out and about until July time after the end of lockdown. Robert and Merle took up learning Spanish and Ewan was learning Chinese incase they could still get to China. We all cooked, baked and ate a lot during this time.

Sadly, during lockdown, we lost Robert&rss sister, Ella, in April, our friend Nicol in May then Robert’s Mum, Isa, in June. Neither had coronavirus. Restrictions on numbers attending funerals made this even more of a difficult time.

Come the end of June restrictions were lifted a bit, so Robert, Merle and Ewan were able to have some day trips to St Andrews, the Isle of Arran, Millport, Dunure and, of course, lunch on the outside decking area of the Secret Garden cafe overlooking the River Doon. Ewan also went walking further afield to Loch Doon, Aviemore, Dunoon and Dumfries and Galloway.

Neil came back up the week before his birthday for five days so we all spent some more nice time together with a takeaway at my house and the boys staying over. Neil got a job in late August with a company called Unifrog, a platform to help school pupils identify and apply for the most appropriate university course. Neil’s job is to liaise with international schools. Due to the pandemic, the deadline for submitting his dissertation was put back to April next year, which is just as well as he has little time with working. At least he can work from home!

Ewan did some online teaching with young children in China but as the travel restrictions remained in place he and Zainab had to seek employment elsewhere. They applied to an international school in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. They were successful but due to covid-19 and visa problems Ewan had to teach English, geography and history online to the school for almost three months before they could finally go there! Teaching online involved Ewan having to get up at 04:00 due to the time difference. They are now happily settled in Dushanbe with a nice house and jobs they enjoy.

I have been having a flare up of my arthritis and ‘wear and tear’ of my spine. I had an x-ray and have been trying various creams and painkillers to get the pain more managable. Thelma’s Stewart has been in and out of hospital with fluid on the lungs and is back home again now with some support.

We are all now hoping that we will get a covid-19 vaccine soon so that life can get back to some kind of normal again.

Ewan was in Tajikistan for his 28th birthday. We had a nice video chat with him though.

Memories - 2021

My 89th birthday was spent with Merle and Robert. We had a lovely Chinese meal. I got lots of nice gifts, cards and messages. I also had my first covid vaccine.

Sadly, in February, my brother-in-law, Stewart, sadly passed away. My sister Thelma has a very supportive family.

For Merle’s birthday we had a nice meal made by Robert. He made a lovely roast chicken dinner and also lentil soup.

I had my second covid vaccine in April

In May I finally bought a wheelchair for going out to town etc as I cannot walk very far these days with my arthritis. I was wary to begin with, but quite enjoy it now as I can still go shopping and out for lunch etc.

In June Merle and Robert went to London and Newcastle for five days. They saw Neil and Gina, went to Kew Gardens, Petticoat Lane Market and walked around Poplar, where Merle’s favourite period drama Call the Midwife was set (but not filmed). They then spent a few days with their friend Brian in Newcastle/Wallsend visiting Roman Forts and walking.

Preparations were started by Merle for Ewan and Zainab’s wedding in October at the Brig O’ Doon House Hotel in Ayr.

In July Ewan and Zainab came to Scotland for six weeks. They spent time with us in Ayr, did a lot of walking and also travelled a bit within Scotland as far as covid restrictions allowed.

August saw Neil’s 26th birthday but we just had to speak to him via video call.

In the middle of October Ewan and Zainab had their Muslim wedding ceremony online via Zoom, which was a lovely experience for us. A few days later Merle and Robert headed down to London, (but Neil and Gina were isolating as their friend who had stayed with them had had covid) so they had to stay in a little hotel that night. The following day they went to Ticehurst, near Hastings, where Ewan, Zainab and her brother, Hassan were staying for a few days. It was a lovely, secluded place.Sadly, Zainab’s parents were unable to go.

Merle, Robert, Zainab, Ewan, Neil, Gina and Hassan all headed to Ayr for the wedding on 27 October. Thelma came over from Perth to stay with me for two weeks.

The day of the wedding finally dawned! It was pouring with rain! Spirits were still high as we all had a wedding breakfast and the ladies had hair and make up done.

The two things that happened which we can now laugh about were, Neil left the rings in his bag, but Merle was still at home, so brought them to the hotel. Then Merle left the bouquet on the dining room table and had to get a taxi back home to collect it.

It was an amazing day! Everyone looked lovely, the hotel, food, company and music were second to none.

Ewan and Zainab had a short honeymoon in Aviemore before heading back to Tajikistan.

In November Robert’s birthday was spent by him and Merle in St Andrews, one of their favourite towns in Scotland.

Robert and Merle came to my house for Christmas. We had a long group call to Ewan, Zainab and Neil. Gina was in Germany visiting her parents.

Neil came up on the 30th to spend New Year with us. New Year was quiet but nice. Saw quite a bit of Neil who is job hunting as his current contract is coming to an end.

Memories - 2022

On the 17th of January we had a birthday meal for me here as it was my 90th birthday on the 19th. On the day we went for lunch before Neil headed back to London. I got lots of lovely cards and gifts and feel very loved.

Ewan and Zainab have decided to return to Scotland in the Summer so that Ewan can do his PGDE (Postgraduate Diploma in Education) to advance his teaching career. As usual, visas are a complicated proccess but hopefully they will be in Ayr by August.

Neil has a new job! It is with a world aid charity called All We Can, based in London. He will be doing corporate fundraising.

In June Ewan and Zainab had a holiday in Baku, Azerbaijan.

In August Zainab went back to Tajimistan and Robert and Merle went on holiday in Skipton for a week.

In October I went to Cindy’s 60th birthday party in Perth.

December saw Ewan and Zainab meet in Istanbul for Christmas as Zainab is still working in Tajikistan.

Ewan did his PGDE (Postgraduate Diploma in Education) from August to the following June with placements at Ayr Academy, Belmont Academy and St Joseph’s Academy in Kilmarnock.

Memories - 2023

In January Merle and Robert had a weekend in Aviemore, present from Ewan and Zainab. It was snowy and the scenery was lovely.

In April my old neighbours David and Ann moved away and Fiona and Bob came. They are a really nice couple too. I have been very lucky with my neighbours.

In June my cousin, Evelyn, passed away age 92. Merle and Robert went to Orkney for a week and Ewan and Zainab were looking at houses in Aberdeen. Merle and Robert went to London and Kent. Merle got to have her tour round Chatham Docks which houses a Call the Midwife tour. She loved it.

In July Ewan graduated with his PGDE from UWS (University of the West of Scotland). Trip to York for a few days.

August saw Ewan start a new job at St Machar Academy, Aberdeen, teaching Spanish. Ewan & Zainab moved in to their new house in Bridge of Don, Aberdeen.

In September the Station Hotel, Ayr caught fire again. Merle and Robert were in Aberdeen and at Neil’s in London. Neil started a new civil service job which is much more like what he wants to do.

November saw Robert’s 70th with a meal at Chestnuts Hotel with just the six of us and another at their house with afternoon tea from the Secret Garden with wider family.

All six if us were at my house for Christmas this year. Ewan and Zainab went off on holiday to Turkey.

Memories - 2024

In January Neil went to Tirana in Albania.

In March Merle and Robert had a new bathroom installed upstairs and Neil went to New york for a week.

In April Ewan had a few job interviews and Zainab’s parents were over from Pakistan and came to London and Aberdeen.

A bad month in May as we lost Ewan and Zainab’s baby, Rebecca, at only 37 weeks. We are all devastated. Merle and Robert went to Aberdeen to be with them for 6 weeks to support them. They also got great support from their church friends.

July saw Merla and Robert get covid. merle’S best friend, Lesley, sadly passed away after a short illness and Ewan and Zainab took a holiday in Turkey.

In August my sister, Thelma, was here for 2 weeks from Perth. A visit from the Hands family from Dundee and Glasgow was made. Ewan and Zainab bought their house in Bridge of Don. It’s a lovely 2 bedroomed bungalow. Ewan started a new job working with unaccompanied migrants in Aberdeen. Neil had a holiday in Lisbon, Portugal. Merle and Robert went to the Harry Potter experience with her cousin Cindy, her daughter, Kerry and her 2 boys. They then went to London to see Neil and Gina. Merle and Robert went to Exmouth for Lesley’s funeral.

In September Neil went to Vienna and heard a Mozart concert in the old concert hall. We met Allana, Sheila and Pat in Wetherspoons. They’d been to a wedding. Merle’s cousin George visited me and then Robert and Merle for a few days.

In October Merle, Robert, Ewan, Zainab and Neil went to York. Cindy came here for a couple of days to keep me company. I got my new oven, hob, freezer and washing machine. Zainab started a job as classroom assistant at Kamehill Primary.

In November Merle and Robert mad a Christmas Cake.

In Decmeber Christmas at my house with all 6 of us was lovely. Had Robert’s soup, duck and lamb then trifle.

Memories - 2025

In January we were all at Merle and Robert’s for my birthday. Lovely meal and presents. Ewan and Zainab went to see Hassan, Veneza and Zaviyar and Richard/Cosmos in London.

In February Merle and Robert wet to Aberdeen for a long weekend.

In March Zainab got chickenpox. I had a trip to Largs with Neil, who was up from London for a few days. My old shed was taken down before it fell down. I had a visit from the Hands family to my house after a lovely meal at Saffy’s Bistro in Ayr. Ewan fractured his toe on the edge of a door at his house.

In April Neil had a wee holiday in Bucharest. I had a day trip to Largs with Merle, Robert, Ewan and Zainab. Robert and Merle were at Girvan, Rothesay and Auchencruive on day trips. Ewan and Zainab went to Keith and Dunked Once. Zainab was over her chickenpox.

In May Zainab started driving lessons. Ewan continues his long runs along the Aberdeenshire coastline. I had a visit to Cowden Japanese Garden near Dollar with Ewan and Zainab.