Chapter 1 — Ticks & Giggles

When we told people that we were packing up Moda Design, to relocate it — and the family — to the other side of the world for 8 months, the frequent response was “Jeez, you’re brave!” When we also mentioned that we would be spending much of that time living in a vehicle about the size of a small ensuite, while simultaneously working and home-schooling the kids, another adjective was typically used (and I imagine a certain Hayden Kirk is still laughing about it now).

Not to be dissuaded, we touched down in the UK with hope and confidence still intact. Until we got to the immigration officer, with his incredulous “8 months??! What will you be doing here for 8 months? For all I know you’re trying to escape something in New Zealand.” Having had about 3 hours sleep since leaving Dunedin 2 days earlier, I then responded to all his questions like I had only just adopted English as a second language. With every moment that passed, it seemed more likely that we would be on the next plane home quicker than you could say “moved to Timaru for the next year while continuing to write a fake blog using imagery from Shutterstock”. With a large queue forming behind us, he finally made a “discretionary call” and with that, we were officially allowed to enter the United Kingdom, relieved, chastened and with an adjusted life expectancy of 67.

The lack of a warm welcome at Heathrow was more than made up for by our wonderful friends Jenny, Adrian, and Fraser, who met us at Edinburgh Airport and delivered us to Acorn Cottage, our home for the next fortnight, complete with home-made bunting, a freshly-baked loaf of Adrian’s bread, and an enthusiastic celebratory dance party.

This first night rather set the tone for our first 2 weeks, which have had more ups and downs than a Scottish country road. From the beauty and peacefulness of the island of Inchcailloch on Loch Lomond, cycling around the calm waters of Loch Katrine in the Trossachs National Park, and the welcoming locals of Kippen village; to the crippling jet lag, several other health issues, and a night spent picking ticks from various parts of our bodies, and wondering how long we had before succumbing to Lyme disease…

Our European adventure has begun.

Kippen

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  First night in Acorn Cottage

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  First morning at Acorn Cottage

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  View of the Kippen Kirk

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  Spring lambs at Claylands

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  Walking the Broich Loop

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  Walking down Rennie’s Loan

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  Walking down Rennie’s Loan

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  Beers at the Cross Keys

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  Visiting Jenny’s family farm

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  Discovering a leveret

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  Discovering a leveret

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  Walking to Gargunnock

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  Walking to Gargunnock

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  Postcards for home

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  A day at Kippen Primary

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  Watching Kippen FC

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  Leaves on the trees at Acorn

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  Leaving Acorn Cottage

Loch Lomond & Inchcailloch

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  Mailboat to Inchcailloch

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  Mailboat to Inchcailloch

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  Bluebells on Inchcailloch

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  Bluebells on Inchcailloch

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  Bluebells on Inchcailloch

Edinburgh

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  The Royal Mile

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  Andy’s first bubble tea

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  Meeting Greyfriars Bobby

The Trossachs

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  Cycling past Loch Achray

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  Cycling around Loch Katrine

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  Cycling around Loch Katrine

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  The steamship on Loch Katrine

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  Lunch at Stronachlacher

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  Almost as good as the real one