New decade, new location? - Part 2

Following on from Part 1, I had left Iona on the early ferry, a throwback to Oban High School days. I had to endure 5 years of that boat, and even as an adult it doesn't get much better. Luckily, Joyce Macintyre was heading up to Tobermory so I got a lift with her across Mull, which saved me having to use the bus. After a few hours in Oban, I got the train down to Glasgow and then another down to Penrith, where Mum came and picked me up in her wee Polo. Like the rest of the country, Cumbria was pretty snowy, but Mum did well navigating the narrow back roads to get us back to her and Mike's Barn.


It was nice to finally meet Mike, he seems like a really nice guy, and most importantly Mum seems really happy with him so that is great. I was really impressed with the barn, it was a lot further on than I had imagined, very open plan with a great breakfast bar area and a massive balcony.

Mum at the kitchen 'island'.

Although I didn't have very long with Mum and Mike, we still managed a nice walk and then a drive through some of the surrounding villages, a coffee with Fiona Reid (one of mum's friends) and a nice dinner with mum and Mike's neighbours. But, all too soon, it was time to head North again. Mum and Mike were heading to Iona for New Year so they gave me a lift to Glasgow, where I stocked up on M&S boxer shorts and socks and was reunited with my washbag and headphones (thanks to Aidan and Greg). Then I met Stewart and Bec and we caught a train up to Perth to meet Granny and Grandpa.

After a snowy journey back to Wester Balgedie, we tucked into one of Grannie's delicious dinners. Stewart and Bec headed to Fife that night but I stayed over, and after a quick walk with Grandpa the next morning, Jock and Grandfather came to pick me up. I think it was nice for all the Grandparents to see each other, it had been a while.

Me and all the grandparents (L-R: Grandpa, Grandfather, Granny)


I missed the last Jardine family gathering (Dad's 50th at Achrossan in 2008) so I was very happy to be part of this one. Of course, plenty of beers and other alcoholic beverages were consumed, the fridge in the picture below was pretty empty by the time I left on the 2nd!

The fridge.

Apart from drinking, there was a good walk on Hogmanay, some delicious food courtesy of many different cooks, and of course, the 'Loony Dook'! The aforementioned basically means 'Crazy Dip' and so on New Year's Day Jock, Calum, Alasdair, Rhona and I went for a very brief swim in the North Sea. With frost and snow still on the ground, I was cold even before I went in, and yes, the water was absolutely freezing! Still, it was a good laugh! Here's a couple of pics:

Baltic!

The Loony Dookers. Note the frost on the ground!

On New Year's Day night we had a delicious turkey dinner, and then a good few more drinks! On the 2nd, I awoke somewhat hungover and a bit depressed, said my goodbyes and headed to Glasgow with Dad and Stewart. I had a bit of a lump in my throat as I said goodbye at the airport, but at least this time it is not for a full year.

Upon my arrival at Incheon, I was surprised and delighted to see Lisa had come to meet me, that really lifted my spirits a lot. I have now been back for over a week, and things are going pretty well. The day after I got back, Korea experienced its heaviest snow for over 50 years, and so on Monday I got a call from my boss saying school was shut! It was a real bonus as I was still a bit tired from travelling. Lisa and I used the time to build a snowman, however it was cruelly destroyed by some children shortly after we had finished it. Still, I did manage to catch it on camera.

And so, as I settle back into the routine of Korea (January is a very busy month, there are extra classes for me as we entertain the kids for longer whilst the schools are on holiday), I am already thinking to the months ahead.

In the short-term, Lunar (Chinese) New Year is in the middle of February, although this year we only get one extra day off. Lisa and I had considered going to Japan, but there really isn't enough time and flights are already booked solid, so instead I think we will stay domestic. Maybe a skiing trip, or possibly do the road trip that was meant to happen in November.

I have told my boss that I intend to finish work at GnB on 21st May. I then plan to fly to Bangkok, from where I have already booked a return flight to Singapore. From there I will fly back to Bangkok, then another flight to Hanoi in Vietnam, and then I will work my way back to Bangkok using an as-yet undetermined overland route. I have about a month to do the whole lot, as I would like to be back in Korea for Euan's wedding which is on the 19th of June. All this depends on whether I can persuade my other boss (Sunny) to let me delay my flight home until after Euan's wedding, or give me the cash equivalent, but I don't think that will be a problem. I'll keep you posted. After his wedding, I will return home to the UK for the summer, and then most likely head overseas again.......that is as yet a draft copy!

Well, that's everything pretty much updated, I'll try and blog again soon, might end up being after Lunar New Year, it'll depend on how exciting my life is between now and then!

All the best for 2010, and the new decade!

Grandfather and all his grandchildren

L-R (standing up): Calum, Stewart, Esther, Catriona, Rhona, Me, Alasdair.

L-R (on the sofa): Hannah, JJ, Freya, Toni.

Album from back home: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=365950&id=777495416&l=03461d0749

New decade, new location? - Part 1

Just noticed this will be my 50th blog post. I started blogging on 29th August 2007, and according to the 'elapsed time calculator', that was 866 days ago. That averages at a blog every 17.32 days. When it comes out like that it doesn't sound so bad! 866 days in Korea (well actually 873, I arrived a week earlier)........quite a long time really. And although I am not tired of Korea yet, the fact is in 6 months I will not be here, and I think I'll be quite happy not to be by then. I have given my boss a leaving date, and after a bit of travelling around SE Asia and big Euan's wedding in mid-June, I will leave Korea for the foreseeable future. Quite a thought.........



I will switch to the past for now though, and detail some events in December. The weekend after the ski trip (and my last blog), Neil and I headed into Seoul for some Christmas shopping. Seoul was busy as usual, perhaps a little busier than normal but not like the massive surge you see back home before Christmas. On our shopping rounds we passed by Gwanghwamun plaza, where a giant snowboard jump had been erected as part of the Hyundai 'Snow Jam'. It was pretty cool to see a massive jump in the middle of the city, and although we only saw the practice session, the competitors seemed of a pretty high standard.

After finishing the shopping I headed back to Bupyeong for a Christmas house party at Craig and Sophie's and then went to Bucheon to carry on the night. More photos at : http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=345487&id=777495416&l=0e0f503bcf (page 2)

The weekend after, on the Sunday, Lisa and I had our 'Christmas Day'. After opening our presents (I got a nice jumper, hat and belt) we went to a local place for brunch and then headed into Seoul. First stop was the Grand Hyatt near Itaewon. Around the festive season they convert their outdoor swimming pool into an ice rink (not literally, they put a big platform over the top of it!) and guests and non-guests can go for a skate. It is pricey, but there are great views over the Han River and it's not too big (so you're never too far away from the side!) so we thought we'd give it a try.

Ice skating has never been my strong point. I can still count on one hand the number of times I've done it, and early attempts (at the Time Capsule in Coatbridge) resulted in me running on the ice instead of skating. These days, I can skate, although somewhat Bambi-like. Here's a couple of pics. I am happy to report that neither of us fell over, although there were a few close calls!

View from the rink looking over towards Gangnam.

Get yer skates on!

Lisa and a giant snowflake.

After working up an appetite skating we headed over to near Gangnam where I had heard there was a good Brazilian restaurant. Unfortunately it was fully booked so we walked around for AGES trying to find somewhere and ended up settling on an Italian place near Gangnam station which turned out to be worth the wait (great steak). We headed back to Incheon tired, but happy.

After the weekends fun, it was back to work for 2 days until, on Wednesday the 23rd, it was time for me to head out to the airport for my flight HOME!!!!!!! As it had been over a year since I last set foot on UK soil, I was very excited.

I flew home with KLM, a bit of a mixed bag really, the service mid-flight was good, although there were no individual TV screens which I like, so I was glad to have had my new MP3/video player. I had to change planes at Amsterdam, and the flight to Glasgow was late departing, as they had to de-ice the wings before we could take off. This meant by the time we arrived in Glasgow and I'd got myself into the centre of the city, it was almost midnight.

I'd planned to meet up with some of the boys I went to uni with, and luckily Greg and Gareth came and picked me up in a taxi and we headed straight to a club in the West End. I put my luggage in their locker room and then had a great time catching up with everyone and having a few refreshments. After the club closed, we headed back to Aidan's flat in Partick (via a chippie....yes!) and stayed up for a good while sharing news.

The boys L-R: Gareth, Greg, Me, Aidan, Stewart (Hogg).

I had to catch a train to Oban in the morning, so after a couple of hours sleep I arose zombie-like (forgetting to pick up my washbag and headphones) and made my way to Partick underground to get to Queen St. I didn't really sleep much on the train, which in a way was good as I got to see the winter wonderland that was (and seemingly still is) Scotland. The whole journey was full of snowy mountains, frozen lochs and snow-laden trees. Beautiful, even to a hungover and sleep-deprived person such as me.

Over 6 hours after leaving Glasgow, I stepped off the ferry at Iona to be met by Dad, Anja, Freya, Stewart and Bec. It was good to be home. After the long-awaited cup of tea, Dad, Stewart and I took a walk to the Machair to deliver a present to John and Joanne at Culbhuirg (sp?), and once we were home we all helped decorate the tree.

On Christmas morning, Anja made a pancake breakfast and then we headed up to the Abbey's Christmas morning service. I remember as a child loathing having to go to the service as it usually either delayed the present opening or prevented me from playing with my new toys, but these days I enjoy it. The Abbey is such an amazing building and the service itself is usually enjoyable too.

The Abbey church.

After a light lunch we opened a few presents, although there were so many that we had to do it in stages! I was very happy with my gifts, a few books, DVD's, a couple of pieces of clothing, and few Scottish things (including a malt from Grandfather!). Freya was very happy with her scooter from Santa, and before the dinner we headed along the low road to give her a chance to test it out. Then it was time for the feast. And what a feast it was. A HUGE turkey, all the trimmings, and then Yule log and Christmas pudding for dessert. Delicious.

The bird, and some of the trimmings, including my favourite 'pigs-in-blankets'.

On Boxing Day, it was time for a trip on the water. Dad, Stewart and I headed over in Chance to Bullhole where Birtha Marie (dad's 'new' boat) is moored. It was my first time seeing her underway, I was impressed with how stable and solid she was, and as Dad says she is currently unballasted, once that's in her she will be unstoppable! Hopefully when I'm back home in the summer I can help Dad in getting her ready for some fare-paying passengers.

Dad and Stewartie on Birtha Marie.

In the evening, Stewart, Bec and I went up to Glen and Leanne's for some Wii playing and a good few beers.

On my final full day on Iona, we went for a walk up to the North End and then came back along by the East shoreline, we did a bit of sorting of my and Stewart's old junk and also saw David, Louise and their boys who came round in the afternoon. And then, on the early ferry on the 28th, I was away again. 3 full days, not enough really, but great just to be back at all. Here is the album on FB: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=365950&id=777495416&l=03461d0749

OK, that'll do it for this part, I need to get to my bed. The next part will contain the rest of my visit back home (Mum and Mike's, G&G's and New Year at Windygates), current goings on in Korea and future plans.