From pauper to prince(ss)

We’ve recently enjoyed two glorious weeks in Scotland - a week in Skye, a couple of days in Comrie near Perth, and the remainder of the stay near Braemar in the Cairngorms. Some of the hightlights and recommendations will form various articles to follow.

Our accommodation on Skye was a traditional thatched croft that was exposed to the elements of The Minch, the channel between Skye and the Outer Hebridean islands of Harris and Lewis. Small, cosy and compact, the building evoked the hard life (past and present) of Western Islander crofters – although ours had running water, electricity and an inside toilet.

In total contrast, Braemar consisted of a apartment in a former Victorian hunting lodge, the accommodation of wealthy sportspeople for whom a stay was pleasure and pastime rather than grind. Not that we knew it when booking it, but the lodge was commissioned by Princess Louise, Princess Royal and daughter of Edward VII, grand-daughter of Victoria. The lodge was an alternative highland haunt to nearby Balmoral.

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The Edith May in the Thames - photos

The photos of the journey down the Thames are now available on Flickr.

In the footsteps (wake) of my great great uncle

In the 1890s my great great uncle John Thorpe was the master of the Thames barge Jessie (058154 Colchester), plying its trade along the east coast and London. Yesterday we had the opportunity to sail on the Edith May from the Pool of London to Gravesend as the Edith May returned from the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant.

Highlights – Tower Bridge being raised for us to pass through; people waving at us as we made our way; the Jubilee barge Glorianna; the splendour of the Greenwich Hospital and Royal Observatory on the hill beyond; newly restored majestic Cutty Sark; old riverside pubs; Canary Wharf, Thames barrier, and the QEII bridge Dartford.

How much would my forebear have recognised? The Pool of London remains in part unchanged with the Tower and Tower Bridge, but the Shard, City Hall and many other recent buildings would be very different. Passing Shadwell where John Thorpe is known to have moored, the riverside pubs would be familiar as would some of the wharves and restored wharf buildings. At Greenwich, where many great British seafarers passed through, the buildings and sights would have been very familiar.

However, Canary Wharf and the swathes of modern housing developments would be dramatically different from the bustling docks he would have known, as would the modern river crossings of the Emirates Air Line (cable car across the Thames) and QEII bridge. As to ways of blocking the river in the form of the Thames Barrier and entertainment at the Millennium Dome. And alternative forms of transport to the river – Ford manufacturer cars at Dagenham and planes flying into and out of City airport.

Our thanks to the crew of the Edith May for a memorable afternoon. A full set of photos will be made available on Flickr in due course.

British summers - traditional games

Royal patronage for the traditional summer game of Turd Tumblin'.

It was heart-warming to see old footage (shown as part of the Diamond Jubilee) of Prince Charles on a childhood holiday in the Western Isles of Scotland, having fun and enjoying himself playing the traditional game of Turd Tumblin', one of many childhood games that costs nothing but provides endless fun. Equipment - a stick, a field of sheep, a keen observation. Version one - prick and flick a turd at your companions without getting hit yourself. Version two - who can prick and flick the furthest?

By a quirk of fate we will be visiting the Western Isles ourselves this summer - can't wait to find me a prime quality stick.

Happy Jubilee!