An apprehensive start to the day as this was for my Father, hopefully his last appointment for his throat cancer. It is never an easy day as one never knows just what to expect, did that last sore throat do any damage, am I not putting on enough weight, all these questions and emotions were running through my Fathers mind. The taxi came late which is not a good thing as my Father is a nervous traveller at the best of times, and the driver had spilled diesel so the car was full of the pungent smell of diesel. The chap had a terrible disposition in the fact that he spoke incomprehensible english, the dialect was foreign to me and indeed to my family, so I just nodded and gave the occasional yes, sad to say that this was an accent that I did not miss. We arrived at the Western General to the Cancer Centre, a place that does not have fond memories for my Father, but a place where the staff are excellent. I waited in the designated area and I looked around at the people that were really battling, the newly diagnosed people, were easy to spot as they had a look that said what’s the fuss all about. I looked at a particular chap who was obviously  inconvenienced by having to take time out of his busy day, I thought you poor bastard, you have no idea just what your in for. There were various sufferers, mostly head and neck as by the visible scars from various surgeries, I know what these people are going through as I saw my Father waste away before my eyes for 12 weeks before he could finally swallow and keep some food, if you could call it that, down. My Father was called next and he disappeared to meet his favourite consultant, a woman who does not hold back, I really like her as  she does not sugar coat the truth. The next 10 mins seemed to take ages, a lot went through my mind, is it back, what do we have to do, is it the all clear. Finally my Father appeared and he was pale and had a vague look on his face, he told me he has the all clear, after 5 long years. Mixed emotions flowed through all of us as it was a bit surreal, my Father could not believe it. Upon returning home, carried by the same chap by the way, I opened a fine bottle of French Champagne, to toast the eradication of this the most horrid of diseases. My Father was still in no mans land as he said it would take a few days to sink in. The wine flowed and before too long Dad started to reminisce about the treatment, the dark days that he went through and asked me is it really over, I filled his glass and said, my bloody oath it is.

Monday saw more sunshine, so much so that I had to resort to my Dads trendy, NOT sunnies. I would post a picture but I look like elton john, thank god I still have anonymity here. I travelled north past the idicllic town of Pitlochry famous for its hydro electric dam , Blair Atholl distillary, and Edradour, Scotlands smallest. I then sped past my favourite castle, Blair, where Queen Victoria graced our presence in 1842, no doubt for a rendezvous  with her “Friend” the game keeper Mr Brown. I arrived just in time for a spot of lunch, a decent salmon caught on our rivers followed by a bottle of sparkling….water! I meandered through the shops filled with tweed and outdoor clothing, fighting the tourists that flock to the high class merchandise. I was looking for something for Michaela, something that probably comes from the middle east and definitely comes from a goat, I hunted until I found the perfect items, obviously I can’t say too much as she’s probably reading this!! I headed back to Perth via the back roads, single lane and full of high hedges and blind corners just what you wish for in tourist season. Night was drawing in and I then headed back to Edinburgh, roof open sunnies on, god knows what I looked like, I searched for some pearljam, Lior, Keane and eventually came across some John Mayer, which got me a little too melancholy as I really miss Michaela, so I had to get up to warp 2 and mix it up with some Gorillaz and The Fray. I have noticed that this time that I have to be a little more vigilant as the gendarme are ever present, not like OZ  where there are bloody multinovas everywhere but on the on ramps to the freeways they hide looking for the unsuspecting inocent punter that just wants to clear the cobwebs. I have been assured that if you keep it below 160 (warp3) then your license is safe, so for me a casual 140 (warp2) will suffice.

Saturday arrived and I headed off to Perth, this time the sun was shining and the car reported a steady 22 degrees, which actually had me reaching for the aircon switch. If I told you that the heat was different here you would not believe me but suffice to say it is a bit humid. We get most of the weather from America and just now they are having bloody awful weather so a rich moist bank of cloud had made its way to our fair shores giving me the false impression that I was in a warm but humid climate. I did call Michaela later on and she had a chuckle that I had the air on and it was only 22, no doubt we’ll dine on it for a while. I headed out in the avo along the back roads and I was disappointed to see the leaves falling off some trees, a sure sign that Autumn is on its way, mind you it is crisp in the mornings getting down to the odd 5 or 6 a bad sign this early.

Sunday came and I had an evening with my old mate Graeme and his wife Marion, I was pleasantly surprised to see a couple of bottles of ringbolt from Margaret River on the table hinting that we might just have a good night. Graeme lives on a cliff and there is a good hundred foot drop at the back of his house, needless to say you have to be a wee bit careful. We settled in to a nice evening of catching up and before too long a bottle of west cape howe appeared, I was just thinking this is too easy when Graeme remarked that they were having a party on September the 5th. Each year Graeme asks me to cook a BBQ for him and the guest list hovers around 30, with variations from pork, beef to chicken and god forbid, bloody vegetarian sausages. I mean why bother its hard to know when the buggers are cooked honestly I would rather eat chicken! Meat is very expensive over here and Graeme does not scrimp, the best sirloin that I usually marinate in a huge commercial pot followed by free range chook and dare I say the best vegetarian rubbish money can buy. Last year I nearly had to introduce orders as I had so many fussy eaters, however I did have a mild success as one of my friends, a vegetarian, whom I had not seen on 20 years asked for a bit of steak as the aroma was just too good. So there we have it I have a plan now all I need to do is contact Jimmy the butcher, place the order and sacrifice a lamb to ensure sunshine.

The week started with glorious sunshine, I could not believe how warm it is here in Scotland, 40 degree plus. Well I would like to write that but the sad truth is that the weather is exactly the same as it is in Perth at the moment, bloody awful. I woke early on Tuesday as it was a special day, yes another anniversary and tomorrow would be another one for my Father. Since my Father had Cancer I have been coming over at this time of the year so we can celebrate together, this usually involves an unusual meal or two and some very fine wine. Last year we celebrated in an old castle that has been turned into a Hotel, and this year we decided to go back as we had a ball last year. This year was no exception and I was glad to say that the wine list was excellent, a nice 2002 St Andrews Cab Sav to get things moving followed by an excellent Superstition Isle of Jura Whisky. Needless to say the next day was one spent in the summer house watching the wildlife go about their  business while the rain was relentless in its pursuit to drench everything. Thursday brought a fantastic morning, well at 5am there was not a cloud in the sky and I thought finally the good weather has arrived. I set off North for Perth iphone playing the Beatles Let It Be, the sunroof was open and the clear blue sky flashed above as I headed for the Forth Bridge. The traffic was surprisingly light as I settled into warp 1, just a gentle run as my trusty steed had not done many miles since my last visit and I wanted to give her a shakedown incase the harsh winter had caused any undue stress on the usual suspects. I reached Perth and the sunshine was perfect I did notice that there were not that many foreign tourists as the recession has really taken hold here. I made my way up to the house in the country as I had a few errands to do that my Father had asked. The house had changed slightly as my Father had some workmen repair and replace items throughout the year and it was looking splendid, not bad for something that is a few hundred years old. I wandered around the property looking at the things that I would change as eventually I will retire here, well for the summer months anyway as I don’t envy the Autumn and Winter here anymore. I still have vivid memories of freezing ice, a wind chill that goes to the bone and rain that beats down relentlessly, no I can’t see me relishing to get back to that. I soon left as I had to be at the local pub, I thought quick a blast down some very narrow lanes would get me there in no time, mind you last year my cousin had me whisking down at 110 mph or warp 3 in her Audi diesel!, this year however sanity prevailed and a sedate 70 mph was enough. I entered and scanned for my local choice of beer on tap, only to be greeted with, I’m sorry Mike, only you and a chap from the village had drunk the stuff, and he died and you only come here once a year so we had to get rid of it. Bugger I do like Tennants Velvet, its a dark beer, only 3.5% a bit like Mcaffreys, rich and creamy and works wonders for the 30 feet of intestine that has had a holiday on the plane! My old friends soon trotted in and we soon migrated to the amber nectar and started putting the world to rights. All too soon closing time was called, a shame really as we were just getting started, but a blessing as I was heading back to Edinburgh the next day. The day started with rain, how unusual, so the roof was closed and Elbow and Fiest were playing on the iphone to ease the pain of rain. I slotted in to some light traffic and decided to have a competition with the car to see if I could get better that the 34.5mpg I had achieved on the way up. I tried all the tricks I know and I couldn’t do it, so I think I may just have to give it some gentle servicing the next time I’m up in Perth as I should be able to crack 40mpg easily.

I was stuck in a bloody queue and it was moving slowly, too slowly as I had not packed and I still had to see to my faithful friend who was also about to go on holiday. I finally reached the brewery after about 30 mins, then I did a quick scan to make sure Mr Plod was nowhere to be seen and I then mounted the median strip and made my way back through Fremantle. I slowly moved as every man and his dog decided to do the same thing, suffice to say it took me 3 hours to get home. I arrived to be greeted by old faithful, still oblivious to what lay ahead, being behind I had to gather up all her belongings and favourite food and whisk her off for her 6 week holiday. I had to make a dash to see my old mate Charles, who had a refreshing glass of Xabregas waiting for me, which I must say is an extremely nice drop. I then made my way home and by 10pm I called it a day as I was buggered.

I awoke early, too much on my mind I suspect, I mean I hadn’t even packed. Michaela came round at 9.30 so I had the coffee brewed and the toast on as I knew she had already been at work and probably had an early start. I packed and Michaela went through the check list with me to make sure I took enough stuff for 6 weeks etc. To my dismay the bloody rain started on the way to the airport, and a horrible thought crept in, I bet the weather in Scotland will be the same!

Unusual for me the whole check in thing went smooth, no problems with immigration or with the lady with the magic wand that looks for explosives. The plane left on time and I managed to sit next to a chap that could talk for Australia, crap, I wanted to get some sleep. I noticed that he did not touch a drop, well you know what they say, never trust a man that does not trust himself with drink. We landed on time and I had a quick nose around the airport, I do like Singapore well laid out tons of things to do. I made my way to the gate and sat patiently minding my own business, soon people began to arrive and a young girl asked if she could sit next to me, a ha things are looking up. Anyway Emma was on her way to see her family in GB and was in her last year of school. Surprisingly she was thinking of a career in journalism and I mentioned that I do lecture journalist students at uni and  the questions came flooding. Before too long it was time to embark, I was mildly excited as I was flying on the brand new A380, the double decker plane. I was told when I booked my ticket that I would like my seat, I thought well what’s special about 71D, to my delight there is no seat in front of you as in its place is the escape hatch, brilliant I had all the leg room one could imagine. The plane was 3 months old and dare I say it still had the new car smell, really odd. We took off and the first thing I noticed is how quiet it is compared to a 747, it really is a delight to fly. There is a camera facing forward mounted on the tail and that view is tremendous as when you go through cloud its spectacular. As usual the service was perfect as was the food, unusual for qantas but a pleasant surprise. I managed one wee bottle of wine and decided to catch some Z’s, to my amazement I managed 6 hours sleep, unheard of and quite extraordinary for me. All too soon I landed in London, and the process was bloody awful, line after line it was hell, were supposed to be in  a recession but there were hundreds of people it was madness, I caught the bus to terminal 5 where it was a bit more civilised. All domestic BA flights leave from there so it was a straight run home, or so I thought. When I was in Perth I was told by customs that I could not take carry on booze as in London they would take it away, bloody stupid as I could carry it to London but not on to Edinburgh, apparently some EU regulation, stupid. I embarked the aircraft and immediately fell asleep as I was tired, 20 mins later I woke up and we were no further forward, we had missed our slot so this would bugger up our schedule. I touched down in Edinburgh 30 mins late, the luggage took an age and as I made my way to the taxi rank I saw an elderly chap with a sign bearing my name, my father had come to pick me up, quite a hoot really, Dad standing there with a sign for me. Anyway 20 mins later I was entering the front door to be greeted by the greyhounds, eager to see just what the fuss was all about. I had a leisurely shower and waiting for me was some lovely bacon from the Queens butcher, delightful, exquisite and great texture I really wish we had such tasty morsels in Oz.