Family gathering

Facebook is full of different versions of the family group from yesterday, but here's mine:

Back row - Iain Bannatyne, Gary Stewart, Barry Stewart, Gwen Kelly, Johanne Sahal and her partner John Kelly
Middle row - John Campbell, Kieran Hughes, Jo Stewart, Helen Stewart, Carole Stewart, Lauren Hughes-Glass, Eleanor Kelly and Ian Stewart
Front row - Lesley Bannatyne, Dawn Hughes, Lucy Bannatyne, Nancy Barr with little Mara Hughes on her knee, Kirsty Bannatyne, Luca Stewart & Julie Hughes

Lucy Lesina, Meghan Hughes and Ben Barr joined us remotely via FaceTime/Skype. Not present were Sheila and Cameron Barr. Sheila drove her mother to the Three Craws, but then had to leave as she had a prior appointment - at the opera, I think somebody said?

The day before, Lesley had bumped in to my cousin Dugald - or is it Dougal? Shows how long it is since I've seen him. He's the last remaining of that wing of the family - my Dad's elder brother Willie's side.

My Aunt Nancy is the senior member of the group above, but it's a bit scary to realise that I'm next!

It all went very well - a lovely afternoon - and Jo was pleased when both Aunt Nancy and John Kelly produced some more genealogical material to assist her research in to the family tree.

We travelled on Club 55 First Class, but, as usual, the trains were packed and soon a number of other passengers who couldn't get a seat were piling in to First Class. There was no buffet service on either train and the staff kept a very low profile, knowing they would face the wrath of the punters. Over-crowding seems to be a regular fixture on these inter-city services. I'm going to file a complaint - not because we suffered much, but just to register the facts with Scotrail, whose franchise has just been taken over by a consortium of Stagecoach and Virgin - they can only improve things surely?

Another gathering is planned for later this year - nearer a couple of big birthdays. Banchory was mentioned as a location, but that's not going to happen - too far for Aunt Nancy.

Here's another few random shots I took yesterday: