One Heck Of A Ride

149 wildflowers for their wedding bouquets. When Bud, Gus and I returned from hunting, we arranged to be driven to Inverness and returned to the lodge in a big Daimler limousine. Although the wedding ceremony could not be held in the stone chapel I had admired on my earlier trip to Scotland, we renewed our vows before the justice of the peace in a nice room that was like a small church complete with pews for guests. Bud and Carol served as our best man and maid of honor, and Gus, along with Carol’s daughter Sally, and our hosts David and Maria Jackson were in attendance. The ceremony was simple, and much like those in the States. Our hosts had prepared a wonderful lunch back at the lodge for everyone, and Maria even sang “Danny Boy” for us. We were having a wonderful time, but the day was not yet over. We dressed in our best “bib and tucker” and were taken by bus to the village’s annual Grouse Ball, a major event in rural Scotland. The men and their ladies dressed in their finest togs, but it was neither the music nor the dancing that seemed to be the main attraction. There were at least ten long tables, each with big bottles of Scotch whiskey and a large number of glasses. There was nothing else. No hors d’oeuvres, no lemons or limes, no mixes, no soda water. As soon as a bottle was empty, a new one immediately replaced it. The next day, Marty and I said goodbye to our friends and continued on our European trip by taking a train through Belgium and Holland and flying fromAmsterdam to Paris, where we met up with Bud and Carol again. We enjoyed seeing the city’s sights and its world-famous food, especially on the dinner cruise we took on the River Seine. (It was extremely hot, but the cruise rules required that Bud and I wear coats and ties.) Paris ended our European journey, and we returned home with many great and interesting memories. Trouble In England Norman Mellows on the phone making plans for our hunt. Norm Epley at the end of the table, and myself working on a new set of travel plans! Picture in Norman Mellows Cosie Cottage in England.