Institutionalized: 1940

Scotland

Two days have passed since our outing. We are packed and ready for the next part of our trip to begin. My mum told Greg and I that Dario will be picking us up to take us to Scotland. She told us that Dario would be arriving this afternoon. We checked our suitcases a few times to make sure we had everything.

Before Dario arrives, we exchange gifts to one another. I gave my mum a mug that had a Canadian flag and the flag of British Columbia on it. My mum gave me an old childhood teddy bear I had as a girl. I appreciated that very much. She gave Greg some old Royal Canadian Air Force pins she found. Once Greg saw them, he recognized them as pins he wore on his uniform all those years ago. He asked my mum where she found them. She told him that she found them while cleaning the guest room he slept in when we returned from the institution. She figured that they were his and must have misplaced them when Greg and I left for Canada right after the war ended. He thanked her and put them in a safe place in his suitcase, so they would not be misplaced again.

We were all ready for Dario to pick us up All we had to do was wait. It was nice to have a few quiet moments with my mum before Greg and I moved on to the next part of our European trip. The peaceful time with my mum went quickly. It was interrupted by a knock at the door. My mum went to go answer it. Once she opened the door, she recognized who it was. It was Dario to take Greg and I to Scotland. He saw our suitcases at the front door. He carried them to his car and put them in the trunk. Once he returned from packing his car, he came back into the house. He asked us to make sure that we had all our things because we would not be returning. Greg and I double checked and triple checked that we had everything. We did have everything. Before getting into Dario's car, I gave my mum a huge hug. Greg thanked her for her hospitality. She said there was no need to thank her. We are welcome anytime. After our goodbyes, Greg and I got into Dario's car and we were on our way to Scotland. Dario told us that it will take five hours and eighteen minutes to get to Edinburgh. He told us that he did not mind at all if we fell asleep on or way to Dario's house. We told him that we would try to enjoy the scenery along the way. We could see him smiling in the rear view mirror.

On the way to Scotland, we went on many roads that were curvy. I told Greg that I did not realize the roads being so curving. Dario told us that once we reached Fleetwood we would stop to have a bit to eat and stretch our legs before continuing to Edinburgh. We asked him how long it would take to reach Fleetwood. He told us that it would take two and a half hours. Dario said that the trip will take close to six hours with the stop in Fleetwood. Greg and I managed not to fall asleep on our way to Fleetwood.

Once we arrived in Fleetwood, Dario drove around to find a pub for us to eat dinner. Once Dario found a pub, he parked the car and we got out. Once we found seats, we were given menus. Dario asked Greg and I what we wanted to drink. I told Dario that I wanted cranberry juice with ice. Greg just wanted a glass of water with ice. Dario went up to the bar to order drinks. That gave Greg and I time to look at the menu and decide what we wanted to eat. Once Dario returned from ordering drinks, he looked at the menu. It did not take long for three of us to figure out what we wanted to eat. I wanted fish and chips. Greg wanted a grilled chicken breast. Dario wanted a steak. After we decide on food, Dario went up to the bar to order our food. Once he returned, he asked us how we were enjoying our trip. We told him that we were enjoying every moment. I thanked him for the surprise of seeing my mum. He told me that it was not his idea. It was all Greg's idea. Dario said that he only helped arrange the surprise. I looked at Greg and gave him a kiss and thanked him for the surprise once more.

Once our food arrived, Dario asked us what we did with ourselves. First, I told him about the visit we had with someone that we knew while we were in the institution. Afterwards, Greg told Dario about visiting some of the Royal Air Force friends. Greg told Dario that they say hello. Dario had a huge smile on his face when Greg told him this. Dario looked pleased. While we were eating, we talked about what is ahead on our trip. After the delicious meal, we were back in the car and on our way to Edinburgh, Scotland.