need an answer here, and another beer.....
 

Okay, now, I need to know--if I take a train from Switzerland to Germany, and then a plane to France, and then drive through Belgium, take a ferry to England and a train into London, a bus up to York and then a train up to Edinborough, then will Thursday still be Thanksgiving in the States or do I need to start the trip in Scotland and go backwards? My mother-in-law wants to know, because if not, then she's taking her pink running suit and letting Dad bring his Hawiian shirt. By the way, she thinks we should add Italy to the trip. What do you think? And do they eat haggis on Thanksgiving in Scotland or just chase them down the hill?

This question has been asked so many times before. Please do a search for haggis and pink running suit and you'll get a plethora of advice.

Definitely, Italy is doable. But not before Switzerland. But one must hurry, because Thanksgiving is coming on fast. Haggis? Scotland? Sheila, any ideas?

Why Belgium? If you start in Switzerland you can make it and get there first. If your mother-in-law insists on Belgium, then, no, Thanksgiving will be Friday. However, I would include Dad in any decision regarding whether to eat the haggis or to just play with them, unless, of course, he is Irish. If that is the case, the jig's up.

Definitely backwards from Scotland! Especially if you're keen to eat haggis on Thanksgiving. I suggest you forget the rest of your itinerary and start in Edinburgh giving yourself at least three days to prepare for the "Annual Haggis Hunt" which of course takes place every year on Thanksgiving. As for appropriate dress if you could combine the hawiian shirt with plaid trousers and possibly add some tartan trim to the pink running suit I'm sure you won't be out of place. I'd be happy to suggest appropriate footwear should you be absolutely clueless as to what you should wear on your feet whilst "haggis hunting". Just post another note here and I'll be sure to respond. So does your mother-in-law always help your father with his wardrobe? What does your mother think of this? Could your Mother-in-Law end up being your step Mum and your wife/husband your step sister/brother. Sorry I just had to ask after reading your comment "because if not the she's (mother-in-law) taking her pink running suit and letting Dad bring his Hawiian shirt". Maybe you take both sets of parents with you when you travel..interesting!

Mornington Crescent!

Yes, OnTheSpot, I need very much to know just what is the appropriate footwear to bring for haggis hunting. I had thought the type the Irish wear in Riverdance, no? I mean, isn't that the type of jig one does whilst one is haggis hunting? Oh, my mother-in-law and Dad are not even speaking as of last night. MIL is upset because she can't convince Dad that he doesn't have to swim to get around in Venice. He said as far as he's concerned, he'll swim before he pays those high prices for the gondolas. Oh, my Mother left Dad a year ago. She met this swinging guy named Herb who was on the rebound, and they have been touring Europe ever since. Last I heard, they were seen having lunch with Kavey in London.

Oatmeal<BR>Sheepskin Moccasins...believe it or not! Reportedly dates back to haggis rituals performed by the Clan Chiefs. Apparently it went against the "waste not want not" attitude of the Scots to just use the stomach and lung of the sheep for the haggis when there was a good pair of boots to be had as well. You'll read on this forum where SAS shoes come highly recommended..don't quote me but I've been led to believe that SAS is an acronym for Sheeps Arse Shoes. I stress that this is just hearsay...I may have been misled.<BR><BR>Although I consider myself knowledgeable about footwear unfortunately this knowledge doesn't extend to the world of dance. I have attended a Ceilidh (pronounced K-lee) technical term for Scottish Knees Up and seem to remember doing the "Gay Gordon". I recall thinking at the time that this would be an appropriate dance to do if one were to attend a "Haggis Hunt". At least this is my recollection...to be honest though more than a few wee drams were consumed the evening of the Ceilidh.<BR><BR>Has your father taken into account the cost of medical treatment required after swimming in the canals of Venice? The initial outlay to the Gondolier is comparatively small. I'm with your mother-in-law on this one. Do watch out for the street vendors selling dancing Mickey Mouses though. Believe it or not many of the contributors to this forum have found they don't work when they get them home.<BR><BR>Sorry to hear of the marital woes in your family. Still and all your mother seems to have done well with Herb. He must be loaded..at least he doesn't moan about the cost of a Gondola ride! Do you think your Mum could post a report on her trips...where has she stayed and where did she have lunch in London? Was it High Tea, afternoon tea or just a snack. Did she eat at Pret a Manger or did she just lunch at a local "chippy"?

Yes, I knew it!! Sheepskin Moccasins, of course!! And the Scottish Knees up, how very, very appropriate. Oh, you are a veritable fountain of information!! Poor Dad, he cannot be convinced that he would be better off in a godola than swimming the canals. He is quite the penny pincher, as you can imagine. No, he'll swim, and the germs and swillies be damned. Mom found an internet cafe in London and mentioned her lunch with Kavey. Apparently they are old friends!! Who knew?! Anyway, they have planned to meet again in a week for , yes, high tea! However did you guess? And she promises to write and tell me all about it. Unfortunately, Mom's lost Herb. Something about missing the meeting place and then seeing him on a passing bus, hands in the air--well, she is all atwitter with handwringing. And that was the last I heard. Will keep you posted.

Topping<BR><BR>Meow! Laughing my a** off!

Ye Gads its Beth again!

Your mum might want to have a look in Amsterdam for the Herb.

Amsterdam? Amsterdam!!! I think that is spot on! Of course, Herb is fascinated with train stations and that one is huge. I'll try to get in touch with Mother right away and point her in that direction. Of course, once Herb discovers the herbal cafes there, Mother may have a heck of a time trying to bring him home again. Than again, she is convinced that Herb is on his way to Germany. Always on the lookout for the unusual, and quite the cutup according to Mother, Herb has been wanting to get some Lederhosen for the holidays. Oh, well. Anyway, no one has answered my original question, does one eat haggis on Thanksgiving in Scotland? Or is it just a sporting affair?

I Know<BR><BR>What do you mean "it's Beth again?"

Oatmeal<BR>Apologies, all my rambling and as usual I missed the point! Plain and simple..YES. Obviously you have to catch the haggis first though. Not as easy as it sounds given that you'll have to wade through ice cold lochs etc. whilst wearing sheepskin moccasins, not to mention the post haggis hunt cermony (which of course includes the dance)and I understand that there is usually a blessing of the haggis held in the local Kirk. Really by the time all the cermony is "done & dusted" most participants are too knackered to eat. Makes turkey and pumpkin pie (is that what you have in the States) look..well..just like a piece of pie I guess, doesn't it?<BR><BR>You know the more I think about it the more I think..give Scotland a miss. If you're looking for a truly relaxing Thanksgiving...find Herb! My bet is Kadynsky. Not that I've been of course but my friends who've been to Amsterdam sing its praises. A particularly nice little coffee shop apparently. Once again, I speak without authority on the subject but I have heard they do a lovely Thanksgiving cookie. At least I know a few people who were very thankful for these wholesome cookies.<BR><BR>Also, I'd be interested to know..where do your family shop for their clothes? Pink running suits, Hawiian shirts, Lederhosen...Is it Macey's? Oh and if so when does their sale start? I'm making my wish list now.<BR><BR>On the Spot...<BR><BR>P.S. For: I know...What is it that you know? Do share your knowledge..I mean afterall this is what this forum is for. I'm perplexed..who is Beth? Is this some kind of wild card that is thrown in and we have to some how build that into our little nonsense..like an improvisation or something. I'm not sure how but I think I can weave more characters into my stories but you'll have to consult Oatmeal who is overseeing the script here. Please post again to tell us exactly what you do know.

Well, OnTheSpot, I thought maybe you had something there. I checked out Kadinsky on the 'net and oh, oh!!I got so excited--I swear the bike pictured out in front belongs to Mother!! She and Herb traveled all over England on that thing (if you remember, I did tell you what a penny pincher Herb is). But, alas, I must be mistaken. I must tell you, though, it is very strange shop. It SAYS 'coffeeshop' on the sign, but then comes the tip-off, it is not a coffeeshop after all. No, it is a garden shop. But the likes of which I've never seen before. Apparently, one can play games there--all kinds--and then when you are ready to buy your garden supplies, why, they sell you little plots of lawn and actually mow it right in front of the customer while he sips his drink. Now, I ask you, isn't that odd? I guess maybe it is a sort of 'general store' concept coffe shop, hey? <BR><BR>Anyway, I appreciate your advice, but, no, Scotland can't be missed, now. My mother-in-law has found the name of the parrish where her Mum was born and she and Dad are going there to 'perform a rubbing'. Apparently the priest doesn't allow this sort of thing, but Dad is planning to present the priest with his very own Hawaiian shirt as a sort of bribe. More later.

OntheSpot, I was mistaken. It seems I only told you how, well, thrifty, Dad is, and forgot to mention how tightly Herb also hangs on to the penny. Actually, Mother is the one with the money and, unfortunately, she just gives it away. She is also traveling with her hometown Yodeling Hoedown Heiffers Ladies Club and with Herb's two sisters, so I don't know if she will be able to find the time to make reports on her trip. We'll have to wait and see what shows up here. About her lunch with Kavey, I believe Mother said it was an Indian restaurant, catered by Kavey's mother. I believe it was near Camden? Not sure, though. Yes! Maceys! You know Macey's?!!! I love, love, LOVE that store. But, you missed the sale, it was yesterday. But another starts today, yes, today!! I'm going to see if they carry plaid trousers and tartan trim for mother's pink running suit. Oh, won't she be all the rage? Ta!

!!!!!ohmiGod!!!<BR>I am so exicited that there are people on this site that think like me! Now I can have a conversation with people who will understand me. LOL. LMAO&gt;

"One if by land, two if by sea..." - what if I'm flying? Is that zero or three?<BR><BR>"Mommy, is Rotterdam a bad word?"<BR>"No, dear, it's a town in Holland."<BR>"Good! Teacher has poison ivy and I hope it'll Rotterdam arm off."

OH MY GOD! You mean that your Mother is actually the hot little French number named Fifi that Herb told us about in one of the many Herb and Clara posts? My, my, what it must have been an interesting childhood having Fifi as a mother! And, it looks like Herb lied to us when he claimed that Fifi was a "young hottie"....not likely if she is in fact your Mama.....