Gareth, my boy, must be first. He needs to experience some joy from the world after such a hard two years. His time in Lubbock during the pandemic has left some scars, and I think, I hope, that travel would do him good.
So we sat down and talked about where we might go. I was surprised that he wanted to go to the UK, to England and Scotland. At first I was just a tiny bit dismayed, as I'd been there before, several times, and it wasn't something new. But that brief moment of selfishness passed, and I felt quietly ashamed: this was, after all, not really for me. But I quickly became excited myself as we talked and I began to see the trip through his eyes. There was so much to see and do!
The trip began to take form, starting with the realization that the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a display of British armed forces musicians performing in the Esplande of the Edinburgh Castle, would be the perfect thing to take my musically gifted son to see. Jen and I had must missed the festival in 2018 and we'd always wondered what it would've been like. It is a sign of her love and her patience that she has not protested our seeing it without her, despite her must feeling a bit left out. I don't think "owe" is quite the right word to use, but I do want very much to make it up to her.
As if that was not enough, Fringe, the world famous festival of the arts, would be taking place. What's more, it would be the festival's 75th anniversary. Not only would it be an opportunity to experience music, theater, comedy by up and comers, it's a wonderful homage, for it was at Fringe that the troupe that would come to be known as Monty Python would be formed.
I also broached the idea of visiting Loch Ness, since we would be a short-ish train ride from Inverness. I think the idea pleased him more than he let on. He can be fairly laconic, and even more likes to appear unfazed by the world. I would love to see him break his stoic mask, even a little bit, at the sight of the lake and its castles and sleepy villages. But perhaps London, the British Museum, the Tower, or Westminster will get to him first.
All told, the trip is about two weeks: one day to travel to London, two full days there, one day to travel to Edinburgh, four full days there, one day to travel to Inverness, one full day there, a free day to go and do whatever we like, a day to get back to London, and then the final day to fly back home. Hopefully not too itinerant or hectic, hopefully full of experiences without being relentless. A time for a father and son to see and do and build some happy memories together.
