Scotland I - Traveling with a Gimp

April 1, 2006 - 5:55 Eastern

We have made it to Newark and are waiting in the airport for E. to arrive from Norfolk.

Mom is getting all kinds of special tratment because of her broken ankle and her self-described "crippledness". We have had wheelchairs at every turn. The Philippina woman who pushed her in Seattle was great. The ones we've had here in Newark are not quite as generous and apparently get tips. I haven't tipped anyone! Oops!

At Seatac we stopped for a coffee at a Starbucks stand, got 2 coffees and a scone and the girl told me I owed her $10.99!! I said, "What?? For 2 coffees and a scone?? How much does that scone cost?!!" She yelled, "April Fool!" I didn't get it at first but we all ended up having a good laugh.

Mom seems confused about E. coming and just where she's coming from. Pretty soon she'll be here and all will be clear! It's always a tough trip to get from Seattle to Europe. An awful long time in airports and planes. Mom has done well and her spirits are high. I didn't sleep well at the hotel last night so I've been a little tired but I'll revive eventually.

April 2, 2006 - 10:54 pm Scotland

We are just getting into bed after a lovely slow meal here at the Dhailing Lodge Hotel in Dunoon. E. made it to the plane but just by a whisker. Her Norfolk plane left 1 1/2 hours late and our plane out to Edinburgh was late leaving so it came together. Once again Mom (and E. and I by extension) was boarded ahead of others and once we got settle we had a rousing chat. It's the first time E. has seen her Gradma in about 12 years.

We all tried to sleep, after dinner and a movie, The Family Stone, but only I succeeded. We got into Edinburgh in 6 hours, once again met by a wheelchair. We were escorted to passport check and then to baggage. As we came out of baggage we met George Wallace, our Best Scottish Tours guide. Right up until that moment I hadn't been absolutely confident that BST was for real. I kept picturing a scam group that had run off with my money!

But far from it. George has been wonderful, even keeping a good temper when E. thought she had lost her purse at the mini-market we stopped at between Edinburgh and Glasgow. It turned out her little red wallet had gotten under the seat of the car and she discovered it when she was getting back into the car after a search of the mini-market. We were all so relieved.

The mini-market was more interesting than it normally would have been because there were many policemen there. George explained that yesterday was the championship match in Glasgow between 2 Edinburgh football (soccer to us) teams. The mini-market is the only stop between the two cities on the highway, so fans would stop there for snacks. There were 4 buses of fans plus two limos . The police, in their neon green vests, looking just like the ones from British TV, were very busy with them.

After we got all the wallet business straightened out George headed us toward Glasgow again. I was surprised at how dirty the sides of the freeway were-plastic bags blown into the leafless trees, lots of trash thrown out by motorists. I think the wind blows allot here, since it's an island, and takes the bags flying. Probably in Spring when the trees leaf out they won't be as apparent. It reminds me of my first impression of Athens--dirty. I suppose that's the way it is with cities and that's where the airports are, in the cities.

As we got off the freeway and into the country more the landscape was pretty. We are here at the very verge of Spring. The daffodils are blooming but the deciduous trees are still very bare. There may be buds if I could look up close.

The weather is very similar to Spring at home. Sun, rain bursts, sun again, sprinkles, heavy rain, sun, low clouds, blue sky patches. George took us along Loch Lomand, Loch Frye, Loch Long our our way to the tiny town of Dunoon where our hotel for two nights is. The hotel is The Dhailing Lodge Hotel, run by two men, Fraser and Donald, a long time couple I think. They have made a beautiful place. They serve both breakfast and dinner. It is wonderful not to have to worry about money, as all of this is paid for. I do think that a tip at the end of our stay will be in order.

Dinner, after much longed for napping, was 5 courses. It reminded me of a cruise ship. First there were little canapes in the parlor--E. and Mom had wine--and then we were seated in the diningroom. First course an avocado and fruit salad, then an asparagus soup, then for Mom and me, an extremely tasty gruyere/winter squash/corn bake, then dessert, apple cake with a scoop of ice cream. Was that enough? Not quite! To top it all off, cheese and biscuits (crackers). By that time I could handle only one slice of white cheddar on one cracker!

There was also coffee and a little plate of chocolates that were made by Donald's mother. Fabulous. We were in the dining room from 7:30 until 10:30--slow food and good conversation.

Must write that yesterday Mom was very tired and confused and didn't realize that the woman in the front seat of the car was E. When we sat down at lunch she looked over at E. and said to her, "You look remarkably like my Granddaughter!" It must have given E. a start, but she didn't let on and I quickly corrected her. I think this was because of tiredness--I hope so. Last night Mom insisted she needed another blood pressure pill because she was afraid she hadn't been keeping up with her pills because of the time changes. Consequently she got up every 2 hours to pee! We won't be doing that tonight! Tonight we'll be using the sleeping aids, mostly so I can sleep! Must get ready for breakfast now and to begin our second day in Scotland.

On a ceremonial necklace in Inverary Castle: "May you always have herring in the net".