Here comes the sun…?
Here I am at another airport…Glasgow…and have already been told the plane’s running 25 minutes late! So I hope I’m able to get my connection to Vienna as I will only have about 10 minutes to board now. I have the familiar knot in my stomach, related to being in transit, to leaving all my lovely rellies and considering the long haul home. None of it fills me with glee. So, I am trying to take a note out of Wee Hugh’s book and to spend time reflecting on memories. In his case this is the many happy memories he has of his 91 years of life, and also of his more recent day-to-day ones. Even if I can do that, I should be transported out of this place, so here goes…
Saturday morning seemed a little clearer and I took the lovely Fara for a morning walk. She is gentle and somewhat nervous greyhound who wears a fetching raincoat on wet and chilly days. We discovered the further reaches of the village and that red squirrels might be seen. They are not numerous and we didn’t see any, but I do now know that 80% of them live in Scotland and have tufted ears.
Back in time for 2nd breakfast of eggs Benedict from Judith and hearing more stories from Wee Hugh.
As the sky was showing small and intermittent patches of blue, Jude, Hazel and I opted for a lift to Carrick Castle, about 7 kms along the other side of the loch. We became hopeful as we progressed…but as soon as we started to walk, it began to rain! We stayed on the country road and got very wet but the The Boat Shed cafe appeared and in we dashed. I was happy to wait for a table as long as I could stay inside. Meantime,the hardy Scots were doing their best to secure tables on the deck! This was summer after all.
Spirits were restored by really good leaf tea and cream scones. And then the sun shone, albeit, weakly for the rest of our walk. I know I sound like I’m making heavy weather of the rain but I was actually happy to have this really typical misty, moisty Scottish summer. It was so much more suited to where we were and so lovely to see surrounding mountains appearing from behind misty clouds. Also a blessed relief from heat, and preparation for coming home. But I did reflect on the bleakness of such a place in winter, when the approaching road is covered in snow. Mind you, snow on all those holly trees could be beautiful….sadly, that will have to be something for my imagination.
Judith and girls had returned from their journey to a seafood outlet with oysters. Jude shucked them all but girls were the only ones keen to eat them.
After dinner we went to The Goil Inn to listen to a young Scottish woman on guitar, singing songs both current and ones that the older of us actually recognised.
It was a typical country pub which welcomed children and dogs. Only one child but many dogs…so every so often there was a bit of a skirmish (dogs) and a bit of yelling (owners) and then everyone settled down to some serious drinking (well, the owners did). Fara came for awhile but it made her nervous and she was happier when she could go home to grandpa.
There was a whole group of people-of-a-certain-age, sporting green t-shirts with a slogan on it (see pic). Mainly Norwegians visiting Scottish friends at their bach there. Apparently AI translates this from a popular Norwegian saying: “If you’re out walking in the open air, you won’t be grumpy”. Most appropriate…but I like the Scottish version best.
What a happy end to the day…and also the weekend as we had to be out by next morning.
It was so sad goodbye, especially to dear Hugh whom I’m unlikely to see again. A few tears were shed…and also for the cuzzies, although there’s a better chance of seeing them.
And after 10 hours of travel I’m back in Vienna to pack and say bye to the Latham, before facing the nightmare journey tomorrow.
A final word will appear when I’m home. Thank you for listening dear friends!
A fabulous visit Robyn, missing you already! You fair lifted our spirits despite the rain. I seem to remember you promising a visit for Hughes 100th Birthday :-) I am sure we will see you in Paradise before then. Hopefully a wee trip down to Raglan asap x
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