When I woke this morning, I had a message from my friend James. He informed me that they had added the U.K. to the banned travel countries, and he asked me how I planned on getting back home. Upon further research, I discovered that they will still allow US citizens to come back home, even during the ban.
With all the virus doom and gloom, I’m just going to hope for the best. But I’m still going to do my best to enjoy my time while I’m here. It always feels great to travel!
When I’m out and about in the morning, I love to smile and tell random strangers, “Good Morning!” Nobody is ever expecting it, and most people respond in kind. Nobody expects it either. It’s brilliant!
I decided to take a day-trip up to Balloch, which is the closest station to Loch Lomond, and nature is probably one of my most intimate connections to God that I have felt. Add a spiritual thought or music to the mix, and that is something that I need!
When we boarded the boat, they made us all use hand sanitizer. I wasn’t planning on touching anyone, but now I just may have to, since we’re all “safe” from the virus.
My time on the boat was terrific. My only complaint is how loud the passengers onboard were. They were pretty rude and inconsiderate, too.
I did get some good video of the beautiful Loch. I have put it together for you and dubbed in Peter Hollens’ version of Loch Lomond. Enjoy!
It cost me £14 to get an Uber one-way to Apple Braehead. Apple Buchanan Street is only a few blocks from me, but they are the more popular destination and had no appointments today. So I get to the store, and five employees are standing on the doorway.
“Didn’t you get the email?” I tell them I didn’t and knew precisely where this is going. It’s this ridiculous over protection from the Coronavirus. They have closed their doors. This is ridiculous and stupid. Can you guys please plan your absurd apocalypse practice for a time when I’m not on vacation? Is that too much to ask?
The only good thing about this is the fact that I grabbed half a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts while I was waiting for my Uber back to the flat. I guess every cloud has a silver lining? I’m trying to make myself believe this very thing.
Other than the death of my computer and the stupid coronavirus, today was pretty good. I got an excellent walk all around the city, and I was even able to go shopping for some new socks.
Glasgow
I considered going out tonight and finding some music, but it is raining, and so I am tempted to stay in and possibly watch a movie on my phone. We shall see what happens.
Today has been filled with some good news and some bad and depressing news. First- let’s talk about the good news. I managed to get the first ferry from the island Erin this morning and arrived in Glasgow just before noon. I’m happy to get back and spend a few days in this remarkable city. I always used to tell everybody that Edinburgh was my favorite, and even though it still is, sometimes, I feel like you can’t compare apples with oranges.
Now on to the other news – I found out late last night that Country to Country, the concert that I love to attend while I am here has been postponed. This is frustrating because I came to Scotland this time of year and planned this whole trip around this event. This is all because of the scare that everyone is experiencing with this coronavirus.
Most of the day, I have been thinking and trying to decide what I would like to do about all of this. Part of me wants to go back home to the states, but I know that if I do that, I’m just going to go back to work. In my line of work, I am more likely to catch the coronavirus then I am traveling overseas.
Let’s face it: as a flight attendant, I am near so many people during my day, and it’s not like I can distance myself from most of them.
To be honest, I’m not afraid of catching the coronavirus. I think things would be different if I was very young, elderly, or had a corrupt immune system for whatever reason. This is not the case, however. Chances are- if I did catch this horrible flu, I would be down for a few days, and then I would be fine. I know things could always be worse, but that’s no way to live a life.
As of now, I think I’m going to continue this adventure. I plan on paying attention to the news, and hopefully tuning out some of the things that are being spread all around social media. A lot of these people are idiots. Some of them happen to be my friends. Don’t give me wrong- know the natural thing to do is freak out and run out and buy all the toilet paper.
Enough of that nonsense –today was a pretty good day. I did walk around Glasgow for a little while but had to get some stuff done around the apartment. I am now back with Dicky and Drew, so even though I love to travel by myself, it’s nice to have this company for a few more days.
Tonight my laptop died. I can’t get the screen to turn off, and when I try to use it, it gives me a horrible beeping sound. This machine is about seven years old, so it is time for something new. I just hoped that it would last me till the end of this trip. I have an appointment with one of the Apple stores tomorrow morning.
I’m hoping this is something that they can fix by doing some sort of reinstall, but if it’s something like needing a new hard drive or something that’s going to cost me very much money, then My adventures with this particular MacBook Pro are over. Perhaps Dicky, Drew, and I will have a memorial service for this laptop that I’ve have carried around the world for the last few years.
I’m sitting in the CalMac ferry terminal and am the only one here at the moment. I woke up this morning at 06:30, gathered the rest of my stuff, and left the Airbnb. A friend from the states has been tracking my travels and let me know that there were delays and cancelations in the ferry service today due to expected high winds. I should get an update in two hours, letting me know if there will be any service today.
Being stuck on the Isle of Arran wouldn’t be the end of the world- this is a great place, after all. Yes, I’m keeping up to date on the whole Covid-19 situation, wondering what my next move should be. Part of me wants to run back home to the states, but when I step back and think: according to the current numbers, I have less of a chance of catching a virus here in Scotland than I do in my own country, especially in my line of work.
12:21
It appears that I’ll be in Brodick, at least one more night. As I said earlier, it’s not the end of the world. I should be upset since I have a place reserved at my next location… but such is life, I guess. It’s not like it’ll go unused, though. Dicky and Drew are staying with me, after all.
I found accommodation at The Belvedere, which is an old home/ hotel. It is 100 years old this year! It’s a good location, too, just up the hill from the main street through town, but quick access to town. I can still walk down to Crofters’ for a fourth night, if I so choose.
When I arrived, the nicest man came to the door, and he told me he just received my booking request and apologized that the place was a mess. To be honest, the old home looks incredible. All I saw was a few dog toys in the living room area. I told him not to worry because I’m a dog person. He said I was the only one here, so he upgraded me to the more excellent room, for no extra cost. He is also giving me a discount because I told him I’d be leaving for breakfast in the morning.
22:29
For the fourth time in four days, I Had dinner at ‘Crofters’’. I was hoping for more live music, but unfortunately that wasn’t planned for tonight. I ordered a chicken dish, and I pretty much think that’s the best thing that I’ve had there so far.
Let’s hope I make it back to the mainland tomorrow!
When I first woke up, there is rain hitting the skylight above me. The sound may have been what woke me this morning. At any rate, I had gotten a good night’s sleep, so I rolled out of bed and headed downstairs.
I did a load of laundry, and by the time I had all of the wet clothes hanging to dry, it had gone from raining to partly cloudy. I figured this is my last full day on the isle of Arran, and I should take advantage of the fact. I got ready and headed out to go for a walk.
I found myself hiking up the Glen Rosa Circuit. It was a pleasant walk. The first half was very easy, as it went from a paved road to a dirt road to a well-kept trail. It was the second half after I crossed to the other side of the stream that was a little bit more difficult.
Still, I made my way back on what I could find of the trail. Much of the trail was covered in mud and puddles from the morning’s rain. I got some great pictures along the journey!
I just got back from ‘Crofters’’ where I had a great dinner. This was my third dinner visit in as many nights, but tonight was even better because there was live music!
Today was good, but I’m regretting not doing more. For reasons I shouldn’t get into (restroom reasons), I decided to stay close to the house. I did manage to walk Brodick to get a few supplies for lunch and some snacks, however. Everything is so expensing on the British pound! I guess food is a necessary evil.
Later, when I was feeling better, the clouds rolled in, and it started raining sideways. This weather probably isn’t the best to be in, since I have recently learned that my coat is water-resistant, but not water-proof. There’s a big difference between the two.
I did some laundry and read for a bit- speaking of reading. I also managed to pick up a new book while I was in Brodick called Mindful Travelling: Journeying the World, Discovering Yourself. For some reason, I’m still trying to convince myself that I’m a reader. I’m not. However, it takes me a while to finish any books. Why do bookstores interest me?
I arrived on the isle of Arran yesterday in the early afternoon. This storm was the first heavy rain that I’ve experienced in Scotland this year. I knew it was inevitable since I choose to travel here this time of the year. I could come in the summertime, but early spring has become my thing.
Even though it was only about a mile walk to my Airbnb, I opted to wait it out for a bit in the CalMac terminal lobby. The cottage was supposed to be ready from 15:00, and it was still a bit too early. I waited until 14:30 to leave.
Walking one mile in the pouring rain felt like walking about five miles. There were taxi cabs available, but I didn’t want to bother them with a one-mile trip. As an occasional Lyft driver at home, I know that we secretly hope for the rides that will give the more significant fares.
The Rowanbank Cottage is a nice little setup: Across the road from a golf course, and just beyond that, I can make out the sea. It is right on the outskirts of downtown Brodick and seems like a great place to stay.
After getting settled in, I put back on my wet clothes and headed into town to find some dinner. I walked into the first place I saw that was open (and looked like they’d serve more than just alcohol), which turned out to be Crofters’ Music Bar Bistro. Not to be confused with ‘The Crofter’ that I visited in Ft William, Scotland, back in 2018. The food was delicious- I had the sea bass with crawfish and sticky toffee pudding for dessert.
My server, although sweet, was a little overzealous. She kept checking on me every two or three bites at first, asking how I was doing and if I needed anything. I appreciate that she cared, but I’ve learned that this isn’t as common in Scotland as it is in America. Usually, the server will check on you once when you’ve had a chance to taste the food and then tend to leave you alone to enjoy your meal- the server won’t even bother you with brining your bill until you request it.
When eating out at home, it often feels like the server wants to rush you out to free up the table for the next person. They usually will drop off the bill saying something like, “No rush, but here’s this when you’re ready.” Are they afraid I’m going to sneak out without paying? When I eat, I have a hard enough time slowing down because I’m a pig. I don’t need that added pressure to rush. Just chill out!
I don’t have too much to report about today, sadly. In the middle of the night last night, I get very sick. It seems that the delicious Indian food from last night gave me food poisoning.
So- I was up all night, sitting on the toilet. It made me extremely weak. I also threw up about five times in the day. When I was finally able to leave the house, I grabbed some bananas, coconut water, and chicken noodle soup at Sainsbury.
Hopefully tomorrow is better. I do feel like I’m healing.
For breakfast this morning, I returned to Mum’s. I have probably eaten at this restaurant more times over the years, than any other restaurant in Scotland. Not only is it a great location, but they serve delicious comfort food. The first time I visited Mum’s was back when it was called Monster Mash, but they changed to the new name back in 2010.
This afternoon, I took a walk up Calton Hill- this is an easy hike up the hill and offers a breathtaking view of Edinburgh, especially if you can get up there at night.
The guys and I decided to get Indian food for dinner since this is Drew’s favorite. We found a restaurant called Dishoom over on the New Town side. The food was so good (I’ll be back someday), and the service was impeccable!
For lunch today, I went to Mussel & Steak Bar, here in Grassmarket. My new plan for food is to eat a better lunch and keep dinner light, and perhaps if someone has tasty salads, I’ll seek them out. This was a great meal! I had the surf & turf. I tried to eat slowly and enjoy it all (I tend to rush through meals).
On my way back to the house, I stepped into a nearby candy shop. It was so amazing- but my only criticism to this shop owner is the fact that he has a lot of his candies, like the licorice, out in the open, exposed air. No wrappers or anything. How many kids have come through the store with their hands coved with germs, or coughing/sneezing? That’s all I could think about.
I bought some Scottish tablet, which is a traditional sweetish treat. It is in a sealed package and out of germs kids’ reaching. Most likely, it’s free of cooties, and hopefully free of the coronavirus.
I decided to try and walk to Lauriston Castle, about 4.8 miles one-way. The walk was beautiful. This is in a part of Edinburgh that I haven’t ever explored. On my journey, I came across Dean Village, which is a quaint and beautiful area. I wouldn’t mind living here! It’s too bad that everything in Scotland is most likely out of my price range!
When I got to the other side of the village, I came across Dean Cemetery. If you know me, you know I love cemeteries! I decided to do a live video while I walked through the graveyard, reading the headstones.
I could see some thick clouds rolling in. Also, the temperature felt as if it had dropped about five degrees. Having left my umbrella at the house, I knew if I didn’t get somewhere fast, I’d be soaking and cold. I acted quickly: I called for an Uber and had the guy take me to the cinema at the Omni Center.
I ducked out of the weather just in time and decided to see The Call of the Wild. The movie was a lot better than I thought it would be, but it just means I need to go back and read the book. I think I started it a few years back but didn’t finish for whatever reason. I’ll add it to my list.
Dinner was ramen. Not the 20-cent-on-sell kind, but an extreme version that reminded me of Ippudo in New York City (check it out). The portion where huge! This bowl was bigger than my head!
Tonight I’m sitting at the house alone. Dicky and Drew have gone out to do whatever people do on Friday nights. The place is pretty quiet right now, so I think I’m going to fall asleep soon!
DavTravels 