Brodick

Scotland 8: Day 12

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A Clear Day As I Leave Brodick

03.13.20 | Glasgow, Scotland | 20:59

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.

  • Glasgow Flat
  • Glasgow Flat 2
  • Glasgow at Night
  • Glasgow at Night 2

[update: Link to this AirBnb]

Scotland 8: Day 11

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03.12.20 | Brodick, Scotland | 10:05

Sunrise

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!

Scotland 8: Day 10

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03.11.20 | Brodick, Scotland | 21:36

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!

Cullen Skink

Scotland 8: Day 9

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03.10.20 | Brodick, Scotland | 21:27

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?

Scotland 8: Day 8

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03.09.20 | Brodick, Scotland | 21:29

Leaving Edinburgh
  • Glasgow Central Station
Leaving Glasgow

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.

[update: Link to this place on AirBnb]

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!