February 12, 2007

• Quick Note from Scotland

  Today is my last day in Scotland. I had intended to blog before now, but you know what they say about good intentions. I am tired, and ready to go home, and I hope I can sleep on the plane tomorrow, although I have yet to manage more than two hours sleep ever on a trip to or from the UK.

   

  The weather has been all over the place and tends to change about every 30 minutes, so it keeps you on your toes. We have had sunshine, clouds, no wind, high winds, rain, hail, flurries and snow, and any number of combinations. Over all, it seems to stay around 30-35 F, but with wind chill, it can get much more exciting.

   

  I have learned all sorts of things this trip. For instance, I have learned to drive on the left side of the road, with a stick shift also on the wrong side. Add snow and ice for a California not really used to such driving conditions and my best summary of my first few days is challenging! But now I am driving like a pro, handling the stick shift like it has always been on the left and I don’t blink with the numerous weather changes.

   

  The only bit I don’t want to repeat is crossing a causeway in the middle of a storm. I am on the Orkney Islands. To connect the islands, they have built causeways, which are basically piles of rocks, old ships and cement, topped with a narrow, two land road. When the tide is high, and the wind blows, the ocean and waves blows right over the road and in worse cases, the causeway is closed. Cars and trucks have had windows blow out by the waves and even been pushed into the icy ocean. Just last December, the little barriers on either side of the main causeway were just washed away, so currently it is down to one lane there, with little temporary wooden barriers on either side. Anyhow, I did have to cross once in a storm, not at high tide, but fairly close to it. As I approached the causeway I could see the ocean smashing on the rocks and spraying all over the road. Cars were being hit and soaked. So I prayed really hard and finally crossed, my heart pounding, and two kids in the backseat chatting about all the accidents they had heard about in weather like this on the causeway, I drove! Yes, one wave did hit the car, not too hard, but it completely took my visibility for a short time, but I used the wipers, cleared the window and drove the rest of the way safely. But mind you, once was enough. I never plan to try to cross in weather like that again!

   

  I have learned that it seems to be traditional to not eat your toast until you have finished all your oatmeal. The keeper of the inn once brought out my toast before my oatmeal was done (he thought I had finished) and apologized profusely and offered to take it back and bring fresh toast when I finished!

   

  I have also learned that by Scottish standards, I eat very light and healthfully! Both the innkeeper and his wife (both who are very thin) keep asking if I am getting enough. A real breakfast seems to be eggs and sausage and tomatoes, etc. I have had to ask them not to bring me so much at dinner, because I hate wasting so much food, and again they comment. “Are you sure you are getting enough to eat? Aren’t you still hungry?” etc.

   

  I have learned that toasties are sandwiches that are toasted with a filling, such as grilled cheese. Other favorite fillings are ham and cheese or tuna. Fish is big here, no surprise, as it is a fishing community. Tatties are baked potatoes and a favorite food for kids is backed beans served on toast, much like a hot dog or peanut butter and cheese in America.

   

  Anyhow, enough for now. I need to pack and get ready for the long day of travel tomorrow. Unfortunately I lost my camera on this trip, so there will not be pictures

  • 1:08 pm
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