The Ugly
Lost my cell phone somewhere around Loch Lomond. Fortunately we had a backup (for the most part) on Mary's phone, and a paper copy too. What a dumbass. Every couple of years I lose something important, like my wallet, or my mind. I guess it's in my DNA. Any other "losers" out there so to speak? I did pat the pocket with my passport in it about 100 times.
Between flight delays at Toronto and Dulles, it was about 24 hours between leaving Dublin and getting back home to West Virginia. Sat on the tarmac at Dulles for 1.5 hours as the Air Canada pilot waited for a gate to open. Crying and screaming toddlers added to the fun. I felt bad for the parents who did the best they could. The kids were just exhausted I'm sure. I am looking forward to not flying for awhile.
The Bad
For the first time in 10 years I reaggravated a lower back injury. It was in our room at the B&B. I won't get into details so use your imagination. Hurt like hell but I soldiered on to our train day trip to Glasgow.
Plenty of rain. Our rain jackets did the job but our shoes and socks got soaked a couple of times, thus we were glad to have a backup pair of shoes. We must have taken our jackets off and then back on a dozen or more times. Thank goodness for a daypack to not only store jackets, but also water and snacks.
We confirmed our arrival time with the B&B host, but our hostess had health issues and her backup, a sister-in-law, did not expect us, so nobody was able to receive us upon arrival at 0900. After eating breakfast we went back and the SIL answered the door in a rather surly mood. She said, "I wasn't expecting you." Well, good morning to you, too. Good grief. No, I didn't show her the confirmation arrival time email, but it was a rather inauspicious beginning to our trip. She seemed quite annoyed at having to give us a room key and check us in.
We kept our hotel room window cracked open about one-third for fresh air at night. I don't know what the hell was going on but one night--sometime after midnight--there was a 15-minute period of children crying, doors being slammed, and adults talking loudly or yelling. It would have been quite funny if not for the time. I swear there was a door slammed shut a dozen or more times. How does that happen lol?
The B&B breakfast didn't start until 0800, so we missed it a few times.
The Good
Other than a grumpy B&B SIL everyone we encountered was friendly and helpful. The idea that service workers can't show human warmth and also be professional is rubbish. At one restaurant we got ID'd due to ordering beer and wine. We're 62. The waitress then learned it was one day from my wife's birthday so she brought her a dessert with "Happy Birthday" spelled out in chocolate sauce. The lady was so charming and kind, as were just about all of the people we met in Scotland. I don't know what's in the water there, but it was amazing how great everyone was.
The people. As far as being friendly is concerned I'd rank the Scots right up there with Liverpudlians. The Irish are close behind.
The beauty of the highlands. The clouds and rain provided an exquisite and dramatic backdrop to the mountains.
Rabbie's Tours. In the past we usually rented cars, but what I liked about the tours was instead of driving by something and wondering what it was, we had a tour guide to explain it in some detail.
Edinburgh. We took the bus the first day and then walked everywhere afterwards. Why? It was often as fast as the bus and we like to exercise. Our average number of steps were about 20,000 with a peak of 26,000. This allowed us to eat pretty much whatever we wanted and still lose weight. My weight (on my 5' 11" frame) went from 166 to 161 pounds by the time I got home.