Glasgow to Ft. William

We awoke at about 8:45 after getting to bed about 4 am, feeling a little tired and slow starting. In room coffee helped, we cleaned up and checked out and started our 15 minute walk to train station. We found a wonderful breakfast place stopped in for a traditional English breakfast consisting of eggs, toast, baked beans, sliced cooked tomato's, bacon(more ham) and black pudding(no not like American, more like a bread cake black and cinnamon taste) all this with coffee for about $5.20 not bad for UK.

A couple blocks later at a walk that was a little faster than we needed to make it( I thought we had 10 less minutes) we get to station board the train for our 3.5 hour ride through loch lomand park to Ft. William. The train ride through the Scottish Highland was a breathtaking mix of rolling valleys, lochs busy with shipping or fishing and high mountains rugged, rocky and snowy. Small little hamlets dotted our journey looking unspoiled by modern times, cars and electricity yes but still earning a living farming, growing own gardens. Simplicity of life quietly on display for all passing by to see. One can't help but start to give in to the alluring simple life, during this Easter weekend it reminds me to live a simple quiet life before the Lord.
Arrival in Ft William on an overcast day, highlighted a modern coastal town caught in an old way of life. Busy port, bed & breakfasts with lots of outdoor activities in an area where the coastline and mountains collide. Pictures to follow, Mike

On the way to Glasgow

We the second night was not as restful, we must be feeling the timezone difference. We had a late start, so it did not really matter because our train was not until 3pm. We had a wonderful visit with Nicoles house parents (she rents a room from a wonderful family) very interesting people. The dad Peter is a doctor, from from South Africa speaks about 6 languages, flys airplanes, has practiced many different fields of medicine. Kids are amazing late teens early 20's just a great family I would like to spend more time with. Peter gave us a ride to the train station, very nice considering the hill we would have to descend and ascend the other side. Once to the train station we sent Nicole early on a train all way to Glasgow (her passport was not back from visa application) and we were told that without a passport you can't fly. Then about 35 minutes later we got on our first train of the day all the way to paddington station in London. (after 3.5hrs) we arrive and head for the underground tube (subway) and look for the line that gets us to Liverpool Streeet station, run down the maze of escalators deep down and get on the Circle line and 20 minutes later we emerge at Liverpool St stop. We hurry up stairs to find the train to Stansted airport and find out that there is one every 15 mins, what a relief because we only have 42 minutes to get checked (at airport before ticketing closes)on our scheduled train. So we catch and early train that will give us almost one hour at airport before ticketing closes! We check in and its at this point that the agent tells us that Nicole could have flown with us and there was no need because she is still in UK! Lesson learned, research before we change plans next time. We board our easyJet flight to Glasgow (easyJet is the Southwest of the UK/Europe) small seats charge for everything and seats don't recline. and did I say only one bag! not one bag and a purse no.....ONE bag period. We land in Glasgow, seem like last flight of night, airport is empty. We make our way to taxi stand and ask driver for McClays Guest House, he gives us the dear in the headlights look. I should have right them given the guy behind us in line this driver (lesson learned, go with initial gut feel regardless) but I dug out address and he said he knew the address. The ride should have been about 20 british pounds, ended up 25 and we drove around the area several laps before stopping at our destination. Thats about $45 for the tours of the neighborhood. Mission accomplished! Train, subway, train, plane and a taxi tour 9.5 hours.
We were tired, but our neighbors felt they needed to invite the entire house into the room and have loud borderline yelling conversations at 2 am! That is another story, needless to say none of us slept very much.

Easy first day

Well as expected we did not stay awake very long last night, Nicole's house mom Cora cooked a wonderful curry diner, rice, crackers with mango sauce. With full tummy I was out by 7-7:30 (still light outside) and Marcia was not far behind me. I finally awoke about 9am and got ready for day, then about 11 am I had to go wake up Marcia because she was still sleeping steady after 15hours straight!! Now that is impressive, so with sleepy face awake and dressed we walked down the hill to meet Nicole at a wonderful restaurant Mill on the Ex. We sat next to the fireplace overlooking the river (two walls are all glass windows), very beautiful with good food at a great price. After lunch we started to plan our trip to Scotland, or at least some of the details, the major stops are scheduled but not what we are doing there. Nice afternoon looking for gloves for Marcia, stop at a Museum, meeting some of Nicole's friends. Very Nice Day, a light diner and tea with another friend Hanna then back home. Marcia and Nicole sat up talking well past midnight talking and I went to sleep.....leave for Glasgow tomorrow!

Made it to Exeter

We boarded our flight to London last night, our wonderful seats mid business cabin (quiet) after a good meal we slept as good as one could that is excited when trying to go to bed early! Then after a couple hours of sleep we landed in London at 7:30am local (12:30am our body time) a bit groggy and sleepy. We cleared customes in record time, Delta gave us a fast track coupon that short cut the immigration line. We picked up the luggage and made it to the bus terminal in less than 45 minutes, if we knew where we were going it would have taken 35 minutes to walk fast. At the bus terminal we boarded a bus 3 hours before our planned trip(cause they had room) and we arrived in Exeter 3 hours early! Just a side note the bus ride was one of the coldest in recent memory! The driver had the A/C on and it was only 45 degree's outside with rain, probably had bus down below 40!!! even locals were donning jackets. Marcia had her jacket with her, mine was safely underneath in cargo hold, 4 hour bus ride.....freezing. So when we left the bus station we put our rain jackets on and walked very fast (to warm up) to Nicoles place of work.....Starbucks. Walked in got in line, Nicole was working the register and did not notice us until she asked us what we wanted!! She squeeked it s you and your early and she ran around the counter to hug us!!

No to find a phone sim card so we can text and have contact locally with Nicole and the 30 minute walk (uphill) to Nicoles home fo dinner and an early night and hopefully a full nights sleep.

thanks for reading

Mike

Leaving Phoenix

Today we woke up at 3 am after staying up too late last night packing and finalizing all last minute details. We decided that I(mike) would carry a backpack and Marcia would use a small carry on size roller board. So we get to airport, check extra cloths for Nicole and head to security and the gate. All without even a sip of coffee, we monitor our status on standby list and looks good so I head off to get coffee :) small victory. finaly get our seats, plane is full and we get to sit together! another victory! Very excited and sleepy all at same time. We are going through Detroit because the plane to London has good availability for business class seats (lay flat) and our stand by status should be just enough to be in those for our trip to London.

Stay tuned :)

Mike