Welcome

Scot - Lond 2015
Rambler’s Blog – Scotland London – Scot-Lond Adventure (August 19 September 16, 2015)

Trip Preparations

Scottish Gaelic Cheers! Sláinte (slancha)
London Cheers! Bottoms Up

A word about this blog…. It has been our goal in recent years’ lengthier travels to record for posterity a diary of travel stats, pictures, and personal reflections. So, when we can no longer indulge in trains, planes, hiking, RV’s and automobiles we may relive fond memories. We invite you to ride along through these personal writings risking exposure to our bad puns, spelling errors and sore feet.
* We may not have daily access to Internet so updates may be delayed, but once they appear they will be in sequence.
* The blog includes pictures based on the day’s blog.
* A map of our route appears on the Homepage.

Why these destinations and why now? We have spent a lot of time visiting and living in the UK. Over the years, the great and fun city of London has been a destination for work and play. If there is an opportunity to visit her we will take it.
Primarily we are returning for a Scotland trip. We lived in Glasgow for a year and a half. The kids completed part of their primary education there and we became a part of the local community. We have fond memories of our Glasgow experience and kind friends. Scotland is not a large country but very diverse in geography with remote lands, mountains, islands and endless shorelines. It lies in similar latitude with Alaska but the fact they are an island and the warm ocean currents make them less extreme, but they experience similar daylight changes. Scots are a friendly, generous bunch with wry senses of humor which adds to the landscape! We decided on a bus trip so we wouldn’t have to drive on the left, fight over roadmaps and make ferry connections. The idea is to just relax and sit back, which is very different from our usual micro-managed trips. Yet, there is a fair amount of walking, underground and train trips involved. This time we will visit a selection of islands that we were never able to see. Part of our time will be spent in Glasgow staying at friends Marion and McLean Ferguson and visiting our house, school, church and favorite haunts. We hope to catch up with Kathleen and John Revill as well.

Onward and upward. We will enjoy knowing you are with us in spirit. We will lift a glass, eat haggis and try a dram just for you! (notice it’s all about eating and drinking, LOL)

Pat and Chuck




Saturday, August 22, 2015

August 19 - Day 1

The day started in high summer with heat and humidity.  Pat had to go for emergency dental procedure last night at 10 PM: successful outcome just can’t eat on one side for the next month.  The doe with 2 fawns, Rocky/Bandit Raccoon and Pepe LePew Skunk ambled by to say so long, we’ll keep an eye on those giant tomatoes and jalapeno peppers while you’re gone.  Thomas Limo picked us up around 1:30PM and we arrived at CLE airport in plenty of time.  Lots of construction going on, don’t know what it is.  Our membership with the United Club has really paid off over time.  It’s a nice quiet oasis with food and drinks.  Our flight to Chicago is an Airbus, different from past small jets that we usually fly for these short jaunts.  Not too impressed with the United stewards.  We fly west into the storm moving east but skies were calm.  On to the United Club in Chi, going into the quiet room, no cells phones, thank goodness.  We decided to fly out of Chicago this time and not Newark.  45 minute flight to Chicago and back one hour. The flight will be 7 hours to London Heathrow.  A six hour time difference ahead of Chi. Seat assignment is econ plus, more leg room.  The plane configuration is 2-3-2. Note to self, do no sit over the wing, noisy and feel every bump.  Our plane has to be changed due to hydraulics malfunction, so it is inconvenient but necessary.  Luckily there are many empty seats so we can spread out.  Dinner was tasty but micro.  The seats are not good for sleeping and it is going to be a long night.  The staff is not particularly helpful and seem short tempered, same as on CLE-Chi trip.  Seven hours is a long time to be together and dependent on them.  Not impressed with United especially with the international flight.  Or we are just spoiled with diverting from our usual first class status?  United employees are in the midst of wage negotiations and wonder if they are into work to contract mode.  Not anxious to fly them again.  Miss Continental since they merged with United.  13 hours 5K approx. miles
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