Day 05 – Final Pre-workshop Day and No Photographs

Today was a strange day in some respects. No photographs! Actually, we were trying to get back to Edinburgh before the rush-hour traffic that would be worse before the Bank Holiday. While Scotland does not observe this holiday, people south of the border do.

Scotland is such a wonderful place to walk, hike, drive, and enjoy, that it is a popular tourist destination. Already, we have met several people from Oz, as well as some from south of the border. One couple, as a 40th anniversary celebration, were recreating their honeymoon route. Another, from Oz, were traveling as I so often have done over the years … “by whim and whatever” I have always called it.

Part of travel, to me, is to meet the local folks. I have no wish to travel and spend my time with fellow Americans. I can and do that in the U.S. I want to meet people from the country I am visiting, hear about their travels and experiences, listen to their family tales, learn about the local history.

And some of our participants have already done that.

One couple spend three days walking along Hadrian’s Wall, a walk that I have long wished to do. Another one landed in Edinburgh several days ago and has been walking ever since. Along the way, one cannot help but meet people.

For us, as we traveled down to Edinburgh, we reviewed the places we had revisited, the new places we had found, and remarked at how we looked forward to welcoming back our alumnae/i.

We dropped off our pre-tour Vauxhaul (bluey-green, of course) and picked up our wagons for our workshop. Arnie, not as used to driving on the left side as I, admonished me in no uncertain terms to NOT LOSE HIM. I promised I would not. Of course, we were in rush hour traffic as we navigated our way to the hotel. No problem, except that when one exits the airport, there are roundabouts (rotaries for our American friends). One cannot guarantee that one can get two cars on to the roundabout in one swat. Sure enough, there were several cars between Arnie and me. Arghhh! What to do?

There was no place for me to pull over, so I slowed down in a wide place, and encouraged the four or five cars between us to pass me so Arnie could “catch up.” He did.

We were fine for a bit until we had to merge down into one lane off the motorway. Fine, except in the UK, drivers are so much more civilized than those of us across the pond. Over here, people very sensibly take turns merging. One from the left, one from the right, another one from the left …

Hmmm.

I opened my window when one gentleman with appropriate driving manners allowed me to merge.

“My husband is behind me, I called across.”

He let Arnie in, too. Wonder of all wonders! Again, how civilized. How polite. How considerate!

We made it back into the city, but there was a detour. I had studied the map route before we left the airport, and I was prepared for a pretty simple approach to our hotel.

Eh-EH (you alumni know the sound). There was detour that led us through a maze of lefts and rights that left my head spinning as I checked back constantly to make sure Arnie was not lost. HAL led us right to our hotel, and there was no parking that I could determine. I pulled over, as did Arnie, and I backed slowly, indicating to him that he should do the same. We got the cars parked close to the curb, and Arnie wisely suggested that I put on my flashers.

I dashed across the street to the hotel, started to check us in, and Arnie came running in and said there was a bobby (UK for policeman) saying we had to move our cars NOW!

We raced outside, and the bobby kindly let us know how we should get ourselves across the street legally. We had just arrived in Edinburgh, and we had forgotten that two yellow lines along the curb mean no parking. A single line is OK, as long as it is between the hours of 6:30 in the evening and 8:00 come morning. It’s not yet even 6:00. We dawdle unloading our bags, as we cannot be given a ticket if we are in the car. We take turns bringing our gear into the car, and we are OK … we hope. The bobby is no longer in sight.

There was a construction crew who had designs on our spaces. These are like GOLD in the city.

“So sorry,” we say, “We can park here for free until 8:00 tomorrow morning.” We laugh, and they laugh, and they have to find another place. With parking at such a premium, we are not about to give up our lucky gold mine.

Erica and Squirrel suddenly materialized. Hugs and glad greetings all around. Squirrel has already spent the day with Dave and Sue, so most everyone is close by.

We gather downstairs and go off to find a local pub for dinner. After several false starts, we find something to our liking and enjoy a raucous, laugh-filled evening of stories and experiences. My cheeks hurt, always a good sign.

Cheryl will join us tomorrow, and we’ll take off for the first day of our workshop.

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