To Rowayton

Belfast to Stewart International Airport north of New York City – take a low cost, daylight, long haul flight between these two small airports on Norwegian Air Shuttle - $A375 – no frills but everything clean, efficient, effective – security uncrowded – polite – quick –  not a bad experience at all!   - stay overnight in Ploughkeepsie – train into New York – Train to Rowayton! – the red headed grandchildren even more excited than the grey haired travellers!

Belfast and the "Troubles"

The reality is that “tomorrow is not better!” – we head off for a tour to the Giants Causeway – the weather cloudy – overcast – a chill in the air – “off early to beat the crowds” says the tour brochure – indeed we are off early – off guided by nice – by polite – by cheerful guides and agents – along the motorway to the Causeway – the weather deteriorates and then deteriorates some more – by the time the Giants Causeway Visitor Centre is reached it is distinctly inhospitable!

What the weather gods at the Causeway have failed to understand is that there is nothing that they can produce that could possibly dissuade Bernie from her objective of a close encounter with the paving stones of Finn McCool or indeed the shoe that the infamous opponent of McCool left behind in his panic!

It is unclear as to whether or not Bernie's partner shares her enthusiasm!

The close encounter is undertaken and recorded and the haven that is the Visitor’s Centre reclaimed.

The Bus Tour resumes – the Rope Bridge component observed from the café clouded in part by the mist rising from the seas and partly by the steam rising from the delicious potato and leek soup that we used an excuse to occupy the café rather than to tramp in the chilling winds across the bridge.

Off to the Distillery at Bushmills – more than a tasting! – three full tipples! – two single malts – one blend – too much alcohol for an individual tourist! – I wonder if the dregs are recycled into the blend for the distillery’s next encounter with a tour bus!

Back along the coastal route towards Belfast – “the greatest coastal road in the world” says the taxi driver – “the great coastal road in the world” says the tour driver - “attractive” thinks I - “I am not sure that these people have been to coast of the north of Scotland!” thinks I.

Belfast's fascination with the Game of Thrones is overt - more of a draw card for Belfast than the Lord of the Rings is for our Kiwi neighbours! - challenges the Titanic for preeminence in Northern Ireland - even when not on a "Game of Thrones" tour visitors are exposed to photographs - to locations - to stories.

We stop at a Game of Thrones location - Glencloy - the steps - apparently the heroine enters the water in Malta - exits the water in Northern Ireland! - "it is filmed mostly in Northern Ireland" says the taxi driver - "it is mostly filmed in Norther Ireland" says the tours guide - "at least they are consistent" thinks I - "any scenes that show sunshine are shot elsewhere but otherwise it is shot entirely here" says they.

As if to disguise their bias towards all things related to the "Thrones" we are shown a memorial to Paddy!

Back into Belfast and dinner in the Hotel.

Spring is trying again but not with the fervour that she had been showing in the last days of Scotland – we wander across the road to the Jury’s Inn – we do what we have been instructed to do – by David Parker - by Pam Milliken – we take a Black Cab Tour of the Murals of Belfast! – a story of troubled times – in our case at least, told by a troubled soul – a soul who is pleased by the peace but who still carries,perhaps not the hate, but at least the anger of the traditional Irish Republican – as people who had been reassured, indeed, calmed and contented, by the taxi driver and the tour guide that “the troubles are over” we finished the tour a just a little dismayed – we trust that indeed “the troubles are over”  but we are conscious that their source still simmers away close to the surface and ready for eruption.

We look at the Murals on both sides of the wall - we look at the walls that still exist almost 20 years after the Good Friday Agreement - we look at the steel gates along the Shankill Road that are still locked each night - we tremble. 

 “It is inevitable that there will be a single united Republic of Ireland on this island” says the driver – “ the population distribution is changing” – “we will achieve majority soon” – “the Good Friday Agreement requires a referendum on independence should one be asked for” says he – “we will be able to ask for one before too many years” says he! – the tour ends – “oh ye of little faith” thinks I about I – “why does this man make you feel uneasy”

Towards Belfast

The Scottish part of our sojourn comes to end – off to Belfast – we leave the Winnock Hotel and the environs of Loch Lomond and head off towards Edinburgh and its airport – the weather a delight – Spring has sprung in Scotland! – into Sterling – lovely city!

Out of Stirling – we approach the motorway towards Edinburgh - We get the only real scare of our 1500 miles on Scottish highways and byways – a Scottish Concrete Truck driver shares our view of the Mokka – while we feel affirmed by his view of the car,  we don’t share the extremity of this fellow’s convictions about it! – his convictions are so extreme that the complete destruction of the little black excuse for a motor vehicle is the only thing that will purge him of his negative feelings towards this Vauxhall produced obscenity – upon our entry to a roundabout that he clearly claimed dominance over, he recognised an opportunity  to effect a purge of his negative feelings towards the Mokka – we are fortunate that his attempt at its destruction was entirely unsuccessful – save for the long term bodily trembling that resulted from the blasting of his horn, both the Mokka and its occupants, managed to negotiate the mysteriously signposted and hugely complex roundabout onto the M9 without destruction.   

The trembling remains with us as we proceed – gone is our resolution to travel slowly – to take our time – to remain in Scotland as long as we can – we head for the airport to rid ourselves of the Mokka with an immediate effect as can be safely achieved – as we enter the immediate environs of the airport and as we approach the point at which we need to be able to place most faith in google maps we discover that my trusty phone has developed a close relationship with the Mokka and is not prepared to assist us in her disposal – the phone shuts down – she refuses to restart – we cannot find our way to Avis – we pass sign after sign pointing us to Budget Car Rentals but not an Avis sign in sight – round and round – round and round – nowhere to stop – nowhere to compose ourselves – eventually stop in the entrance to the employees car park – frustrate a worker – eventually we find someone in mood to assist the travellers – “Budget – Avis – same thing!” – says he.

The deposition of the car proceeds smoothly – “What did you think of the car?” says the Avis representative – he looks surprised when he gets his answer! – he is clearly not the only one unimpressed with our response – the phone refuses to behave – it starts only to stop whenever it is required to perform any useful function!

Easyjet to Belfast – we are too early to drop off the bags – endure Starbucks Coffee – wait and wait a little more – back to the bag deposit – smooth – smooth – wait some more for the gate to open – smoot -smooth – in Belfast in 35 minutes!

Gone are the plans for an Uber into Belfast – the phone still has not forgiven us for our haste to rid ourselves of the Mokka – it refuses to connect to the airport wifi – refuses to stay connected to the 4G sim – no option other than take a taxi – we so do! – his cab shows card signs – he talks – he talks – he chats – he acts as tour guide – he advises on this – he advises on that! – pleasant fellow – proud of Belfast – “not like it was during the troubles”  says he – we arrive at the hotel – I produce the card ‘ “oh – paying by car no – no card” says he – we drive to an ATM – he gets his cash! – “when you are heading to the airport just give me a call” says he – he hands me a card – the card covered in credit card signs! – I smile to myself – how much of that trip with go into his personal account!

The city relaxed – surely this is not peak hour – if so it is challenged by peak hour in Albury! -  Into the Fitzwilliam – nice hotel – wander out into Great Victoria Street – Pizza and Carlsberg! – Spring in Belfast this night is not so certain that it has sprung! – a little chillier than the weather we left in Scotland – never mind tomorrow will be better!

Roamin in the Gloamin

We rise at a restrained hour – after all this is Mother’s Day! – Chris once again wins the sibling contest to be first to offer the wishes of the day!

A last chance to go roamin in the gloaming on the bonny banks O’Clyde – even though it is a long way ahead of today’s gloaming we head off to Helensburg to photograph our roamin -  we will let the photo apps improvise!

Roamin' in the gloamin' on the bonny banks o' Clyde
Roamin' in the gloamin' with my lassie by my side
When the sun has gone to rest
That's the time we love the best
Ach, it's lovely roamin' in the gloamin'

I've seen lots of bonnie lassies travelin' far and wide
But my heart is centered now on bonny Kate McBride
And altho' I'm no' a man who throws a word away
I'm surprised mysel' sometimes at all I've got to say.

Roamin' in the gloamin' on the bonny banks o' Clyde
Roamin' in the gloamin' with my lassie by my side
When the sun has gone to rest
That's the time we love the best
Ach, it's lovely roamin' in the gloamin'

Roamin' in the gloamin' on the bonny banks o' Clyde
Roamin' in the gloamin' with my lassie by my side
When the sun has gone to rest
That's the time we love the best
Ach, it's lovely roamin' in the gloamin'

One nicht in the gloamin' we were trippin' side by side
I kissed her twice and asked her once if she would be my bride 
She was shy, so was I, we were baith the same
But I got brave and braver on the joumey comin' hame

Roamin' in the gloamin' on the bonny banks o' Clyde

Roamin' in the gloamin' with my lassie by my side
When the sun has gone to rest
That's the time we love the best
Ach, it's lovely roamin' in the gloamin'

Last nicht after strollin' we got hame at halfpast nine 
Sittin' at the kitchen fire I asked her to be mine
When she promised, I got up and danced the Hielan' fling 
I've just been at the jew'llers and I've picked a nice wee ring

Roamin' in the gloamin' on the bonny banks o' Clyde
Roamin' in the gloamin' with my lassie by my side
When the sun has gone to rest
That's the time we love the best
Ach, it's lovely roamin' in the gloamin'

Photograph ourselves then photograph the Clyde and her banks at Helensburg - notice the gloamin!

This is Mother’s Day after all! – Bernie requires a photograph on the Bonnie, Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond.

Admire the spring that has just sprung - photograph a shoot that arrived with the early morning warmth.

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To Lomond Shores – not the romantic place it should be! – a shopping centre complex commanding prime shore real estate! – still some nice views.

Back to the Winnock Hotel – delightfully located – an appropriate holiday base – she is just a little tired, makes scant attempt to disguise her age and shows little interest in growing old gracefully – nevertheless she is at her heart a delightful accommodation.

We dine out – the Drymen Inn – listen to an Eric Bogle fan do a cover of an Eric Bogle album – pleasant but Australia got the better end of the deal when the two way contest for migration rights was won by Bogle himself.

Off to Belfast tomorrow – save for a slow trip to Edinburgh Airport our experience of Scotand is coming to an end – we will be sad to leave – a sadness only tempered by the reality that we will at last rid ourselves of the Mokka – I am afraid that she failed in any attempt she may have made to ingratiate herself with us!   

A' o' a sudden earrach haes arrived!

We wake – the entire world has been tipped on its axis – it is SPRING – spring has sprung – yesterday it was winter – today it is spring – gone the thermal underwear – gone the thermal over-jackets! – people have changed overnight – gone the sullen visages – faces smile – voices cheery – trees laugh as they sprout their new leaves – paddocks that were green become greener – sheep that were white become whiter - the bluebells say hello  - the daffodils the only ones with sad faces – their time to shine is coming to an end!

Time to renew the medications – an expletive fills the hotel room – the additional medications missing from the case – off in search of pharmacist – easy – easy – show the packet of the missing medication – a troubled look on her face – “we will have to charge you a little extra since you do not have a prescription” says she – 6 pounds later I walk out beaming - the replacements in my hand! – oh how I wish for the same service in Australia.

We photograph a tiny sample of the walkers setting out to conquer the West Highland Way to Fort William - perhaps they will be the next tired and footsore guests that occupy our room at the Ben Nevis Guesthouse in Fort William.

We photograph the shop – the hotel - the town - everyone enjoying spring.

Towards the Queen Elizabeth Nature Park.

A delightful walk to the waterfalls – past the imitation bumbles bees!

Past signs announcing the deeds of Earrach (look that up on Google!).

Past Bernie feeding the rather tame deer

Arrive at the waterfalls – get photobombed by the flying aerialist –

Past Bernie photographing the arrival of her beloved bluebells – no longer does she need to ask her hosts where she can she bluebells 

Past Bernie lying down to photograph the trees

Wander back towards the Lodge

Coffee in the Lodge – a pleasant – pleasant – pleasant morning.

Back to the hotel – photograph the Lancias – the Fluvias – the Stratos – Scottish car fanatics the same as car fanatics anywhere in the world - Bernie shows her preference for Ferrari over Lancia.

Into the bar – sit and listen and listen and listen to a group of young Scots just returned for a walk for charity – so intrigued with their conversation that we cannot resist making a contribution to their collection.

This is certainly spring – we return to our hotel room – we look at the patio that yesterday we deemed as a joke – today we use it to bask I the sun – to photograph the holly and the ivy!

The Holly and the Ivy

When they are both full grown

Of all the tree that are in the wood

The Holly bears the crown

A lovely – lovely day!