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!
