Not Being Able To Create Art They Will Not Understand Art

Ditch the funny money

Just to confirm that Scotland like the infamous customs story is 'abroad'; not only have they got there own language which is used commonly in the Isles (gaelic, sounds like no other language I've heard), they also have their own currency.

Sure it's British pounds, but YOU try telling that to the guy in the offie off the Kings Road on a Saturday night. Some notes like the pound note aren't used in England anymore; and I've had notes refused despite being perfectly legal. So I've been hanging onto the English notes and ditching the funny money.

On the ferry to Uig on Skye atm. From there I'll take a bus to Portree, say hello to that old friend where I stayed 5 years ago, then onto Inverness by coach then hopefully London to meet John (I've missed the cuddles, if there are any highland bears they are hidden in a broch somewhere). I can't get email btw.

Ditch the funny money

Just to confirm that Scotland like the infamous customs story is 'abroad'; not only have they got there own language which is used commonly in the Isles (gaelic, sounds like no other language I've heard), they also have their own currency.

Sure it's British pounds, but YOU try telling that to the guy in the offie off the Kings Road on a Saturday night. Some notes like the pound note aren't used in England anymore; and I've had notes refused despite being perfectly legal. So I've been hanging onto the English notes and ditching the funny money.

On the ferry to Uig on Skye atm. From there I'll take a bus to Portree, say hello to that old friend where I stayed 5 years ago, then onto Inverness by coach then hopefully London to meet John (I've missed the cuddles, if there are any highland bears they are hidden in a broch somewhere). I can't get email btw.

Whatever the weather does, and you'll be surprised at it's ability to change within an hour, it will rain at some point.

Sitting on a bus on Harris to Leverburg, watching the landscape change from Lunar to golden luminescent sands & back again through the rain.

It's been raining since I got here - I get the impression that's the normal state of affairs for this part of the world.
Staying at a small B&B in the home of two local grandparents (scottish grandmother alert, sample quote - default response #1 "Ach well!") so am on best behaviour. Headed to Rodel Church yesteday, but due to the buses didn't get to Luskentyre.
Almost had to leave at 7am for the ferry which leads me onto Tip #6 - Always book/change your sleeper reservation well in advance. I have a booking for Wed but wanted to change it to tonight, so heading to Inverness on spec to see if anyone doesn't turn up.

Whatever the weather does, and you'll be surprised at it's ability to change within an hour, it will rain at some point.

Sitting on a bus on Harris to Leverburg, watching the landscape change from Lunar to golden luminescent sands & back again through the rain.

It's been raining since I got here - I get the impression that's the normal state of affairs for this part of the world.
Staying at a small B&B in the home of two local grandparents (scottish grandmother alert, sample quote - default response #1 "Ach well!") so am on best behaviour. Headed to Rodel Church yesteday, but due to the buses didn't get to Luskentyre.
Almost had to leave at 7am for the ferry which leads me onto Tip #6 - Always book/change your sleeper reservation well in advance. I have a booking for Wed but wanted to change it to tonight, so heading to Inverness on spec to see if anyone doesn't turn up.

"We don't do fast (unless we are driving)"

One of the things books always point out is that life in the Hebrides is slow. As slow as the glaciers that formed the lochs (& veritably stationary on a Sunday; the one about padlocking swings seems to be a myth, unless they now padlock up the kids instead).

Example: because the combined arcanery of the bus times & lack of anything like a shop on the Butt of Lewis (stop sniggering at the back) I had only an hour back in Stornoway before the bus out. Fine, I'll do my shopping, then grab a bite to eat. I even asked how long the food would take (5-10 mins max). 15-20 mins later I'm shovelling the food into my mouth at Resolve baiting speeds & run for the bus. Sadly easy-going does not apply to the buses...

The ultimate irony is that the locals drive like life is going out of fashion, & they seem to get their wish judging by the ditches.

"We don't do fast (unless we are driving)"

One of the things books always point out is that life in the Hebrides is slow. As slow as the glaciers that formed the lochs (& veritably stationary on a Sunday; the one about padlocking swings seems to be a myth, unless they now padlock up the kids instead).

Example: because the combined arcanery of the bus times & lack of anything like a shop on the Butt of Lewis (stop sniggering at the back) I had only an hour back in Stornoway before the bus out. Fine, I'll do my shopping, then grab a bite to eat. I even asked how long the food would take (5-10 mins max). 15-20 mins later I'm shovelling the food into my mouth at Resolve baiting speeds & run for the bus. Sadly easy-going does not apply to the buses...

The ultimate irony is that the locals drive like life is going out of fashion, & they seem to get their wish judging by the ditches.