Driving in the UK

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

Blue Doors

For this Too Good to Miss Tuesday I must address a universal truth . . . blue doors are beautiful. The evidence: substantial number of instances found throughout Europe.

With shades ranging from chicken egg blue (yes they exist--my sister has a chicken that lays blue eggs) to "almost green" turquoise I love them all. Included are a few "un-door" examples too significant to leave out.

"Sky on a snowy day blue" with a "dash of retro vibe aqua"

Clockwise from top left: Riomaggiore Italy, Bratislava Slovakia, Paris France x2, Verona Italy, Paris France

"Solemn-enough" grey/blue fit for nobility and a monastery

Clockwise from top left: Modena Italy, Prague Czech Republic (x2), Inveraray Scotland. Center: Prage Czech Republic

"You know you want to know more" electric blue  juxtaposed with "sophisticated sky" blues

Clockwise from top left: Bologna Italy, Amsterdam Netherlands, Zurich Switzerland, Amsterdam Netherlands. Center: Paris, France

The unorthodox mix . . . of course the Gelato University sign is blue, and the 2 black doors in Amsterdam are made even more stunning by the neighboring blue paint. Those sky blue/grey door and window frames in Zurich are the portals to a cozy home decor shop. I dream of wallpapering a nook with their library/book wall covering just as they did.

Turquoise that's all I'm gonna say

Clockwise from top left: Ghent Belgium, Inveraray Scotland, Dozza Italy, Gothenburg Sweden, Verona Italy, Edinburgh Scotland

And below, the pic of that romanticly lit door caught in a drizzly haze was the last blue door I captured on my last night in Europe.

Ardently Indigo

Clockwise from left: Bergen Norway, London (Notting Hill) England, Paris France

The Kindness of Scots

In 5 parts here is my attempt to convey how overwhelmed I am by the kindness of those I met in Scotland.

First Out in the country the roads are narrow and long and often desolate, but when I did encounter another car I could barely make out the color before it had pulled over into a turnout to let me by. It is almost a competition of sorts to see who can pull over first to let the oncoming traffic (or new friend) pass and then wave as you go by.

Those tight roads lead to places like this

and this

The lambies and cows are not so accommodating

Second To celebrate my birthday I booked a facial at a fancy Spa on Loch Lomond, but I had quite the time finding it. My navigation system never did. I pulled into a hotel and asked a passing lady for directions to the Carrick Spa. She explained it was back up the road (at least a mile). And even though her directions were perfectly adequate she hopped in her car and bade me follow her. After pulling into the correct driveway she waved me on and turned back out onto the road going the opposite direction. So sweet, I had to fight back the tears.

Third The general respect even extends to restroom signs. No "men" or "women" or "triangles" or "circles" denoting genders here.

Fourth In Edinburgh I asked a woman standing at a bus stop if she knew where to find the airport shuttle. As she responded her neighbor jumped in, both fighting to help and apologizing to the other for interrupting, I was given directions to the best airport shuttle bus ever: a double decker with upper level front seats all to myself. Only £2. If you are going to Edinburgh Do NOT pay the £25 for a taxi from downtown Edinburgh to the airport. TAKE THE BLUE SHUTTLE BUS. The views are fantastic.

Yay double deckers

Lastly I had some exceptional hosts in Scotland. Finding myself in a pickle in Edinburgh, a kind couple let me be their first airbnb.com guest with only 30 minutes notice and then my lovely hostess in Croftamie 1.5 hours away, gathered all my gear stashing it and her 1 year old daughter in her car, she drove 30 minutes to deliver everything to me (except her adorable daughter) at the nearest train station.

Scotland is Beautiful

A Loch Monster Feast

Not Nessie or the Loch Lomond Monster but a Seafood feast.

Seafood chowder from MHORFish in Callander Scotland. The fish:broth ratio is like 8:2. And it has a yummy smoky aroma and flavor (smoked salmon kind of smoky).

Speaking of smoked salmon, one of my new favorite breakfast dishes is eggs with smoked salmon and toast. Really, it's yu-ummy!

Then I heard about this place: Loch Fyne Oyster Bar

There's just a 2 lane road separating the restaurant from the lake.

It's all about the fish, the interior is minimalist and bright.

And when they brought my order I, as well as the Scottish couple sitting next to me, had a really good laugh.

INSTRUCTION MANUAL PLEASE
You get a gold star if you can name everything (and you're getting off easy, 3 things are missing).

I really had no idea what I was getting myself into when I ordered the "West Coast Fruits of the Sea" but it was delightful. No, I could not eat it all, best to bring a friend or 3 to enjoy this feast.

Go home with Bonnie Jean

I have been in Scotland for 6 days and this is the song I've been singing since day one...everywhere. Here's a little link to the video:Go Home with Bonnie Jean

The song is from one of my all time favorite movies BRIGADOON. Doesn't everyone dream of seeing dancing men in kilts making new friends in Scotland. While I haven't seen any dancing or singing I did see 7 men in kilts my first day. 5 men and a wee one rushed by me on a blustery day on their way to a wedding. My stealthy attempt to catch them on film.

And the 7th served me lunch in the little village of Luss. Be still my beating heart.
There is plaid everywhere (which I love almost as much as polka dots) even carpeting a boat floor.

I did make new friends on the boat, a lively group of senior citizens from a local church. They wished me well on my journey, said "aye" a lot, and when I got off the boat I turned around and waved and there they all were at the window waving back as they sailed off into the mist.

Not as mysterious as the movie, but there is a bridge 2 minutes from my place.