July 2022 Glasgow, Arran, Orkney, Shetland (Part 6 -- going home)

Day 15 -- Thursday, the 7th July

The crossing started very easy and smooth, with the balmiest temperatures of our stay, sunshine and birds all around the boat. Then it became windier around Sumburgh Head and frankly rocky, once in the Atlantic. So much so that JS and I both felt like we had had too much to eat and experienced mild seasickness for the first time. Down the drain goes our cockiness on the subject. :-)

The damage was limited to a general queasiness, but it was uncomfortable enough to send us to bed early. I woke up briefly when we hit Kirkwall, but fell back asleep swiftly.

As a result, I wake up pretty early, today, and feel much better. Even better after a shower. What a difference having a cabin makes! In 2006, a group of friends, JS and I made the same crossing, without even a reclining seat (they were sold out), and we arrived in Aberdeen shattered. A cabin costs an arm and a leg, but if the subsequent day is not a complete write-off, it may be worth it.

As I put clothes on, they announce that it is six o'clock, that breakfast is served, and that we will arrive in Aberdeen within an hour. Time for some breakfast, then!

My full Scottish -- we cannot resist!

adc's

JS's

Shortly after finishing the food, drivers are called to the lower deck, where our vehicle is parked. Since people cannot follow simple instructions, most passengers go too, which means the deck is crowded, some drivers are blocked from entering their cars, people skim against the cars, scratching the paint, doors are open too close to other cars' body etc. Anyway.

Getting out from the lower deck is a bit of a challenge. Reversing to a corner, then climbing a steep ramp. Some are struggling, losing the plot, turning the wrong way... It is a miracle there is no more crumpled metal. I manage surprisingly easily, all thing considered. Phew.

I collect the ladies from the terminal exit, then we are off. Lucky we have satnav, because driving out of Aberdeen is no mean feat -- not just because it has about two million times more traffic than the Orkney and Shetland islands combined; the road to the south is not particularly well indicated.

We do make it, though, and it is an eventless drive towards Perth and the Central Belt.

The weather is sunny, for a change

As we pass by Falkirk and we are early, we take the opportunity to stop and see the wheel, which remains amazing.

There, I am reminded of the stupidity of humanity, with elderly Americans using toilets at random (the out-of-order disabled toilets, women in the men's, etc.), despite being repeatedly told where each of them should be by staff and passers-by. Rules are for others, eh? Sigh.

Fortunately for my blood pressure, the spectacle in the basin and the canal below is a lot more peaceful.

Once the wheel has done its half turn, we walk back to the car and continue our journey to Glasgow.

White Stag sunbathing

We reach the city easily enough, and well on time. It takes less than a minute for the rental-company employee to confirm the car is safe and sound and we are ready to go.

The fun part begins...

Luckily, it is just us in the shuttle bus, because our luggage takes up the whole boot. Thirteen items in total. Ahem. :)

During the journey to the station, our driver tells us that the country no longer has a prime minister: Boris Johnson resigned this morning.

At the station, we find seats, stack up the cases on a trolley, write the last postcard, then order food. It is not that we are hungry, but we missed Bread Meats Bread, three years ago, owing to my suffering from food poisoning. Not today! They do take-out, so we will do that. adc and I will collect, while JS keeps the bags.

A small detour to drop off a postcard (we are one stamp short, and it is in the city anyway), then we collect our food. Another stop to pick up something for later: Tantrum Doughnuts!

(top to bottom, left to right)

Salted Honey Ring

Vegan Peanut Butter Ring

Lemon & Poppyseed 'Old Fashioned'

Creme brûlée [sic]

Milk 'n Cookies

Madagascar Vanilla Bean Glaze

Back at the station, we destroy our lunch, and wait for our train. It is punctual and packed. Loading our cargo is, of course, a small challenge, but we manage to stow everything safely. Five hours later, we are in the capital, in 24°C and cruising through light traffic.

Home.