June 5, 2022

(Late posting because we had no consistent internet for two days.) Also I was able to post a few photos finally on the last couple of blogs so have at it if you want.

Left Isle of Skye on ANOTHER blue sky day – how long can this go on?  We hated to say goodbye to our little trailer bnb amongst the sheep, but reminded ourselves that what we had experienced was a bit of false advertising, weather wise. 

Those of you on facebook saw the video of the cuckoo bird that I heard out of nowhere.  I had heard it the day before but said “nah”.  I don’t think I can post it on this blog because I don’t have “premium” – maybe I’ll pay up. It’s pretty cool, although this morning when it started up again I remembered my old cuckoo clock – I often locked the cuckoo behind his door. Enough already. 

I didn’t believe it so went on line to see if cuckoo birds a) existed at all and b) if they existed in Scotland.  They do and they do.  Also, they are not very nice.   When she wants to lay her egg, the female watches where another bird has built a nest, eats one of the nesting bird’s eggs and replaces it with her own.  It gets worse.  When the cuckoo starts to hatch, with its elbows or knees or whatever boots out the other eggs and if the other eggs are hatched, boots the baby birdies out.  This is the BABY cuckoo we’re talking about.  Then, the original bird thinks it’s her baby and feeds it.  I guess this bamboozled bird probably doesn’t deserve to keep procreating if this is the best she can do, but really, Mrs. Cuckoo.  I just don’t think that’s necessary.  Shut up and build your own nest.

Finally, said a warm goodbye to our wonderful hosts and off we went.  Why am I wishing that everyone I meet in Scotland could live next door to me in San Clemente? 

Not much to say about the driving today – I am driving like a native now and even was able to listen to the radio at the same time.  When we got to Inverness and got lost before we realized that our car map also had voice guidance (sometimes we just feel too dumb to live, ya know?) I didn’t run over any pedestrians or go the wrong way.   I also discovered that Al not only second guesses written maps, he also second guesses the nice map lady – is she Siri here? Don’t know.  We had a chat about that after I had to backtrack and negotiate the tiny streets yet again because he thought that Siri meant to say “no! turn right on that next street” even when she said “turn right NOW”.  I have my own faults.  Let’s just move along now.

Our hotel room for the next two nights is teensy but we will be walking around the city all day tomorrow on a walking tour that Al put together on some website where you plan your own route. I think another Loch Ness boat ride is on the docket. 

A word about the Sondag family descending upon Europe for the upcoming wedding.  It is a small affair – 8 including the bride and groom.  Raina’s parents are unable to travel and Andy and Kelsey (our middle son and daughter-in-law) cannot risk not being able to get back into the USA because of a positive Covid test.  I have been more supportive than many during all this but the fact that a person can’t fly into the USA without a test but COULD fly into Toronto and drive across the border to get home is pretty ridiculous. 

Jeff and Raina arrived in Iceland yesterday.  As they will be honeymooning after the wedding, the Edinburg wedding is just kind of a pit stop for them and for us.  

Our oldest son Joe flew into Frankfurt last weekend and then to Belgium.  He arrived in London unaware that it was the Queen’s Jubilee, and he has shared with us the fun of that unexpected surprise. There were street parties everywhere.  Says he: “The whole country is having a ‘rage’ for a 96 year old queen.  Why not?”  Also, there in Britain it is known as the Platty Joobs, and yes, it’s spelled Joobs.  Gotta love the Brits.  This morning he sent a video from his hotel window of the bells of Yorkminster ringing joyously in honor of Her Majesty.  I am so glad he got to experience that on his first trip to Europe.  It’s ultimately not the scenery or even the old buildings that make travel so worth it – it’s the culture and the people. 

Another full day tomorrow…