MeliGoesRogue

Shall we return to day two?

I left Edinburgh first thing in the morning. The city had turned a dull gray and leaving felt right. I knew I would return with my heart full and my feet ready. The Castle would be my farewell.

As we approached the airport my stomach began to flutter, here I was again now is when the expedition truly began. Finally it would be just me and her rolling hills. I landed in the car on the right side thank god and situated myself. Do you remember when you first started driving you were told to check all your mirrors, adjust your seat and steering wheel- remember how we never did that cause its bullshit…turns out not so much. I spent the next 10 min getting acclimated with the car, she would after all be my companion on this journey. Once I had everything to my liking I said a little prayer and started the car.

It's amazing how fast it all came back to me, driving on the left side of the road again, speeding down one lanes and politely turning in roundabouts, Its incredible how well it all works here. Today was going to be a long day, I was going almost to the top east side of the country and I had oh just about 7 different places I wanted to stop. Why didn't someone stop me??!! The first two were nice and easy just 20 and 40 minutes from Edinburgh respectively. I arrived first in Linlithgow, on a Sunday..

The church bells began to chime before I even closed the car door, all these lovely Scottish people pouring out of their homes and walking up this hill with me..wait I wasn't going to see a church, this was supposed to be a castle in ruins.

Turns out St. Michaels is built on the same property. I gave way to the older folks who seemed to be climbing this hill a lot faster than I was, although giving myself the benefit of the doubt it did seem like they did this every Sunday so basically their calves are used to it. Mine on the other hand were stretching out remembering we had quite a bit of this ahead of us.

She was undergoing some reconstruction in order to conserve some of her most cherished bits. The courtyard was vast with a fountain in the middle full of odd figures, to be honest it felt more like a prison or dungeon than the setting of a once great castle. But perhaps my imagination failed me and I was standing in the middle of greatness.

Truth is that castle will always be special because its were I found my traveling companion a cutie named Jamie. He had fallen in with a bad crowd and they'd left him in one of the dark, cold and wet rooms and he hadn't been able to find his way out. We chatted for a few by a window slit and I decided I'd bring him home to my sister and nephews. They had been looking to adopt for some time but the right bear just hadn't come along.
Next stop on the tour was Blackness..Of course I'm a strong Outlander fan (hello..Jamie the bear) so this place was one of the must sees. While this one definitely felt like defensive posting there was something so tender about it that I cant explain. The way the pier met the bay and I could see her in her glory standing tall even after hundred's of years.
I roamed around for a bit, finding myself in dark empty rooms and wondering what they were used for…did they have dinner in here?
There was so much more for me to go and see, but leaving felt sad. It could have been the dark stormy clouds that loomed above or the bridge I would have to cross in the distance but suddenly everything felt small and I just wanted to stay. Of course logic and reason prevailed which honestly was a rarity I could not deny. I crossed the bridge and headed to St. Andrews…oh you want pics of St. Andrews, well too bad cause I didn't get to see it from closer than my car. I'd talk about it but then this post would turn angry and we are already just barely leaving sadville.

I still had 4 more places to go- except it was nearly 3pm and I hadn't eaten anything…like at all and my eyes were growing heavy. I pressed on hoping my next stop would give me a resurgence of energy. BlackWatch Castle and Gardens. I don't like to be mean but this was pretty disappointing. The castle had been converted into regular rooms and the top floor which would give amazing views of the gardens was closed to the public. I followed the exhibits throughout and when I found myself back int he gift shop without really having "seen" anything I became annoyed, I marched towards the front door desperate to leave and get to at least one more place before my hunger would turn into that little angry devil who pounds on the walls of my head long after he has been satisfied. Yet as I neared the door the display beside it shone as if a light from heaven had illuminated it. It was the perfect or at least I hope perfect gift/souvenir for my lovely mother.
I checked the time and GPS as soon as I entered the car and realized I needed to head out right that moment if I was going to be able to check in and then scavenge for dinner. I left Perth and headed to the seaside harbour of Stonehaven.
My music selection had turned tedious which was when I knew I was entering dangerous boredom territory. I rolled the windows down and allowed the fresh but chilly Scotland air blow on my face. I changed my music to show tunes and sang out with Howard as he blessed my beautiful hide. I imagined these roads were once grass and gravel and wooden carriages of horses ran along them, were the men going into town looking for a bride?
Just as I drifted into the mountains of the Oregon countryside I saw the sign to exit for Stonehaven. I made my way off the "carriage way" and onto my favorite single file roads. The winding turns down made my already upset and hungry tummy turn even more. But alas soon the air turned salty and I knew I was almost home – I went down the harbour and found my B&B, I also found some rain and finally a parking spot. I loaded only what I needed into my overnight bag and rang the doorbell. Sensing my urgency the lovely gentleman who answered quickly led me up the steps to what would be my home away from home for the next couple of nights. He left me as quickly as he found me. the bed called to me by so did the dinner that was waiting just down the cobblestones road. Jamie was exhausted after the drive so I left him for a nap and went for my dinner.
Dinner was short and sweet- Fish slider with Chips and of course a a nice cold pint. I enjoyed the view of the harbour and the sea gulls squawking about the new girl in town. All I could think of was nemo- and I couldn't stop saying harbour with an Australian accent…mind you all this was in my mind.

This is where I leave you, as with Edinburgh what happens after the first pint and the last dram is between me the bartender. Till tomorrow which was like 5 days ago – I know I have catching up to do.