The cell phone rings and the voice on the other end says, "Hi, honey! Are you on your way home?" "Yes," she answers, and she means it, but she takes the long way. Around the world.
Scottish breakfasts and fried foods have lost the attraction of novelty and so I was glad to find a restaurant serving eggs and local smoked salmon. I have given up my quest to explore the nuances of difference between black, red, and white pudding and haggis. All seem to be regularly dished up dripping in grease and that has taken all the fun out of it.
On the beach front near Cullen harbor I stumbled upon this memorial. I find human burial grounds fascinating for the stories they tell but rarely do they allow raw human grief to penetrate the formal facade. Here you can see it displayed in its unadulterated state.
My train was early and the bus was late leaving so I am on board and on my way to Ullapool where I will see about buying a ferry pass and then head for my first campsite. The only other passengers are a daft old man who seemed unclear about their destination and five young Belgian backpackers.
I was in such a hurry to make my train to Inverness that I jumped on the one heading back to Aberdeen instead. So I changed at the next stop but will now miss my connection with the cycle bus to Durness. I will spend the night in Inverness and give my aching body a full day of rest before tackling the hills of the west coast. At first I was upset but then I remembered I'm on no one's schedule but my own. It'll be fun to see a bit of Inverness.
In the rich tradition of boys breaking other kids' toys the ruined cathedral in Elgin, once said to be the most beautiful in Scotland, holds a place of honor.
