Interesting story.

Today, the tour I had planned on doing was changed to another. It would require another go around those bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomond.

Mom and dad always said things happen for a reason. Half way through the trip I was chatting with a woman on the tour. She spoke English very well, but with an accent. I asked where she was from and she said ‘Minnesota’. Hmm. Then I met her husband. We had a nice chat about winters in Minnesota and Pennsylvania, and how short spring is, according to Vera, it’s about a weekend there! It’s a cold, cold winter and a hot muggy summer and a weekends worth of spring.

Vera and Yuri immigrated from Russia in 1991 (I think that was the year). Yuri first, and then Vera, their children and his father. Very sweet couple. More after I torture you with more pictures!

Just one of the views:

Not only did we see Loch Lomond, we also saw quite a few castles. First Doune (famous for Monty Python and the Outlander series). We saw Kilchurn castle which if I remember correctly was ruined by lightning instead of the English, at least, it’s a nice thought?? That’s Kilchurn in the first picture above, ‘artsied’ up by yours truly!

The Doune castle:

This one we could go in and hear the stories of how it must have been ‘back in the day’. More crazy steps. Oh, and it was narrated by the Monty Python characters!

After these we went to Inveraray Castle. Much, much more opulent and kept up. Decorated as if you walked onto the Downton Abbey set. It is lived in part of the year by the Duke of Argyll.

Entrance:

Not too shabby, but is it strange that I prefer the ruined castles?

Fancy view:

View from Doune:

Well, just agree to disagree. They are both lovely in their own way.

A window view in the town of Inveraray:  I just love these!

We passed many sheep and lambs, I am going to mss them.

So the tour ended back on the Royal Mile, but Yuri and Vera invited me for dinner! So, two Americans from Minnesota with Russian accents, one American from Pennsylvania (that is 70% British) meet in Scotland and go to dinner in a Mexican restaurant. I cannot think of a more spectacular way to end this amazing trip. We chatted like old friends about our kids grandkids, our (well, Vera’s) dogs, his fish, my birds and an adorable cat. My only regret is that we didn’t get a picture. We can do that in Minnesota or Lancaster, whichever comes first, ’til we meet again.

Oh, and Yuri emailed me to make sure I got to the hotel alright. Adorable.

About that ride to the hotel. Yuri uber’d the ride, he and Vera went to their hotel, then the driver took me to mine that was 20 minutes away. His name is Stavesh (I doubt I spelled it correctly). He came to Scotland from Greece 3 years ago with his then 14 year old son. We had a lovely conversation about how life is complicated, but happy to just, basically, be. When we pulled up to the hotel, he got out, gave me a great big Greek hug, wished me the happiest of birthdays and a happy life.  Amazing.

Still no puffin, but how about this guy who came right up to me and begged for shortbread: