Sleeping went well from midnight until about 4:00. Then, for me, sleep was fitful. Dan seemed to fare better. I don’t fret over crazy sleep patterns when I begin a trip: it’s rather expected.

We ate breakfast at the hotel. We don’t normally do that (hotel food isn’t usually the best), but there isn’t much around here, and convenience does count!

Then it was a bus ride in to Glasgow …

and a search for an ATM which was more difficult that we thought it would be. When we found one it wouldn’t accept our Schwab card. Argh! It’s the card we use because they don’t charge a fee. But oh well. What’s a fee when one is spending what we are on this trip?

Following that bit of annoyance it was on to the train station, buying sandwiches for the train ride, and waiting a bit in the station. There was a piano there and a man was playing pretty much the same thing over and over. I was wondering, as a musician, if he was playing for himself or for the crowds. I know if I were playing I would be very aware of the people around me, but I wonder if some just play because they just love playing. Did he care that everyone could hear him? Hm. Just pondering .

When our track was announced we headed to our car. Sure enough, it was the furthest away. And our seats were also toward the end of the car. But hey, unlike all my seat errors in Europe I did this one correctly and we were sitting together. Yes, miracles to happen!

This one here is from Dan …

The ride was somewhat long for the distance, with tons of stops. We were sitting backwards, and I think that gives me a bit of a headache, but mostly I dozed off anyway … not because of the time change issue, but because traveling tends to make me sleepy!

Arriving in Oban, I was wowed by the beauty. We lugged our luggage to the inn, which wasn’t that far away, but doing roller bags is NOT fun and I told Dan I much prefer our backpacks. The room is just fine and we have a lovely view! (We are on the first floor, center of the house.)

The weather is also amazing (our innkeeper suggested this is not the norm). After checking in, enjoying the view from our room, and having a “wee dram” (well, okay, I had port instead), we headed out.

We were feeling rather lazy, so after walking a bit we saw a sign for a beer garden. Dan had beer, I had cyder (yes, it was spelled that way), and we shared some chips (aka fries).

I don’t know that we ever didn’t hear bagpipes! I’m thinking this group was a group of kids learning the instrument.

We just enjoyed the sit for a good long time and the it was time to head to the recommended restaurant (by the inn keeper). It was fine, but I’ve decided I really should be careful to read more about places before going by one person’s recommendation!

Walking back to our lodging we marveled at how light it still was. And oh so beautiful!