Mulling it Over in Scotland

Starting life in a new country highlights differences in culture, food, systems, governing bodies, language and oceans. We are now sorted with bank accounts but because we have no credit history here in the UK we can't be considered reliable enough to have a credit card. We gained our Nino (aTFN in Australia and an IRD number in New Zealand) so that we can work.  We speak the same language (English) but a different one because we choose to call things different names, or use brand names as descriptors or speak with such a broad accent that understanding is challenging. We have phones but no one to call.
I'm not sure how to describe myself here in the UK because I am a Kiwi (and proud of it) but I have lived in Australia for so long that my life experiences are often referencing Australiana.  It's all a bit tricky to explain what makes me tick.  So, the commonplace has become uncommon and the world has slighlty shifted on its axis.  Same, same but different.

But you know what?  As long as I remember that I chose this adventure and that the differences are just that, then things are fine. I'm learning each day. My listening skills are being put into play tuning my ear into the local accent, the other night in the taxi I was completely lost when the driver was trying to communicate, and when a car salesman called I had to ask him 3 times to repeat himself and in the end had to admit that I could not understand him at all!!!

And the weather in Scotland? Well, it's a bit like New Zealand, summer and winter in one day.  In fact this afternoon as I write, the cousins are sitting outside on the deck in the sunshine having a coffee while I am inside in my jeans and merino jersey! The sun is lovely though. I am thankful for the down jacket I brought in Brisbane and never wore there, for my shoes that I brought in Perth but never wore in Brisbane and for my NZ merino clothing that just about makes things the right temperature for me. 

We have traveled to Oban, Mull, Iona and Staffa.  It was a slighlty, haphazardly organised tour but we got there in the end.  Yesterday started with brilliant sunshine, the flatest bit of ocean I've seen in years (not usual) and the best car, bus, train, boat rides. Our trip took us from Oban across to Craignure on Mull by boat, onto a bus and westward passing Glens, Bens and Lochs on the way (valleys, mountains and lakes). We also saw red deer, otters, and sea eagles and we traveled on a single carriageway road (woohoo that was exciting when the big truck was heading straight for us and didn't slow down before sneaking into the passing area - phew!).  Arriving at Fionnphort we transferred to a smallish boat and were whisked out to sea (about 35mins) to the island of Staffa.  What a privilege to go to this amazing island so small that you can't find it on most maps.  When we approached it was unclear how we would get close as the waves were crashing all around it.  But with some superior boating skills in use, the guys navigated their way into the little jetty. We were able to climb to the top of the island and then scramble down again and walk around the rocks to Fingal's Cave which had massive oceans waves rushing in and out; the noise and energy of the waves was fantastic.  This was the cave that inspired Mendelsson to write The Hedribes Overture, Fingal's Cave.  The drama of the music definitely reflects the dramatic island, this You Tube clip gives a good video of what it is like on Staffa. 

After a couple of hours we were taken off to the island and headed back towards the Isle of Iona.  On our way we stopped and saw Puffins floating in the sea, getting ready to head for land for nesting.  These creatures are tiny, I was busy looking out for big penguin-like birds but they are more the size of a sparrow! We also stopped mid ocean and watched a pod of Bottle Nosed dolphins who  followed the boat for a while when we took off again.
Iona was stunning.  It was mid afternoon, the sun was shining, there was no wind and the island was seen in the best light.  Tiny cottages dot the village area, beautiful little craft shops abound (I brought an exquiste woven blanket and He-who-cares-about-me brought me a beautiful little ceramic cathedral), the ruins of a nunnery were waiting to be walked through and then the Priory was waiting to be explored.  Our Historical Scotland card has already paid for itself allowing us free access to the site. Stunning.  Afterwards we found a little hotel and got ourselves a nice drink to have while we sat in the sun overlooking a paddock of black faced sheep and sweeping views of the bay.  Along the pathway was the hotel's superbly organised and planted organic garden and in the distance we could see the boat that would take us back to Fionnfort.
Eventually we headed back to the  wharf, onto the boat to Fionnphort, bus back to Craignure and boat back to Oban. It was dinnertime when we arrived back so we ordered ourselves Haddock and chips,  and sat at the waterfront to eat them.
Our day ended at midnight back in Glasgow after a very cold train ride from Oban. Tired but satisified with our brilliant day, we both slept soundly!!