Our return began on Monday morning when I started out as the sun rose to meet up with my friends Alex and Linda in fair Franklin, Tennessee, to make our mid-day flight to Glasgow. After a thoroughly uneventful journey, our plane set down on Tuesday at Glasgow International Airport. I left the Volunteer State with an expected high of 95°F and landed in Glasgow with an expected high today 54°F (much the norm for this time of year)!  The 41° differential is a welcome respite from the heat assault that we have been experiencing at home the last several weeks. This is also near the driest time of the year. (Some may recall that, during the ‘08 tour, Scotland was experiencing a record precipitation year.)

For those that remember the beginning of the Beatonite Venture of ‘08, you may recall that my dear Amy was virtually trapped in the hell hole that they call the Newark Airport for two days, missing the beginning of our tour. Not wishing to tempt the fates a second time, we booked our trans-Atlantic flight together. And to assure that the current enterprise not leave us stranded, we were traveling with our host, Alex, and his lovely wife, Linda.

One brief note. The name, Glasgow, derives from the Gaelic word Glas-ghu which translates literally as the “dear green place”. Given that the city proper boasts more than 70 parks and gardens, it is no wonder.

As our expedition officially begins on the morrow we had some time to spend exploring the shops and butteries of Buchanan St. A quick stroll south on W. Nile St. one block then east on Sauchiehall (suckie-hall) St. and thence right at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. ‘Tis truly a shopper’s heaven. I feel the credit limit on my Visa wither as I pen these words.

I have but one problem...for some reason my new ATM card, which I  activated just this Saturday past, does not seem to be recognized by the local bank. And I have but £2.50 (that would be two pounds sterling and 50 pence) in my pocket, leftover from the ‘08 trip. But fortunately, a pint of good Tennents (the local brew) is but 2 pounds 49 so my thirst will not go entirely unquenched. Can I not remedy this situation, twill be a long and thirsty journey that’s ahead of me. Pray tell that the hasty dispatch to my banking establishment yields results before the day is out.

Now I must hasten to join my fellow travelers for dinner and perhaps a pint beforehand. For, while my purse may be lean, my credit remains strong. Perhaps I will have time to add to this after we have supped. If not, my next post will be from the Misty Isle, the Isle of Skye.

Well, finally a little luck came my way. Returning from supper, I had received a communiqué from my bank that they had flagged my account for international transactions. Thought, by this time, it was 10pm, I deemed the still busy streets of Glasgow to be safe enough to make the one block trip to the ATM machine. With my wallet again filled, I felt finally fit to face the remainder of the adventure.

And with that, I do bid you good night.

Glasgow to Skye

Gathering at Glasgow Airport

Amy, Linda and me, taxiing to the Hotel