Day 14-Preparing to Leave Scotland

NOTE: A little administrative note here-in the whirlwind that has been happening since leaving Scotland and arrivin gin London, I mistakenly posted parts of 2 different entries in the last post. I have deleted that entry and am posting the correct the 2 separate posts. Sorry for the confusion :(--Jeff

I awaken at 4:30am to the sounds of sheep grazing, birds singing and the ocean as its waves break against the rocks in the distance. This is our final full day in Scotland and we'll use most of it preparing to leave. We have laundry to do, suitcases to overpack (see yesterdays post, lol) and then a short trip into Oban to post the Thursday entry and have our last supper in Scotland. But for now, I just lie in bed watching the sunrise peek through the edges of the heavy curtains and listening to the sounds of the world waking up and the steady breathing of Cindy as she sleeps peacefully next to me. I am sorry to be leaving Scotland, but we have made so many happy, lasting memories while here that though I may leave Scotland, it will not leave me.

It is finally 7am when I get out of bed, having lain there for 2 1/2 hours thinking, remembering and making plans for London. We did our laundry, stuffed our bags, finished off most of the food in the refrigerator and then drove into Oban to post the Thursday entry and went out to dinner at Spinnaker's Cafe on George Street facing the bay. In fact since it is right down the street from McTavish's, the view of the bay is almost exactly the same. We also bought more souvenirs, including a dress I had seen for Heather (I know you said no more clothes AnnMarie, but I have fought the urge to buy it since we arrived and finally gave in today) and some things for Mikey.

We returned to the cottage and shortly afterward Charlie stopped by to say "Goodbye", which we all thought was very gracious of him. While in Oban today, Cindy's mom and dad bought all 4 of us scarves with the MacDougall Clan Tartan pattern on them and so while Charlie sat on the couch my father-in-law went upstairs and came down wearing his. We all had a good laugh.

I should make it clear, since I misidentified him in earlier posts as the "caretaker" and "son of the owner", that Charlie Charles MacDougall and he is the Laird of the Estate. If you ever want to have a marvelous place to stay during your visit in Scotland, just Google "Gallanach Estate" and make a reservation. Believe me, you will not want to leave.

Soon after Charlie left, we all went to bed to get a good night's sleep before departing this lovely land.

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