I woke up in Scotland on Saturday 17 May 2025

I woke up from a lengthy exhausted travel jet-lag sleep.  I would not say refreshed, but better than the day before and ready to explore.  I have no expectations really from Scotland.  I love that the opportunity presented itself for me to be here and see some of the old country.

My grandfather was born in Glasgow.  My parents have been here and explored some of my heritage details.  what will the day bring?  What will happen between wake and sleep on this historic ground?  What will the day offer between Glasgow and our little hotel reservation in Tyndrum, Perthshire.  

We stayed at nice clean walk up spiral stairs hotel. So cute on the outside, so plain and lovely inside …. Sandyford Lodge.  Recommended and I would stay there again. 

Heading out to find gf groceries and Rachel is going to practice driving on other side of the road today as we head into the highlands for an adventure. Specifically we are looking for a place to swim in the cold water!!!  Yup. That is the intention.  

We check out and walk to Eurocar where Rachel has reserved a car. She specifically is looking for small car with automatic drive to rent. She gets a black large Mercedes Benz with sunroof, 4 doors, low and wide, computer screens and lights, cameras and sensors all over it.  Once she figured it out, and started driving on the left side of the road in the city … we popped in to the Lidl cheap clean grocery store.

We purchased some great salad fixings, snacks for the day, water and some cheese and olives.  Getting used to the size of the car and the traffic patterns is a challenge and she does very well.  We head out noticing a few things.  Yellow lights follow red lights and predict green.  Huh.

Navigation in feet and sometimes yards …. Interchangeable.  Lots of roundabouts … we head out of the city to the highlands. Rachel has a few prepared play lists and we start with Scottish music beating through my seat back – vibrating from the speakers and kind of like a massage… only on my seat.  

Big stone architecture is beautiful.  I love the use of stones for the homes, fences, guardrails, bridges ….. 

No clouds. Blue blue as far as I can see.  We find a song we love and we put on repeat as we are driving towards loch lomand!  On Dumbarton Rd. 

Listening to the song …. Loch Lomand!!  Goose bump moment. Happy and feeling what I wanted to feel. “You take the high road and I will take the low road  and I will be in Scotland afore ye “….  On repeat.  Over and over.  Wow.  Tears on my cheeks, I feel the song and the precious moment of being in and near this place.

We pull over to stop in parking lot at Luss. A quaint little town. We bring our bathing suits, towels to help us change on the beach and fixings for a picnic lunch.  Baby ducks with their mom practicing their swim off to the side.  Trees hanging with spring colours and lots of folks there to enjoy a Saturday at the beach.  We swim, we float, we laugh and we enjoy our joyous water experience surrounded by the greenery that is Scotland on this beautiful day.

After the beach, still aglow, walking through town a man stopped us saying the lives of Jersey cows he preferred to young women these days with their fake this n fake that. What a character … an old guy watching the world go by his front step.  

Then we see a sign to “the firkin point”. We tried to find it. lol. The parking and manoeuvres required are beyond us. So many people on this fine sunny warm day. We never discover the firkin point!  Ha ha

Stone buildings and castles through argyle forest greenery. Loch long is beautiful setting   Stone bridges   Big green hills   Some trees. The highlands.  

We spot sheep in the fields … and keep our eyes out for the cows.  

Double dip swimming in the loch Restil.  The spectacular green mountain surroundings.  The rail road and train sounds, the actual train out on the hills. It was wild and fun and far away from any town.  

We were late to go in, but walked Argyle Inverary castle.  Seeing some tourists on a bench I quickly tried wifi and posted some pictures on Facebook.  Missed the woolen mill in town too … just missed closing time all over.  

On the next leg of the drive we stopped to walk around the abandoned and in disrepair castle of Kilchurn.  Magical.  We spy more cows and take a lot of pics as the sun starts to set. The castle is located on Loch Awe!  

Now settled in to our Ben Doran hotel for the night, we are sharing supper, wine, and highlights.  

Highlight #1… time spent together in magical surroundings.  

Till tomorrow, good night from Scotland

Blue sky on arrival to Paris. Nightfall in Glasgow Scotland. 16 May 2025

Now Friday 16th May and I am arriving in Paris France from the sky. Not a cloud or grey in sight. Walk walk through aeroport to find train station. I have no checked baggage to claim. Through long squiggly lines and through passport security. 

Finally familiarity as I Text to Rachel from Starbucks where I met her last year. 

Get Navigo train ticket it advertises – with 15 plus minute wait to use a dispenser machine.  Found shorter line with a person attendant. Asked her which train. She waves her hand in a dismissive sort of way. 11 or 12. There on the platform a train is waiting for me. Relax. Breathe. Follow along. Sun streaming in the train windows and a pleasant breeze in the open air where a window is letting in sounds of the city. 

Beautiful stops along the way.  Terra cotta roof tops. Greenery. 

People dressed in style. Some with heels. Some with scooters. Ohhhh I love Paris!  

Found Rachel – well she found me. I was circulating round and round in the train station. Gare du Nord. I found a Starbucks but alas, the wrong one. 

Then with backpack and purse we walked through streets of Paris.  Montmarte area.  Up up on cobblestone and crossing the corners, sometimes waiting for traffic and green walk lights, sometimes just crossing.  Beautiful window boxes and balconies. People on bikes and scooters. People sitting at the cafe. We purchased a frozen Schar pizza for me from a grocery knowing no cross contamination is possible. We came upon a tiny gluten free patisserie. 

She lives not far from Sacre-Coeur and Moulin Rouge.  Charming walk through cobblestone streets. I want to take pictures and am tired, dragging my backpack and exhausted body along the way. Past doorways with a single doorknob in centre of the door. Quaint. Many colourful doorways and metal knockers. 

We went to her little single apartment for Rachel to do some work. Charming little courtyard down below out her windows. Exhausted I fell asleep for a few hours. Did on line check in for tonight’s flight. Then we cooked the pizza and ate it and repacked for our flight to Scotland tonight. 

Off in search of SIM card for my phone but no luck on that one. We found a Five Guys who have gluten free fries :). We took metro to the train station heading back to Charles de Gaulle airport in preparation for EasyJet flight to Glasgow Scotland. 

Line ups through passport security we are routed through the family line. Many many dozens of families donning Mickey Mouse ears and carrying stuffed Disney critters. What a great idea!  Maybe next weekend we can put a EuroDisney stop on our agenda. Neither of us have been before. How fun to think of that!  

In this moment from plane window, seat 5F I watch the colourful sun set on the dark horizon. All the colours of this day shining a prism of bright purple red orange gold green blue … the thickest is orange strip along the sight line above some clouds that can be seen down below in the dark sky. Then the sky is clear again and I see city lights in clusters and shapes. The lines of roads. Sparkly colours of sky reflecting off waterways. 

Somewhere down below is the United Kingdom. For Canadians an evisa is now required and I have mine for this trip. My first night ever in Scotland tonight. Exciting. What will I see or do, how will I feel, what about the food? The swimming in the lochs? A rail trip or purchase something MacDonald. Writing, doodling, walking, … I wonder. 

First night in clean Sandyford Lodge. 21 Royal Crescent, Glasgow. Wifi hooked up. Ya!!

16 May 2025 flight to Paris, France!

I left yesterday (I think), from Victoria, my home.  First leg was flight to Calgary, uneventful, on time and with carry on backpack only.  

All flights on time and safe arrival.  As we descended into Paris this morning there was blue sky and not a single cloud.  I am visiting my friend, Rachel on this trip.  She lives in Paris (last year she lived in Lyon). We had made prior arrangements to meet at the Starbucks at the Gare du Nord in Paris.  

I needed to get through passport security, navigate the crowds and find the rer B train station, buy a ticket and wifi so we can communicate.  Check, check, check ….. and check.  Ticket purchased I hop on the right train and zoom toward Paris!  

First meal, we picked up a frozen Schlar gluten free individual size pizza to heat up at home before we fly to Glasgow Scotland tonight.  No worry of cross contamination anyway!  Last year my first night in Paris I was very sick from our first meal out.  Determined not to experience that again. 

Struggling to find wifi. Will write more later and with pics…..

flight to Paris and Glasgow May 15-16 2025

Dear blog followers. 

Today is Thursday 15 May 2025.  I am on route to my next travel adventure.  It is a slightly grey overcast morning as I arrive at YYJ Victoria BC Canada airport departures section.  Two hours ahead of my first leg of Westjet flight to Calgary and connecting on to beautiful Paris, France.  

I prepared for security by being early for my flight, taking off some neck chains, my hair clip and took off jacket and shoes.  Funny they asked me to remove my silk scarf from Xamam purchase in Chania Greece.  I wanted to be easy to manoeuvre around today, travelling with only a backpack for carry on.  

I am flying alone this time from here, meeting up with a friend who lives in Paris.  She and I will travel on to Glasgow Scotland for 4 nights and then back to Paris. 

“I love Paris in the springtime …”. As the song says … Actually any time of year is good for Paris, the city of lights and bridges, gardens, museums, parks, wine, cheese, chocolate covered orange peels, olives.  Green boxes along the riverbank. The Eiffel Tower. The Louvre. Musee d’Orsay. Cruising down the Seine River. Montmartre.  Norte Dame Cathedral. Champs élysées.  Charming cobblestone streets.  Little window balconies and flower boxes. The Arc de Triomphe. Sacre-Coeur basilica.  Galleries Lafayette. Gluten-free celiac friendly patisseries. (Little Nonna for gf Italian pizza!) May also try Cococo for gf sushi and bento box. Manicaretti, la Sajerie, kapunka, cafe Mareva, Taska, su Misura, Grom gelato …. Chambelland and La Manufacture Sans Gluten, Copains, Noglu, Maisonneuve Plume.   

Gluten-free Glasgow???  Wild Flours Bakery. The Crumbleologist. Bread Meats Bread West End. Some to search and try!  

25 August 2024. On our way home. Roma to Ostia

Today we are packed and ready to depart our cruiseship. We made our own arrangements for a night stay in Ostia, near the beach. The address says Roma. 

After breakfast we gather our bags and once again walk to the rail station in Civitavecchia in the heat. 4 Euro for rail service to Roma Termini. We get settled in, it’s a busy day for the train!!  Every seat is filled. The sights are pleasant as we zip on by. 

On arrival in Roma Termini we start asking directions and seeking assistance to get to Ostia where our hotel room awaits. Down down a few floors, to the metro subway. We purchase tickets. 1.50 euro a piece with directions spoken in part Italian with few words we understand. Onward. We catch a subway train to the next rail station to change to travel to Ostio Lido Centro. A few helpful folks give us tips on when to get off. We manage. On search for a taxi. We spy a stand and few taxis with no drivers. We are advised everyone is having siesta till after 2 pm. We decide to walk. Getting directions from random folks we did find the hotel. Almost collapsed from heat exhaustion we are happy for air conditioning and shower. Hotel La Scaletta, Ostio, Roma. 

On line check in with Westjet means we are almost home. Done!  Hoping for seats in emergency row tomorrow but will even ask to sit together would be nice. Will check a bag. 10 plus hours first flight direct Rome to Calgary.  Then hopefully smooth transition to Victoria. 

We will find something to eat and take some photos of the area. 

24 August 2024, a day on the train – Roma

Last stop on the cruise for this August 2024 on Oceania. We pulled into the port at Civitavecchia this morning. Sensing the stillness when the ship came to a full stop. The curtains drawn so darkness still filled the room. My iwatch says it’s time to wake and prepare for the day. 

The sun is up and warm air continues to be heavy hanging at the 32 plus degrees. Too hot to use the veranda much except for the spectacular views we have experienced on this voyage. 

Breakfast buffet includes fresh colourful sweet fruit, yogurt and decaf coffee and water. Lots of water to drink, stay hydrated. 

We walked into town in search of the rail station to head to Rome for a few hours. A few wrong turns and me walking slower in the heat, we arrive and purchase a ticket. Finding a cool rail car I relax. My plan to enjoy the ride and catch up on some writing. 

Sitting on train platform, grateful for air conditioning inside the rail car. Outside the window I view Terra cotta roofs and yellow plaster walls, bars on windows, dark brown trim. And people. People walking with wheeled suitcases. People moving through the heat. 

Announcement comes on, we will leave shortly. On our way to Roma Termini. First announced in Italian followed by English. Telling us of upcoming stops. 

Views of beautiful blue water nestled up to beige sandy beaches. Brown dry landscape with little green shrubs. Roadways. For 4 Euros it’s an inexpensive way to experience Italian countryside. 

Roma Termini. Arrived. Find toilet!!!!  Cost 1 euro per person. The downstairs washroom is closed. Security asks us to leave. We find info booth. Yay. Success. 

We have no map and no wifi. Venturing too far in the heat seems not wise. It’s a hot day even the locals say. We grab lunch and wander a bit, decide to head back to the ship to pack. It’s about 4 Euro for the air conditioned train. 

A nice day to check out Italian countryside, see the beaches, watch and listen to people. We depart the ship in the morning. Begin our travels home.

sea day. 22 August 2024

On the sea day there are some great enrichment experiences offered on Oceania. After breakfast we head to the Artists Loft for a lesson and practice in creative design imagery with Artist in residence, Kris Smith. 

The guest enrichment speaker hosted a talk on Amalfi. History lecture. Started as a vacation site a few thousand years ago. There are stories (myth?) about sailors being fearful of Siren song. Several plagues. Takeovers. Big sea storms. This area became important for Trade. Paper production was very important due to being near water from mountain (used in paper production). There remains a paper museum in Amalfi. I remember years ago buying paper here. Then writers came and wrote stories of the area promoting popularity and eventually movies were made in the region. 

Another area he talked about was Syracuse.   In the area was built a Temple of Apollo. On island of Sicily. Ancient Greeks were in this area at one time. 

We watched Culinary  programming. Jacques Pepin. SaraMoulton.com.

A very slow day, high winds at times. The air is still hot hot as we head to Naples. We can see land now as early evening starts. Beautiful lights and night sky. 

last day in Greece, 21 August 2024

Today was a lovely stop at Athens. Having been here many times before, we picked some designer shops downtown Athens and took a local cab after initial exploration of Piraeus. Fun. The walk through Plaka enjoying shopping and people watching. Short day in port then return to the ship for wee lunch, good conversation and then art class. 

Art class talking about form and shadow. Making of 3 dimensional portraits. Very good class. It was our third and one more tomorrow on sea day with multi mixed media including paints. 

I have found boxes of wine with my name on them, Pam, purchased in a Super market also named Pam. Haha

Dinner tonight at Red Ginger with a nice couple from the US. Good talk about travel. Very nice evening. 

Tomorrow sea day on route to Naples. We get out hour of additional sleep we lost when we came to Greece a week ago. An easy slow morning. 

Santorini -20 Aug 2024

Noticing the quiet between sounds. The ship has stopped outside the island of Santorini. It is day 8 of the 12 day cruise. Grateful for smooth seas, gorgeous blue sky, the moon large and golden last evening, reflections on the water, peace, joy and ease. The whitewashed buildings some with blue domed roofs that i can spy from here. Rugged landscape, the ship is floating in a dormant volcano caldera. 

History is that the volcanic eruption occurred in 1450 BC. Such amazing views and scenery here on this island. We will tender to the base of the cable car that will take us up and up and up to the look off spots. 

It was busy, tourists from several ships mixing with crew and others as we lined up and were jostled a bit …. We aided some other folks and we all rode the cable cars up and up. Then a few hours of walking around the town looking at shops and enjoying the view. A lengthy time again queue up to ride down the cable car …. Then we tendered to our ship where we spent a lovely evening. The buffet was Greek food, which I love. Then time out on the Terrace deck watching evening fall gently and lights illuminated the white Santorini buildings. Beautiful site!!!

Grateful for the day. May we all experience joy and ease, may we be well. 

sea day, Greece. 18 Aug 2024

Grateful for safe travels on the sea. Yesterday was to be a stop in Mykonos but strong wind and waves forces another sea day. Grateful the Captain has made the safe choice. Weather is as it is. I can accept weather as a condition. Good practice. 

Sea day activities include enrichment lecture on history of Knights of Malta, Knights of St John. Interesting. We had lunch at the buffet. Fresh and prepared salad fixings, 

A wee rest period watching the waves and blue skies overhead as we traverse the sea. The walking deck was closed off due to high winds. 

In the afternoon we watched a full feature movie in the lounge. Ezra. All star cast. Very emotional. 

Tea in Horizons with string quartet music accompanying. Then supper with new friends in Grand Dining Room. 

Today are in  port of Heraklion in Crete. We will wander through town exploring. 

Sparkling white diamonds on the water surface. It looks like maybe a code, form of communication. Magic