Today was a wet and miserable day but that is Scotland for you, Scotland is weather and you just have to learn to deal with it by wearing the correct clothing. Steff picked up Christine and myself and we headed for Loch Lomond. I don’t mind the rain when I’m sitting in the car, in fact I would rather be driving watching the world go by, but it’s good to be a passenger because it allows you to enjoy the scenery.

We had lunch at Loch Lomond near where you will find the Maid of the Loch paddle steamer which is currently getting refurbished. They said they were hoping to get it ready for the end of the month but it looks like they still have a lot of work left to do. There was still snow on the ground and the wind was still having a bite.

We continued up to the Lomond Side and stopped at Inverbeg and Luss, if I had the money I would love to stay in one of the wee houses facing the loch, although the midges in the summer would be a bit of a challenge.

We continued to Arrochar and popped into the Villager’s café for some cake and coffee. I had a large slice of Ginger Bread which was so delicious and I felt my gut beginning to enlarge at the mere thought of what the sugar was going to do to me, but there was one bit left for sale and so I had to buy it or I would never forgive myself.

I’d forgotten just how beautiful the drive is down the other side of Ben Lomond. We headed for Helensburgh and the rain was still on. We stopped at a small carpark to look at the view. As we sat there an old crow landed beside the car and looked up patiently, hoping that we would give it something to eat. Steff threw a piece of the gingerbread out for the crow and it loved it and scoffed the lot. We moved the car to the end of the carpark to look at another view and low and behold the crow follows us up. We sat parallel with the small wall and the crow was sitting there looking straight at us. He was an old bird, he was a bit bedraggled due to the weather. His beak looked so grey compared to the rest of his body. His feathers had a lovely blue sheen mixed through the dominant black.

I took a large chunk from the corner of the ginger bread and dropped it far enough away from us as not to scare our new friend. He stood for a few moments and then decided it was safe to jump down and scoff the lot. I would have loved to take our new friend home, I’ve always had a soft spot for crows and they are also very intelligent creatures which makes them very mischievous. Of course before we left I did tell my new friend that if he wanted anymore of the ginger bread then he would have to fly up to Arrochar to the Villager’s Café and ask the young lady in there for a wee bit more, but he would have to be careful as to not eat too much or he wouldn’t be able to get home.

I would love to go back here next time I’m back in Scotland and I would be so chuffed if my new friend was still there.

The sun was shining in Edinburgh today 

and so I decided to climb Arthur’s Seat. The track was still quite muddy due to the weather we have had over the past week and near the top there was still snow to trapes through.  The path was well worn, there were many people heading up to the top and there were even a few running to the top.

The jacket came off halfway up because I was beginning to overheat but as soon as I stopped to look at the view and take a few snaps, the wind quickly reminded me that it was cold. 

The view from the top is spectacular and you can see the Forth Bridge’s, Lieth and beyond. The sky was blue and it could have been a summer’s day if not for the cold. 

I took the easy path back to the bottom and passed a small lake that was frozen. Further round I came across another and here I found many swans happily paddling through a path in the ice. There were a few pigeons looking on and I’m sure they must think that these swans are just crazy buggers.

Yesterday I caught up with Ian and Ross in the city for lunch and beer. We met at Wetherspoons in Sauchiehall Street and we all had a huge rump steak. £10 for a drink and steak.

I had a glass of wine because I really can’t drink that much but unfortunately I strayed from that plan and had a few pints and although I enjoyed drinking them I feel a little worse for wear. I had a terrible sleep and I had a bit of brain damage when I woke up this morn. But sometimes you just have to be a martyr.

I went to the city today but after a couple of hours or so I decided to head back home. It began to snow again and the wind got up and so it wasn’t the best weather to be out and about. 

But it was still nice to walk along the Clyde Side and look at this great industrial city with the snow on the ground. 

Ann picked me up at the bus station and it was obvious as soon as my nose got out the bus that Campbelltown was a lot colder than Glasgow.

Thankfully Ann’s house was tropical. The old house sits up on the hill and you can see down to the loch. The house may be old but it’s very cosy.  I forgot that she never locks the door, not sure where she keeps the keys but if I had found them I would have locked the door behind us.

A lovely hot dinner followed by wine and the cold was a thing of the past.

Next morning Ann was catching up with friends and so I went for a wander around the town. I had every intention of going along to Davaar so say hello to my Mother, but I’m afraid the Arctic winds put an end to that idea. It was absolutely freezing. Even my phone was protesting, the display was changing colour and so were my hands.

After only a minute my hands began to feel sore as the biting wind ripped through.  I stood behind a shelter and hoped that it wouldn’t get blown away and take me with it. Standing up straight was not an option.

The wind was so strong and I’ve never seen Campbelltown Loch look so angry.

After about an hour of this I decided to retreat and I went to the old museum. I loved going here as a kid and looking at the prehistoric finds,  namely the flints and arrow heads that had been found locally. The museum is a lot smaller than I remember but they still had a small collection of ancient arrow heads.
I walked a few minutes up the main street and then went for a plate of soup to warm me up.  I sat at the table near the window opposite an old woman.  We started chatting, she’s asking me where I’m from and was I a golfer. I said that I was visiting my cousin and it turns out that this old lady not only knows my cousin but is related somewhere along the line.

I’ve sent this info to Catherine as she is doing the family tree and will understand the 2nd  cousin connection that exists. I’m not very clever when it comes to this stuff.
I went to the local distillery for a tour and tasting which was great. The local brew is 57% and it gives you a nice warm glow in this weather.

After the tour I headed up the road and was very glad when I made it back to the hoose but as I arrived we had a bit of an emergency,  a burst pipe. Thankfully it was only the pipe for the garden hose but we still had to shut off the water.  The plumber was called and he fixed it within 2 minutes. Drama averted. This was his 15th burst pipe that day. It didn’t surprise us in the least. This had been Campbelltown’s coldest day in years and you only had to look at the icicles hanging from the shed for evidence of that.

I think I was lucky to get out of Glasgow today but the snow was following me to Campbeltown. Up the Lomond side the snow was quite beautiful and when we stopped at Luss the guy that got off the bus stepped into about 5 inches of snow. 

As we continued onto Campbeltown the snow got less and less. We stopped at Inveraray for 10 mins and I got out for a cuppa and a selfie. The wind was bitter.

The scenery is quite spectacular and words just don’t do it justice.

Apologies for the bad quality of the pictures. the windows were filfthy.

09.30

The beast from the east arrived a little early and so I was very surprised to see the amount of snow that had fallen and looking out over the garden this morning the vortex of snow was having a merry dance creating a winter wonderland.

The world has come to a standstill. The buses are not running from Houston and so the only option I have is to walk to Johnstone and hope that the trains are running to Glasgow.

There’s about 4 or 5 inches of snow and it looks great but it does make it a bit more difficult when walking. It’s easier to walk on the roads.  I have to laugh because there are so many 4 wheel drives roaming about and this should be their playground but instead they crawl along like every other car. No one seems to have the skill to drive in these conditions anymore. 

When we were younger we couldn’t wait to get out in this and play. Find a big car park and skid about. I loved driving the bus in this weather and was only defeated once when I couldn’t make it up Rannoch Road near the Castle. Five times I tried to get up but the wheels started to spin and I slid back down,  but it was great fun trying. 

When I arrived at the station there was a train waiting which was great,  however it had been there for 40 mins.  At 11.20 it started to move and we were on our way. I don’t think we got over 20mph, but we were still heading to Glasgow which was the main thing. 

11.40 arrive Glasgow Central. I have to buy a train ticket because no one selling them on the train.

11.45 I am running through the station as I need to get to Buchanan Street Bus Station. It’s up hill all the way and there is slush and it’s slippy and my backpack is bouncing on my back. 

11.55 I arrive but need to collect my ticket. Why is there a queue?

11.58 I sit my arse on the bus.
12.37 coming into Dumbarton and the blizzard has returned once more but I feel that the bus driver has seen this before and will plough on no matter what.  but I’ll keep you posted.

A wee stroll up to the mountains to clear the heads of the drinkers. I only had one beer and so I was feeling ok,  but there were a few sore heads in the group.

Myself, Raymund, Brendan and Raymond on the end who is feeling extremely rough after another long night finishing at 3am.

Gone are the days where I can function the next day after a session and so I choose not to drink and to stick to water and maybe one glass of wine. 

I just can not physically drink the amount they can all consume anymore and at times I’m surprised I made it this far in life considering the amount of booze I’ve had since I was 15.

These days I prefer the healthy life style and enjoy it way more than my previous life. I’m looking forward to getting back to China so that I can get back into my routine once more and also to get back to Chinese food.  I like some western food but I think I’ll be the size of a house if I were to stay here any longer.

After a short fight and then a long night in the pub I woke up in Calahonda in Spain on a boys weekend with old friends. 

This was the view room the window this morn. A little bit warmer than home but not much. 

Never been here before but it looks nice although the walk up to the apartment will give you a workout. 

I went for a wander around the my city today and went to an area called the Merchant City.  Glasgow was built on industry and business and much of the architecture reflects that. 

But I also went on the hunt for some of the giant murals that have been painted on the gable ends and I was looking for one in particular, Billy Connolly. 

But there are plenty more wee gems to find,  you just have to keep your eyes open. 

I’ve only come to the city once so far on this trip and so I’m going to have to make  more of an effort to come back before I leave on a jet plane. Mind you, I’m no sure when that will be……

You can even have a Tardis coffee from the police, where else can you get that?