This morning we got up at regular time and took our time actually. We looked at our flights seat availability. We made the decision to go out of Glasgow even though there is just one flight per day to the US on United. As a result, we decided to jump in the car and head to a National Park and to a 'loch' (lake) called Lomond. We had our eye on a 90 minute boat tour through the many islands in this 'loch'. Interestingly enough, the large mountain at the end of the lake was called Ben Lomond. The area was so green and beautiful.
We arrived at a little town called Luss in about an hour and 40 minutes. The drive was beautiful. Upon arriving in this small village, we pulled into a parking lot, parked and went into a Tourist station only to find no one there sharing information. It was more of a coffee shop and they were busy. So we went back outside and down the parking lot to a trailer. It turned out that is where they sold the boat tour tickets. So we bought some for the 11:30 AM departure. After getting the tickets, we kept walking further south to a line of people all waiting to get into the toilets. There were many, many buses in the parking lot so you could tell this was some type of tourist trap. Anyway, after paying 30 pence each to use their sacred toilets, we kept going south to the 'General Store'...which had a small cafe in it and a nick\nack store. Denise spent some time there of course looking at stuff. I stayed outside taking pictures. At about 11:15, we headed down the road to the pier.
We arrived at a little town called Luss in about an hour and 40 minutes. The drive was beautiful. Upon arriving in this small village, we pulled into a parking lot, parked and went into a Tourist station only to find no one there sharing information. It was more of a coffee shop and they were busy. So we went back outside and down the parking lot to a trailer. It turned out that is where they sold the boat tour tickets. So we bought some for the 11:30 AM departure. After getting the tickets, we kept walking further south to a line of people all waiting to get into the toilets. There were many, many buses in the parking lot so you could tell this was some type of tourist trap. Anyway, after paying 30 pence each to use their sacred toilets, we kept going south to the 'General Store'...which had a small cafe in it and a nick\nack store. Denise spent some time there of course looking at stuff. I stayed outside taking pictures. At about 11:15, we headed down the road to the pier.
While waiting for the boat to show up, it began to rain. Naturally we left our umbrellas in the car...go figure. It was quite wet and very cold. Fortunately the boat arrived on time and it was covered mostly. So Denise pushed her way to the head of the line (because the rain droplets were starting to melt her) and we boarded getting our pick of the seats.
The tour was really nice. Some people had camping gear and were headed to one of the islands to do some camping. Others were going there for a day on the island and to picnic. We just stayed on the boat and enjoyed the 45 minute trip back (it was 90 minutes round trip).
Upon returning to the pier, we took a different route to the parking lot. As we came up from the beach to the parking lot, we started to notice parking machines for paying for parking. At that point I started to get worried as we did not notice the need to pay for parking. As we get to the car, I notice a big yellow thing on the windshield of the car. And sure enough, we had a parking ticket. I looked around to see if there were any signs nearby or any on the southern route we took earlier when buying tickets and using the bathroom. There was nothing. The ticket prices is 60 pounds or about $75! But they are nice, if you pay it in two weeks, they cut it in half. Wow...pretty expensive. If I would’ve known to pay for the parking when I parked, I think it would’ve cost me maybe six or 7 pounds for the three hours that we are there. Oh well, I'm going to try to fight it online. We shall see.but if I pay this with in 24 days or something like that I can cut it in half. I can also petition them via the online system which I will certainly try.
Upon returning to the pier, we took a different route to the parking lot. As we came up from the beach to the parking lot, we started to notice parking machines for paying for parking. At that point I started to get worried as we did not notice the need to pay for parking. As we get to the car, I notice a big yellow thing on the windshield of the car. And sure enough, we had a parking ticket. I looked around to see if there were any signs nearby or any on the southern route we took earlier when buying tickets and using the bathroom. There was nothing. The ticket prices is 60 pounds or about $75! But they are nice, if you pay it in two weeks, they cut it in half. Wow...pretty expensive. If I would’ve known to pay for the parking when I parked, I think it would’ve cost me maybe six or 7 pounds for the three hours that we are there. Oh well, I'm going to try to fight it online. We shall see.but if I pay this with in 24 days or something like that I can cut it in half. I can also petition them via the online system which I will certainly try.
After we got done with the loch we headed further south west to take a drive over to a town called Troon. That drive took us about an hour and a half. We arrived around 2:30 PM. This port town sits on the Scottish west coast. Turns out that they have a golf course here (that we passed) that hosts the British Open every 7 years. Colin Montgomey, a well known Euro golfer lives in Troon. Who knew!? We parked in a lot next to the beach (free parking...made sure) and then walked along the beach there. It was nice being by the Irish Sea and seeing the big island out in the distance (Isle of Arran). Very picturesque. After a bit there, we then headed to our favorite grocery store in Scotland...Morrison's. I think it was the third time we've been in this grocery store during our travels. We bought some snacks and some muffins for breakfast in the morning. Since we listed ourselves for Business Class, I hope we won't need the muffins. We'll see.
We then headed back to Glasgow to our hotel. We did not realize that Germany and Scotland we're hosting the European Summer Games. And Glasgow was the city for Scotland. No wonder hotels were few and expensive. It ends on Sunday. We arrived at our hotel and upon checking in I asked if we got the Queen Bed that I had requested. Oh she said we had the 'King Size' bed. I said yahoo...until I got to my room to find something to the tune of a 'double' bed. I'm sure the front desk girl laughed as we left her station.
After a bit, we headed out to get some dinner. The young lady at the front desk told us to drive up the street about 5 minutes (or it would take 10 to walk). I think we drove for a good 10 minutes...seemed and we still had to pull over and use the GPS to figure out where all the eateries were that she described. If we had walked this...well...we'd still be walking! We ended up at a burger place called the The Counter Burger. It was yummy. We split a burger as we are kind of fooded out!
One thing about driving over here is that they use the yellow traffic light for going and stopping. For going, it alerts you that the light is about to turn green to go. People start moving when it is yellow. I've found that interesting.
Well, time for bed. Big day tomorrow as we make our way back to the motherland. Wish us luck!
Pictures:
The little village of Luss...
The pier leading out to where we would catch our boat...
What do you do while waiting for the boat...you take selfies! :-). Obviously it has not started to rain yet. We needed a picture of that!
Loch Lomond....
One of the many islands we passed....
Coming back to the pier...
Looking down from the pier, you could see a lot of fish. But you could also see ducks, swans and so on. On some of the islands, they claim there are Wallabies...Kangaroo. Who would have known.
At one point in our drive to Troon, we had to take a detour. I think we missed some turn and ended up on this tiny road. But, we found our way back to the highway at the right point. All was well...
Lots of the new age windmills....
Loving the Irish Sea....
Coming into Glasgow. It is only 45 miles from Edinburgh. Pretty close!
Our hotel....
The river behind where we ate our dinner tonight. In the distance, you can see a building that kind of looks like the Sydney Opera House. Where we ate had a big casino, bowling alley and movie theater. It was pretty busy there.
Our yummy hamburger and sweet potatoe fries! Last dinner in the UK for a while...we hope.
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