My Summer of 2023

Chapter 16, Another “opps” and Farewell to Scotland.

After all the sailing and wandering about in the Scottish Highlands, my last days back with Maralyn and Graham at their home in Torrance was very casual and laid back. They obliged me by introducing me to some Scottish culture where we visited the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, The Riverside Museum with its massive displays of all manner of transportation (from bicycles to boats) and the People’s Museum, all in Glasgow.

Spending some very quiet time at home the day before my departure, that evening I treated Graham and Maralyn to dinner at a nearby restaurant within walking distance. We would be leaving early the next morning on our way to the airport.

Having everything packed the night before, I was up and ready to go the next morning. The drive to the airport was about 30-40 minutes, giving me a last chance to admire early morning as we drove through the countryside.

Arriving at the airport, we parked the car, opened the trunk to retrieve my suitcase and headed into the airport. I reached for the shoulder bag that I carry over my shoulder to pull out my passport and cell phone which had the boarding pass.

But, OH NO!

I did NOT have my shoulder bag!!

No, it was not in the car. What had I done with my bag? Only answer was that it was still at my host’s home. With no other choice we rushed back to the house and, yes there was my bag near the door. (I had set my jacket near the door before we left and had set my shoulder bag down on the floor to put on that jacket but did not pick up my shoulder bag. A very quick entry into the house and there it was, an equally quick exit back to the car with the bag and immediately we were back on the road. Morning traffic had increased, and although Graham took a bit shorter route, I was anxious (and embarrassed).

Here’s the thing that saved me. International flights request arrival 3 hours prior to departure, to which I had originally planned. That meant, I had lost one and one half hour but still had nearly 1 ½ hours to still pass through to my departure gate on time. Luckily that process of checking in and through security was smooth. Having reached my gate, I plopped down in a seat, let out at huge sigh and calmed my over anxious nerves.

Ironically, being in Scotland, the Scottish poet Robert Burns said it best “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”.

That made two times that my “well laid plans” in Scotland went awry (re: #1 – catching the van in Edinburgh).

Thankfully, it all worked out and I was none the worse for wear (and worry).

Graham and Maralyn seemed to be ok with my absentmindedness and I truly thank them for going the extra mile(s) to get me safely to the airport on time.

From Scotland, it was a long day of travel – Glasgow, Amsterdam, Boston, Phoenix with no other significant difficulties along the way. It was good to be back home.

Good grief, what a way to exit Scotland!

This is the last chapter of “My Summer of 2023”. I hope you have enjoyed coming along for the ride with me by way of my stories. If readers have not yet subscribed to my website and blog, I encourage you to go to the very bottom of any story page and enter your information to subscribe. It is free and will then allow you to access to all future (and past) WordPress blog entries that I publish.

Until the next time, fare thee well lads and lassies.

Some of the displays in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum: click to enlarge

Some of the displays at The Riverside Museum of Transportation:

Finally, back to Phoenix, AZ