Ronwyn's Travel Blog

25 & 26 May These last two days have been hectic.  We got up at 4am yesterday to proceed for our 05:55 flight from Glasgow to London. Glasgow airport was absolutely packed so early in the morning that it was a bit of a shock.  Once in London we decided to check into a day hotel for some snoozing and then we showered before our long haul flight back to SA.   Once back at Heathrow the return trip proved to be as much of an education as our original landing.  A lot of walking and up and down stairs for the various processes.  The suitcase self check in was cute.  Mom and I both took aisle seets and we checked in our suitcases which gave us more leg room thus slightly better experience, but I'm still not impressed with the A380 in terms of toilet facilities.  Landing back at OR Thambo was good and a new experience for me to go through international arrivals but all went smoothly.  We are home now but mom has still got one more leg to go to ge...

24 May For our last day in Glasgow, Mom booked the red bus. We crossed fingers with the weather and fortunately it was cold but no heavy rain.  We only managed 2 stops with 3 buildings and it was still worth it. The architecture in Glasgow is amazing and I really enjoyed this very old city.  And it amazed me that though this was a Saturday, the city was pumping with people and activity.   The first building was an old church that was being used to house a religious tolerance museum and quite frankly left me scratching my head more about what had become of humanity.  We then went over to Glasgow cathedral and that was truly awe inspiring. It's a massive multi-level building with fascinating architecture.   We then headed off to Kelvingrove art gallery and museum and I'd wished we had gone there earlier. The building alone from the outside is spectacular and we arrived to hear the most beautiful organ recital on the 2nd most beautiful organ pipes I've ev...

23 May Today we started back on our journey home with the first leg taking us from Oban back to Glasgow to check in the car.  But before leaving Oban we stopped at Mc Craig's Tower. A bizarre incompleted round structure with high arches. It's an abandoned building project with little info as to what it's intended purpose was but makes for beautiful photos. We then took the drive back and bypassed Loch Lomand where we stopped for tea and scones.  The final leg took us back to the car hire for which we have been so grateful.  Thank you Budget!  We have driven 1433 miles and have been delighted with the beauty and splendour of Scotland!  We have checked in now to the Holiday Inn at the Glasgow airport for 2 nights. 

22 May Today was our last outing before we head back to Glasgow and it turned out to be quite the pilgrimage. We headed back down to the ferry port and caught the ferry to Isle of Mull.  We then took the southern bus all the way to Fionnphort. Then it was another very short ferry to Isle of Iona.   What greeted us there was a spiritual encounter not only for a further insight to the spread of Christianity in the early centuries after Christ's death and resurrection but an encounter with God's sense of humour.  I had been plagued with stress about the parking fine for which I'd had no response so I'd emailed them last night to follow up.  After landing on Iona, Mom and I made our way to the ancient nunnery and were walking through the ruins, when my emails caught my eye. I opened it up to check and lo and behold, my fine had been forgiven, excuse the pun. I'd just finished reading that when I look behind me at a meditation benc...

Today was an early start as we headed down to the ferry terminal.  Luckily it was a relatively short walk from the guesthouse.  From Oban via ferry to the Isle of Mull wasn't far but it is slow.  The trip was oh so very beautiful.  I am truly going to miss all these beautiful watery expanses I've grown to enjoy about Scotland and the accompanying islands.  Once on Mull we hopped on the bus and headed north to the small coastal town of Tobemoray.  A colorful sight greets you as you arrive with colourfully painted buildings that reminds me a lot of our Cape Town's Bo-Kaap area. It's a sleepy little fishing village with really not much going on but we did enjoy a good cup of tea with pies.  We did stop at the museum and a some of the stores.  We however quickly ran out of things to do as we couldn't drive ourselves around.  So we decided to head back, again via bus and ferry.   Once back in Oban we stopped for fish and chips before hea...