3 Weeks in the UK

We’ve made it to the Moray Coast.

We’ve quickly learned how anxious we are to ‘land’. To find our spot, our village/town/city, but most especially our home. We spent almost a week in Hopeman. We were on a hill just over the playground and woke up to a marvelous view.

We could stand on the hill and throw Gunner his ball down below. This slide made us long to have the little ones we love here with us even more than usual.

We are now staying in one spot for a week at a time. I’ve worked out the arbnb/vrbo etc system and advise anyone traveling here to use Skyes Cottages. They are cheaper, offer better service and don’t advertise what they don’t have.

I hadn’t really thought of the UK as a ‘foreign’ land. After all we speak the same language.

A few things I’ve learned:

• Wee in Scotland means little
• Wee in England means peeing. Best not to mix those up.
• Pants are underwear or rather knickers. Do not tell someone you like their ‘pants’
• You don’t say ‘restroom’ you say, ‘loo’ or ‘toilet’

In reality everything is different. We two grown adults are still struggling to use the washing machine, dryer and dishwasher at our current cottage. (We finally made an emergency phone call to get the soap in the right dispenser).

Yesterday I thought I had ordered a bacon sandwich with cheese for lunch. Much to my surprise it was a baked potato with ham and cheese. My Loving Spouse offered me a taste of oat cake, because it was a very traditional Scottish accompaniment to his soup.

“I’ll try it when every single part of my life is not different,” I replied. It’s possible my learning curve is jammed up.

Things I’ve hit my head on more than once:

• The ceiling
• The shower stall door
• The back door of the car

We are currently near the town of Banff and that is the North Sea. Gunner and I had a beautiful walk this morning.

The weather was a crispy 37 degrees Fahrenheit (I haven’t figured out Celsius yet). It was brisk, but I was dressed for the weather.

Then I came upon this group of gals.

I had seen them gathering in the parking lot with ski hats, long trousers (because we don’t say pants) and large coats on. I thought they were going for a group walk.

I’d ask you to send me an emergency bag of Lays potato chips with ALL the salt. The crisps (chips) here only have less salt or salt that was just waved around the bag for effect. However, we’ve now spent a week trying to get a Post Office Box or General delivery, which is called Poste Restante. When we’ve asked the Post Office and the Royal Mail how we go about setting one up we get the kindest response.

“Sorry, mate, I’ve got no idea what you’re talking about.”

Everything is different, except the most import thing…God’s love for us and his promise that he will never leave us…and so we are blessed. Slightly confused with a bump on my head, but blessed just the same.