In between In Scotland

I believe we will look back on this time and think of it as the ‘in between’ of leaving the US and finding our new home. We’re here, but we have as they say ‘no fixed abode’. Having no real address makes things more difficult. Items you cannot get without an address:

• Bank account
• New phone
• Membership cards at stores, especially the Tesco club card (major grocery store)
• Mail…(duh)

We spend a lot of time looking at towns and villages to find our right ‘fit’. One constant to them all are the people. The Scots are the friendliest, nicest bunch ever. If you have a dog, they like you even better. I went into the hardware store. They were a bit offended that Gunner and My Loving Spouse waited outside.

‘Och, is that your dog? He can come in. Let me give him a treat.’

Gunner is walked daily. We never go anywhere without poo bags in our pockets. Should I forget to bring his ball, he will find a stick. He has impressive confidence in my throwing ability.

Because of my walks with Gunner, I needed a warm hat. I don’t really look good in hats. It has something to do with the size of my head. (Grateful for the lack of my brothers being able to comment at this point). I needed My Loving Spouse’s help to find a nice hat. Here a few of his loving comments from the past hat trials.

• Why are you wearing a tea cozy?
• There’s a dead squirrel on your head.
• Is it suppose to look like that?
• It’s a bit pointy.

I went with the hat I found in the children’s section. There was one that had a tractor on it, but I resisted the temptation to purchase that, buying the one that drew the best praise from My Loving Spouse.

• That one’s not too bad

We are quite aware we’re trying to buy a home at the wrong time of the year, but that doesn’t keep us from looking…every single day. It can get one down, but we know in the new year that there will be a better inventory. We decided to go look at something else for a change.

Cheering one of us up.

Now he has something else to search for.

I’m a tad embarrassed to say how long it took us to figure this next bit out. In our defense, we usually saw these shops as we were zipping by in the car. Our brains saw

“Hairy Cow”

Scotland’s equivalent to ‘Dunkin’ Doughnuts’.

Yep, okay, we’ve got it now. It’s someone’s name.

We’re currently in Nairn. We can hear the seagulls in the morning and occasionally the waves. The huge green is used daily by dogs and people and it is beautiful.

We can see the sunset over the Black Isle of Scotland, if we’re out walking.

…and we are blessed.

…and this sign cracks me up.