Layne told me there is supposed to be a rocket launch at the European Space Agency launch pad in Kourou in French Guyana on November 4th.
Since we decided to drive to the Guyanas I had been hoping it might be possible to witness a launch and if we get a move on from Paramaribo we might meet the deadline. All of which is a splendid distraction to make it easier to leave Ullapool to start the journey home to my wife and my dog and my van.
Ironically when we cross the Maroni River into the French Overseas Department of La Guiane Française we will be in the European Union and Scotland still won’t, as much as my sister the Irish citizen wishes it were. I felt that when Britain left the EU the case for independence for Scotland was reinforced and were I younger, I too like my sister would have claimed my ancestral right to Irish citizenship. These days traveling under the Irish flag would certainly be easier.
It was before Covid the last time I was here and she and I had planned to visit Ireland together to visit Wicklow whence came our grandfather, a trip organized but scotched by the lockdown. I will be back much sooner next time. I find it hard to leave this cold wet rainy place so warm was her welcome.
A weather forecast of “some showers followed by sunny intervals” broadly speaking is the daily dose across the British Isles. Northwest Scotland is the one area where it always rains the most.
The BBC nowadays gives the weather for “the four capitals” of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England.
The endless parade of camper vans and RVs exploring the country from all over Europe.
My sister ran for the UK parliament in London and came second. The next election she chooses to run in I shall volunteer.
Oops - another RV driving the North Coast 500 tourism route around the Highlands.
A last glimpse of Loch Broom.
The UK is the nanny state refined to a pitch that tortures me. Yes I can get free health care here but government safety regulations are slightly loopy. All plugs in the UK are grounded which is great but they also have on/off switches which drive me nuts. Why would an outlet be turned off? For what reason? You plug in and your appliance turns on. Not necessarily…I have never missed this “feature” on crappy 110 volt plugs in the States which work just fine. Rant over.
And of course the morning after breakfast at the hotel where the wedding guests stayed. Baked beans egg sausage mushroom fried tomato and a square Lorne sausage that tasted like scrapple with meat. Blood sausage that is more delicately in Scotland as black sausage is made with oatmeal and actually tastes pretty good with a better texture than I am used to. Oh and thick cut bacon unlike anything you would see in the States with a slice of potato pancake.
Bring your camper to Ullapool and you too can park on the waterfront. In Britain for reasons I do not understand one parks “up” instead of simply parking. British English is full of filler words with no purpose, if I’m being honest.
The Summer Isles fogged in by Highland aerial moisture.
Mysterious by night but just a street by day:
Inevitable rain:
I was surprised to see two intrepid hikers in the streets of Ullapool. They had put waterproof covers on their packs so clearly they knew what they were in for:
Britain like Canada has privatized mail service I believe. I can’t believe anything improves with mail services pursuing profit, but I am apparently old fashioned.
Back to reality:
Layne spent part of her Sunday at the Javanese market in Paramaribo.
I’ll check it out myself in a week. Just to cross the Atlantic will take eight hours tomorrow after an overnight layover in Amsterdam. The miracle of flight.
Until next time, Ullapool.
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