People in Scotland

I miss writing but a computer with accommodating access is not easily secured.

What are the highlights thus far? The people. Extraordinary people.

• we met a man who trained Bear Gryll, the British wilderness survivalist on television. Our friend had the misfortune to witness a fatal biking accident earlier in the day and had given CPR for an hour before the ambulance arrived. Obviously shaken, he needed to talk and we shared wine. He's a school teacher and a wilderness survival tour guide and instructor; he is in Scotland scouting routes. With a smile, he reminded us that Bear Gryll has a crew and sometimes stays in hotels. Both were in Her Majesty's Royal Air Force.
• by the River Tweed at Walter Scott's home and museum outside Melrose, we met a Russian literature professor. An extremely handsome man, his emphasis is Leo Tolstoy. He is department chair at the University of Moscow and here specifically to learn more of the influence and connection of the Scottish poets/writers/philosophers and Leo Tolstoy. Phyllis and he watched as I was attacked by a horse.
• we spent an evening with a spiritual healer from England. He's 72, a former audiologist and been traveling extensively for years. He studies and offers healings. A gentle man open, excited about living, passionate.
• In the hostel with more older people than younger, we see a pile of knitted baby and premie clothes. Two women in our room knit for the charities. These women smile with every cell in their bodies. They eek happy. One of the women is legally blind. She no longer knits the baby clothes but can knit woolen hats. I don't really know who would want one of my hats! But the teenagers in Eastern Europe are so happy to have them!
• Robert the Bruce: I think we met him! A gargantua size man of handsome proportion. White longer-flowing hair, strong jaw. He's an eccentric British oil engineer who has lived in Thailand for 15 years. Everyone has a story and mavericks are running loose in Scotland!
• The women are strong and sturdy - if not strong at departure from their country, they gain strength with each step forward - women traveling alone - young to not young. We spent last evening with an Australian woman who is out of a 19 year marriage, two boys. She left July 25 and will not return home until January. She's never done anything like this before but wanted to learn how to fly... She's a special ed teacher on a paid holiday.
• Edinborough, Melrose, Glasgow, Isle of Arran (9-10 more nights in Scotland)