Scotland 2nd Day — Monday, June 30

Jon's first day of driving on the wrong-side of the car, on the wrong-side of the street, shifting with his left hand and navigating what seems like a "roundabout" at every corner! Quite a harrowing adventure, but we make in one piece to the car park in the center of town (whew!).

We decide to take a wee stroll on Port street and pop in for a bite to eat and a cup of coffee at Cisco's cafe. We start chattin' up the propieter, Bennie Tortolano. Quite a lovely fellow. Ends up he is half Italian, and his daughter lived in San Diego for quite awhile. He loved to go visit her and he misses his travels to California. He loves the old jazz standards and swing dancin', and did his best impression of Frank Sinatra. He brought up a subject having to to do with "only the good die young", and Jonny chimed in with "I guess I'll live a long time, then." Bennie's answer was "Oh, you're a wee devil, are ye?" So that is now what I call Jonny...."me wee devil." It's SO appropriate.


Subsitute photo of cute, Bennie Tortolano at Cisco's cafe

We proceeded to take a walk about the town, and passed many landmarks, including the old town jail, and the outside of the fabulous Stirling Castle. We will visit it later on, when we have more time to commit to it. We discover that our flat is in one of the most charming areas of Scotland - historically and visually. We are delighted. I am also feeling much better, and the Scottish whiskey helps heal me throat. We take off grocery shoppin' at about 8pm in search of "Tesco" market, but end up at Sainsbury's, which suits us fine. We buy £75 worth of grub (which translates to $160 dollars)....hopefully we will make good use of it. I find that some items are very expensive-- meats and certain veggies, but other items are very cheap -- you could buy a bottle of shampoo for 50 cents and a loaf of bread for a dollar! And the baked goods -- bread, biscuits, etc. are delicious! So much for the Atkins diet in Scotland! Of course, I buy some well-aged Scottish cheese and some local ham -- we are now set for Paninis for lunch every day!

We come home late and are greeted by our downstairs neighbor, Alistaire who kindly helps us bring up Jon's golf clubs that were misplaced by British Airways yesterday! What a nice chap. His wife is Sarah, and he has two young boys. We invited him up for a spot of tea, and we all talked until midnight. Quite a full, social day. And, since I have had trouble sleeping the past few nights, I decide to take a Sominex pill. Let's see how it works.