Sunday 25 October 2015

Time to move on

I didn't intend one of the last photos I took while in Graham's company to look quite as forlorn as it does but it seems appropriate for a goodbye.


Remember the quote “You may delay, but time will not.”  We had run out of time.  Graham had to drive on to Glasgow that afternoon to keep a hospital appointment the next morning.  I know how pathetic I am at saying thank you to people.  I hate to get sentimental and soppy, don't know why I just do.  That's purely a private thing.  Sometimes the lump in my throat prohibits too many words.  Our goodbyes were brief.  And anyway, even if I'd tried to find the words, it would have been pretty tough thanking Graham for the wonderful, wonderful time I'd had on Lewis and the mainland. 

So I booked my dinner and went for a long walk along the waterfront.   To start with I climbed these hundreds of stairs to visit the Dolphin and Seal Centre - but, as it was a Sunday, they had closed early.  I had the company as I climbed of a lady who I'd say is older than me who had just popped down the steps to the little shop on the waterfront for some milk, only to find it was shut.  She was having a good old laugh at her own expense for forgetting the shop is shut on Sundays.  No wonder she was so fit if she goes up and down those steps on a regular basis.  


It was a pleasant afternoon, a bit of a breeze but not cold.  I headed towards the bridge.


I was in a thoughtful mood, reflecting on the differences between here and home.  The new house I passed is an example.  We don't have the same uniformity and symmetry of houses.   I do like how so many houses in different areas are made of the same local stone and even new houses are built from materials so they look the same as their much older neighbours.  But the attached houses - I wouldn't like to live in one of those.  I can see how attached, terraced houses squeeze as many houses as possible into one street - and give thanks that I live where space is not at a premium.


I also found an example of how different the vehicles are.  The two above could be on any street here.  But the two below are distinctively different.  I smiled at the thought of those low cars traveling down our road.  They would be scraping the stones all along the way.


I was so lost in thought I lost track of time and by the time I got back to the hotel I was late for dinner!   Luckily the waitress agreed that it was a glorious evening for a long walk and wasn't at all annoyed.

I went for another short stroll before bedtime, admiring the lights of the city on the other side of the water.

10 comments:

  1. I enjoyed your walk. I wonder what was for dinner?

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  2. Well, you managed a great good bye in this post. I've enjoyed your posts on your trip.

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  3. Good-byes are difficult, i think the world needs more hellos.

    If i lived where there were steps like that, i'd be up and down them often, i'm sure, because i'd go down to the store to get milk and forget bread and have to go back!

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  4. I need to catch up on your trip. This post is wonderful. Those steps are amazing, I can see why anyone would be fit having to tackle those every day.

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  5. It is always sad to say goodbye to friends across the sea. It was a lovely walk, I'm glad they served you dinner.

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  6. I have just been going backwards through your blog to read the posts I and missed, I also visited Graham's blog too. It is very interesting also. It is exciting to hear that you met through blogging.

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  7. i, like others have enjoyed the journey with you and thank for the effort you have made, Its been interesting indeed Forbes

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  8. Oh Pauline, I am sure Graham enjoyed your visit and showing you around this beautiful island as much as you enjoyed being here. A hug and a smile and just a one word "thanks" is really all that is needed between real friends. We talk of you often with fondness. It was lovely to meet you - "Thanks"

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  9. It wasn't 'goodbye' Pauline: just 'cheerio' or 'Au devoir' until the next time. I was sad to have to go south before you went off on the plane but at least we had a good morning before I left. Thanks weren't necessary anyway. It was a wonderful week and I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did.

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  10. We just had to say good bye to Richard's parents after a two week stay in England so I know what you mean. Still, as Graham says above, "until we meet again" is a lovely thought. xx

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