This morning started early with a 6:30am call for luggage and breakfast. I planned ahead a bit and bought a Diet Coke with Lime from the local grocery last night. So I was ready to go this morning.

Sometime along the way on this trip I have started taking pictures of my food. Someone asked if I was a foodie. Absolutely not! Do I appreciate good food, you bet!! Some firsts for on this trip. I tried some black pudding which is made with pig blood. It was tasty enough and I had a few bites. It was in the morning and I my more adventurous side was still asleep. Stornoway is known for this delicacy so it seemed only right to give it a try.

My favorite discovery of this trip is Toffee Pudding. I have now had this beautiful dessert three times in two different places and I will say it is so tasty. I think I will be trying this recipe at home.

This trip is in part an homage to my parent’s who loved to travel and seeing new places. Before Mom’s passing she said to my siblings that she hoped we would travel and see the world outside of the Midwest. So I have been eating a lot of ice cream because that was my Dad’s favorite. The beauty of this toffee pudding is that it has cake, ice cream, raspberries and a bit of chocolate. It checks all of my boxes.

I have not thad Haggis yet but it is definitely on my list to try in Glasgow. Today we board a small plane and leave the Isle of Harris and Lewis. I must say that this part of the trip has been one of my favorites so far but I think have said that about every place I have visited so far.

As many of you may know, my hearing has been an ongoing struggle. I’ve seen a doctor in Portree and received some drops and oral antibiotics. Here’s hoping these help.

Today we visited the standing stones of Callanish on the Isle of Lewis. The stones are 2000 years older than the more famous Stonehenge stones in Britain. Remarkably, some believe the stones are in a form similar to a Celtic cross.

The purpose of the stones are unknown but it is speculated that they were used for astrological purposes.

I tried to time travel but it seems like I am meant to live in this time with my family. I believe there was one member of my family hoping I’d take a much longer trip. Sorry to disappoint you, Sean.

There are tourists from all over the world in each site we visit. It is not crowded at all. The wildness of the scenery is nourishing my soul in ways I did not recognize I needed. The life I have lived through Covid and beyond has exhausted my own resources. I am so grateful for this chance to fill my well with fresh waters.

Be well my friends. Love your people and take a walk today

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” (Pride and Prejudice)

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Diet Coke in any country will make this writer happier.

Sunday morning reflections on the ferry to Stornaway. I had hoped to worship at the village church in Portree but a ferry accident meant we had to change our plans for the morning.

Originally we were to catch the ferry close to Portree but an accident which left a large hole in the side of the ship made for a change of plans. We had to make our way three hours down the road to Ullapool to get on the one ferry still running to Stornaway

My fellow travelers have elected to inhabit the front of the ship and I’ve found myself nested in the back with big windows to watch the loading of all the vehicles. I’m younger by a decade than everyone else in my group and they are all very kind and inviting to me. It seems many of them are world travelers with many trips around the world under their collective belts.

The group I’m traveling with Overseas Adventure Travels has a popular following. One member of our group has over 30 trips with OAT. I am a first time traveler with this firm but it has been a great experience so far.

It’s quite an experience to join up with a group of strangers; create memories of a lifetime, then to separate and to likely never see them again. I’m grateful that I have landed with a fine group of people.

Before I lose my signal I wish you all a good day and fair winds wherever you are headed today

I’m sharing here a video I shot this morning from a for sheep dog demonstration. It was amazing. Each dog has their own whistle, which James the shepherd, trains them to recognize.

Away means bring the sheep counterclockwise. Come by is bring the sheep clockwise toward the shepherd. That’ll do is calling the dog back to the shepherd and to quit working the sheep. There were many other commands but these dogs were impressive.

Update: I have a fungal infection in my left ear and a bacterial and fungal infection in my right ear. I have a steroid spray for my ears with an anti-fungal on board and oral antibiotics. The one thing I heard very clearly from the MD was, “oh dear” as she peered in my right ear. Medicine and doctor visit cost about 85 lbs. is $106. Here’s hoping for better hearing and a lot less pain. Malcolm has now taken to grabbing my elbow so I don’t walk in front of moving cars.

Laundry is sorted and a shower is pending until dinner tonight at 6:30 or 1830. Everything is military time so I do lots of converting between money, time and language.

Today at lunch in Mallo my tour mates bought my lunch. As they said, they always take their pastor out to lunch. We’ve had lots of bus time today and we won’t return to Dublin until 8pm.

I will then return to my motel to retrieve my big bag and then move to my hotel by the airport as I have a 6:30am flight to Glasgow. Then I’ll catch the train to Nairn and join us with my Scotland Trip for the next leg of my trip.

Any prayers you could lift my for my hearing and my ears would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve left the city behind and I am quite glad for it. Today I’m on my way to Dingle and the Kilkenny peninsula.