I enjoyed listening! What a journey - I guess that’s the downside to living in a beautifully remote location. I’m so glad the return journey was much smoother
Ah thanks so much, I worry my sarcasm doesn’t always come across on the page so at least with audio you get that a bit more! That’s it, going anywhere is hard but then if it was easier Orkney would be busier so it’s worth it 🧡
Wow, I’m exhausted from reading it! I’m surprised you made it for breakfast at all, much less the rest of the weekend. I do remember taking a train/ferry from London to Glasgow to John O’Groats to Stromness, and all told it took more than 24 hours. Of course, it wasn’t a high speed train, so London to Glasgow was 8 or 9 hours rather than 5 or 6. Then there were enough hours waiting for the train to John O’Groats (at a different station) that I was able to go out and take a boat trip out onto Loch Lomond for a couple of hours. Then another overnight trip (again, no high-speed train) to John O’Groats, then the ferry to Stromness. I actually saw a seagull snatched/killed by a shark in the North Sea. Yep, you were smart to fly, even if it was crazy…
It's a bit of a trek! Over 24 hours for that journey isn't surprising, even by today's standards - the train from London to Glas/Ed is quicker but I would think it's a similar onward journey as everyone drives now. As much of a pain it is when we want to travel, if it was easier to get to more people would want to live here and I'm quite happy with how many we have right now!
That makes sense - both the ongoing time issue of travel and appreciating that it helps you not be overcrowded! The two or three days I was there were in the middle of my first two-week visit to the UK. That trip and that summer remains a pivotal time in my life, and when I got home and went back to law school (I worked during the day and went to class at night), behind my law books I started writing out my travel memories of the trip. It ended up being around 75 pages typewritten! When I was typing up the handwritten notes, I realized that much of my trip was focused on or inspired by books I’d read, or the theatre.
Is getting a train down from Scotland into London not easier? We always prefer that to flying up to Edinburgh... but obviously it's a huge voyage for you to even get to Edinburgh I guess! 😂
Indeed, such a kerfuffle. If we were able to get the right ferries, we could do the overnight-ish from Kirkwall to Aberdeen then get the train down to KX but with dropping the dog off we'd still need to leave at 12.30pm & then wouldn't get in till the following day in the afternoon. Edinburgh is quite a way still from us. When I lived in Ed I alwasy got the train down South, such a lovely journey as long as you have a seat!
It always takes a long time, but some journeys are more painful than others. I don't think we'll be doing the Thursday journey like that again because we've been caught out twice now!
Yes bit of a trek!! I was about to say no more travel until next year then I remembered we’re heading to see E’s family in the Netherlands next month! Then it’s no travel for at least 4 months.
I can be too even down here on the South coast. I am not a fan of winter - but I like the idea of being ‘stuck’ in with a fire going and a book on the go with a mug of tea all winter ;). I might even catch up on my to read pile 😂
I enjoyed listening! What a journey - I guess that’s the downside to living in a beautifully remote location. I’m so glad the return journey was much smoother
Ah thanks so much, I worry my sarcasm doesn’t always come across on the page so at least with audio you get that a bit more! That’s it, going anywhere is hard but then if it was easier Orkney would be busier so it’s worth it 🧡
Wow, I’m exhausted from reading it! I’m surprised you made it for breakfast at all, much less the rest of the weekend. I do remember taking a train/ferry from London to Glasgow to John O’Groats to Stromness, and all told it took more than 24 hours. Of course, it wasn’t a high speed train, so London to Glasgow was 8 or 9 hours rather than 5 or 6. Then there were enough hours waiting for the train to John O’Groats (at a different station) that I was able to go out and take a boat trip out onto Loch Lomond for a couple of hours. Then another overnight trip (again, no high-speed train) to John O’Groats, then the ferry to Stromness. I actually saw a seagull snatched/killed by a shark in the North Sea. Yep, you were smart to fly, even if it was crazy…
It's a bit of a trek! Over 24 hours for that journey isn't surprising, even by today's standards - the train from London to Glas/Ed is quicker but I would think it's a similar onward journey as everyone drives now. As much of a pain it is when we want to travel, if it was easier to get to more people would want to live here and I'm quite happy with how many we have right now!
That makes sense - both the ongoing time issue of travel and appreciating that it helps you not be overcrowded! The two or three days I was there were in the middle of my first two-week visit to the UK. That trip and that summer remains a pivotal time in my life, and when I got home and went back to law school (I worked during the day and went to class at night), behind my law books I started writing out my travel memories of the trip. It ended up being around 75 pages typewritten! When I was typing up the handwritten notes, I realized that much of my trip was focused on or inspired by books I’d read, or the theatre.
Oh wow, well done for writing it down, I’m not very good at that type of thing! Don’t still have the notes and the write up?
I do!
Brilliant!
Actually, thanks for asking - it might be useful in a project I’m working on. 🤔
What a kerfuffle!
Is getting a train down from Scotland into London not easier? We always prefer that to flying up to Edinburgh... but obviously it's a huge voyage for you to even get to Edinburgh I guess! 😂
Indeed, such a kerfuffle. If we were able to get the right ferries, we could do the overnight-ish from Kirkwall to Aberdeen then get the train down to KX but with dropping the dog off we'd still need to leave at 12.30pm & then wouldn't get in till the following day in the afternoon. Edinburgh is quite a way still from us. When I lived in Ed I alwasy got the train down South, such a lovely journey as long as you have a seat!
Oh yes, I'd forgotten about the dog-drop-off, it's a logistical nightmare! 😂
I know! Next time I'm going to get a dog that isn't as vicious so she can stay with a friend!
I can almost smell this one! In a funky good way of course. It might have been easier to go by helicopter
I think it could be! Bit more expensive though
This puts my moaning about the four hour journey to London into perspective 😝
It always takes a long time, but some journeys are more painful than others. I don't think we'll be doing the Thursday journey like that again because we've been caught out twice now!
Hope you feel better soon!
Thanks Andrew, today has been better than yesterday!
Wow, that’s quite a journey - it would seem Orkney does want you to stay. Hope you feel better soon 💚
Yes bit of a trek!! I was about to say no more travel until next year then I remembered we’re heading to see E’s family in the Netherlands next month! Then it’s no travel for at least 4 months.
I’m guessing it’s even less likely in the winter months with storms and the horizontal rain ;)
Exactly! I’m a proper hermit in winter!
I can be too even down here on the South coast. I am not a fan of winter - but I like the idea of being ‘stuck’ in with a fire going and a book on the go with a mug of tea all winter ;). I might even catch up on my to read pile 😂
I like the sound of that too!