To our relief, the parcel was actually picked up as planned yesterday (missed the blog) so fingers crossed our precious things make it to Spence in a week or so.

An early start and a busy day ahead, meant for one final cooked breakfast for TR before heading to the airport in Glasgow. We were a bit concerned about how much mass we were allowed on the Aer Lingus, despite the booking through British Airways, and also of the state of the floors in the hirecar. Nothing too ridiculous other than that he have most certainly "seen" Scotland, covering a lot of ground (approx 2000 miles) and with something like 12km of walking on average each day on uneven, stony, boggy, muddy, grit covered pavements at times...well, it was visible on the car. To our delight, we were met at the airport by a very understanding and friendly lady from Alamo car rental, so I think we'll be right to get our deposit returned no issues.

The flight left on schedule, and to our pleasure, our arrangement of bags (mine at 22.9kg, Bronnie's at 20.6kg) and with our backpacks under the size restriction for fitting into the overhead lockers on board, and with the floral bag for me and Bronnie's hawd black eshay bag on, we were fine! A quick explore of the duty free shops, watched our bags get loaded out the window and we were off to Ireland.

The great irony was that by the end of the day, we were only about 45km as the crow flies from Islay, having since had a ferry crossing, 125 miles of driving in Scotland, a 1 hour plane flight to Dublin and 235km drive north from there to get here.

Our luggage arrived no hassles and we collected our next hire car, an upgraded Volvo hybrid (with a small increase in cost, but only small) for the next 17 days. On driving north along the motorways, it was interesting to see the contrast to Scotland. Much greener I guess for being further south, much better road condition (wider and in better tarmac) and all of the hedges/grass on roadside are beautifully maintained. A quick shop at a town about 20 minutes from our accommodation in Clonmany and we were all set.

Our home for the next week is quite the place. It was built in the 1700s and many of the original features still remain, along with the stone flooring, wooden beams, tastefully fitted out with lamps, tables etc. A significant feature for me is the presence of a coal fired pot belly stove...a first for me. It sits in the living room alongside a built in tiny wooden bed area (not ours, we are at the other end of the cottage in what was a second room where another family and/or the livestock stayed in winter). The lady Tracy was super friendly in showing us the tiny kitchen and bathroom where we'll definitely put together some yummo tucker this week!

Pretty tired tonight, and with no free to air TV, a quick catch up on cricket and cycling replays and it was time for sleep.