Browncoat

I have a love/hate relationship with the tap and go credit card readers. They're terribly convenient, but I don't understand how they're secure. Almost everywhere I was over the past two weeks used that tap payment method. No IDs were checked, no signatures or PINs were needed, just tap the card and get a receipt. Seems like anyone could just tap anyone else's card.

I am back! I tested myself this morning, and, yep, still positive. The only symptom I have really is congestion. If I didn't know better, I wouldn't even think twice about this congestion -- it feels like allergies, or the congestion I sometimes get in air-conditioned air. But here we are. I did wear my mask in the airport and on the plane, but I would estimate that 40-50% of the people around me were coughing that COVID cough, and I'd also say that fewer than 1/3 of all the people were masked. Other than that, it was a great trip! There was really only one day that I felt bad -- fever, no appetite -- and I took it easy that day and the next couple of days. The weather was absolutely fabulous! I could not have asked for better. I think it only rained either at night or when we were in transit in our vehicle. Otherwise, it was sunny with reasonable temperatures. Unfortunately, those reasonable temperatures meant that DC yesterday afternoon felt more miserable than usual. But we had a good time in Inverness, and a very moving visit to Culloden. In St. Andrews, they're busily preparing for the Open, but those of us who care about golf were still able to walk out on the Old Course and take photos. The tiny airport in Edinburgh was a nightmare, though, for the return trip. For some reason, I wasn't able to check in early for my flight, so I had to get my boarding pass at the airport. I was quite glad I didn't check a bag, though! Because I didn't, I got shuffled to the short line (the Priority line!). The line for non-Priority people who were checking bags was insane. It wouldn't surprise me if that had taken more than an hour to get through. Security was equally bad. There was the usual hullabaloo, but then it seemed like they were randomly selecting every 5th bag or something to pull aside for further screening. Some I think were legit -- I overheard one (American, I'm sorry to say) woman complaining that they found her $100 bottle of perfume (I saw it -- it was way over the 100mL limit) that she'd only used a couple of times, and they kept it. I had no sympathy -- we all know the rules by now. But my bag was selected for no reason. I had to open it, and the guy looked in it, of course not finding any contraband, but he swabbed the whole thing for explosives. I cannot think of a single thing in my bag that would require it to have been pulled aside. I'm convinced it was random screening. At least I didn't have to take my shoes off. And I was glad I left about 4 hours -- all of that took a good two, and I felt like I got through quickly. After we got on the plane, we then had to wait for passengers from a connecting flight. Then we had to wait for their luggage. Then we had to wait for the wrong luggage to be taken back off the plane. Then we had to wait because one of the ground crew needed a new battery for his headset. I think we left about 30-45 minutes late. But it worked out -- we somehow made up a little time on the way (or maybe they budgeted more time initially), and were only a little late with our very rough, bouncy landing. Not the worst landing I've experienced, but pretty close. The rest of the journey home was unremarkable, but once again, Global Entry more than paid for itself. The queue at customs was another insane one. I was glad to be able to skip it!

Scotland, Iceland, Alaska…..

3/5 this week — I missed Monday and Wednesday.

I dread coming back to the US after these past couple of weeks in Scotland. I am going to wilt!

I’m not a huge fan of the first one, so I’ll pass, thanks.

Yes, fortunately, I don’t have to get tested before flying back to the States. I am much better today, though I’ll continue to take the meds for a couple of days. It has mostly just felt like a mild flu — achy, sniffly, and a bit of a cough. And I am so tired!

I used the mind blown one.

I don’t really know about the tests. We’ve just been treating symptoms. In the end, I suppose it doesn’t matter what I’ve got, treating the symptoms will be the same regardless. Mostly I hope my four jabs will keep things uneventful.

I may have spoken too soon. I’ve felt a little off all day, but can’t decide if it’s straight up lack of sleep or if I’m actually ill. There were VERY noisy gulls outside my window all night. And since it essentially doesn’t get dark here this time of year, the gulls don’t sleep either. We’ve been saying that someone requested a wake-up gulll far too early, and there wasn’t a snooze button! Fortunately, I have been to Orkney before, so I’m okay with resting a bit this afternoon before dinner.

Was it in this thread I was tasked with ascertaining the correct (Scottish) pronunciation of scone the pastry? (As opposed to the stone.) I don’t remember! I have consulted with actual Scottish people, and they agree that it’s pronounced with a softened “ah” sound. Almost like “scahn.” The stone, of course, is pronounced like “scoon.” In other Scottish tour news, in case you don’t read the vacation thread, we have one confirmed covid-positive test among out little group. There are a couple of others with symptoms. We assume they are also positive, but no one else has been tested. So far, symptoms are mild, and are being treated with OTC meds. I suspect we’ll all get it before the trip is finished, so I am doubly (triply, even!) glad I don’t have to get tested before returning to the US. I’ve been wearing my mask, and will continue to do so — especially in the airport and on the plane, and in any public spaces in Scotland. I am, as of now, asymptomatic.

As I am five hours ahead, and it’s already bedtime (although it is broad daylight outside), I have checked the archive for this past week. I only missed Tuesday’s FJ, so I have 4/5 for this week.

Well, the inevitable happened early — one of our small group has tested positive for COVID. He’s mostly asymptomatic, just a headache, I think, but we’ve all started wearing masks on the very small bus/van. Yes, I know, we’re closing the barn door after the horses have all left, but we’re doing it partly for the small, unvaccinated child. They are more likely to wear a mask if the rest of us are, thus protecting them perhaps a little more. Other than that, it’s been a good trip so far. It’s quite windy, but it hasn’t really rained, and the sun comes and goes. We’re in Stornoway this morning, headed back to the mainland this afternoon. Yesterday, we visited the Callanish Stones. We got there after the visitor’s center closed, but the stones themselves are accessible 24/7, so that wasn’t a problem. It was actually quite nice, as most people had left. We pretty much had the stones to ourselves.

Definitely D.

Rats. I stuck around long enough for the first credits scene, but missed the other two.

I saw this last night as well. It made me a little sad that Buzz missed his friend’s whole life, but glad at the same time that he was there to restart the Space Rangers. Sox was great. If he could figure out the fuel formula once, he can do it again. But at this point, so much time has passed, is it worth it? Better to just live their lives with the vines, giant bugs, and the laser shield. Was there a short film for anyone? The theater I saw it in didn’t show one. And was there a post-credit scene? I stayed long enough for the mid-credits scene, but just couldn’t manage it until the end end.

I’ll second (or third?) the recommendation! I really liked it a lot.

I will be in Falkirk on Monday. I’ll wave in her general direction!

I’m only in Edinburgh for another day, then I’m with a small tour group (of mostly strangers! And I’ll have a room to myself!), and there won’t be much extra space. But that is a great idea — I can certainly look for a small cooler. I don’t think my hotel has an ice machine. There’s no ice bucket in the room. So that’s another peeve, since this is the peeves thread.

Greetings from Edinburgh! It’s somewhat warm and mostly sunny today, though some clouds are moving in. I’m having a great time — as I said in the peeves thread, I love the farmer’s market here. So much more interesting than the markets at home. I can see the castle from my hotel room, if I lean out a little. Later today, I have a Harry Potter walking tour, and tomorrow, I signed up for a ghost tour. Everyone I’ve met or spoken to seems happy to have us tourist-types back, and there are a LOT of tourist-types in town. I am certainly happy to be here!

I am sitting in Edinburgh, Scotland all by myself at the minute, and I’m having a great time! I wandered all over this morning, taking my time and just hanging out near Dean Village, before visiting the farmer’s market. My peeve is that I don’t live here, and my hotel room has neither a fridge nor a microwave, so I was unable to take advantage of all the lovely meats and veg at the market. I did get some fresh bread and cheese, which I’m having for lunch, but my second peeve is that this cheese will likely go bad before I’m able to finish it.

3/5 for me this week, I think.

I love it! If I can remember that, I may have to borrow it.

It’s time for breakfast here in sunny(!) Edinburgh, so I checked the archive for yesterday’s game. Instaget FJ for me. I think that brings me to three FJ for the week.

I will take that challenge! Sadly, I have never read Outlander, so I had no idea for FJ tonight. However, I will be at the Callanish Stones next week, and I understand they play a part in the Outlander story.