Trip to Scotland 1983: Four and half months in the Highlands and Islands

[DCampbell16B]

I took the Tube from Heathrow to King's Cross Station. For part of the ride at least I saw some of London. Shrubs and trees looked similar to those in the States, although the buildings are different. So are the accents when you hear them. Saw working men pour out tea for break. The gardens were of course spectacular. I was able to catch the 11:00 Flying Scotsman train north (Intercity 125). Due in Edinburgh 3:50. At least the first part of the trip looked similar to home, at least the flatter and more rolling parts near Lake Ontario (I grew up and live in the last northern hills of the Appalachians, but have many relatives up there). (I have a note here: "Customs efficient, subway effiecient, train efficient. What's wrong with our Gov't and economy?") It is a little hard to read some of my notes sometimes, especially the first part in in pencil.

I generally kept track of the money I spent. Some of the older UK members here might find it interesting to be reminded what prices were like in 1983. I think £1.50 Heathrow to King's Cross, £35 to Edinburgh, 54p for a sandwich, 37p for a Pepsi.

The train had a "mechanical fault" at 11:40. I had no way of knowing where we were. Flat as a pancake though. Rolling 6 min later. Most of the people on the train were older folk (a sprinkling of high school and college age kids). It was somewhat odd to think of them as having lived through World War II and just carrying on.

Around noon in very flat country, with drains. Strangely I don't feel out of place here, even though the country is flat. One word that describes England though is "tame".

12:03 stop in Peterborough. There was beginning to be more Scottish accents in the car. A mother, son and daughter joined my table for four. She was Scottish, from Campbelltown, and was helpful with some advice. Durham at 2:11, Newcastle (dingy in the cloud), then Tyne (pretty big),Morpeth at 2:39, and then the North Sea, Berwick. I was told the bright yellow bushes that were fairly common were gorse. A lot of grass and sheep.

And the border.