The first club transfer

Today, we met a new group of friends to welcome us into their homes and show us another part of Scotland. After three days with the Strathaven Rotary Club, it seemed almost strange to be leaving them - as though we had known each other for several years already, and we weren’t familiar with them not being around. Thanks to all for you kindness and hospitality toward us.

Not to be outdone, the Rotarians from the Mid Argyll Club have us equally as enthusiastic a welcome to their region and we are excited to now be living (for a few days) in the west Highlands near Lochgilphead.

George and Billy from Strathaven drove us north through Glasgow toward Loch Lomond and Luss where we stopped to take a few pictures in the drizzle and get a few cups of coffee to wake ourselves up. We carried on to Talbert where Alistair, Andy, and Tom from the Mid Argyll club met us to exchange luggage and cars and take us on the rest of our journey today.

The rain was not joking around today. The light rain that began the morning turned into a full downpour as we entered the very picturesque area of fjords and Highland mountains. At one stopping point, only a few pictures could be snapped before we were literally too drenched to look up. The weather eased off as we approached Inveraray. There we caught an outside glimpse of the castle of the Duke of Argyle and carried on to a delicious, full lunch at the George Hotel pub.

Our three hosts treated us to a tour of the Inveraray Jail where a new perspective of justice both past and present took hold of us. The prisoners of this jail did not get off easy to begin with and leniency did not seem to be a social custom. Interestingly, as time passed, and prisoner treatment evolved, it seems those who landed up in jail centuries ago experienced a somewhat better quality of life, diet, and hygiene than those on the outside. Several mannequins placed throughout the buildings looked disturbingly real at times, often requiring a second look.

Our day concluded with a delicious dinner meal with the Mid Argyll club during their regular meeting and another team presentation.

*Today’s interesting fact: Apparently hedgehogs are in abundance in Scotland and often present a bit of a nuisance to the countrymen here. I (Wayne) had no idea where hedgehogs originated, nor have I ever seen one outside of a pet store. This could hardly be believed. One of our new friends, May, thought I was confusing hedgehogs with turtles :o)