Driving on the left . . .

Edinburgh to Aberdeen - Wednesday

We woke today to windy, rainy skies but no worries because we’re off to the coast - up East Neuk and on to Aberdeen - and we imagine that’s how costal villages are meant to look. We packed up and headed downstairs for potato waffles & bacon, salmon & eggs, and more fresh fruit & hot tea. Just as we finished the car rental “shuttle” driver arrived at the door. We were handed the keys to a sporty black Vauxhall. While the rental office initially sent us the wrong direction, we got ourselves easily turned back around and on our journey. Kirsten was not afraid of driving on the opposite side of the road, navigating roundabouts or using a standard shift - but learning exactly where the gears were while in the city in narrow lanes on which cars are often also parked was quite a feat. Kirsten appreciated Kathleen’s hesitation to make left turns in the states, as it took her a long while to build confidence making right turns! Alas, we found it much easier than finding a place to turn around. Thanks to the kind car hire folks, we now knew we were headed to Anstruther for the best fish ‘n chips in the UK. Before arriving there, we stopped in St. Monans to have a look around the old church by the sea. We parked quite a distance away, so enjoyed a stroll there through the town and back along the harbor - the tide was so far out most of the small fishing boats were simply resting their hulls on the sand! We did our best to stop at Glamis castle - think Macbeth - but arrived just in time to take a photo of the entrance gates. Ah, well, we were headed to visit our friends David & Scott. David teaches religion for 11-18 year olds at the school where Lord Byron was educated. Scott is the parish pastor at Queen’s Cross church - there is a large statue of Queen Victoria in the middle of the roundabout just outside the church. The manse is quite lovely, and by far the best B&B we’ve stayed in thus far! We spent the evening catching up with old friends and getting to know others, including Kirsten’s newest Birthday Buddy, Terry. She is one of David’s childhood friends who was visiting with her partner, Neil, from London. We enjoyed wine, tea, cookies, Cadbury Flake chocolate bars, and sampling David’s extensive selection of ice creams!