The morning started grey & dreary & full of excitement. We were leaving New Milne as an entire group and headed to Inverness. The excitement didn't fade as we neared the train station in Perth; in fact it grew in intensity as we realized that there were no parking spots. Three cars, 17 people and no parking spots. The drivers took off to park. George & Joseph in one car, Desiree in another and I took the third. George & Joseph found a spot pretty quickly and were returning to the depot while I expressed woes & concerns to Marita Beth who had just purchased our train tickets. Joseph jumped in the car with me and directed me to where he & George had just parked. Nearby & handy. Sadly, no sign of Desiree. With 5 minutes til train time, still no sign of Desiree so KyleF & I walked down the street a ways in the direction we were pretty sure she had taken. Eventually we did indeed spot her way off in the distance, a good 800+ meters away. KyleF moved toward her and I went back to teh station to inform our waiting passengers that she was visible, at least, if not close. Less than 2 minutes to go, everyone but Marita Beth, Alison & Kara moved to the platform. We would take a later train, if necessary. I returned to KyleF, Desiree was nearly there, and said, "we can make it, if we run." Desiree took off, up the hill, around the corner into the station. As soon as they saw us, our waiting companions took off toward the platform. MB said, "the train is late, we might still make it." We redoubled our efforts and arrived on the platform. Empty. Devoid of persons and trains. Our excitement turned inward upon itself and mutated into despair. Then, "Kyle! Hurry, the train's coming!" It was Ed and his magnificient booming voice urging up the bridge, over the tracks, down the stairs and onto a different platform. Our legs straining, our lungs heaving, we ran on. To the sound of our friend's & family's applause, we made the platform just before the train did. Despair had again retreated to be replaced by the excitement promised by a train ride through Scottish countryside. And we were not to be disappointed.
This photo was taken through the window of the moving train as we slowed down to enter a station (I fear I don't recall the name of the small village). The scenery was only going to get more beautiful as we went.
Wastrel On!
(Listening To: The Godfather Soundtrack)
6.10.05
On the Trip to Inverness
The morning started grey & dreary & full of excitement. We were leaving New Milne as an entire group and headed to Inverness. The excitement didn't fade as we neared the train station in Perth; in fact it grew in intensity as we realized that there were no parking spots. Three cars, 17 people and no parking spots. The drivers took off to park. George & Joseph in one car, Desiree in another and I took the third. George & Joseph found a spot pretty quickly and were returning to the depot while I expressed woes & concerns to Marita Beth who had just purchased our train tickets. Joseph jumped in the car with me and directed me to where he & George had just parked. Nearby & handy. Sadly, no sign of Desiree. With 5 minutes til train time, still no sign of Desiree so KyleF & I walked down the street a ways in the direction we were pretty sure she had taken. Eventually we did indeed spot her way off in the distance, a good 800+ meters away. KyleF moved toward her and I went back to teh station to inform our waiting passengers that she was visible, at least, if not close. Less than 2 minutes to go, everyone but Marita Beth, Alison & Kara moved to the platform. We would take a later train, if necessary. I returned to KyleF, Desiree was nearly there, and said, "we can make it, if we run." Desiree took off, up the hill, around the corner into the station. As soon as they saw us, our waiting companions took off toward the platform. MB said, "the train is late, we might still make it." We redoubled our efforts and arrived on the platform. Empty. Devoid of persons and trains. Our excitement turned inward upon itself and mutated into despair. Then, "Kyle! Hurry, the train's coming!" It was Ed and his magnificient booming voice urging up the bridge, over the tracks, down the stairs and onto a different platform. Our legs straining, our lungs heaving, we ran on. To the sound of our friend's & family's applause, we made the platform just before the train did. Despair had again retreated to be replaced by the excitement promised by a train ride through Scottish countryside. And we were not to be disappointed.
This photo was taken through the window of the moving train as we slowed down to enter a station (I fear I don't recall the name of the small village). The scenery was only going to get more beautiful as we went.
Wastrel On!
(Listening To: The Godfather Soundtrack)
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