Enjoying the simple things
Just a drive out West
Last weekend I was very lucky to be invited to join one of my best friends for a night over on the West coast of Scotland in a place called Portavadie on Loch Fyne. She had been gifted a voucher to use and wanted a friend to join her so I happily accepted and drove over to Crieff to pick her up. It was the most beautiful winter’s day where the air was crisp and cold. The kind that catches in your throat. The sky was wall to wall blue and the sun was shining.
We headed out of Crieff towards Crianlarich then left down towards Loch Lomond. The mountains were snow capped and the roads were quiet. We were chatting all the way and having a thoroughly lovely time. Every now and then one of us would exclaim “oh my goodness. Look at that!” We live and have always lived in Scotland but that day and the next were the kind of days where Scotland showed its true beautiful rugged colours and showed itself off.
We drove through Loch Lomond and turned off at Luss towards the Rest and Be Thankful which is known for closing a lot because of land slides. Again the views were stunning and we eventually made it to the sea. Again. Stunning!
What got me though was not only the stunning views but the fact that I was really enjoying driving. I realised that I was having the best time driving along with good craic between us. I was really enjoying listening to the engine when I put my foot down and loving the clear and empty roads. The roar of the car engine gave me tingles and I did let out a “woo hoo” every now and then as it was so much fun. I think that I had forgotten that I used to enjoy driving. So often recently I drive to the Dunkeld junction of the A9 and have butterflies in my tummy as it is such a scary crossing where we really do take our lives in our hands trying to get across safely in the summer. Too many lives have been lost on the A9 and this sits heavily with many of us. The roads are so much more busier than I remember years ago. The long drives that I have done the past few years have been down the M74, M6 and M5 to Gloucester which really is not that much of a fun drive. Yes, the Yorkshire dales are beautiful but as soon as I hit Lancaster it all seems so fast and busy. The other drives have been where I am driving a 5 tonne horse box which is just horrible on the twisty back roads let alone on a motorway. The drive over to Oban to get the ferry to Tiree is usually stunning but it is just a drive to get the ferry so I usually have a car full to the gunnels with dogs, food and furniture for the new house squeezed into every space. Therefore, this drive with my friend was really special as we were in no rush and it was a joy to drive a lovely car on a good weather day for a few hours.
I guess it was a lovely reminder to myself that the simple things in life don’t always have to be a chore but can be a joy too.
Broom broom. I wonder when I can borrow a cool car again for a fun drive to somewhere lovely or for an adventure?!
I do feel an adventure brewing. What could possibly go wrong…
Thank you for reading to the end of my ramblings.