Day 1366 rail trip from Oban through Glasgow to Glengarnock 🚉

And relax.

The best wee overnight break.

Currently sitting on the 12.11 from Oban to Glasgow Queen Street… only typing when we go through a high banked section of the track. I’m not missing a minute.

I had a lovely sleep in my wee single bed. My knee was agony and woke me at 11.22pm. I’d been asleep since 9ish… but after that it really settled and has been fine ever since.

You’ll be pleased to know I’ve done my exercises twice and they really help strengthen my leg. Why is it though when we have exercises to do it seems like such a chore?!? A real “ugh” moment….They are designed to help the pain. Get over it Julesie.

I couldn’t decide exactly what to do this morning and was keen to get the ferry over to Mull and straight back but I was waiting to see if the conditions were right.

Do I stay in the hotel until 10am checkout? Do I get the ferry and risk missing the 12.11? Do I plan for the 16.11? So many decisions.

I decide to head back up to McCaigs Folly (Tower) for first light so that I could see sunrise…. As you do.

Up at 7 showered, packed up and ready for the off. Back up that huge hill almost in the dark!

As you can see I stood there for ages! It was bitterly cold and one guy came up during a run, said hi, stretched, said goodbye and ran off…. I had the place to myself.

Ok so… next decision… the ferry. Headed down to the terminal to ask their advice….

It appears that this ferry… the departing one…. was my only hope of a sail to Mull at back before 12.

That’s my decision made then. I’ll no be doing that! 🙄😆 I must have got it completely wrong when I looked up the ferry times this week. To be fair it was pretty choppy and the Loch Frisa doesn’t look like there is too much outer deck so it may not have done what I was hoping it would do.

As I walked aimlessly through the harbour, I met Luana, the Brazilian girl I’d met yesterday. She was heading for the bus to Fort William but suggested Pulpit Hill. I remembered mum and dad had climbed it before.

Now I should say here that Tracey, my Canadian (insomniac 😆) friend, was fully involved in my morning again. She obviously never sleeps! She told me it was a 23 minute walk… so off I go.

It’s a hike but what a view… looking directly over to McCaig’s Folly that I just left!

Looking over to Kerrera, with Mull in the distance to the left and Lismore in the distance to the right.

Zoomed in on the harbour and train station. The train is in already.

Then I met a lovely local couple walking their blind spaniel… which basically means, she who has not spoken much this weekend, chewed their ear off with chat! It was lovely to make them laugh. In that 10 minutes of chat, we really connected.

They suggested Hinba Coffee Shop… so off down the hill I go.

At the same time Tracey has already recommended Hinba, as it gets the best reviews online 😂😂😂 Tracey has also come up with another walk to Oban Hydropathic Santorium ruins 😂😂 but I need a heat up.

It’s lovely!! I have a Guatemalan coffee and a slice of Tiffan cake.

I chill, warm and charge my phone. Then order a decaf gingerbread latte. Heaven.

I still have time to kill so wander around taking even more photos before my crazy kind gets me first in the queue for the twins so I can pick my seat on the left side, get a window and a charger. I know, I know…. But it pays off. I’m first on the train 🚆 😂

Tracey must finally be asleep!

I’m on the other side on the way down so I can catch everything I missed on the way up! It’s also freezing… all the way!!

These next photos are all out the window of the train!

First glimpses of Loch Lomond.

Inveruglas power station.

Tarbert and Loch Lomond.

Think this river is in Dumbarton.

I have honestly had the best time.

I’m shattered but so grateful that Craig doesn’t mind me doing this. He had to work yesterday and he’s had some quality doggo time. I know I’ll go back to bed full of dog hair.

I get to do all the crazy things I want to do, I don’t have to worry about anyone else, I can just do my thing.

It’s 3.10pm and I’m still on the train, about 20 minutes out from Glasgow Queen Street station. I should be home for 5 at the latest.

What a lovely weekend.

This…my Sundays always used to be this… gut-wrenching stress…. Not any more ♥️

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️