Day before 1: Woodland Hotel to Girvan’s Harbour

Day’s km: 10km (3km were from the hotel to town, which we will cut out later).

I got to hug my Dad and eat breakfast with him today! So fun!!

I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been living in shy Norway for eight years, but Scots are some of the friendliest and chattiest people I’ve ever met. Super helpful! Dad and I made a little joke that all the introverted Scots moved to Canada to have some quiet. But seriously, these people are so kind and friendly and chatty!

We met a lady at the bus stop on our way to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, when, according to the bus schedule, we’d missed two of busses while we were standing there. Worried we had something wrong (schedule, bus stop….), she assured us, “Nah, they’re just always late.” She was right.

Another lady pulled us aside on the bus back to the hotel to tell us that we need to “tap off” (tap our bank card on the card reader by the driver) when we got off the bus or it would keep charging us. She was upset that the bus driver hadn’t told us. She was incorrect, but the bus system has so many different prices and methods (and no signage to know which bus stop you’re at on the bus nor at the stops), so I completely understand why she misunderstood…I just thought it was so lovely that she cared enough to say something. Norwegians would mostly rather die than say something to a stranger…and then find out they were incorrect.

As I’m writing this, and thinking how I’m now moving back to Canada, I curious about why I didn’t write more about my adventures in Norway over the past 8 years. Hmmm. Sometimes, we take what feels like ordinary life for granted.

We took a train from Glasgow to Ayr, and then a bus from Ayr to Girvan (pronounced ger-vn…I think). At Ayr, we met another chatty and super kind man who entertained us while we waited for the bus to Girvan. He helped us by calling a cab for us for the last few kms to the accommodations, when we arrived in Girvan.

So much kindness.

We walked back to Girvan (30 min walk) to find dinner after dropping our bags and checking in. I taught Dad to hunt for sea glass along the way. He’s a natural!

Nothing was open in Girvan, except an Indian restaurant. As a vegetarian, I loved the food, but Dad is not a huge fan.

I’m really warm as I write this…I even have a fan on. We have a great walking forecast, and luckily, the wind along the coast keeps the midges at bay.

We are meeting Gillian, from Gillian’s Walks tomorrow at the southernmost trailhead, near Glenapp Kirk (kirk is a church in both Scottish and Norwegian). It’s one of the more challenging days, with some steep bits and a tidal section as well. I didn’t know what to expect of the trail or terrain, so we hired her. I think it will be great to hear some local stories.