Day 7 / 8 - Saying Goodbye to Eamon and Saying Hello to Glasgow and Gordie

Getting up at 5 wasn't easy and Nick didn't enjoy it either but at least he had a better time of it. We went and checked out and got directions back to Dan Dooley's Rental. I had to call them on the way to make sure I was going the correct way but we got there.

We said goodbye to Eamon and hopped into the van to ride to the airport. Once we got to the airport, that's where things got hairy. I knew that Ryan Air is will nickel and dime you but we had to pay a 150 Euro fee for excess baggage. They said that we could move stuff around between the two bags but it was a good thing I just sucked it up because we wouldn't have made it to the plane on time. *sigh*

I was so upset because of that and then the rental car made it so much worse. I was going to be charged around 250 pounds for the car but it went up to 600 pounds with insurance. Next time, I *KNOW* to get the damned insurance ahead of time. I probably could have covered both cars with one insurance policy instead of using two different ones. I spent around $700 that I didn't plan on on that day and thinking about it still upsets me.

Not much I can do about it now though...live and learn.

So after the debacle with the rental car, we went out to see it. We got to the car and I realized that I had been given a Ford. Now, anyone that knows me well knows I HATE Fords. Two have let me down and I didn't want to ever give another one a try for 3 strikes. However, I was already so upset that I wasn't even in the mood to deal with it. I was frustrated, all out of sorts and in the mood for a good cry. I wanted to go home so badly at that point and had I known before flying to Glasgow about the extra $700, I probably would have tried to switch our tickets right there.

Nick and I went back inside because I needed a break and figured I needed to kill some time before heading to our next B&B. We went to the Starbucks in the airport and I watched people and Nick walked around and checked out the arcade.

Finally, after about 1.5 hours, I was ready to go. We went back to the car and decided to name him Gordon (aka Gordie) because, as Atkins, we're a part of Clan Gordon.

Driving in Scotland is about the same as driving in Ireland. Many of the signs are the same but the difference with the roundabouts is that they're marked on the pavement to let you know which lane to go in to get to which exit. It's still sometimes confusing but I suppose it helps, especially on the large roundabouts or the wonky ones.

Lessons Learned - Notes on Driving

I might as well mention my thoughts on driving here. When I first arrived, I thought I'd have to go as fast as the speed limit and keep up with the Irish. They tailgate compared to the space that we're supposed to leave between cars in the states. However, I have realized that people go whatever speed limit they feel comfortable with and the others pass them. Passing is VERY common over here and no one gets offended or anything like that. When they get in front of you, it's *like* they're cutting you off but they're not. That's just how they drive like tailgating. If we got that close in the states, it would be because the person that passed you was ticked off at your driving. Here it's totally normal.

I feel comfortable driving now, for the most part and don't have trouble with the roundabouts or most situations. I still hate driving with anything too close on my left side because I'm afraid I'll rip off the sideview mirror but Nick lets me know that I'm doing a good job of maintaining balance.

I also have realized that the few times I've been honked at are when I suddenly put on the brakes (1 time) to stop at a Petrol station...and when I've been too chicken to go through a small space with cars on both sides. I should be more than good for heading into Scotland and England. I've been told that the roads are bigger over there but I don't know if the drivers will be as calm as the Irish.

Even though it's really scary and nervewracking at first, I highly recommend driving in Ireland, even for your first visit here. There's something more about being the driver as opposed to being on a tour bus or even the passenger in a car. You're much more connected to the country because you have to completely involve yourself in it with looking for road signs, watching for clues from other drivers, learning the rules of the road (both written and unwritten). I think I've learned a lot about Ireland this way.

Another Note: We haven't gotten to go to any touristy sites besides Dublin itself but we've seen a lot of the country. It would have been cool to go to Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone but hanging upside down over the side of a castle isn't really my cup o'tea. I am sad that we didn't get to go to my lighthouse but we've got a castle stay and a lighthouse stay in our future. ;)