Baby steps before you take a giant leap

As lockdown eased, it became clear I could leave my flat and go out on more Scotland based adventures. 

Did I?  To begin with, not really. I stayed local, either on my bike, running, or old fashioned walking.  I had bought a bike but didn’t really explore further than Glasgow - as a true adventure seeker should.

Why not? I think Covid, general lockdown life, being boxed in and focusing on day by day survival living shrinks your mind and puts up some barriers.  I could feel it.  When I thought about embarking on a trip, I soon talked myself out of it.  It all became too difficult, which typing this now sounds ridiculous. 

Too difficult to travel outside Glasgow.  Did I even type that?

I did what I had to do to drag this girl out of the new covid induced ‘comfort zone’’ - I formed a plan.  The plan started with a bike ride outside Glasgow to a reservoir.  I had my backpack packed with snacks, all for a 45 min ride to the north of Glasgow.  It was so easy and the sense of freedom was lovely.  To be at peace, with nature, in a new environment felt like a treat.  I had unleashed something inside and it started a roll of local trips.  Goodbye comfort zone - we have new places to explore.

I decided to step it up a bit - the week after I had a day trip to Dumbarton.  No one outside Scotland will know about Dumbarton - some Scottish people don’t even know about it.  It is definitely not in the travel top ten books. For me, it signaled a new adventure into the unknown.  With more snacks packed, this time the journey involved navigating along a canal cycle path. This was so dreamy.  I had my headphones in, listening to podcasts while smiling at the summertime scenery.  I would stop along the way to check out nature and take photos of the wildlife.  Swans and signets were gliding along the canal waters.  Super cute.

After one hour of cycling, I reached my destination. Dumbarton - What a place. 

Normally I would not be in Dumbarton, as there would be no reason for me to be here. In a pandemic, it is the dream.  I spotted a café with cool street art on the outside and indoors walls.  I wandered in to order a coffee and take some photos.  It turns out the artist, Barry the Cat, has been all around Dumbarton with his art. The lovely owner shared a route to take in the amazing artwork.  What a legend, but first I had to find the actual main destination - a Scottish castle. 

The whole day in Dumbarton felt different, a little exotic.  Not miles away from Glasgow, but different enough to shake it up. I found the castle, which was closed, so strolled about outside, then found more street art in a car garage. I spoke to the owner, who gave me an insight into the artwork and how I should buy an electric bike. ‘Oh ok’ was my response while thinking - I don’t need an electric bike!

I also found this really cool waterside fairy trail.  There were trees covered in yarn bombing and little fairies dotted about, with some quirky little art infused pieces.  It was fun, silly, thoughtful, and took my mind away from that thing called ‘Covid’ which had invaded our lives. I shared the photos on my street art page and Barry the Cat commented ‘he hadn’t seen the artwork in a while’.  This is because no one usually visits Dumbarton. 

Dumbarton soon turned into two visits to Edinburgh.  By the second trip, in mid-June, it was mandatory to wear a face mask in public transport.  I had bought a pack of three of the ‘Be kind’ range, where there was a little Thank You on the side of the mask. I was travel-ready. 

Edinburgh felt very strange.  It is the tourist mecca of Scotland.  Regardless of the time of year, the streets are always overrun with tourists.  Things were different now.  No tourists and no one was working in the city.  The first time I visited, cafes were starting to re-open for takeaway. You could grab a coffee, but with no access to the loo it is always a tricky situation - should you chance a coffee but then you might need a pee!!

On the first trip I was lost in the emptiness of Edinburgh, wandering around the castle and the Royal Mile.  Instead of navigating the swarm of eager tourists who would just stop at the sight of something and snap away, I was alone with only tradesmen around.  It was great to take photos and listen to podcasts, but I felt a little sad. It felt like the soul of Edinburgh was gone, taken by Covid. Maybe the annoying tourists are what gives Edinburgh the energy you feel as you walk around it - buzzing with life. 

On my second visit, I hiked Arthurs Seat which is one of my favourite places in the world.  I go there to remind myself that all we really need is ourselves and nature. It was a gorgeous day and the summit was quite busy with people enjoying a nature-filled escape.  On the way back down, I grabbed a takeaway coffee and headed up to Carlton Hill to enjoy the views before I returned to Glasgow. 

So far, my adventures involved bike trips around Glasgow, to the local reservoir and then to arty Dumbarton.  Next up I had planned for a train / bike combo trip.  What a combo it was.  The next adventure was to Falkirk. I wanted to see the famous Kelpies, which are enormous horse head sculptures.  It was now July, the heart of summer and when I would normally be on a trip to Europe.  I had not visited Falkirk, as a tourist, since 2015 when I returned back from Australia. It felt new and shiny..

The Kelpies are simply stunning and I geeked out taking lots of photos in and around the sculptures.  The next part of the trip involved a three-hour bike ride back to Glasgow, along the canal route, listening to podcasts to distract me from the saddle sore.  It was such a gorgeous day with the sun by my side and the swans out in the canal - I felt really calm.  The ride back was so lovely, but also long at times. There was absolutely no way I was complaining about a sore bum though.  I was free and out roaming again. Yes to that.

After Falkirk, came a trip to Stirling a week later.  Again, I haven’t visited this part of Scotland in a long time.  It is the historic capital of Scotland and truly is intriguing.  It has so much history and charm, with a small-town vibe.  I walked away from the city and climbed up to the William Wallace monument. It has some stunning views back towards Stirling and the Castle. I walked back into the city to see the views from Stirling Castle, this time looking back towards the William Wallace monument I had just walked from. Take it all in! 

I grabbed a coffee from a quaint vegan café, still only offering takeaway. This felt like a treat.  A takeaway coffee described as a treat - how 2020. Everything felt relatively normal. I explored and took in some more sights as I would do in any other European city.  Another day trip was done and it was super lovely. I was even treated to more blue skies.

How much more of Scotland would I visit now that we could?

Things then escalated quickly.  I visited Stirling on 6th July and 11 days later - on 17th July - boarded a plane to the Netherlands for my first European trip since Covid. 

I was flying to the Dutch street art capital of Eindhoven.  Now, this was like a dream, and it felt amazing.

I had remained patient all through lockdown, keeping my positivity levels high knowing there would be a time when I could restart the travel game.  It came way quicker than I had ever imagined.  When I started to get a sense the Covid restrictions were moving in a direction where travel was permitted, I wanted to be prepared. 

I sat down one night and listed all the European destinations which EasyJet and Ryanair flew to.  Then I formed another list for those I wanted to visit.  Eindhoven has been on my radar since I met a guy from New Zealand in a Munich hostel bar, way back in 2017.  He raved about it, so it was always on the back of my mind.  He described it as a former industrial city, with a really vibrant art scene, now the Dutch design capital.  His face would light up when he explained in detail how awesome it was.

That formed the first leg of my trip. I then spotted a flight back from Amsterdam, which made me excited and in between those two cities is Rotterdam, famed for its post-war architecture.  It began to flow, and I knew I had the potential for an amazing trip.  I kept the one thought in my mind ‘do what you love and love what you do’.  I still remember the night I booked the flights.  I had been in my bath forever, and when I came out without checking the rules (again), or news, or anyone else I slowly and calmly booked flights to the Netherlands. 

After I put my phone down I felt that buzz.  The travel buzz.  This is it.  This is what I do.

I am traveling to Europe.