The road to Scotland part 3
The second section of my journey up through Scotland was the most difficult of the trip.
It’s beautiful you know. Not lush, at times grand, other times almost desolate, but always beautiful, when you can see it through the weather that is. Scotland has a lot of weather and it put most of it on show for me, all except the clear blue sky option.
Through the rain, sleet and high winds, I was relieved to see that the road markers that delineate the road edges in case of extreme snow falls were fully visible and the road width gates that are closed when the snow is too much were open.
When you drop off the mountains into Inverness from the south, the Murray Forth is on your right, the city on your left and there, seemingly towering above all else, although on the flat, is the hospital. Raigmore hospital, Colditz Castle as portrayed by NHS Scotland.
Elvis has been there for 3 months now. All reports were grim, his health deteriorating, this downturn in his wellbeing has everyone on death watch. He was better than I had imagined, he was sitting out of bed, he could talk, quietly. He recognised me and he was pleased to see me. With help he manoeuvred into a wheelchair, we went to the cafe. In the time I spent with him he was sweet with his wife and his eldest son, he was delighted to see one of his grandchildren with his youngest child.
We had a nice time, all seemed peaceful and I was glad of it.
The purpose of my journey in light of the reports of his poor health, was to say goodbye. I wanted him to know that I would travel to be with him. I wanted him to know that I love him. I wanted to hold his hand and say goodbye, knowing I may never see him again.
In my experience often things that should be touching or tragic turn to farce in my hands.
I was getting nervous about having to leave just hours after I arrived when he said, I’d like to say my goodbyes now.
Looks were exchanged among those people around his bed. What sort of goodbye? Goodbye, I need a nap? Bye, I know you need to go? Or, the long and final goodbye?
He took my hand, thank you for coming all this way, he said, I love you very much, but now I need to say goodbye.
What sort of goodbye ffs?!
He had taken the wind out of me, he’d stolen my lines and I found that I couldn’t say the goodbye I’d traveled six hundred miles to say. It’s been lovely to see you, I said, I’ll come again at Easter.
I felt like an idiot, but I think everyone was glad that our meeting ended, not with the biggest of goodbyes, but with a plan, a future plan, an optimistic see you later.
Easter.
I kissed him and I left to start the journey home.
fat tart 