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Fog in the glen: the view from our window at Highland Lodges, taken in the morning before leaving.
A couple of days ago we’d arrived in the Northern Highlands of Scotland. We’d planned out several outings, things we wanted to see and do while in the extreme North. The day after we arrived, my lower back seized up, and we laid low for a couple of days while it relaxed. As we started to venture back out John received a call from home that put all of our plans aside. Sometimes life throws rocks in the piste, and we just have to keep our knees bent.
Bad news from his dad’s oncologist meant it was time to wrap up our time in Europe and head for home. It is time for us and the family to gather around him and pull together; adventures will wait.
One of the other guests at Highland Lodges, who is staying for an extended stay, said “yes” to wanting our collection of spices, oils, and vinegar we’ve collected and travel with. The lodge owners let us leave all sorts of camping gear and miscellaneous things, from glue, to a handful of clothespins, to laundry and dish detergent. A mobile household built from living without knowing what we might find in each new place.
We are turning in our Open Europe program Peugeot and cancelling visits with family in Germany. When we do get back on the road, so to speak, we will probably head straight for Africa. We had planned to finish Europe by the end of October, and this was next.
For the next few weeks, we will be immersed in family and visiting with our friends while we are in our home town.
Eva and family,
Take care of yourselves and remember: The world will be there for you when you hop back on the road. Family is what matters most.
Thanks, Cheryl.
Yes, it is true. There really is no place else in the world we should be at this point, no destination more important than being here for my father in law as he likely faces his final one.
I am grateful that although they are excited to see friends and pets and their horses, the girls both want to continue our trip after we are no longer needed here. When we left the first time, they were only resigned to it, as something they were forced to do.