On The Road, Day Two (Written yesterday, on the plane)

I’ve always been in the habit of waking up early, but I’ve also always been able to get back to sleep really easily. That hasn’t been working for the last month or so, but this morning I had reason to be grateful for it. I was awake at seven, and showered, packed and ready to leave by 8. Even after a little walk down to where Alness keeps its river, I was on the road South by 9.30.

The A9, which runs down the Eastern side of Scotland (I say that, but it doesn’t actually hit the cost until Edinburgh) is much more modern and faster than the old A82, which follows the line of the Great Glen up the Western side. It’s also a lot more austere than the 82 – the views on this route aren’t the Lochs and Glens of the West, they’re the high Cairngorm Mountains, Scotland’s ski area (oh, and best line from last night, from my cousin’s wife to him: “What was the name of that hill we went up at Fort William?” “That would be Ben Nevis”).

It’s 170 miles from Alness to Edinburgh Airport – I was told to budget three and a half hours for the trip, and leaving at 9.30 would put me there three hours early for my flight. Still, I like airports…

It did end up taking me almost exactly three and a half hours. I could have driven it more quickly, but I’d been warned about the speed cameras, and unmarked police cars, so I kept to 65 in the 60 zones, 75 in the 70s (of which there are only a few – the road is mostly single carriageway).

So I was in Edinburgh early, early enough to consider conning my friend Marie into offering me a hot tub. I decided against it, though (did I mention I like airports? And I had a phone call to make). I was fumbling for my car park reservation when I noticed that the sign at the turnstile said “Welcome Mr Mooney”. It’s a perfect implementation of combining information I’d given them, and number plate recognition. Perfect enough to surprise me, and slightly creep me out. Computers are getting smarter. Last time I used that carpark, there was a reception desk, staffed 24 hours a day. So probably three jobs are gone. And was the parking charge lower? Nope.

And now (phone call made and Boots meal deal purchased) I’m on the plane to Prague. Well, not now, obviously, when you’re reading this. Now, when I’m writing it. We’re about half way through the flight, so I’ll be landing in about an hour. I mailed Bill to tell him I was on the way, and he’s meeting me at the airport, which is very nice of him. No idea what I’ll be doing for the next three days. My flight back to London is at 6 on Wednesday, which will involve a taxi at Stupid O’Clock, and then I have a couple of days in London town. Then back to Scotland, and then, on Monday the 14th, to Providence Rhode Island. Yes, it’s confirmed. I have a flight booked, but no accommodation.

Right now, I have the feeling that my life is bereft of choices. I’m floating (literally, at this moment) wafted back and forward by whatever winds take me. That’s something I’ll try and enjoy for the next 5 weeks. Make no decisions, buy no bridges (but don’t burn any either). Whenever I touch down, I’ll have a good look around, but I’ll also make sure I enjoy the trip.

I’m at 35,000 feet, someone else is steering, and I know that somewhere in my future there is a cup of strong Czech coffee. Which is about all we have any right to ask from a future. 

(no subject)

So all went well on the travel front. I made it to Prague on time, and Bill met me at the airport. We missed a bus by seconds, so ended up by having a coffee at the airport, and catch-up part one. I explained to him how the three legs on my Stool Of Life were all pretty shaky right now. He commiserated: there's nothing worse than a shaky stool.

We got to his new apartment by bus and metro, and it really is a grand place. It's one street back from the river, where the Fred and Ginger building is, in a Belle Epoque building. High ceilings, many windows, and lots and lots of books. I got to meet Wee Will, the new addition to the family (he's a handsome devil) and catch-up with Radka and Daniel. We then headed out for dinner at Cafe Slavia where I ignored the special Asparagus Menu and had schnitzel with almonds and a very nice potato salad. On the way back to the flat Bill and I stopped for Coffee at The Globe - the bookstore was closed, but the cafe was open. We chatted till about one o'clock my time (2, his time) and then I got a fairly soldi seven hours of sleep. 

This morning we went for coffee and breakfast at an excellent French place around the corner, and were joined by Radka and Wee Will (he's a handsome devil). By this time I'd worked out that his middle name (Karel) was an obvious Earth-ification of his real name, Kal-El. Bill admitted that they had found his rocket capsule in a field outside of Prague, and had decided to raise him as an Earth baby, and keep his Kryptonian heritage from him until he is 16. Good luck with that one, I thought. 

After our brunch we went for a stroll around Prague, taking in Wenceslas Square and a very good comics shop, and another coffee. We're currently back at his place, hatching plans for either Vietnamese or Thai food tonight, and a trip so see the Avengers tomorrow. I'll probably throw in some touristy stuff, walking along the river, and since that's Bill's normal stroll we'll be fine. 

I'm glad I came. I love Prague, and I love spending time with Bill and family. The sun is shining. I am resting. These are good things.