It is early. We have an 8:40 Train to Oban. Actually, a train and bus ride ahead of us.
As explained before, I am a nervous traveler. I am better with experience. For example. I am now very comfortable with the Italian train system. The Underground is great. Paris is comfortable.
This is the first time to Oban. We will take the train and a bus.
Looking back, it appears that the bus ride is due to the Highland Rail System under repair. Oban does have a train station. But, then we would have missed a great adventure.
The day begins with the checkout. Best Western Hotels have an overall excellent reputation in Europe. What we discovered over five days in Glasgow and Oban is that the reputation is justified on the Continent and, horribly, untrue in the UK.
The young lady refuses to accept our twenty pound sterling note. She is adamant. She cannot accept the twenty pound Bank of Scotland note (which a story in itself - basically, a twenty pound note is a twenty pound note). She explains that the notes are being replaced and she can only accept new notes.
I try to point out that the notes are from the bank's ATM down the street yesterday. I explain that the change over is only for older five and ten notes.
After ten minutes and the cab arriving, she agrees to wavier the room charge in lieu of not accepting the twenty pound sterling.
I ask the cab driver as he helps us with luggage. Of course, he shrugs and says bluntly "of course, she does know what she is talking about".
We were without heat for our entire stay. We were without water for a day. We reserved a lower floor I expected an accommodation in the bill. I did get an ill-informed young woman who was more than willing to argue a $18.00 room service bill while the cab awaits.
The cab ride is quick. We pay and tip. We are early. The coffee kiosk is open. The gate for the train is announced. Tickets. We find seats. The train is a local and, therefore, semi-full. I am surprised. It is early Sunday morning.
We stow our luggage. The train pulls out on time.
The ride is pleasant as the clouds turn gray and thicken. There are two very young men across the aisle. I am guessing mid teens. They are on a hiking journey. The older boy seems to be experienced. He is very confident.
They are staying at a hostel and will hike the area during the day.
We had hope to see the great vistas of Scotland. The ragged bluffs. The green glens. The view from the coach is hindered by the foliage on both sides and the lack of sun light.
The stops come with less regularity. The foliage thickens. It begins to rain.
Our stop is the last station. By this time, the passengers have thinned. We are greeted as we exit the train by a very nice guide who walks to the parking lot. She is self assured. I am now almost assured.
We load our luggage and find seats. The rain is more than a drizzle.
A very nice tourist bus contracted by ScotRail due to the shutdown of the Highland Rail.
I have no idea how long the bus ride will be. It is a narrow road used by cars, buses and trucks including logging. We pass each other with little room for error. Often, the bus and the other vehicle have to use the road shoulder. It is the only road. We pass through villages and small stops along the way. Traffic is light. We climb. Now, the rain covers the windows. I am reminded of the song - McArthur Park - something about "melting".
It is getting hot in the bus. We have no idea if we are near or far from Oban.
A sign of the approach of a larger town is the increase in the number of homes. we also are on the descent.
With the rain and fogged windows, Oban appears not as quaint as we envisioned. Shops and homes.
Cars parked on the street. Where is our hotel? Where we will be dropped? And, the rain.
The bus drops us off at the Oban Rail Station. We collect luggage. We are on time and early for check in.
We are in the heart of Oban. Restaurants and hotels curve around the bay. There is a ferry docked. Betty has hopes that we can take a day trip to one of the islands off shore.
We head to the Costa Coffee Shop. It is lunch time. We need to make a phone call to the hotel to see about directions and early check in.
The shop is full. Lunch time and shelter from the weather. Coffee and sandwiches type place. We try to avoid listening to immediate conversations.
I walk outside and find the taxi station and return.
WiFi is jammed and we have trouble getting on. As an hour passes and fewer user, it improves slightly. We are always careful using public WIFI which limits our access.
Finally, it is close to permitted check-in. The rain is lighter, but the wind has picked up. Collecting our carry on luggage and backpacks, we cross over to the taxi station.
From our driver, we learn that our hotel is not known as a Best Western. It is the Muthu Queens Oban Hotel.
The Muthu Hospitality Group is avarice. The Group has aggressively brought up small local hotels and resorts in the UK and Europe. The focus is profitability. I would avoid any hotel owned by this Group.
In Oban, Muthu is ubiquitous. Hotels line the curve of the bay. In pleasant weather, the view of the bay, islands offshore and the cruise ships must be great. There is a sidewalk along the sea wall that borders the road. Now, we notice the wind and the temperature dropping.
The taxi pulls into a narrow parking area with room for 8 cars. There is no room to park on the street.
The desk person checks us in. Again, Betty has reserved a room on the first floor. Again, the room is on the top floor. Again, there is no elevator.
We are again told tough luck. "We are full due to an auction on Monday".
We find out later that Best Western brand has little or no control over their UK members. The hotels belong only to use the Best Western US reservation system.
The room is pleasant. We check. There is water and heat. But, there is no television.
It is 2:30 PM. The weather is unpleasant. The bar does not open til 5.
I call down. The desk person comes up and confirms the TV does not work. She advises that she will have maintenance look at it as soon as they return from one of the other Muthu hotels. They are there trying to restore heat to that hotel. Notice a trend!
We are about a half mile from Oban. We are tired and getting back into a cab is not attractive.
We wait. After an hour, I go down to check. Nothing. Rude. Indifferent.
About 4:30, maintenance arrives. It is a loose connection of the coaxial cable to the wall. He tightens. We have TV.
We are thinking about dinner. There is a dining room. I am upset and I do want to give this management anymore money than I have to.
I suggest Fish and Chips. I have looked at Trip Advisor and Yelp and there are a number of shops. I start out with the wind and soaking rain. I have a North Face 3/4 quarter length jacket which is waterproof.
I am walking against the wind and at the beginning, reasonably comfortable. What I forget is my shoes. My shoes quickly become soggy. I am alone on the sidewalk. Justly so.
I have forgotten it is Sunday. What will be open. I cannot use my phone - no signal and with the rain and darkness it would be impossible to read. I do see the Oban Distillery. I turn away from the beach road towards the Main Street. I find a Fish & Chips shop open.
The counter guy looks at me as I enter. he gives me the "are you crazy" look. When I ask for extra chips, he nods and smiles with indulgence.
I start back holding the large warm back close to my body. Obviously, I have not allowed for time, distance and a cold wind that now hits my face.
I make good time. Fortunately, the food is neither soggy nor cold. Well, it is not warm - but, it is fried fish and chips and they are firm.
It is a lot of food.
Tomorrow - sightseeing in Oban and the "Green Shack".
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