We wake to clouds. You can see the ferry docked.
I am out early for a walk. I follow the bay walk again. Daylight and walking with my head up, I start to get a better feel for Oban.
Oban is a port town with access to the Scottish Highlands. Oban is commercial fishing. Oban is tourists. Oban is local businesses.
I am looking for coffee and biscuit. I know where the Costa shop is, but I want something more local. I am also looking for the Green Shack.
John and Angela toured Scotland last year on their honeymoon. They loved Scotland. On their visit to Oban, they found the "Green Shack".
I am not certain if the discovery was fortuitous or a referral. I do know that I had seen a Rick Stevens program on touring the Highlands of Scotland and what to do in Oban. "The Green Shack" was the highlight.
I pass the Oban Distillery. I have checked and the tours are full. We leave tomorrow morning so the Distillery will be next time. (Now that is hopeful thinking - how many times do you plan in a lifetime to visit Oban).
I note how many Fish & Chips places there are. I count six. Many of the business I walk past are no open yet. It is 6:30 AM.
I walk past last night's Chips Shop. I follow the curve and the streets become more residential. There are a few small hotels. Moving to my right, I begin to walk to the bus station.
There is a small souvenir shop. It is closed. I walk around and find the rail station and parking lot. No trains. A few cars.
I pass around the front and start to follow the docks. There is restaurant and offices.
About 150 yards, I see the "Green Shack". It is small. Well, it is called a "Shack". There is no indoor seating. There are two picnic tables with benches.
I turn back to the bus station. I am hungry and nothing is open. The station has a small kiosk that sells beverages and biscuits. I seat with the passengers waiting for today's bus and enjoy.
One of the reason I wanted to stop by the bus station is to check the schedule for tomorrow. I also want to assure that this is where we need to be tomorrow. Our tickets are "all day" tickets. There is a bus at 8:00AM and another around 9:15. We can take either if there is room.
The 9:30 is more convenient - less rushing etc. But, the 8 AM gives us flexibility if something goes wrong.
The sky is a light gray. Temperature is low 50's. The forecast is for rain.
I work back to the hotel with a biscuit for Betty. I refuse to even buy coffee at the hotel. I have checked the "hotel" websites and the room price are substantially lower. Apparently, the weather has deterred attendance at the auction.
I bring to the front desk's attention. Nothing. Best Western website is useless.
We call a cab. Betty's foot is definitely improving. But, walking a half mile to the Oban dock would be stretching a good thing. Our goal is to stroll Oban and. then, the Green Shack.
Over our journeys, we have fallen into a comfortable rhythm. My very early morning walk to orient us for the day ahead. Where are the stations. How far of a walk. What sites are close by. Betty always find residences in great locations. Paris was fantastic. Rome was the best. London, Dublin, Venice - all have been great.
The cab drops us off at the bus stop. The Green Shack is about the size of a hot dog stand in Chicago.
It is a walk up and order. The menu is on a chalk board. There are the regulars - mussels, lobster, soup.
The kitchen is behind the counter. Two women take the orders. They are polite and comfortable with tourists. They do not waste time. They expect you not to waste their time.
After consultation with Betty, I order lobster for Betty. I order shell fish. Betty holds two bench seats at one of the picnic tables. There is a canopy over the tables. The view is cross the walkway at one story buildings along the bay, The ferry is less than a hundred years away. In short, it is practical.
You are here for the seafood. It is great. It is fresh.
I am still hungry. I doubt if I will return to Oban. I order the mussels.
This is my great moment. A woman takes my order over the high counter. I reach into my pocket and start to count out my payment. I do not hand over a 10 or 20 pound note. I am going for exact. I am only slightly nervous. The woman knows I am not local. She smiles. She is impressed.
I am impressed with myself. From now on, I am confident with my coinage - 1 and 2 pound coins and pence.
The mussels are fantastic and plentiful. I keep eating and there is more. I am very content.
Betty loved her lobster. It is not New England lobster. It is smaller.
It is early. We share the tables but there is room.
We clean our area. We need to walk around Oban. There are not a lot of shops. I confirm tomorrow's bus schedule - I am still not certain as to whether we will try for the earlier bus.
The weather is mutable.
We take a cab back to the hotel. We have brought food back so dinner in the room.
We decide for the earlier bus.
Tomorrow - the greatest adventure.
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