“Dear Prudence, won’t you come out and play…”

Inverness, Wednesday

That’s what is playing, as I sit in a pub along the River Ness in Inverness. It continues:
“The sun is out, the sky is blue
It’s beautiful and so are you
Dear Prudence, won’t you come out and. Play.”

But all I hear is:
“Hello darkness my old friend
I’ve come to talk with you again.

Early Simon and Garfunkel is hitting my chord a little more than The Beatles right now.

(Very quick aside, Purple Rain just started playing. You can run but you can’t hide from Minneapolis.)

Last we spoke, I was in Aviemore pondering my immediate future (should I grow my hair, take up ballroom dancing, join the Flat Earth Society?).

I decided to leave Aviemore and head into Inverness, where hopefully I could find the elusive correct knee brace and if needed find a GP there.

I bought a train ticket and 45 minutes later I was in Inverness. Comical to the gods of TGOC, because that was my arrival point to the highlands, on the Caledonian Sleeper, one-of-the-trains-on-earth. Apparently I should be careful what I disparage because the very first thing to catch my eye on the platform was the Caledonian, hissing at me.

I parked my rucksack in baggage holding, and made my way into town searching for a place to stay. I tried several hotels and most were booked or too pricey. One kindly old guy, taking pity on my weeping, suggested I try across the River Ness for a B&B.

Again, most were full but finally after talking to a few innkeepers, I came across the Tavena, a lovely place on a quiet street.

Toilet down the hall.

After that, it was off for pizza and retrieving my bag. Along the way, I finally (thank you St. Clarence) found a Chemist with the right brace.

I asked my family doctor just what I had. I said “Doctor (Doctor), Mr. M.D. (Doctor) now can you tell me, tell me, tell me, just what’s ailing me?” (Doctor).

I hiked back to the B&B for a regroup. Then off for a hike through the neighborhood and found a delightful gastropub on the Ness for later.

After an exhaustive search for a Chinese restaurant (you now I need my Chinese fix), I settled on Jimmy Chung’s, an all you can eat buffet restaurant, that served its purpose. Should you ever find yourself stranded on a deserted island with limited food, starving for weeks, and suddenly a Jimmy Chung’s opens up next door, give it a try. But if you don’t, that’s okay, too.

Back to the B&B for a bit then off for mussels at the Waterfront, mentioned above.

Small portion was too much for me, but perfect.

In addition to great food, warm atmosphere and people who didn’t support Trump, they had live music.

They may not look like much, but they were great.

Today was wondering about. Admiring a beautiful town. But there is more. Alright, please don’t make me admit this, I, that is, I—think what you want—I saw the new Avengers movie. There, you I have it, no secrets between us.

The knee is feeling better as long as I don’t use it. Which is similar to having money in your pocket as long as you don’t spend it.

I do hope to spend it in a few days. My plan is to restart in Braemar and hike into Banchory, Aboyne, Ballater and finish in Stonehaven. Four days hiking.

It is by no means a hike across Scotland or doing the TGOC. It’s an attempt to reclaim some measure of the hike. And stop those Simon and Garfunkel lyrics resonating in my brain.

To leave you on a lighter note, I have found the local chapter of the Flat Earth Society, just steps from my B&B.

The Flat Earth Society, now finger lickin’ good.

I plan on stopping by later this evening for information and general baiting. God forbid, if I don’t return to Gotham-on-the-Prairie, be advised I have been convinced and simply walk off the edge of the world, something my wife says I did years ago.

Yip, yip.