How many times have I been to Scotland? Once in 1985 with some friends when I was studying in London; I *think* it was a long weekend--we got to Edinburgh and Inverness. Once in 2002 for a week and a half with my (then) wife: Edinburgh, Stirling, Glen Coe, Dunkeld, Perth (she stayed a bit longer and got to St. Andrews too). Once this May with my (then) GF for a week (Glasgow, Oban/Barcaldine, Roy Bridge, Portree, Inverness, Helensburgh/Cove). Once this September by myself for a week (Glasgow and various locations on Skye and Raasay).
The first trip we had some sort of transport package, but we just wandered around and did whatever we felt like. The second time, Chris did all the planning (she LOVES planning). The last two times, I did all the planning.
I'm in a total quandry right now. I'm trying to find out if I can get a visa to live and work in the UK. If I do, I'll be dropping out of a job that pays me better than anything I've ever had (and way more than I could earn there) and which in some ways is one I've been chasing since I left college. But it would be to live in the UK! (And there's a good chance I could get it back if I absolutely hated life over there and wanted to come back. Massive hassle finding a place to live there, finding a job (even with the visa/work permit), getting my three cats there (though if I get the right shots and get them chipped they don't have to stay in quarantine. And if the only place I can find work is in the south of England (very possible) do I take that and just figure I'm an ocean closer to Scotland, or do I hold out for some sort of job "oop Nahth"?
But I won't know for maybe six months or more if I can get the visa, and in the meantime my life is partly on hold. I'm dating (I've been partnerless for most of the last two years), but no one wants to get involved with someone who may be moving abroad. I'm partway through a master's program, but the degree will be totally pointless if I move because it's applicable to work I can't do there. And every time I think about planning another trip, I think "But shouldn't I be saving that money instead?" *sigh* Yeah, I know, I'm sure it seems like a quandry most folks would love to find themselves in. But it's still tricky.
Thank you so much for such a thorough reply. I haven't had a chance yet to sit down and read through what you've linked, but its exciting to see your passion - and for my dreamy self, nice, too, to speak with someone who has been several times and can comment on places with real experience.
It will be interesting in the coming months to read what happens, if the visa comes through, what choices you will make.
Thank you so much for such a thorough reply. I haven't had a chance yet to sit down and read through what you've linked, but its exciting to see your passion - and for my dreamy self, nice, too, to speak with someone who has been several times and can comment on places with real experience.
You're welcome! It's nice to meet other people with a similar love of a place so far from "home".
It will be interesting in the coming months to read what happens, if the visa comes through, what choices you will make.
LOL! Yes, at this point I'm not even sure I know what I'll do it I actually get it.
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Full itinerary for the latest trip you can find at
http://www.livejournal.com/users/winterbadger/311900.html#cutid1
http://www.livejournal.com/users/winterbadger/322381.html#cutid1
I think you've seen the only photos I have up so far, here
http://pics.livejournal.com/winterbadger/gallery/00004a56
and here
http://public.fotki.com/winterbadger/scotland/
The first trip we had some sort of transport package, but we just wandered around and did whatever we felt like. The second time, Chris did all the planning (she LOVES planning). The last two times, I did all the planning.
I'm in a total quandry right now. I'm trying to find out if I can get a visa to live and work in the UK. If I do, I'll be dropping out of a job that pays me better than anything I've ever had (and way more than I could earn there) and which in some ways is one I've been chasing since I left college. But it would be to live in the UK! (And there's a good chance I could get it back if I absolutely hated life over there and wanted to come back. Massive hassle finding a place to live there, finding a job (even with the visa/work permit), getting my three cats there (though if I get the right shots and get them chipped they don't have to stay in quarantine. And if the only place I can find work is in the south of England (very possible) do I take that and just figure I'm an ocean closer to Scotland, or do I hold out for some sort of job "oop Nahth"?
But I won't know for maybe six months or more if I can get the visa, and in the meantime my life is partly on hold. I'm dating (I've been partnerless for most of the last two years), but no one wants to get involved with someone who may be moving abroad. I'm partway through a master's program, but the degree will be totally pointless if I move because it's applicable to work I can't do there. And every time I think about planning another trip, I think "But shouldn't I be saving that money instead?" *sigh* Yeah, I know, I'm sure it seems like a quandry most folks would love to find themselves in. But it's still tricky.
no subject
It will be interesting in the coming months to read what happens, if the visa comes through, what choices you will make.
no subject
You're welcome! It's nice to meet other people with a similar love of a place so far from "home".
It will be interesting in the coming months to read what happens, if the visa comes through, what choices you will make.
LOL! Yes, at this point I'm not even sure I know what I'll do it I actually get it.