Winds, moss and Glasgow emergency responders...

the real action
Rode a short ferry over to Arran island, just off of the coast from Glasgow. I was all packed and set to ride around the island, camp and jump on other ferries to take me across loch and inlets. I had a drink at the beautiful Douglas hotel with all its seafaring brass antiques and then started up the big hill. The camping was alright, but the wind that was forecast, certainly arrived that morning, waking me up from my heather and foot thick, moss bed. I was shocked awake into the 50 mph gusts as I tried to put on more under layers over my naked torso.

Amazing, there were folks walking their dogs in the area I emerged from, (silly Scots). It was a highspeed downhill ride to the awaiting luxury hotel and hot drinks. So a little embarrassingly I took the ferry back, I am just not that much into self abuse.

The photo of the rainbow over the Scottish castle absolves me and allows me to head back to warmth and comforts.

Hanging out here in Glasgow drinking a beer in the sunshine on the wall. When police came running up and past me to look searchingly in the water. A jogger and a cyclist had words with them. I jumped down to talk with one, he mentioned that there had been a report of someone in the water. (I didn't hear any splash) They took off up the canal. I followed. Firetrucks showed up on the bridge. A Helicopter circled overhead- within minutes of things happening. A little later a rescue boat with red, dry suited and helmeted rescuers puttered by. I spoke to the baby-faced cop and he seemed to think it must have been a seal up the canal.

I am somewhat amused/impressed at their quick response, but wonder if these sort of coordinated operations might be better used for positive things, like: there is an amazing sunset and its still sunny- quick! to the batmobile! Or, people are pretty bummed out about transit and public space; quick! tasty drinks and groovy music with places for everyone to relax. But these sorts of things, generally, only happen at Burning Man.   

Or better yet, more social care/ homeless outreach, empowered individuals, working with the 'down and out' so things don't get to the point of someone taking a cold death dip, off the bridge...

http://gawker.com/canadian-man-sorry-for-chugging-eight-beers-and-swimmin-888283225

Disney sub plot

A long winding road up the Rhine. Sometimes with a headwind. Lots of other cyclists. (funny to see 80+ year olds on motorcycles). I noticed a few things that are different during my ride. I rode through Riverside, industrial, boat building/repair factories. Right through them, with only a caution sign at the entrance. It amazing that the cycling legislation has pushed access this far!

I am also impressed that cycling is permitted in the other direction on one way streets. (I remember being stopped in Seattle by an irate cop, when my choice was, illegal ride on the sidewalk, or illegal ride on the one way street...).

I thought to stop earlier for the evening, not such a good idea, since that dusky hour riverside, is the hour of the bug. I am reminded of what a small part we play on their planet; barely a blip. Those seething masses will adapt and outgrow us. Really there is nothing to do at that hour, but keep speed, and outrun them until the stimulation of the evening has passed and has them settled.

I thought to spend the night off the Rhine bike path behind some hay stacks, and prepared my bed of straw unrolling them over the stinging nettle. I thought myself clever with this design, until I received 2 wasp stings, one for each bare leg; and noticed them swarming out of the ground from their underground nest. Disappointing but worse yet, because I was unable to get near my bike with the wasps defending the area...

I grabbed my bike out of there without more stings, and kept looking for some place as suitable. In just a few minutes, I startled a deer out of the brush, then 2 rabbits, and also 2 foxes. A minute later an eagle swooped down around me. I forget sometimes how busy dusk can be...

My ride still consisted of outrunning the horse flies, gnats and mosquitoes. Later I camped beside the Rhine. I believe someone this morning checked me out in my sleeping bag, although, I couldnt see them, I heard the sound of their flip flops... Later the geese consisted of my alarm clock. Funny, I dont find that one on the iphone alarm selection.

Today the bolt from my rack was sheared off. While I was in the shade of the Nestle factory, smelling the ambient chocolate, wiring it together, a mole walked up to me, and may well be riding in some part of my baggage. I feel I may be an unknowing part of some Disney subplot...