Scott: I remember walking into a pub that had a sign over the entryway, "Established in 983," a thousand years before I entered! The same family had owned the pub all that time.
I visited the Bridge over the River Doon (Brigadoon). It was very significant to me since I'd played the role of Harry Beaton in the musical, Brigadoon, at the Tacoma Little Theater in 1963. I died in that play, by the way. It was remarkable to walk on that bridge and I was very much alive.(Smiles).
I met a young fellow about 19 or 20 years old at an outdoor concert. I'd met the whole family who invited me to dine with them and spend the night. He and I made plans to ride up the River Doon the next day to Loch (Lake) Doon. He'd told me about his "hull-walking" experiences. I looked at him quizzically and asked what that was. He spoke louder as if I was deaf and I finally figured out he was saying, "hill!" Strange how people think you'll understand if they yell at you.
On our ride, we stopped to shoot hoops with some kids playing basketball. They were excited to see my bike. It seemed everywhere I rode, kids would swarm me from villages to see my bike and ask questions.
That evening, I met my first Highland midge. It's a small flying, biting insect that leaves a welt the size of 1/2 a dime. They're small enough to go through any sweater and can drive sheep crazy. They can't fly if there's any wind and this particular night, there was no wind.
We were visiting with another chap in a very small cabin, too small for three to stay overnight. My friend and I had to head for our tents, but could see the midges were piling up on the cabin window, much the same as snow piles against a window pane. But about 2 am, we ran for our tent. Once they smelled the midge spray I'd bought in the States, they said, "Hey fellas, let's get him!" I must have been bitten 2.92 million times. (Laughs). We fought those creatures off all night long. I thought I was going insane.
The next day, as we were pushing our bikes along to give us a rest from peddling, we saw a big pile of stones that had once been a castle. We went inside; most of the roof was gone. There was a cove for statuary up the side of a wall about 15 feet, perhaps a second floor at one time. All of a sudden, the cove was lit by the sun through the roof. The light totally engulfed the alcove. It was lit for only an instant. I thought it was another good sign. It reminded me of a scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Back at the village, I said goodbye to the young man and his family, adding their names to a log book I was carrying and promising to let them know how my trip progressed. Unfortunately, I lost that log and didn't keep my promise.
I spent the next two weeks camped high on a bluff and used that camp as a hub. I'd ride everyday into the countryside to see the sights and visit with the people. I remember meeting an older man with a musical Scottish brogue who recited poetry to me. It was wonderful talking to him. I was also waiting for funds to be sent from home. Sunny, my former wife, had agreed to manage my finances and send money as I needed it. I was still paying child support, of course.
As soon as funds arrived, I left Prestwick and rode cross country to Edinburgh, Scotland, about 85 miles away.
The Last Apocalypse is available at Createspace https://www.createspace.com/4569527
and
Amazon Books http://www.amazon.com/The-Last-Apocalypse-Scott-Haverly/dp/1494465531/
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