Walk like a Glaswegian-An American Abroad: Tour de Cumbrae

Seeing as I am leaving for London this afternoon to meet my family (very, very happy to be seeing them!) I was thinking of skipping blogging about Richard and I's most recent adventure. However, after being told that I would disappoint the masses and that I MUST tell the story, I will quickly share of our adventures (therefore, this blog will be composed almost entirely of photos.).

After finishing our exams and piles upon piles of essays, Richard and I thought it would be fun to do a bit of a Scottish vacation before parting ways to see our families. We had been wanting to do some kind of adventurous/outdoors activity for awhile and it was decided that cycling was the best option. We spent an evening in the town of Greenock and then made our way by train to Largs. In Largs we caught a ten minute ferry delivering us on the Isle of Cumbrae.

What Happened in Cumbrae:
1. After I was strictly told it would be in my best interest to wear leggings rather than jeans, I foolishly believed that Richard and I would be dressed in "gym clothes" to cycle the island... But, somehow Richard ended up looking like a GQ model in jeans, sweater and golf jacket while I looked like a horrible collaboration of the cheapest things Wal-Mart and Primark have to offer (leggings, a Scottish rugby shirt and my beloved Primark anaconda rain poncho).

2. The Isle of Cumbrae is apparently the safest place ever. Upon asking for bike locks we were laughed at and told "oh just ditch them by the road if you want to go in some place... no one will take them."

3. Cycling up a super steep hill is worth finding a tiny, beautiful and very old church.

4. My competitive nature definitely shone through on the bike ride. Instead of leisurely taking my time to pedal around the island partaking in conversation with my fellow bicyclist, I attacked the pavement. I was generally a mile ahead of Richard and took very few scenic breaks. In fact, I was generally so far ahead and so unobservant that at one point Richard pulled off the road, hiding, to see how long it would take me to look back. I never looked back. Oops.

5. Everytime I am able to visit the Scottish countryside I am reminded of the absolute beauty of the landscape. The pebble and sand beaches (pebble beaches on one side of the island, sand on the other) were so picturesque and charming.

6. According to Richard, the Island of Cumbrae would be the perfect retirement community for people between the ages of 60 and 75. He feels it would be a safe investment to house retirees on the island because it's safe, beautiful and according to him "older people would love this place!" Perhaps, then I shouldn't admit how much I loved the Isle of Cumbrae, it might rocket my age to 60.