Well I got my first Covid vaccination as a special birthday gift. (It just happened to fall the day prior). Hooray!
Of course it wasn’t at all straightforwards, just getting to the centre turned out to be an exercise in (to quote from Mr Prachet’s Unseen University) “Cruel and Unusual Geography”.
Who knew that Sat-nav had a “comedy setting” (and how do you switch it off?). I must confess I’ve had several issues with Sat-nav recently. Whether that’s because, having to a new area I am relying on it a little more, or because “gods own country” is apparently not actually on the map.
We set off to Dean Park (a large, but nearby, countryside attraction on the edges of Kilmarnock), and not having been before thought the guidance might save time. That it initially took us out onto the main bypass was a little odd, but presumably if you wanted to come in from the far end, it would make some sense, however imagine our surprise to be told “You have arrived” while speeding down an ‘A’ road in the middle of nowhere.
It is true the countryside on our left was indeed part of said park, but access? not for miles.
I also acquired a new phone recently, which is an issue because it does not fit into the holder for display. I consider this to be a distraction anyway, and generally I am happy to follow the audio guidance; “At the roundabout in 50 yards, take the first right”…
However what I have noticed is a certain “delay”, in the instructions. This came to a particular head when I discovered myself navigating through a network of roundabouts all closely spaced. It was never clear whether “the first right” should apply to the circuit I was on, or the one following. Further complicated by an immediate revision of directions whenever I erred.
In the end I had to pull over and try and figure out where I was, “Signal lost….”
A earlier (pre-covid) incident, now seems like a precursor of these events, when, being guided through an unlit maze of unpaved country lanes in the dead of night (weekend away -remember them?), I missed a turn, and in an effort to retrace my my route, bogged down in a field …”You have arrived!” I was told cheerily. I was unamused.
Suffice to say that despite many unexpected obstacles en route – the tractor – the giant puddle- the gate, I did arrive at for my inoculation, so I was able to simultaneously celebrate the start of my journey to cov-immunity and my birthday …. sick as a dog for 24 hours with “flu like” side effects.
Well, it is a Dogs life for a reason.
Next week: What happened to number 11?
Dalmallyfest the Asylum 
I am reminded of a trip, direct from Edinburgh to Glasgow (via Perth) involving involuntary sleep (approaching Perth), passing through Kincardine Bridge (via Perth; again) and bizarrely involving Kingston Bridge (via Perth; no….no……………) and an uncharted lay-by on an unmarked major road (near Perth-still ; Aaaaaaaaa!) and running out of petrol (nowhere near a Petrol Station, but approaching Perth; *sob*), remembering the spare petrol can carried for such events (especially if near Perth; *choke*) then discovering it was empty (probably lost into the Perth worm-hole newly discovered by LDW and your’s truly; Haaahaaahaaaahaaaaa!!!!), demonstrating how an empty crisp-bag can be used to extract the few remaining drips from the petrol-can, followed very shortly afterwards by discovering that petrol melts crisp-bags (both events occurring within the Perth Triangle; I want to go home!) finally arriving in Glasgow just in time for 2 hours sleep before returning for next shift in Edinburgh (or maybe Perth?).
….and all achieved WITHOUT the assistance of S(h)atnav.
LikeLike