Holy Cow!
It has been a long time since I have visited this friend!
I didn't realize, blog of mine, that I had neglected you for so long.
I also didn't realize that my LSFL deadline was so early last year. Way to be on top of it, Il Postino! Depending on the state of the NFL, a deadline might not be necessary this year.
So, I went to Scotland, again.
I don't know if it qualifies as a dream, but I have for several years wanted to go to Scotland during "low season." That is, the time of year when most tourists are someplace else. For Scotland, that means spring.
Lucky me, I found a great deal on tickets. In fact, Bonnie and I ended up in Business Class on the way over there. I'm still not sure how that happened.
Anyhoo, the appeal of going when tourists aren't there is several-fold. Obviously, you aren't competing for resources. Hotels are more plentiful and less expensive. Tourist attractions are less crowded.
(And yet, every castle we went to had what appeared to be hosting a school field trip of some sort. Go figure).
Things are just easier during the off season.
The disadvantages to traveling at off-peak times depend on where you're going. If sunny sunshine is your objective, don't go to the U.K. during Spring Break. Some attractions are closed, or have limited access. Weather can even prevent you from getting to your destination at all.
Maybe that's why I'm revisiting my friend the blog. The weather today is very much what we had in the fantabulous Scotland. Temperatures in the mid-40s and precipitation of some sort every day. We even spent one day in the snow. Like, above-the-ankle-deep snow.
It was fan-flippin'-tastic!
Why Scotland again, you ask?
I don't know. I haven't gotten tired of the place yet. I feel like I can wander around there without being noticed. Tons of groovy castles and such.
But, why spend the time and money to see things I've already seen? Why abandon Maverick to tour his homeland without him?
As HLProper says, Svelte segue!
I'm reading Diana Gabaldon's Voyager again. I normally don't reread things. There are few things that I can read over and over again. S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders is jut about the only thing that I've read multiple times of my own free will. Maybe Jane Austen, when I need to stick to my "Read One Classic A Year" resolution that I make every year. Maybe next year, I'll change that resolution to "Read One New Classic A Year."
Maybe not.
Anyhoo again. Back to Voyager.
I came to the Gabaldon party rather late. Circa 1999-2000. I remember Crafty Andrea and Betsy raving about how great these books were. In fact, Betsy was in charge of Scotland the first time we went on the original World Domination Tour. I'm pretty sure the Scotland portion of the itinerary was inspired by these books.
I remember trying to read the first book in the series, Outlander. Let me preface this by saying I have no fear of a 900+ page book. Especially of the historical fiction variety. Loves me some Margaret George. Loves me some Sharon Kay Penman. Bring it on, I say! My learned friends and travel buddies Crafty Andrea and Betsy know this about me (Amy doesn't read-WTH?!?!). So, they figured this huge book would be right up my alley.
I tried. I really did. 100 pages into it, I proclaimed it total bodice ripping crap and threw it aside. Even though there was minimal ripping of any bodices.
Then, I went to Scotland.
I don't know if having seen Edinburgh and Inverness helped me imagine it in the story, but I had a much easier time reading Outlander after visiting Scotland. Again, the first 100 pages were tough (and are tough to this day), but I persevered.
I persevered all the way to Spain. I finished the first novel somewhere over the Atlantic. I was crying a bit, whether from the storyline or from being trapped in coach for 9 hours after having my ace handed to me at the airport in Miami. Who can say?
The second novel, Dragonfly in Amber was my travel buddy as I went tripping through Spain. Maybe that's why I consider it my favorite in the series. The copy that accompanied me to Spain still has ticket stubs from that trip serving as bookmarks.
Because Dragonfly was such a boon travelling companion before, I thought it would treat me well on this trip to Scotland. And, it did.
Ok, so back to the main point (if one exists...I'm having doubts). I don't reread things very often. I don't understand students that check out the same series year after year. (Yes, craptacular Twilight series, even you). I don't even remember reading novels over and over again as a junior high kid.
One and done, people.
But, every couple of years I pick up a Gabaldon and read it again.
Except Voyager.
I can't explain why, other than I felt that there was too much "hurry up and wait" going on in that novel. I've read excepts repeatedly. Claire stumbling into Jamie's print shop after traveling through the stones and showing him pictures of Brianna is a tear-jerker. But, the rest of the book doesn't do much for me.
So, I guess because Scotland is worth revisiting, maybe Voyager is worth rereading.
I know where this is leading me. I spent one summer a couple of years ago rereading the series (sans Voyager) in anticipation of the release of a forthcoming installment. Didn't happen until a year later. Thanks.
I'm even going to attempt the two-novel juggle. I started the latest book club selection last night (The Art of Racing in the Rain). Made me cry in the first chapter. I do not anticipate good things.
So, if I'm willing to endure flying all the way to Scotland (Business Class aside) again to revisit familiar places, I guess I should be willing to endure 900-odd pages to revisit a familiar literary friend. Fingers crossed! Off I go! Again!
