Day 51 Machrihanish to Carradale, MOK 55mls

Machrihanish Sunsets

Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse

Views from the Mull Road

Bright and windy this morning. Drove to the most westerly point on the British mainland, the Mull of Kintyre lighthouse, down a 6 mile narrow, twisting road. Good job there is not a lot of traffic here! Very misty going over the top.

Macca was not in residence, even though we explained we were Stella's neighbours, the security guard would not let us in for a look round.

Carried on round the coast road, which was very lovely, less wild than the highlands, could have been Cornwall. Arrived at Carradale, which has everything we like - beach, forest walks and cycle tracks, golf course and what looks like three decent places to eat. The site is right on the beach.

Found another tick on the Taz tonight even though we put the tick stuff on her. Horrid things. I dont know how you would find them on a big shaggy dog.

Best news of the day - Murray won! Went a bike ride round the village after the match and the only guy we saw shouted to us 'Did you see Andy?'. I presumed he was talking about tennis, not asking us about his mate.

Day 50 Kilberry to Machrihanish, Mull of Kintyre - 60mls

Kilberry Sunset

Machrihanish Golf Club

Another Hell Bunker

Mull of Kintyre, Oh mist rolling in from the sea,

My desire is always to be here,

Oh Mull of Kintyre........

Made it to Cambletown, Mull of K, at about lunchtime, thinking we may find somewhere nice for lunch. Wrong again! About the same size as Evesham, every other shop was empty, boarded up or a charity or pound shop. Very dissappointing. Still you can always find a sandwich at a golf club (unless its Stratford on a sunday afternoon), so we headed to Machrihanish GC. Weather was so nice and the forecast for tomorrow not great, that we decided to shell out the £60 each green fee today. Expensive for here, but it is a well known links course. (I had not heard of it before) Had the course to ourselves so could not blame slow play for our poor efforts of 29pts for me and 23 for himself. Might be something to do with the lightening fast greens.

Tonights site is right next to the golf course, and we can see the sea and the wonderful long beach, but the access to it is about a mile away.

Going to see if Paul is accepting visitors tomorrow! Used to really fancy him but he's a bit wrinkly now and dyes his hair!

Day 49 Lochgilphead to Kilberry 20mls

Crinan Canal

Paps of Jura

Sunny morning so decided to bike the 7 miles from Lochgilphead to Crinan along the canal towpath. Very pretty. Lovely little cafe at Crinan where we felt duty bound to have a coffee and scone before the ride home. Ross sailed this canal before we met, 36 years ago, so more reminising to while away the miles.

Went to the vets to get Taz some anti tick stuff in case she encounters some more of the little blighters, then travelled the narrow coast road to Kilberry for our next stop. As you can see from the last pic the weather has closed in and it is misty and a bit drizzly now. Still, we have a good satellite signal so are watching Andy Murray. Hope he does better than the football team yesterday! 

                                    

Day 48 Barcaldine to Lochgilphead 60mls

What tick??

Wild woman of Oban

Corryvreckan Whirlpool

Ardrishaig

The day started with the discovery of a tick in Taz's armpit. We saw what we thought was a wart last night but this morning it had grown to twice its size and was a horrible grey colour. Vet Ross came to the rescue and pulled it out. Poor Taz did not seem to mind and was in fine spirits today having recovered from her tummy upset.

Stopped in Oban for lunch but ended up having not very good fish and chips. Good places to eat round here are quite rare. Took a minor road to Craignish Point to view the Corryvreckan whirpool, the third largest in the world, but the tide did not show it at its most impressive. Camping at Lochgilphead for the night, right next to the Crinan canal. Had a massive thunderstorm at about 6pm and when it cleared decided to have a stroll down the towpath to Ardishaig where the canal ends into Loch Fyne, which is apparently famous for its kippers!!

Day 47 Barcaldine Campsite

     A lazy day and a recharge of the batteries. Arose late and decided to cycle the 2 miles to the Sea Life Sanctuary, just to see an Otter, having failed to spot one up to now, although the west coast is said to have quite a few. A couple of seals, a giant octopus and a few tanks of fish.Not much else to see, as they do not have any rescued seal pups in a the moment.

Perhaps watch the Murray match this afternoon and a short walk in the forest this evening and that's it.

Taz is a bit under the weather today, a growling stomach ,and is grazing  like a sheep. The only thing she has eaten (apart from grass) is a digestive biscuit. Paula has a massive insect bite on her leg from when we went walking on Ulva, and I have got sore eyes which I thought was hayfever but antihistamines have not improved, so a lazy afternoon will do us all good! 

A token Otter

Day 46 Glencoe to Barcaldine 58mls

Glencoe

The Three Sisters - Glencoe

Stalker Castle, Appin

Walled Garden Campsite

Langoustine or Large Prawn?

Ross reckons he is still losing weight. I dont know how, I'm putting it on, courtesy of all the garlic butter on shellfish we are having recently!

Had a bike into Glencoe for breakfast this morning, the full monty for him indoors and a demur egg in a bap for me. Visited the Glencoe National Trust centre and learned more about the massacre of the 38 McDonalds in the 17th century. No wonder the Scots hate the English!!

Made a 20 mile detour round Loch Leven so Ross could tell me stories of the Scottish 6 day trial, and also so we could buy 16 langoustines (£13) from Loch Leven Seafood.

Arrived at our site, a lovely walled garden right next to loads of walks and biking trails round  Sutherland Grove. Managed a small jaunt with the rottweiler before the langoustines, strawbs and clotted cream. Hide the scales!

Day 45 Mull to Glencoe 70mls

Duart Castle, Mull

Ferry from Fishnish to Lochaline

Coastal road near Camas Nacroise, Loch Linnhe

Glencoe

Drizzly morning. Left Mull after a visit to Duart Castle, home of the Clan Maclean, although we decided not to go in as there were about 6 coach loads just off the ferry arriving at the same time. Caught another ferry at Fishnish, only 30 mins, to Lochaline. Drove down the narrow, winding coast road to Corran, on yet another ferry, only 10mins, landing at Onich. Decided to take a 10 mile detour to Fort William for supplies as shops are few and far between here. Wine cellar is getting low! There are very few large supermarkets, hardly any Tesco, just occasional Morrisons and Co-op.

On to Glencoe for the night. Went to the visitor centre next to the campsite and wandered round the various walks in the pine forests. Taz has been attacked by the midges, her ears are all pimply, so we all have to have a liberal dosing of Avons Skin so Soft before venturing out. Apparently, this year has been so dry the midges have appeared early. Small price to pay for dry weather! 

Day 44 Killiechronan to Craignure Mull 28mls

Ferry from Mull to Ulva

Ulva

Bit cloudy so decided to get the one minute ferry to the privately owned island of Ulva. Taz was not at all sure about getting on the boat! There are a variety of walks up to 5 hours long on the island with only 16 inhabitants (used to be 600 before the highland clearances). We opted for a 2 hour coastal and woodland walk but due to a lack of signposts soon ended up off piste again. Still it was an enjoyable experience on a very quiet island where cars are not allowed and the few residents make their way round using quad bikes.

After a sandwich at the boathouse cafe we caught the ferry back (with a quaking Taz).

Drove to Salen where we found fresh scallops, £10 for a dozen massive things, so crusty bread and garlic butter is all we need for tonight. Stopping at Craignure at the most expensive site yet, £23 per night, but it is nothing special. Must go now to cook the scallops!!!

Day 43, Resipole to Killiechronan, Isle of Mull 80m

Woke to another fine morning, and after recharging the spare gas bottle, it was on the road to Mull.

Another twisty road through Salen, to Kilchean, to board the ferry, some half hour voyage.

Arrived at the very pretty Tobermory, (the inspiration for "Ballamory" the kids TV programme) where we had lunch at the Cafe Fish. Sea food stew and home made bread Yum! Yum! 

Mingary Castle. An old relic

Another old relic

Colourful Tobermory

After lunch and a tour of the town, we headed for the local campsite, only to find it full.

So, the reason we did 80 miles, was that we continued round the island  looking for a wild camping spot.

After dismissing 2 or 3 possibles we ran out of options, so decided the very next gap in the hedge, or cliff edge ,we would stop. Just as we were getting a bit desperate, we rounded a bend, and there was a few campers on a piece of ground, by the loch, which turned out to be £3 a night (Toilets a mile down the road).

Having a great satellite signal, we relaxed and watched Andy Murray, at the same time a group of seagulls were harassing a Sea Eagle, down by the water about 50 yards away (too quick to get a pic). Ironically, a whole bunch of Twitchers with cameras and telescopes missed the action right under their nose

Day 42 Mallaig to Salen, Resipole 32mls

Morning view of Traigh Beach

It looks very peaceful - but, there are a few caravans here that are left here all year and they are all strapped down with heavy duty webbing, so it must be a bit wild sometime!

Followed the coast road to our next stop of Resipole campsite by the Sunart forest on the banks of Loch Sunart. Stopped for lunch and a hike at Glenuig on the way. 

Waiting for the tide to come in at the sound of Arisaig!

Another fab pitch

I'm getting a bit worried about coming home. Am I going to be really bored looking at the same scenery every day? I fear we may have to join the travelling community full time!!

Day 41 Glen Nevis to Mallaig 50mls

More Pics from Nevis Waterfall

Glenfinnan Monument

Set off for Mallaig, stopped to view the Glenfinnan monument where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised the Scottish flag at the start of the Jacobite uprising. Then passed the spot where he sailed away after defeat.

Mallaig seems nothing more than a fishing and ferry port so only had a drive round which took 2 minutes. Camped at Silversands, Traigh beach, about 6 miles from Mallaig. This is a lovely place, very peaceful with little white sandy beaches between rocky outcrops. The day was very still and calm which make it seem a bit unreal in a way. Taz went swimming in the sea, well a few strokes of doggy paddle, after getting a bit mucky when we hiked across the moor.

View from the Starlett - Skye on the right, Rum & Eigg left

Day 40 - Our 34th Anniversary

View from the van Glen Nevis

Up the glen

Within sight of the falls

The sun shines on the righteous!! Biked 5 gruelling miles to the end of the glen until the road petered out into a rocky path. Followed the path, mostly uphill, for another mile then emerged from a narrow rock cleft into a flatish meadow where in the distance was the Nevis Falls. What a place to stop for our sandwiches!

Made our way back in time for coffee and cream scone at the cafe next to the campsite.

Drove to the Crannock Seafood Restaurant on the pier for our special meal, langoistines, plaice, sea trout, haddock to name just a few - and a very nice baileys and choc pud. Will certainly remember this anniversary!

Day 39 Fort William

Fort William Golf Club

Sunny and warm so decided to play Fort William Golf club. £25 each for golf under the shadow of Ben Nevis and just south of the Leanachan forest where we biked yesterday. Lovely course but the greens were terrible, really slow and bobbly. I lost a couple of balls so Ross managed to beat me with 31pts to my miserable 28!

Relaxed at the site then went for a riverside walk down the glen, watching all the intrepid walkers setting off for the summit of the Ben. There is a team doing a 3 peak challenge, going from here to Scafell and then Snowdon, all in 24 hours! We, however, have had an evening of fillet steak and watching what looks like at half time being yet another Ingerland dissappointment.

Start of the walk to the Ben