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Big Adventure
  • K and A's road trip
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toukok. 2018 – jouluk. 2031

Big Adventure

Travels in a motorhome
This blog is written to remind us where we have been and what we have done Lue lisää
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  • K and A's road tripBig AdventureMatkaaja

    Maasai Mara

    4. lokakuuta 2024, Kenia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    On our way back we experienced something rather exceptional.
    Simon heard on the radio that one of the other drivers had spotted a cheetah running. On the hill to our left we we saw a herd of wildebeest charging up the hill, after a little while they all stopped. After a little time Simon spotted a few cheetah hunkered down not far from the herd. It became apparent that they had succeeded in a hunt and were making the most of their meal before the scavengers moved in.
    Very quickly a ranger car drove up to the scene, as about thirty safari vehicles descended on the area and queued up to get close up view. Vehicles are limited to five at a time and no closer that 25 metres, policed by the rangers.
    When we got there five cheetah were enjoying their lunch comprising of a young wildebeest.
    After that Simon almost apologised for taking us to see a pride of lions and we got up close with a magnificent ostrich.    Lue lisää

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    Maasai Mara

    4. lokakuuta 2024, Kenia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    We enjoyed our packed lunch under a tree in the open, we shared the space with Maribou Stork. We then drove to the only bridge crossing on the Mara for a comfort break before the long drive back to our lodge.Lue lisää

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    Maasai Mara

    4. lokakuuta 2024, Kenia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    More photos, some from the Mara river crossing where the great migration takes place each year. We were here at the end of the great migration , a million and a half wildebeest and zebra brave the river crossing along here, trying to dodge the crocodiles or being swept away in a strong river current when the water is high.Lue lisää

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    Osero Lodge, Maasai Mara

    4. lokakuuta 2024, Kenia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    We had a brilliant full day game drive, what we saw exceeded our expectations. After a pleasant breakfast, we set off for a full day drive through the park. Within minutes, we saw a group of about 16 giraffes wander majestically through the bush., we were soon in the company of lions, impala, waterbuck, antelope, buffalo, wildebeest more lions, feedback, hooded vultures maribou stork, dikdik, eland, gazelle. We spotted hyena, topi, mongoose, warthog ostrich, hartebeest, baboons. When we reached the Mara river there were hippo galore and some lazy but menacing looking crocodiles, ground hornbill, saddle billed stork and lilac breastfed rollers. WOWLue lisää

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    Osero Lodge. Maasai Mara.

    3. lokakuuta 2024, Kenia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    We had arranged for a 7.30 pick up from Stewart's house. Simon, our host and driver for the next two days, arrived bang on time for our overland drive to Osero Lodge, a glamping resort within the game park.
    The journey out of Nairobi was fascinating. If there are any rules of the road, nobody seems bothered about them, absolute mayhem, but it works.
    Our journey to the park took 5 hours. We dropped down from the plateau into the Rift Valley, stopping off at the lookout for Simon to have a coffee and us to have a mooch in the curio shops. We successfully haggled for one item as a souvenir. We had been warned that start prices for items are ridiculously high and that the first given price is usually about 3 times the price expected. So we used that as our basis for haggling.
    A rock hyrax was scrambling about below the lookout wall.
    The drive took us through towns and villages, where we saw first hand the locals going about their daily business, tiny shop units selling all sorts of stuff, roadside markets and stalls, bars and tiny hotels in the most unlikely places. Cattle, goats, sheep being herded along the roadside, and wandering through the villages. Simon informed us that the number of goats and cows owned by a man is an indication of his wealth. It was so interesting to witness the general hustle and bustle of daily life - children rolling small barrels of water from the wells, sheep and goats being transported from the markets on motor bikes, motorcycles piled high with firewood, sacks of corn etc. In the wheat belt, within the rift valley, corn was being dried out on tarpaulin under the sun.
    Arriving at the park, after the formalities at the gate, where we fended off the very persistent Maasai ladies flogging their beaded curios and carvings, we had a short drive through the bush to our Lodge.
    On the way, we met up with eland, zebra, warthog, and gazelle.
    The Lodge welcomed us as their only guests for the day, so we felt quite special. A big party had left to return to the city that morning.
    We were served a 4 course lunch, which was very tasty and then settled down in our Lodge and had a rest by the pool prior to going out on an afternoon game drive.
    Leaving at 3:30 Simon took us out into the park for a 3 hour drive. It was brilliant, Simon wanted us to see as many of the animals as possible, and he did a great job.
    Zebra, wildebeest, eland, gazelle,impala, giraffe, buffalo, topi, lions, baboons,cheetah, beautiful birds, mongoose, jackal, elephants, antelope were all seen in their natural environment. Simon clearly knew the ins and outs of the reserve intimately, his knowledge of the animals extensive, and coupled with the radio links across the park, he was able to quickly take us to the hot sightings.
    After a very tasty evening meal, we arranged with Simon for a 7.30 start for tomorrow's day drive where he hoped to fill in any blanks.    Lue lisää

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    Nairobi .Thigiri Ridge

    2.–7. lokak. 2024, Kenia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Our flight from London left on time. At Heathrow, GGM sponsored us into the business class lounge, which gave us a restful start to our journey. The plane set off in good time, so we arrived in Nairobi on schedule at 5 am local time. The airport was busy with arrivals, but after 1 hour we were through customs with our luggage. The car-drive through Nairobi reminded us just how hectic life can be in Africa. Not for the faint-hearted. Stewart took the toll freeway which was running smoothly, but once off the highway the streets are a free for all.
    We pitched up at chez Maclean at 7 am, feeling a little woozy from the flight. We managed to see the grandchildren before they set off for their school day. Some of the local monkey troop were wandering through the garden. Emily needed to spend some time finishing off a report for her work. GGM and K spent some quiet time in the morning as A and Stew went off to sort a sim card out for our phone, and we set up the M-pesa payment app.
    At lunchtime we enjoyed the food at a local restaurant, Ankole Grill. The wraps were very tasty and portions hearty. The setting of the restaurant was delightful, surrounded by tropical plants and trees.
    In the afternoon GM and GGM went with Moses to see the children's school, whilst A had a good swim in the pool.
    In the evening we enjoyed a fish curry cooked on the veranda of Stewart's house. Snapper cooked on the grill, accompanied by corn, potatoes and salad.
    An early night beckoned as we prepared for our safari in the morning. We had quickly unpacked and repacked a small case for the next 3 days.
    A great first day in Kenya.    Lue lisää

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    Glasgow

    28. kesäkuuta 2024, Skotlanti ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

    We had a day in the city. Stepps railway station was 10 minutes walk from our site and we were at Queen Street station, in the heart of the city within 20 minutes.
    Our first stop was the information centre. The young lady there was very helpful (as we have found at each place we visit).
    We walked westwards, along Sauchiehall Street, which was quite shabby in places at its west end before hitting a more elegant part as we approached the Kelvingrove Hall Museum.
    We spent some time looking in the museum at the various artefacts, all very interesting. Salvador Dali's famous painting had been leant to the museum in Spain, so unfortunately we could not see it.
    After that we wandered along the Clyde river bank back into the commercial heart of the city and took a look at the old cathedral.
    The cathedral was most impressive, as all these massive and ancient buildings are. Top of the chart, however, still has to be the cathedral at Cordoba.    Lue lisää

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    Glasgow

    26.–30. kesäk. 2024, Skotlanti ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Our last few nights in Scotland are at a site at Stepps in Glasgow.
    On our way we stocked up with a few necessary food items at Dumbarton and visited the Dumbarton Castle. This is the one time home of the first kings in Scotland and it commands a view of the River Clyde. It is built on top of a large volcanic plug standing proud of all the land around it.
    It really is quite an impressive old building, so we had a look in side. Yet more climbing up steep stairways to the views at the top. Our legs were feeling it after the exertions of the last few days.
    We made our way over to Glasgow in the afternoon, avoiding the city centre. Our campsite, at Stepps, is on the north east side of Glasgow.    Lue lisää

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    Balloch Loch Lomond

    25. kesäkuuta 2024, Skotlanti ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Our third night of free camping was in Balloch, at the southern end of Loch Lomond. We left Inveruglas quite early and breakfasted in Balloch.
    We visited the Information centre where the busy staff were eager to assist.
    We were looking for a good walk to do, and Alan was looking to find a Scottish spicy mutton pie. The staff were able to assist on both fronts. Firstly we were given a map for a walk up to a local wooded area with good views across the loch, and second one of the ladies said she would visit her butcher at lunch time and bring back a pie.
    The walk was lovely, taking us through the grounds of Balloch Castle then up into the woods of Whinney Hill. On the way we encountered some deer along the pathways. We met some lovely people on the walk which ended up being about 8 miles in length. The best views of the loch were at the lower levels. We arrived back in time for lunch.
    After lunch we walked to the shopping mall at Lake Shores, to get some new walking gear for Alan.
    Balloch is a busy little place, with boat trips leaving at regular intervals and many people out walking along by the river.
    The lady at the information centre came good with the pie, absolutely brilliant. We noted that when we were in Oban their Information Centre was being closed down. It transpired that this centre was also being shut too, along with all the others. Apparently, all the information is now on the internet. This is tragic. In every information centre we had been to we had nothing but great service, by people who were knowledgeable about their area and who clearly loved helping people with a passion. This can not be better demonstrated by the provision of a pie - wouldn't get that on the internet.
    The pie was yummy.    Lue lisää

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    Inveruglas

    24.–27. kesäk. 2024, Skotlanti ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    We walked out from our pitch today. Inveruglas is the start, or finish, point of the Three Lochs Walk. We decided to do the section between Loch Lomond to Loch Long, which took us through the valley of Glen Loin towards the head of Loch Long at Arrochar. The first part of the walk took us up to high ground on a steep roadway, put in for the local hydro electric scheme. Along the way we got talking to a walker coming in the opposite direction. He was from nearby Helensburgh, and he told us that he completed the Glen Loin Loop about two or three times a year. We had anticipated doing a return journey on the same path, but always prefer to come back on a different route and decided that is what we would do.
    After lunching in Arrochar, plagued by midgies, we found the loop return and continued on our way. This path took us high up into forestry on well made forest roadways, eventually rejoining the hydro scheme infrastructure roadways on the other side of the forest. The loop itself is 11 miles long and we added 2.5 miles getting to the start at Glen Loin. All in all, Karen's phone recorded 34k steps, a daily record. Just as well there was some wine chilling in the fridge.    Lue lisää

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    Inveruglas

    23.–25. kesäk. 2024, Skotlanti ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Moving on, once again, we had decided to do some free camping by the side of Loch Lomond. In the summer months there are restrictions as to where you can go, and we ended up being allocated a spot next to the Loch at Inveruglas.
    On our way we passed over Rannoch Moor which was beautiful, then stopped off at the Falls of Falloch, where we hoped to walk a further section of the West Highland Way. Unfortunately the path was inaccessible at this side of the river and it was impossible to cross the river from this location.
    We visited Luss, another beautiful village on the side of the Loch. There were a couple of circular walks to do, one of which led us onto the Faerie Trail, a walk designed to entertain families visiting the village.
    We bagged a decent overnight spot in the designated parking area next to the Loch and were joined overnight by a number of other campers, one an Austrian gentleman who entertained us with his caravan. He spent ages manoeuvering his van backwards and forwards and waiting for others to move until he found his desired spot. A peaceful and scenic spot to spend the night.    Lue lisää

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    Glencoe

    22. kesäkuuta 2024, Skotlanti ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    The mountain resort is located adjacent to the West Highland walking trail. This is a very popular walking trail which starts in northern Glasgow and finishes at Fort William - a 95 mile trail. The resort was full of hikers using the camping pods for night stop overs.
    Karen determined that the highest point of the trail was nearby - it comprised of a walk up the Devils Staircase on the old military road. The top of the climb was about 5 miles from the mountain resort, so we set off in late morning ready for a good walk.
    As we left the resort, there was a caravan set up with a lot of activity surrounding it. It turns out that this was a check point for the annual trail race. About 300 runners enter the race to see if they can complete the course within 35 hours. This check point was at the 71 mile mark, with the runners leaving the start line at 1am. Upon chatting with the officials, they believed that the leading two runners would be passing through within the hour. Quite impressive, with the equivalent of nearly three marathons completed, they would only have one more marathon to complete before the finish.
    Sure enough, after about 45 mins of our walk the leading runner came through. Not one bit of spare on his body, he was as jaunty as a spring lamb. The second placed runner passed us about 20 minutes later, he also looked pretty fresh.
    We got to the top of the climb before any other runners came through. We enjoyed our lunch at the high point then continued down the trail for a bit to have a look at Blackwater reservoir.
    Returning to base, it took some while for other runners to come our way, after about numbers nine and ten, the level of anguish on their faces seemed to increase. We gave each runner encouragement for their heroic effort to this point. One more elderly gentleman declared that "every bit of him hurts", but still he soldiered on.
    The runners would not have time to look at the scenery, it was quite magnificent.
    The runners had to get to the check point at the Mountain centre within 20 hours of the start otherwise they would not be allowed to carry on. Some of the path over the hill was quite difficult underfoot, so we presumed it would be quite treacherous in the dark. In any event after a certain time period all runners could only complete the final two sections with support runners.
    We felt good about our 30k steps, as K said to the runners," just think how good you will feel at the finish"    Lue lisää

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    Glencoe

    21. kesäkuuta 2024, Skotlanti ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    We had a wonderfully peaceful night at our spot adjacent to the River Coe. We shared the space with a number of other motorhome and campervans.
    In the morning we walked up the valley to the location of the Three Sisters viewing point, all on a well marked track. Upon returning to our van, we returned to the Glencoe visitor centre as we wanted to join the guided walk to the Turf house.
    Our guide for the walk was a charming young woman who first of all introduced herself to us in Gaelic. She actually was born in Nova Scotia, where she grew up in a gaelic speaking community. The visit was very interesting. She described the conditions in the valley at the time of the massacre. The turf house (kreel house) was built by volunteers in 2021 to represent the houses occupied by the McDonalds in 1692.
    The massacre at Glencoe is not a glorious event in Scottish history. The McDonalds entertained the forces of the English King William (Orange) for twelve days in their homes in the valley. These were the kings redcoats under the command of the head of the Campbell clan (the 10th Duke of Argyll). Unfortunately the chief of the McDonald Clan was unable to register his support for the King Willie at either Fort William or Inverary, by signing an Oath of Allegiance.
    This was deemed a major infraction and despite their hospitality an order was given that all under 70 years old should die by the sword. The guests proceeded to slaughter their hosts in their beds one morning. 38 hosts, up and down the valley, died by the sword and others escaped only to perish in the February snows.
    Our stop for the night was the Glencoe Mountain Resort.    Lue lisää

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    Glencoe

    20. kesäkuuta 2024, Skotlanti ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    A travel day.
    We crossed back to Oban to replenish stocks, then travelled up into Glencoe where we were hoping to find a free camping spot.
    On our way we stopped off at the Glencoe visitor centre to learn about the famous massacre, where the Campbells played a prominent part once again, and to have a look at the Turf house, a building constructed in the style of those in the valley at the time of the massacre. We were told the guided tour had already taken place for today but would be happening again tomorrow afternoon. We resolved to return.
    We found a beautiful spot to stay over in the valley which was looking absolutely majestic. The views in every direction were just stunning.    Lue lisää

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    Craignure

    19. kesäkuuta 2024, Skotlanti ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Today we decided to walk around the coast to visit Duart Castle, the current seat of the head of the Maclean clan.
    The footpath hugged the shore line for the first 2 miles, we were hopeful that we might get a glimpse of the elusive sea otters, but there were none to be seen. We thought we were just not looking properly, but we eventually met a group who were on a sea otter safari with a professional guide. They had been out looking for some time in advance of us but had had no joy either. We continued around the coast having to come inland to meet the main road to Fionnphort just prior to branching off on the drive to the castle.
    The walk along the drive to the castle was about 2 miles long, and it passed through woodland then open farmland. We had to stop a few times to let cars pass us by. With about half a mile to go, a gentleman pulled up next to us and graciously asked us if we were happy walkers or were in need of a lift. We declined the lift, and then Alan realised that the gentleman was in all probability Sir Lachlan Maclean, the current owner of the castle. Missed an opportunity there for a chat.
    After lunching at the castle tea shop, we entered the castle itself. Our family name did not get us a discount. However, we were advised that we did get to sign the special visitors book, which is reserved for Macleans and immediate family.
    We found the visit fascinating, the displays in the visitor section gave the historical background to the building and the Macleans of Duart. The castle was for a time taken over by the Duke of Argyll (Campbell) but eventually abandoned. It was bought back into the Maclean ownership by Sir Fitzroy Maclean in 1911, at the time it was a complete ruin.
    The castle has been extensively restored, and the ancient history of the clan and the recent history since 1911 explained throughout the various rooms.
    One of the rooms is called the Sea Room. In here, we caught up with other groups of visitors from both Scotland and America. The scottish group were reminiscing with the gentleman who offered us the lift. They were talking about the old steamers that took passengers to the Tobermory games. The lady of the American party was having a good conversation with the gentleman about the history of the place, too. We determined that this was indeed Sir Lachlan Maclean, and we all had a very pleasant chat. Sir L remembered well the TSS King George V passing up and down the Sound on its tours and its trips into Tobermory to the games.
    The recent history of the family was laid out in various rooms in the castle,
    There is a lot of history within the British Army in the family. Indeed, the Fitzroy Maclean who bought the castle in 1911 was lucky to be alive at all. It transpires that he was ill at work one day, and that day was the day that the regiment under his command all but perished in the Charge of the Light Brigade.
    Sir Charles Maclean was the Chief Scout for many years after the war and ultimately was the Lord Chamberlain for many, many years. A roll that placed him very close to the royal family. Sir Lachlan was such a charming gentleman I thought it imprudent to mention our sons connection to Prince Andrew. Sir L brought out the Maclean visitors book for us to sign, it turned out the American lady was a Maclean too.
    We thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
    Not an otter to be seen on our return to base, another 10 mile day    Lue lisää

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    Craignure

    18. kesäkuuta 2024, Skotlanti ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    We decided that we would take the bus along the coast to Tobermory. The roads are narrow so Karen had a chance to look a bit more at the views along the coast road.
    Tobermory is a picture postcard town on the shore around a sweeping bay. Balamory of childrend's book fame is apparemtly modelled on the town.
    It is full of independent cafe's, gift, shops and art gallerys on the sea front.
    We spent some time in the small museum which was very interesting - it gave a lot of background on the activities of the Maclean clan on the island. It seems, that historically, the family was quite prominent in supporting and sometimes fighting against the other clan groups, both on the island and the mainland. Sometimes successful, sometimes not, one way or the other they managed to hang on to most of their posessions until they supported Bonnie Prince Charlie at Cullodan. Big mistake after which they became less wealthy to the point where the cunning Campbells of Argyll took over a lot of the estates.
    A bit of mercenary work helped them back from the brink.
    The lady in the museum remembered the passage of TS George V passing up and down the sound, stopping of at Tobermory on its tours. Maybe, grandad Captain Maclean was on one of those passages.
    We then took the woodland walk along to the lighthouse on the headland. Here we enjoyed our lunch, we saw a lot of people with binoculars getting excited about a dickie bird high above the cliff. We could just pick it up with the naked eye, we were assured that it was an eagle, by the people with better binoculars than ours. we then took the high path back to Tobermory, climbing high onto the cliff top to return to town via the golf course. There were some good views of Loch Linnie to our left.    Lue lisää

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    Craignure

    17.–20. kesäk. 2024, Skotlanti ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    We moved on today, back to the centre of the island on the east coast. We had booked ourselves into the Shieling campsite for a three night stay.
    On our way we decided to have a look at Lochbuie, as we had been told that it was a pretty spot.
    The 8 mile road to Lochbuie was very narrow, with one section particularly challenging. Thankfully no other traffic was coming in the opposite direction, as there were very few passing places on quite steep inclines. Thankfully it soon opened out to a marvellous loch side drive and we found a parking spot at the end of the road. We wandered along the coast a little way to see the remains of Castle Moy. This castle was built in the 1500s by Hector Maclean, a brother of one of the clan chiefs. He built the castle and changed the spelling of his name to Maclaine, reasons unknown. The Macleans were always falling out with the Dukes of Argyll and eventually the castle was given up to the Campbells and fell into ruin.
    We continued a little way along the coast to see if we could spot any otters, but , once again, none to be seen. We did, however, spot some deer.
    Returning to the main road we were soon at Craignure , a short walk through the trees, at our site, gave us another view of Duart Castle.    Lue lisää

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    Fionnphort

    16. kesäkuuta 2024, Skotlanti ⋅ 🌬 13 °C

    We had another boat trip today. This time we took the short crossing from Fionnphort jetty across the sound to Iona.
    We had a quick look at the ruined nunnery before setting off for a ramble on the island.
    It is possible to walk a couple of loops on the island which take in the high point at Dun I, in the north , and the beach at the south end of the Island where St Columba was said to have initially landed with 12 companions in AD 653. Apparently he had upset someone in Ireland and did a runner.
    There are some rudimentary maps given out which describe the route. Scotland is not like England where ancient footpaths and rights of way are jealously guarded by the Ramblers Association. In Scotland there is a right to roam on any open ground, as long as no damage is done. It sometimes means that footpaths are not clearly defined and we found this out on our route to the south end of the island, the path seemed to disappear and before we knew it we were looking down a cliff face into an old marble quarry, clearly not the way to go. We reappraised our route and scrambled out of the heath, across wild country to eventually find a footpath in the centre of the island. Cutting our losses we decided to head north to try to pick up the footpath on the western side of the island which would take us up to the high point. That too proved fruitless due to lack of direction signs of any indication of where the path may be.
    Eventually we returned to the main village where we had a look at the Maclean's Cross and the Abbey. The island was full of people visiting from a cruise ship anchored in the sound. They were returned to the mothership on rubber tenders which looked quite exciting. Not sure how many of them forked out a tenner each for a peek into the Abbey - we certainly didn't.
    Returning to Fionnphort we enjoyed a quick drink in the local hotel prior to our walk back to base.    Lue lisää

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    1

    Fionnphort

    15. kesäkuuta 2024, Skotlanti ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    We enjoyed a bit of a lazy morning, then ambled the 1.3 miles to the harbour at Fionnphort. We had booked ourselves onto a boat trio to Staffa Island for the afternoon. The weather was a lot better than we had expected it to be when we made our booking. However, upon boarding we were advised that due to an Atlantic swell we may not be able to land on the island. We took the chance that all would be well, as the weather forecast for later in the evening and the following day was for very strong winds. On the way to Staffa we passed two seals resting on some rocks, and soon we were at Staffa looking at the famous geology and Fingal's Cave. Most impressive, with basalt columns all formed at the same time as The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland .
    We were able to land on the island, which gave us the opportunity to skirt the coastline at the base of the cliffs to see inside the cave. Karen overcame her fears as she entered the cave with help from other visitors.
    After that we were able to walk further along the island to view a Puffin colony which was an absolute treat. There were a great many birds both in the sea and on the cliffs, and they were un-phased by the many cameras pointed at them.
    Upon our return to Fionnphort a number of dolphin passed us by leaping in and out of the water. A great afternoon.
    In the evening we walked along the beach to see if we could spot any otters, there were none to be seen.    Lue lisää

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    Fionnphort

    14. kesäkuuta 2024, Skotlanti ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    We were booked onto the ferry crossing from Oban to Craignure in mid-morning. It was a bit of a murky day once again for a crossing. At times it was difficult to see the island in the low cloud.
    The ferry left spot on time once again, and 50 minutes later we were arriving on Mull. As we approached Craigmure, Duart Castle was very prominent on the port side.
    We were first off the ferry and immediately headed south to a site at Fionnphort (pronounced Fin-E _Furt) which was located on the south west end of the island, overlooking Iona. The journey from Craignure took some time, as the road was quite narrow with passing places to allow overtaking and to allow the passage of oncoming vehicles. Everyone was very polite and the scenery was quite stunning. Tall mountains with deep valleys through which the road wriggled.
    We had read about Fidden Farm prior to our trip, and had been told by others that it commanded a great position. We were not disappointed. We arrived in time to pitch up right on the edge of the shoreline overlooking the Sound of Iona. We could see the island of Iona clearly across the beach which had lovely white sand rocky outcrops.
    After lunch we walked around the headland to pass over the Erraid Sound for a walk to the top of Erraid Island (Cnoc Mor). There were no paths on Erraid to speak of, so we made our way across the landscape trying to avoid the major wet spots. The views from the top were worth the effort.
    In the evening we watched the sun go down over Iona ( at 10:13pm) which was very colourful. The site is brilliantly located - we watched a couple of cruise ships anchor in the sound so passengers could take tenders off to see Iona or to join tours to Staffa.    Lue lisää

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  • K and A's road tripBig AdventureMatkaaja

    Oban

    12. kesäkuuta 2024, Skotlanti ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Today, we visited the Island of Kerrera. We were told about this island by a couple who were on our boat in Norway, they said it was a beautiful island to walk around.
    We took a ferry across the Sound of Kerrera in late morning. We had to wait for a bit as the boat was loading up with a strange contraption and a quad bike, which did not leave enough room for many passengers. The ferry is limited to 12 people maximum.
    The ferry was soon back, and we reached the island 4 minutes after departure.
    There is a well marked 6.75mile walk around the island, which takes in a tea room (closed on Wednesdays) and an old castle. Castle Gylen was built in the 1500s, occupied by the Mcdougals over a period of 100 years before being beseiged by an army of Covenanters, after which it was destroyed by fire. A little way along the path we found out what the contraption on the ferry was. At the farm alongside the tea room it had been unfurled to provide a sheep shearing platform. The two handlers had clearly just started to shear a flock of sheep which were penned in waiting their turn. It was good to watch professionals at work.
    We enjoyed our picnic by the shore on this very peaceful location.
    The island is beautiful, lush, and green. All we could hear was the sound of sheep, birdsong, and the sea as we continued on our way.
    A kiosk above the ferry point provided a point to buy refreshment , ice cream, local craft, and farm produce. All sold on trust with an honesty box. We are going to try the mutton chops and beef minute steaks.
    We did not have enough time to visit the north of the island, perhaps another time.    Lue lisää

    Katso käännös
  • K and A's road tripBig AdventureMatkaaja

    Oban

    11. kesäkuuta 2024, Skotlanti ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    On our first day here we walked into the town, 2.5 miles along a quiet road.
    We emerged by the harbour, which was busy with cars, motorhomes, campervans, cyclists, and pedestrians, all queuing to board the various CalMac boats. The docks were extremely busy, Alan's granddad would know the routine very well as he was the skipper and master on the steamers serving the west coast.
    We bought a seafood platter from the (hotly recommended) seafood shack next to the harbour, and walked around the bay to find a quiet spot to eat it. All very tasty, a hopeful seagull lingered, hoping to get a bite, but not a bit was wasted by us.
    We continued around the bay for a bit then returned to have a look at the shops in town. We then climbed Jacob's Ladder to the folly above the town. Great views once again.
    Another 10 mile day.    Lue lisää

    Katso käännös
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