SCOTLAND CONTINUED 19 MAY 22 BEN MORE HIKE

Today dawned sunny and clear and probably weather-wise our only day to hike Ben More starting at Dhiseig. Mull's highest mountain and only Munro starting at sea level we climbed every inch of the way to the summit 3150 ft. This is a serious mountain and much of the upper section is scree and rock with a huge amount of bog on the way! So proud to reach the summit albeit in cloud with no views at all. We didn't stop long a the top but descended to find a sheltered place for lunch and some views. Took us 6 hours altogether including stops to complete the 5 and half miles. I found it dreadful coming down and developed pain in my knees....must be my age! 

I think that's the highest I've ever climbed!

                                BEN MORE IN CLOUD AT RIGHT SIDE

SUMMIT NOT TO BE SEEN!

                                                                        THE SUMMIT

                                        LUNCH TIME

                                        BEN MORE SUMMIT CLEARED AS WE DESCENDED

SCOTLAND CONTINUED 18 MAY 2022 LOCH BA

 After a night of non stop rain and early morning sprinkles, we drove to Knock and did a beautiful walk along Loch Ba and finally we were blessed with sunshine and a bracing breeze!

We've just had a phone call from Turus Mara ans we were booked tomorrow to go to Treshnish Isles and Staffa, its cancelled due to weather, rebooked for Monday - fingers crossed.

rounding up the cattle

HERE COMES THE SUN AT LOCH BA!

LAPWING AND CHICK

ROY TESTING WATER FOR ITS MAGICAL PROPERTIES

                                                LOCH NA KEAL

 

SCOTLAND CONTINUED 17 MAY 2022 TOBERMORY AND RHUBA NA LIGHTHOUSE WALK

 The forecast for today was rain rain, but how lucky were we missing it! Drove to Tobermory, free car park, had a wander round, then did a lovely 3 mile walk along the coast to Rhuba Nan Gall Lighthouse then back along cliff tops. Never shop with Roy, he's such a bad influence, cake shop and two huge muffins for afternoon tea! Well we are on our jollies!

LUNCH OVERLOOKING SOUND OF MULL - NO RAIN!

RHUBA NAN GALL LIGHTHOUSE

PANORAMA OF TOBERMORY

RHUBA NAN GALL LIGHTHOUSE

                                                         SOUND OF MULL

                  END OF A LOVELY DAY AFTERNOON TEA IN THE VAN LOOK AT OUR VIEW!

SCOTLAND CONTINUED 16 MAY 22 OBAN TO MULL

 Monday 16th May

Left Oban and took the ferry to Craignure on the Isle of Mull for 8 nights. Let's hope weather knows we're coming!

45 minutes and we are there, 10 minutes to campsite which is beautiful, on the edge of the Sound of Mull. Set up in a howling gale which eased a little and we had a walk along the beach without any rain! It's time for wine!

LEAVING MOODY SCOTLAND

FERRY TO MULL

PENNYGOWN CAMPSITE MULL

WATERFALL AT SITE

EIDER DUCKS

DUART CASTLE ON MULL

SCOTLAND TRIP CONTINUED 15 MAY 2022 OBAN PORT APPIN, LYNN OF LORN WALK

 Sunday 15 May

Two nights in Oban, our first day the weather was very cloudy, a few showers in the morning while we had a wander around Oban. Walked up the steep steps to McCaig Tower built by a Banker around 1900 to give work to the stonemasons. Found Tesco for "cheap diesel" and did bit of shopping before heading back to van for lunch. Afternoon brightened up for our walk around Port Appin and saw Castle Stalker famed for Monty Python and the Holy Grail film. A lovely walk along the side of Lynn of Lorn and then a scramble down the side of an old railway bridge onto the path followed by a leap over a stream to get out as the gate at the end was locked! Rain started just as we reached the car.

VIEW OF OBAN FROM McCAIG TOWER

INSIDE McCAIG TOWER

McCAIG TOWER

STRANGE GARDENS IN OBAN!

CASTLE STALKER

CASTLE STALKER

PORT APPIN

SCOTLAND IS COVERED IN FLOWERS

TWO WEEK TRIP TO SCOTLAND AND ISLE OF MULL - ANNAN AND LOCH LOMOND

 Left York on 12th May, a day late as campsite we had booked at side of Loch Lomond was flooded as grass pitch, rebooked a hard standing, just loosing a day.

First evening was near Annan at West Moss side Livery and campsite. A quiet site on the edge of the Solway Firth. Weather was not good, strong winds and drizzle. 

We moved on to Lomond Woods Holiday Park at the southern end of Loch Lomond, weather slightly better. Fish and chips for tea - no cooking!

We had a few blips with the van:

Fridge kept bleeping but still working - Roy fixed

2 Cupboard shelves collapsed - Roy sorted

Carbon monoxide alarm fell off ceiling - Roy to fix when home

Roof lining keeps coming unstuck with sun - will probably not be a problem!

Lost my lovely bookmark from John down the back of the drawer and its lodged at the bottom of the drawers - may not be retrieved.

CAERLAVEROCK CASTLE NEAR ANNAN

WHITE PHEASANT AT ANNAN

HARE AT ANNAN

LOCH LOMOND

 

LOCH CRERAN

BARCALDINE CAMPSITE