Monday 30th June
We returned to Ardnamurchan and the site at Kentra Bay. This is the site we really loved. no-one else around, peace, quiet and looking over the estuary.
The journey was a little boring. We'd already driven on most of these roads although in the opposite direction and of course, it was raining so you couldn't see much. There were some moody mountains partially covered in mist but little else of note. We shared the driving and stopped midway for lunch.
The tide was out when we arrived. I wonder whether we'll see an otter again this time but probably not today as we hardly see out of the windows because of the rain.
Tuesday 1st July
We've been travelling for the whole of June and some extra days. Six weeks today! We've realised that we've only got 11 days left before we're home. Neither of us want to get home - which is a good sign.... and we only have 1 more 'new' stop in Scotland before returning to Balloch for the 150th Luss Highland Gathering.
We awoke to sunshine, so I set off on the bike determined to reach the Singing Sands and I did! I can't believe how close I was to them the last time. Lovely sandy beach but no singing. Apparently, it's either the wind or the silica content of the sand that causes the squeaking. Squeaking Sands doesn't have the same ring to it.
Down on the beach, I had to go for a paddle. Back to Daisy and after a cuppa and some biscuits, I went for another ride, this time to Castle Tioram. It was a lovely quiet ride along the River Spiel which was beautiful.
I encountered a few cars on the way back but not many. Again, a lovely ride but very hilly - up & down. 19.7 miles today. Knackered!
During the evening the tide was coming in. It was exactly like this the first time that we stayed here about a month ago. We settled down watching the wildlife and we saw the otter again! Lolloping across the exposed sandy promontory. Beautiful! but too quick to get a photo though. Mike saw it again swimming - he said that it had 3 humps just like Nessie with the 3rd hump being pointed.
What a lovely end to an exhausting but wonderful day.
Wednesday 2nd
Our destination today is the 'Inn at Ardgour' where we can park for the night for free in return for eating or drinking there.
On our way there, we stop for a cuppa at the Bay of Flies. No-one really knows why it's so named but there were certainly loads of hoverflies and the dreaded midges. It was lovely though overlooking Loch Sunart.
We parked up at the pub and watching the Corran Ferry loading the vehicles. We saw many different one ranging from fully loaded artic timber lorries to a blue light ambulance that went straight to the front of the queue.
The food in the pub was lovely and not your normal pub grub. I had smoked salmon and oatcakes to start, Mike had onion bhajis and we both had the venison casserole for main. Lovely.
This the last stop for us in the Highlands. Sad thought, so I had a wee dram of 18 year old Glenfiddich malt whisky and toasted Dad as it was his favourite tipple.
The sunset reflection (we were facing east) was beautiful and so was the near sun rise at 3.50am.
Thursday 3rd
We decided to forego breakfast and stop for lunch so we caught the Corran Ferry for the short crossing Loch Linnhie at it's narrowest point. It couldn't have been much longer that 8 minutes crossing.
Our route took us through Glen Coe. It was awful! So many tourist coaches, cars, people. Not my favourite place at all.
We stopped for lunch at the Drovers Arms at Inverarnan at the top of Loch Lomond.
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| Another encounter with a Golden Eagle |
The last time that we were there must be at least 40 years ago! At that time, there was a suit of armour in the entrance hall and Amy thought that it was a robot. It had been relegated to a cupboard and I caught a glimpse of it and it looked very tarnished. In it's place in the entrance was a bear wearing a kilt. I was pleased to see that the barman was wearing a kilt as was the one from 40 years ago.
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| Mike said that he'd have liked to have felt stuffed after lunch but he didn't enjoy his |
Friday 4th
We had wondered what to do today with thoughts of possibly going into Glasgow on the train - but then what? Its raining - again - so didn't want to be walking the streets in the wet. So, instead, I went to visit Hill House in Helensburgh. We never got to see it when we lived there. Rennie Macintosh along with his wife Margaret Macdonald Macintosh, designed and decorated the house. It is truly unique.
Unfortunately, it was built with rough cement which is now crumbling and letting water into the interior. In order to protect the building and the art work, it has been covered completely. There is a walk way around the building and you can also walk up over the roof! It is rather high up there. The cover is to be on for another 7 years then Scottish Heritage need to decide on how best to conserve and repair the building.
After this, we drove up to see our old houses when we were in the Navy. One had been completely removed! but the other was still there albeit without the garages. I believe they have mostly been sold off now.
Saturday 5th
Luss Highland Games. The rain had abated a little so we cycled from Balloch to Luss, a round trip of about 16 miles. Not bad for us! However, the outward journey was interesting.
We had forgotten to charge the batteries for the bikes so we turned them off when we could to conserve the energy. There was one section of the cycle trail that took us through a wooded section that had many twists and turns and also some rather steep sections.
One such section, I tried to get up under my own steam to stood up and gave it what for - then I felt the bike almost come off the pathway! I quickly sat down and of course all the momentum had disappeared so I slowly fell off - my wellington boots slipped on the wet leaves and I just went falling onto my back with my head facing down the hill. I couldn't move! Not from being hurt, but from exhaustion and laughter! Poor Mike. He was so concerned and couldn't get off is bike quickly so ended up laying it down to come to my aid. It was a funny moment but I did hurt my hand a little bit so steering and braking from then on was a little tricky.
We eventually got to the Luss games field and stowed our bikes. Am I glad I wore my wellies! The ground was like a quagmire! The games were good, if a little wet. We saw the tossing of the caber, tossing the sheaf and the warm up for the shot put, all with men in kilts. It was good to see the traditions continuing. Of course, there was also Scottish Country dancing, which unfortunately finished just as we arrived, and bagpipe playing and competition. We were glad we made the effort and it was so well attended despite the weather, but then I expect the locals are used to it.
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| A successful tossing of the caber |
Sunday 6th
We met up with a friend of Mike's along with his dog. It was so good seeing him again after 32 years. It was just like we'd never been away, it was so easy to talk with him. He took us for lunch at a pub around the east side of Loch Lomand at Balmaha then later carried onto the road end at Rowardennan. It was a shame that it was raining otherwise it would have been nice to walk.
Once he had taken us back and had a cuppa, I took myself off for a walk around Balloch Country Park. We used to take our dog for a walk there when we lived up here. It has changed a bit though as most of the path ways are now tarmacked.
I found the castle (I'm not sure I've seen it before) and the walled garden (again, I don't think I'd found that before either). It was quite a walk for the evening at 3.5 miles.
This is our last night in Scotland! We are both feeling somewhat sad.
Monday 7th
Sunny today - of course it is, we're heading back! We took Daisy over to Garelochhead to see our house when we lived there. There were road works at the entrance and up and around the bend making the approach interesting, however we made it. Our house was still there and it hadn't changed much at all. We did spy a full size trampoline in the back garden but how they got it in there and how they use it is anyone's guess as the garden was tiny! The view from this house was amazing and I still miss that, especially during the winter when the hills are covered in snow.
We breakfasted in Helensburgh at the same café we went to before but it wasn't quite as good. Never go back they say.
The drive around Glasgow on the M8 was busy. We certainly feel like we are getting back to 'speed, people, cars & stuff' that we'd left behind for a few glorious weeks.
Our stop for the night is just over the border at Metal Bridge Inn - and not a metal bridge in sight. Apparently there used to be, hence the name. A no frills site although it does have the usual services, and a no frills pub and no frills food - but it was Ok for the night.
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| That's Scotland & Gretna over there! |
Tuesday 8th
Travelling further south and onto Carnforth. We had to drive through the centre of Penrith which is lovely but finding signs for the A6 was very difficult. When we eventually found it, there was a sign saying that it was closed at Shap so we had to find our way back to the M6.
We stayed at Cotestones Farm near Warton, Carnforth and is very peaceful. I went for a walk along the cycle track but was very boring because I couldn't see over the high hedges.
Wednesday 9th
Our destination today is Brigholme Farm in Settle. We had wanted to stay here 2 nights but they didn't have the room. On the way there, we passed the Devil's Bridge at Kirby Lonsdale. I remember stopping here when me and Mike were driving from Helensburgh to Halifax. It is a lovely setting - just a shame that I didn't have my camera ready.
Once sorted out at the campsite, we walked into Settle along the River Ribble.
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| Giggling in Giggleswick |
Settle is a lovely small town and they have a real sense of community and were currently having a charity project where they made characters from plastic plant pots. Fantastic!
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| The W.I. make considerably bigger buns |
It was a lovely day and we enjoyed our walk but were knackered when we got back. Just a few hours later and we had to walk to the pub for dinner but that wasn't so far. On the way, we passed a Plague Stone.
Apparently during 1592-93, vinegar was put into the hollow in the stone and coins were put into it as a means of disinfection allowing commerce to continue even though the disease was around.
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| We could see Daisy from the road. |
Thursday 10th
A long journey today - 160 miles to Walsgrove Farm, Egdon just south east of Worcester, There is a definite change to the fields, while as in Scotland all the fields were green, down here, they are really pale as they are suffering from the heatwave that they've been having while we have been away.... and boy, is it hot today! We don't know what to do with ourselves, we're just not used to it. We've got the canopy open for the 1st time this trip to try and deflect some heat away.
Our site is on a fruit farm and we're allowed to pick any dropped fruits. So we collected enough plums to make a crumble, at some point. Not tonight as it's too hot but we're having a curry for dinner. When we took it out of the freezer this morning, the weather wasn't half as hot.
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| Mike's in the shade somewhere there! |
Friday 11th
Another travel day, this time to Savernake Forest near Marlborough. We know that friends Carol & John are staying there so we thought that we'd surprise them and spend our last night with them. We arrived and spied what we thought was their caravan but weren't sure. We saw John in the shade and Carol had gone shopping. she came back and we wondered how long it would be before she saw us. It must have been about 10 minutes, John had managed to keep quiet about it. Carol had got food for a BBQ and enough for all of us - she must have had a premonition.
We ate outside - the first time that we had done that in the whole of our trip! Mike & I sat out until about 11pm when it started cooling down
Saturday 12th
Home! I must admit that at this time and with this heat, we are glad to be back home.
2,671 miles driven
27.6 average mpg
31.3 average mph
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