ISLAND HOPPING - Day Four
Over a lovely evening meal on Wednesday night, I went through my plans for today. It was going to be a long day, with five islands on my agenda, if things went right.
As I had to be up early, I had decided that a Bed and Breakfast was not needed, so I went and found a nice quiet spot, with a wonderful view to wake up to.
As darkness fell there was a splendid display of stars with no light to dim their glow.
Awake before six, grabbed a bite to eat, and put warm clothes and wellies on. Drove a short way to The Strand, and parked the car. The Strand is a tidal causeway, consisting of sand and mudflats, which two hours each side of low tide, drains and allows you to walk across from Colonsay to Oronsay. Low tide was at 9.30am, and by 7am, I was ready to follow the water as it went out to give myself as much time as possible. The plan was walk across from Colonsay onto Oransay, walk up the road above, covered in seaweed, which the Royal Mail van uses everyday, to deliver to the Royal Society for Protection for Birds farmhouse, which is on the far side of the island, next to the Priory. Taking photographs along the way and also of the Priory and hopefully the Corncrakes on the island. Probably about a six mile round trip. Easy.
However, I was not only racing the tide this morning as I had to get off the island and back onto Colonsay to get the ferry I was booked on to take me over to Oban. I managed photographs of the Strand, Oronsay, the Priory, some interesting black sheep, and even the Paps of Jura across the sea, the mountains shrouded in cloud yesterday. I saw but did not manage to photograph the Corncrakes. Then I rushed back to the car and got to the ferry in time. Lovely cruise to Oban on the mainland, disembarked and headed south.
Must have driven a long way because I saw a sign telling me I had crossed the Atlantic !!! In deed I had !! ( For more details follow the links)
I had arrived on my third island of the day, Seil, continued driving south and reached the little ferry that took me over to the Island of Luing, I did not take the car over so had a couple of hours wandering around not too far from the ferry, but it looked a lovely place.Fabulous views across the sea to Mull and Easdale and many other islands out on the horizon. Back over to the Isle of Seil, and headed over towards the west and the island of Easdale.
What a wonderful place that is, totally unlike anywhere I have been before. You even have to switch a light on, to summon the ferry man. NO ROADS ! NO CARS !
Did not want to leave, but eventually I had too, partly because I had not been able to use my phone as I had no coverage and after two nights in the car I really wanted a B&B, for a shower rather than the bed.
I headed north back to Oban, for food and to find a bed, just outside the town I saw a lovely farmhouse B&B, on a whim doubled back, and found a great place. Nipped into Oban for wonderful fresh fish and chips, then back a shower and sleep.
All in all a long but very enjoyable and successful day .
Islands visited; Five
Total visited ; Nine
Ferries used; Five
Total Used; Thirteen
Ports used; Six
Total Different; Fifteen
To see the rest of todays shots just follow the link....
http://365project.org/markp/NATURE/14-05-2015
