ISLAND HOPPING Day - Eleven
So it was the last day, time to go home, nearly done sailing on the ferries. My target had been 18 islands in 10 days, I had achieved 17 1/2 in 9 days. Now I had to decide if I was going chasing the final island or going straight home. I had thought about it over night, and it looked like I had three chances of getting another island, two quite expensive. Where we had stayed overnight in Salen there was a place that would rent me a boat, and there were at least two easily reached islands in Loch Sunart. However it was tipping down, probably the worst day so far, and I thought it was probably a waste of money as photographic opportunities would be severely limited. It would be possible to take a long time consuming detour on the way home and catch two ferries and go via the Isle of Bute. I decided against these two options.
Last chance was another attempt at Kerrera, near Oban, as that was near enough on the way home.
Set off for Oban, not in a hurry, enjoying the scenery. Used the Corran Ferry to cross Loch Linnhe, then down into Oban. Reached the ferry for Kerrera at 12.20, by now the rain was bouncing down. I thought oh, well, just put waterproofs on, get the next ferry across at 12.30, jump off and come straight back. Very brief visit but at least I had been there, but Kerrera had me beaten again. The ferry has a lunch break, a long lunch break, and the next ferry was not coming back until 2.30 !!!
I was not prepared to walk around for two hours in a power shower. So back into Oban, for a light lunch, which was not light, the portions were huge, but very nice. Fuelled up and started the long drive home, planning my next island trip in my head.
I had had a wonderful time on this trip, seen some amazing sights, met some wonderful people, visited some beautiful places, had some fantastic food, and enjoyed the special aura that seems to make these islands so different to life elsewhere.
I will return, the call is too strong to resist.
Islands Visited; None
Total Visited: Seventeen and a Half
Ferries Used: One
Total Used: Twenty Eight
Ports Used; Two
Total Different; Twenty Seven
LIST OF ISLANDS VISITED
ISLE OF ARRAN
ISLE OF GIGHA
ISLE OF ISLAY
ISLE OF JURA
ISLE OF COLONSAY
ISLE OF ORONSAY
ISLE OF SEIL
ISLE OF LUING
ISLE OF EASDALE
ISLE OF LISMORE
ISLE OF ERISKA
ISLE OF COLL
ISLE OF MULL
ISLE OF IONA
ISLE OF ERRAID
ISLE OF ULVA
ISLE OF LUNGA
ISLE OF STAFFA
( could not land on Staffa, due to rough seas, but got within a few yards so it nearly counts)
This boat which has seen better days, is on the bottom end of Mull, with Erraid in the background.
To see the rest of todays shots just follow the links....
http://365project.org/markp/Alternatively/21-05-2015
To everyone who takes the time to view, and who leave such lovely comments and Favs, a big Thank You.
You've undertaken an amazing journey! Great accomplishment.