ISLAND HOPPING Day - Eight
Now sometimes on these trips it helps if you can be a bit flexible, today proved that. Breakfast at the B&B we were staying at is quite a performance. It includes, if you have the full Scottish Breakfast, the food arranged on the plate into a happy smiley face, including a Parsley pipe. Then a recital by the owner of his own poetry.
Talking with the other guests about our plans for the day, I happened to mention that I had missed Kerrera, one of the islands on my list.
One of the ladies said," well why don't you go to Erraid ?"
This was a new one to me, and I asked were it was. It turned out it is a tidal island, very near to where I was staying, south east of Iona. She gave me a map, showed me the starting point of the walk and the route across the sands. Plus the tide was going to be right in about an hour to get over there. So that was the new plan for today.
The photo above shows the causeway, we walked down to the beach from the bottom right which is the Island of Mull, then you headed towards the white cloud in the centre of the shot, and then turned left around the hill and there was an easy way of getting on to Erraid.
Erraid is home to a small group of members of the Findhorn Foundation, for over 30 years. They enjoy a simple lifestyle of work, play, celebration, and medication, undertaken with an open heart and a willingness to listen to spirit. It is possible to come and spend time with them, either here on Erraid or they also have a centre on Iona.
As you can see it was a lovely day, and after having a wander around the small island, we headed back to the farm yard were we had left the car. Only just in time as a heavy shower came down. We passed a couple of birders who had just seen a Golden Eagle, but I did not find it.
Now it was time to get back to the original plan for today which was to visit the island of Ulva. Forty six miles away, off the west coast of Mull it is along a very scenic, very narrow, very twisting, and at times cliff hugging road. Taking in the views, stopping for photos, and just coping with the road took over 3 hours. It was worth it though.We also caught up with Erika, she had been on a trip to Staffa, and was now cycling over to Tobermory.
Finally arrived at the ferry for Ulva, this is another ferry which runs on demand. So we demanded the ferry to come and get us. This consisted of sliding a large wood board sideways to expose a red board. As you see the ferry coming over, you have to slide it back to show white. Simple idea, but it works.
We had taken so long, visiting Erraid and actually getting here, that we only had two hours before the last ferry back. It looks a very nice and pleasant island, and has a very good cafe. I also watched quite close up a Great Northern Diver fishing in the harbour, catching a lot of large Sand Eels.
Got the last ferry back, and headed north, it was a longer route back, but I was hoping to take advantage of a slightly better and faster road.
We caught and passed Erika again, she was on her last leg, only 11 miles to go.
Back to Fionnphort, and a cracking meal at the local pub, including as a starter, sort of around chicken nugget sized balls, but using Haggis as a filling. Sounds strange, but it tasted beautiful.
Islands visited; Three
Total Visited; Sixteen
Ferries Used; Two
Total Used; Twenty Three
Ports Used; Two;
Total Different; Twenty Three
To see the rest of todays shots just follow the links....
http://365project.org/markp/Alternatively/18-05-2015
Thank you for taking time to view and for your lovely comments and Favs.
