What a night – didn’t sleep very well as a large group of people at the campsite played music into the early hours of the morning – not happy!
Thankfully when we got up, had a quick drink, we were greeted by that stunning view again. Wetsuits on and in the sea before 8.30am!!! Really lovely to be swimming in the sea with the sun shining and all before breakfast.
See photos here...
Back to camp for tea and toast before packing up camp and being congratulated by other campers on our braveness for going in so early – I think they may have been tempted now to go in though!
In the car we travelled down the west coast of Mull, heading for Fionnphort to catch the ferry to the Isle of Iona. On the way we stopped at a viewing point to look out over Ulva, where we came across a beautifully touching memorial to a lady rally driver, who died doing what she loved most. Family and friends had made such a lovely tribute – it was so moving.
Back in the car we drove along the windy roads – averaging about 30 mph – stopping at passing places to let others by. We decided to stop for lunch on the side of Loch Scridain, which is an inlet of the sea. We found a large passing place to stop and set up for lunch. BBQ on and bunting up, Trina was in charge of the sausages while I went to take some pictures by the shore. To my amazement and joy I found a place where we could get in for a dip – several ledges to get in and out by and such clear water.See photos here...
I dashed back up to tell Trina – and had to restrain my giddiness so that I actually ate my lunch before jumping in the water. It was like a mermaid pool when we got in, swimming amongst the sea creatures and seaweed. I managed to get some good underwater shots of mussels, crayfish and sea urchins. Getting dry was a bit of an issue, having to check up and down the valley before disrobing! Not the most glamorous of changing areas!
See photos here...
On our way to Fionnphort in time to catch the afternoon ferry, arriving at Iona about 5ish. Walking up to the B and B was hard work as Trina had decided to take all of her clothes rather than sort out a small overnight bag. Luckily nowhere on Iona is very far and after 20 mins we were checked in and having a well deserved cuppa.
See photos here...
Leanne, our B and B host, recommended that we head out over to the west coast of Iona and swim either at the Bay at the Back of the Ocean or Port Ban. We decided to take a walk, over the golf course and see where we fancied swimming. We kept doing the “let’s see what is around the next bend” until we got to Port Ban and absolutely were taken away by the beautifulness of it! A small sandy beach, a small island, a small boat, and to top it off the sea was so very clear!
We donned our wetsuits and headed out into the sea. It stayed shallow for a while, so you could feel safe and bob around watching the creatures at the bottom of the sea. We stayed in for about an hour, just playing around, swimming, diving for shells and generally pretending to be mermaids (this is one of my favourite things to do when I swim, I think I may be half Mer!)
We spotted some people on the top of the cliffy outcrop, we were watching them watching us! It turned out to be the other people at our B and B, we found out the next morning. Finally deciding that we ought to get back to the B and B, get showered and head out for dinner – such a treat as Trina’s mum had given us some money to celebrate her graduation (Well done Trina) and my birthday! Thanks Mrs Morris!
See photos here...
A leisurely stroll into the harbour, we had our meal looking out over the sea, watching the boats bob up and down and people watching all the different people who were visiting Iona that evening. Such a mix, so many different languages, all there to feel the soul of Iona.
We managed to get a taxi out of hours, as the girl at the pub was the niece of the taxi driver and into a comfy bed (such a luxury on a camping holiday!) for a good nights sleep! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
No comments:
Post a Comment