Columba Hotel Oban

I think, I hope, I haven't forgotten anything so far, Im sure I'll get there and find I have forgotten something but hopefully it wont be something of great importance!!

I cant wait now...looking forward to all the white sands and hot sunny days:) I had an email from Emirates a while ago now, saying they were offering me complimentary accommodation in Dubai due to a long wait in the airport, so that sounds good to ...

... The Nevis ranges comprises of three peaks - and apparently more people die trying to climb Ben Nevis than on the roads of Scotland due to poor preparation and the rapidly changing weather. Where we stopped is a monument to those who have died protecting the country, and as we were taking photos a platoon of army boys came jogging past. Evidently the ranges is a popular training ground - they have to run up to 10 miles with 30 pound backpacks on their backs!

Next we ...

... will go out of their way to help a stranger.

Things that made me smile today:

The multitude of frogs and toads enjoying the wet ground
The two couples who gave me sponsorship at Inversnaid
Feral goats at Inversnaid - the book is not wrong about their smell!
All the lovely people I met at the youth hostel
The drying room - it was extremely hot and all my kit is now properly dry!

Some of the older historic sites - apparently prehistoric people put cups (or something) in the same place and caused marks in the rocks. Kind of funny that they always chose their meeting places way up on top of hills. Getting too much exercise today.

Also got to see another one of the canal locks.

A rare stop at one of the "National Trust for Scotland" member locations, instead of just "Historic Scotland" locations.
After the driving, thought it would be good to stretch my legs and take a couple of the walks through the gardens. Mainly took the waterfall paths.

Around the lochs and islands of West Scotland must be some of the best sailing in Europe as the scenery is always changing, there are no shifting sandbanks or concealed reefs, and there are many piers, marinas and safe bays to moor or anchor for the night, or in case of bad weather. Some of the usual stopovers have been well written about and are obvious from the chart, but we were well pleased to discover a unique secret spot that we would like to ...

... A very informative tour with several tastings (including one of 53% proof). I still don't have a pallet for this drink they call Scotch. Just wetting my lips with the stuff sets them on fire for several minutes! But I am trying to appreciate the subtle tones of gasoline, turpentine, and iodine in the drink. Brian on the other hand was like a kid in a candy store. At the end of the tour when we got our 'dram' I had to ...

... If however, the winds / tides were not cooperative, we would merely sail and take an additional 6 hours to make the following ebb. The sound of Islay separates Islay from Jura and it is only half a mile wide or so in places, with its resulting strong tidal stream, hence the need for tidal assistance to make the passage northwards through it. Our destination was the remote Loch Tarbert which nearly bisects ...

... had travelled on this particular ship before, about 30% of passengers more than once. Ships are unique beasts, some are good and others atrocious reflecting both the physical ship and also the crew. But this one, the Polar explorer, is obviously a good one. As I had stayed at Oban before, this time I was ready to move on quickly so loaded the luggage and set off in occasional showers to Fort William by mid morning. But thats another story ...(to be continued)