Kelvin Hotel Oban

... I've also booked my first couple of hostels too. I've decided to stay just outside Auckland, in Mt Eden, for my first few nights. It's a quiet part of the city but still within a bus journey from all the shops of course:) So after some sight-seeing and shopping, I'll be heading north to Paihia in the Bay of Islands, where I'm thinking of staying for a week. It looks like an amazing place to be, with plenty to do! I ...

... onwards to the hostel in Oban, a little fishing village.

Josh and I believe it or not had Chinese for dinner! Which was very nice i might add. Then we all went to the local Ceilidh House (pronounced Cay-Lee) where there was a traditional band, singers and Highland dancers. Everyone even got up during the dances too!

So tonight is our official night in Scotland. Tomorrow down the West coast, then back to Edinburgh. Then bus back to Luton overnight!

XO

Today's route is short - only 12 miles through Glen Falloch and past the Falls of Falloch to Inverarnan. It's pouring though and the walk quickly turns into a bit of a trudge!

There are numerous legends concerning Robert the Bruce and Rob Roy attached to sites across this Highland region. Today is no exception - in the local woods just outside Tyndrum is a pool that Robert the Bruce allegedly threw his sword into while fleeing a battle and the battle site, Dal ...

... dry out a little! Heading over the hill towards Bridge of Orchy I turn around and am rewarded with stunning views of Loch Tulla and the hills behind it.

By Bridge of Orchy I'm pretty tired but there are a still a few miles to go. It's 3pm but I pop into the hotel bar, grab a sandwich to fuel me to Tyndrum and meet three walkers heading the other way who'd had the same idea. They're wild camping and at least one of them isn't looking forward to a ...

... streets and t-junctions, we eventually found the main motorways out of Edinburgh.... and finally on the way to Oban. It was special to be back beside the sea after so long.... the smell, the water and the sounds of birds. The seagulls here were huge!.... about twice the size of those at home. It had the lazy atmosphere so consistent with seaside towns, even with a busy metropolis so close by.

Another castle I wasn't able to get across to. The water level was too high and they weren't running the boat. I hiked as far as I could across the boggy field, but after again going shin deep into water, I decided to turn back.

Some interesting waterfalls along the way over here, as well as behind the castle.

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.

... after 2 that afternoon. Fran Hinchliffe very kindly drove us in to Oban for our shopping run and we were back on the boat by 13:00 or so. However, the boat was not in a fit state to welcome anyone, as I'd had to dismantle all of the storage compartments in the main saloon in order to isolate a small but persistent water leak from the hot water system. Luckily I did find it and at the time of typing, 4 ...

... fully flower, but nonetheless left him immobile and pale as a ghost in his seat. We both had plenty of company in this condition with our fellow passengers. Our only bit of solace was the news that the final return voyage of the day would have treated us even worse as they had to fight the tide on top of everything else. As they say in these parts, "No worries mate". So with weak stomachs and weak knees we headed off to our next water adventure scheduled 12 hours hence.

... stamps from loads of different countries. Telling us stories about travelling with Jon! Stopped off in another pub on the way back to the hostel. Have a huge blister on my left little toe - about the same size as the toe - ow. Had some gorse beer and whisky to make me feel better. Bit of a strange taste, but not bad. So it's almost all over. At least the hiking is. [Ok, this is where I stopped with my notes in Scotland so can't remember all that much of the last days....]