Back to the Kyles of Bute
Trip Start
May 06, 2008
1
18
130
Trip End
Sep 30, 2008
Tarbert,
Scotland,
United Kingdom
Saturday, May 24, 2008
The day was bright and breezy, so after a lateish breakfast we set off by bus, the three miles up the road to Benmore Gardens. They are famous for their 400+ species of rhododendrons and the avenue of Californian redwoods, splendid trees but mere juveniles when compared to the giants in their home state. To think that even today, logging companies are lobbying to 'harvest' the few remaining stands of original forest makes my blood boil and as at the time of typing I've just had a cholesterol rich bacon sandwich, I'd better move on
Azaleas & Rhododendrons in Benmore Gardens
. The gardens were lovely and their situation even better, with fine views out as far as Holy Loch one way and up the glens the other. We're neither of us gardeners as our friends would testify, preferring to leave our garden in the care of John Crossley, who has been our friend and gardener for years and as an avid reader of this blog, I know will now be blushing! Anyway, returning to the point, whilst we are not gardeners, nevertheless we do enjoy visiting fine examples such as Benmore, they make for a super morning out.The plan for the afternoon was to return to the Kyles of Bute and whilst we were readying ourselves, our neighbour in a power boat called Cemac kindly offered us the use of his mooring, close to the Colintraive Hotel and where we had intended going for dinner. We gladly accepted and were soon on our way, sailing gently downwind in a NE F3. Sailing when one is in no particular hurry and in beautiful locations and in fine weather is a joy. It's a pity that you require all 3 factors to make a success and that, in our experience, is a rare combination!
Cemac's owner had been true to his word and we picked up a fine, big mooring 17 miles later at 17:45. It was only a short row to shore and a 10 minute walk to the hotel and whilst they say food tastes better if one has had to work hard for it, it beggars the imagination to improve on what we had, given the minimal effort we had to put in. Julie had enormous hand-dived scallops with Stornoway black pudding and I had mussels in a coconut curry sauce for starters. Both of us were absolutely delighted with our choices. The second course was more typical pub-style and before I divulge, I do wonder why it is that we end up ordering meals when in a pub that we wouldn't normally eat and aren't on our 'agenda' as it where? I had an excellent home made burger (I do actually make burgers, come to think of it) and chips and Julie had haddock and chips. Perhaps it's the chips that tempt us...
We returned to the boat for coffee and a night cap and bed, after a very satisfying
