Getting some practice in for Russia!

In prep for Russian/Siberian temperatures, we decided to practice in Scotland!

Busy in the Kitchens

We had to come up to see Debbie and Nick's new hotel / bar / restaurant The Bellachroy Hotel on the Isle of Mull, so on Friday we drove up here from Newcastle. Took around 10 hours door to door, but we had a couple of hours in Oban free to grab a meal before we took the ferry.

They've been in for about a month and seem to have settled in very well with the locals, staff, and no rest - well they are wicked!

Our new boots (Merrel Goretex Chameleon Mid) seem to be doing well so far - began wearing them in and they are nice and warm!

Debbie hard at work

On Saturday we had a few hours so did some exploring (Calgary Bay, Tobermory) followed by a nice meal and a few drinks in the bar - finishing just after 2 am.

We helped Debs out in the kitchen on Sunday after her chef decided to leave earlier than expected and resigned! Don't know how they can do this every day! Well done guys!

Had some spare time on Sunday so decided to go to the zoo. Obviously for the size of the island its small, in fact its only got 1 animal - a dog.

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Its a Shitzu!

Arf arf! Emma loves that joke - NOT! Well, it went down well in the pub on Saturday night - just before we tried a Canadian Kick (Canadian dry, Cointreau, Dry Martini, Pineapple juice and Lemonade) and a Dervaig Devil (Morgans Spice, Jack Daniels, in a small glass (take note Xander) topped off with Guinness. Well we did start it by getting folks to drink Frsobite (50% proof, mint schnapps) - doing the 30 second green aftershock rule, followed by some Mars bar vodka which I bet will be making its way onto the menu pretty soon!

Dervaig Loch

Drove back via Loch Lomond - in fact on the ferry back from Mull to Oban, we saw a jet fly past (escorting us off the island!!) - (see photos)

Misty

Now thats what I call escorted off the island!

Reflection

Reflection 2

Tobermory