Ardtoe

This morning the tide was in filling the bay. Two woman went in for an early morning swim. Sensing the waking of humans a herd of deer in a nearby field exited into the nearby woods. The early morning sun cast a long shadow over the yellowing grass in front of Marge tempting us to stay. But we had to set off to Ardtoe on the Ardnamurchan peninsula as the weather forecast for the next two days was fine with light winds, and as our reason for going there was kayaking we had to take advantage of the settled conditions. We were saddened to be leaving Mull, however leave we must. We were glad we'd added Mull to our itinerary. It had given us a taste for visiting some of the other islands. 

As Marge drove the narrow winding road back to Tobermory with ease she met a lady in a car who thought she should have right of way and that Marge should reverse uphill to a passing place. No way said Marge, are you having a laugh. Take your small car and reverse it back a few feet please. After a bit of a stand off she did reverse, at top speed, swinging the rear of her car into someones driveway taking out their three wheelie bins. Temper, temper thought Marge, you only had to pull over slightly. We were in good time for our ferry to Kilchoan so stopped briefly to use the facilities at the aquarium. Information for van owners, they have eight showers in this new purpose built facility at a cost of £2.00. Also a washing machine. The ferry was fifteen minutes late arriving but we didn't mind, Mull had really captured us and we wanted to savour every last moment.

Upon our arrival at Kilchoan we drove to the first available campsite. Levels were high in our loo and where we were headed there were no emptying facilities. Job done and money in the honesty box we began our drive across the peninsula. The weather was kind and the drive pretty. More narrow roads, but Marge is not fazed anymore and took them with ease. Despite it being such a lovely day wind gnarled bushes reminded us that sometimes the weather could be harsh. 

We arrived at Ardtoe in time for a late lunch, suprised at just how many vans were here. The man in the van next to us said it was a shame that most people didn't know how to drive them.

Within five minutes there was a crunch as a very large van reversed out off the parking area and caught a large rock at the side of the road. Our £5.00 put through the letterbox of the adjacent fishermans hut we took a walk on the beach. The tide was turning exposing a variety of seashells. John collected four cockles, but couldn't find enough to make a meal. 

Steaks on our grill tonight as we watched the light fade over the mountains. The couple next to us have been visiting Scotland for many years and they suggested some places we should visit and stay. So our plans for our onward journey have changed slightly, not that we ever keep to them anyway. 

No sunset tonight. The tide is off shore and all is quiet. The midges are biting. They don't annoy us too much but the Scottish people here are holed up in their vans. Tomorrow morning we will kayak out and around to the other bays. Hopefully we will see some seals.