Ariundle

This the 300th entry in our blog!

Last night it was just us and Marge at Ardtoe. Great. We felt like the little van parking area opposite the beach was exclusively ours. This morning we spoke to the man who owned the area. In fact, he owned all the land in the immediate area, the static caravan site, two holiday cottages and two crofts. The day had started cold but was soon warmed by the autumn sun. The light moved across the beach and over the hills. Words cannot describe how beautiful the view was. Ardtoe is a tiny bay with lots of character and we were keen to photograph it. Other people thought so as well, and soon the cars arrived, their occupants unloading expensive cameras and lenses. The paparazzi's arrived Marge. Are they here to photograph me? No, sorry, the scenery. Ardtoe is a special place and nearly all the van people we meet we tell them about it. You'll popularise it and there may not be a space for you next time. No Marge, we're not worried about that. We just want to share this beautiful spot.

It was midday before we finished taking photographs. The spring tide keeping the water from the beach exposed the rocks in the bay and the clear sky meant we could see over to Eigg, one of the small isles where John has relatives.

Not fazed by the narrow roads of Scotland Marge happily breezed along through beautiful scenery. The vibrant colours of autumn flashing by. Suddenly, signal, pull into this layby Marge. Much of Ardnamurchan is very much off the radar so this was a result. Blog posted and messages checked and sent we decided to stay a while and have our lunch. Next to us grew Christmas trees. Is it too early to cut one? Would it fit inside Marge? No, it won't. Buy one nearer the time, and as your grandson Jack says, just pay the man. That's us told Marge.

Today we were going to the Ariundle Oakwood National Nature Reserve to walk through the ancient oakwood. Parking for two motorhomes' is allowed overnight. Yeah right. We bet in the summer the car park was full every night. Walking boots on we followed the trail through the ancient oak trees, their leaves yellowing. Across the valley in contrast were the vibrant greens of the fir trees.

It was a magical woodland with lichen, moss, liverwort and fungi thriving in the damp conditions. Fungi. John was excited. The season for chanterelle mushrooms has ended but he was not deterred. His persistency paid off and by the end of our walk his cap was full enough for a mushroom omelette in the morning. There's no hiding place for these particular fungi when John's around. 

Back at the parking area Marge had been joined by two other vans and a caravan. Rule breakers. In the distance we could hear a stag deer calling to the does. It is mating season, watch out ladies.

We are now on the return leg of our trip. We need to be home in about eleven days' time. Having not yet left Scotland we have today been thinking of a return trip next Spring. For now, we must decide which route we will take out of this beautiful country over the next few days.

A visitor for Marge.

Pale Oyster mushrooms? I think so, but best leave them as I'm not 100% sure.