Morar Beach Car Park, near Mallaig

This morning we were tired. And tense. Would our early start pay off. Fingers crossed. At a quarter to six we drove out, the white horses in the adjacent field puzzled at our departure. The wind was light as it blew threw the bog cotton. And it felt a little warmer. But we were off to find the sun. North Uist had made us miserable, that needed remedying. 

Yes we caught the early ferry. Us and three others standbys hoping to escape. John drove Marge on whilst Angela boarded as a foot passenger after a dash to the ticket office. The run up the gangplank testing her fitness, but the thought of being left behind on the island fuelled her. She was the last person to board and now the ship could leave.

Whilst waiting in the vehicle queue we met a lady from Australia. She'd been due to leave later today, but like us had seen enough. We sat together during the crossing whilst breakfasting and enjoying each other's conversations. Before we knew it the Calmac ferry Hebrides was veering to one side as it turned into it's berth at Uig harbour.

We'd returned to Skye and the sun was out. It was warm. We were happy again, but very tired. Stopping to buy yet more food, conscious of the ever increasing food bill we'd be paying when our next credit card bill came in, we decided to head down to Armadale and try to board a ferry back to Mallaig. The ferry booking system showed there were no spaces, but we knew there might be if we arrived in good time.

Our drive through the mountains and vistas of Skye filled us with joy. We'd missed these views, and we welcomed the warmth of the sun on our normally shivering bodies. Coffee and cake to comfort us we waited to see if we'd be able to board the last ferry of the day. Whilst waiting we talked to an Irish coach driver about Ireland's wild Atlantic way. A drive that's on our bucket list to do. After a teasing by the ferry staff as to whether we'd be boarding or not, we were manoeuvred on at the rear of the ferry, along with four other vehicles. Result!

So now we are back at the beautiful beach near Mallaig we stayed at last weekend. It's not quite as busy, but we still had to wait for a space. Which was fine. Once parked up a lovely picnic on the beach for our evening meal.

Tomorrow we will start heading back towards the Isle of Mull. Our happy place.

Morar Beach Car Park, near Mallaig.

There is much spectacular scenery and many tranquil places in Scotland, to us Ardtoe is one of them. Always beautiful, always quiet. But we've stayed here a few times now, so after taking advantage of the unlimited fresh water available by the old fisherman's shed to catch up on our washing, we decided to move a little nearer to Mallaig. But every stopping place was either too near the road, or already occupied by a person living in a van or caravan. Perhaps we should have stayed at Ardtoe. Fortunately John discovered that the beach car park at Morar allowed vans to stay overnight at a cost of ten pounds. 

Ten pounds well spent we think. Arriving just after lunch we waited patiently for someone to leave then bagged a space. Toilets open twenty-four hours, always a bonus, and a walk through some trees to a beautiful vast beach of silver sand made us glad we'd made the decision to move. 

All day Muddy Marge has been admired. Cool camper. Cool truck. And from a five year old boy. I like your cool car. It's official, she's cool.

Many people ask us where we're journeying to. We're not sure. Perhaps our answer should be, no destination, is the destination.