Tobermory, Isle of Mull

Just before we retired to bed last night Angela noticed there wasn't a breath of wind. Not a quiver from the leaves on the tree in front of us. We'd only waited nearly five weeks for this moment. This morning however, we were back to normality, the wind blew across the loch, which was o.k. as it dried the small amount of washing we'd just put out. Strong wind and heavy rain is forecast on the island this evening, so we made a decision to head back into Tobermory for the night, once again staying alongside the harbour. It also gave us a chance to take a shower at the marina and pick up yet more shopping. 

Tobermory is a must visit place when on the island. What many visitors don't realise is that  the main street leads just to the ferry terminal. Large motorhomes regularly become stuck, causing chaos. We have to agree with the lady in, 'Hooked', the excellent fish and chips shop serving the 'best scampi ever', that they should be called 'crash vans' up here as they're far too large for Scottish roads. Showers taken and lunch eaten we walked around the small town, stopping at the bookshop where we saw the largest selection of books on otters we'd ever seen.

Then more walking, to try and ease the excessive lunch, up above the town from where the views of the harbour and colourful buildings are stunning. 

Tomorrow we will probably drive over to Loch Na Keal for the night. Last time we stayed there we saw an otter. After our sighting of one yesterday, we have the 'bug', and are now keen to see more.

Tobermory, Isle of Mull

We love the evenings when we can sit out and watch the sun go down, and last night we did just that. We were also rewarded with the sighting of an otter in the nearby water and a white tailed eagle flying over head shortly before we retired to bed. And to top it all, our German neighbour said Muddy Marge was beautiful. So many compliments.

But this morning the weather had changed. The beautiful clear weather of yesterday gone to another land. A cloud of wet billowing grey curtains hung amongst the mountains. It was miserable. We breakfasted inside for the first time this trip, suddenly aware of our slightly tight living conditions.

But the weather was an improving picture and soon we were able to take a long walk out hoping to spot more otters. No luck there, but we smiled at the sighting of four families of geese staying close for safety for fear of a predator taking one of the goslings.

The camouflaged sheep who we awarded first prize for fancy dress, and at the little lamb who appeared to be stuck amongst some rocks whilst it's mother on the hill above bleated frantically. After John released the lamb it sauntered of with an air of, I wasn't  really stuck, just pretending.

Because of the miserable weather forecast we decided to stay at the loch. After all where else could we sit on our loo and enjoy such a beautiful view. But around five thirty whilst Angela was researching park ups on the Isle of Skye she noticed a weather warning for tonight for winds in excess of 40 mph. Checking the forecast for Mull she discovered the same wind speeds would occur here also, and not winds of 14 mph which showed on this mornings weather forecast.

So we packed up and drove into Tobermory where we parked up with other campers by the harbour and treated ourselves to a fish supper from a fish and chips shop that will sell you a meat pie plain, or battered! Whilst John waited for the food he noticed a pallet over in the corner with sacks of potatoes stacked on it. A notice on the wall above read, 'shush, the potatoes are sleeping'. Love it. Whilst John sorted out our food Angela chatted to a man who guess what, loved the Land Rover. Turned out he was camping next to us at The Red Squirrel Campsite at Ballachulish whilst he waited for a house purchase to go through here on Mull. He moved in last Wednesday. What were the chances of us meeting again?

Tomorrow after stocking up on groceries, and once again using the showers at the marina we will take the ferry across to Ardnamurchan. We'll be sad to leave Mull but have already discussed returning after we've been to the islands of Skye, Harris and Lewis.

Tiger moth caterpillar.