What a relief, the night passed without a hoolie blowing and just a little rain. Although we didn't want to leave the island of Mull, we knew we'd made the right decision. Life in Marge when it was so wet, day after day, did not make for comfortable living, or good relations. Before leaving this morning, Angela walked up to the castle, the shifting light making for some fantastic photographs of the mountains.
To park at the castle a fee of ten pounds was payable, but no one came to collect it, so a result there. We needed to make a plan, if only a loose one. A thirty minute drive took us to the Green Welly Stop at Tyndrum, which if anyone is interested, is for sale due to the present owners retiring. Tyndrum is on the West Highland Way, route. When we arrived there were quite a few walkers there, most quite young. They looked, a sorry bunch, and we felt for them. Some looked broken. Tired, emotional, wet and deflated with nasty blisters. Being young they had physical energy, but with age comes resilience, which they were lacking. But who were we to judge, we'd opted out of doing the walk because of the weather, at least these guys were giving it a go. Tomorrow's weather in Scotland is going to be amazing, and we hope this dry sunny day will give these young walkers the boost they deserve to complete the walk, they still have forty six miles to go. After looking at the weather forecast the next few days, we decided not to drive south towards England, but over to the eastern side of Scotland. Rain showers passed over us on the way, but the sun broke the cloud just as much. The air felt fresher, and the light seemed brighter with the cloud higher in the sky.
So after a quick stop at Killin to see the Falls of Dochart we drove in the direction of Pitlochry. Three years ago we were able to park in the town centre car park, but due to the few, not behaving correctly, all vans are now banned. So the nearest free spot is at the Falls of Tummel car park, which is proving to be very popular. Marge even got to meet a fellow pop-top Landrover Defender, from Germany.
Tonight, we are quite the mix of travellers, English and German. It seems a little strange now being away from the coast, but for John, this area is one of his happy places, there are fungi to be foraged, and eaten, some Amathys Deceivers to go into his breakfast omelette. As we sit tonight all cosy in Marge with our heater to warm us, we think of the walkers we saw earlier. You've got this, just think of the achievement you'll feel when you reach Fort William.
Don't try one of these at home, the aptly named Death Cap mushroom, guaranteed death as the name implies over an extended period unless you can arrange an emergency liver transplant! Very pretty, but please leave it alone.