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Friday

We decided yesterday to visit the island of Iona. It involved ferry/bus/ferry. Many years ago Jonathon vdB told me about this place – a place of peace and for spiritual retreat. We needed ro walk down the street and along the waterfront promenade to get to the ferry, misty rain and the promise of more to come. Managed to get a few look-ins to the shops (what else?)

The large RORO ferry was comfortable and Rick Steve’s book handy as he advised us where to sit for the best views, both on the ferry and the bus. The morning was drizzly and the forecast less than ideal for a tour like this but interestingly enough RS advised to go regardless of the weather. The ferry trip of 45mns was followed by bus trip of 1.5hrs across the island of Mull, and then another fery trip of about 10mins to land on Iona.Th e views of islands and other boats was  dimmed somewhat by the seamist. Arrived on Iona and walked to the old nunnery ruins and then onto the abbey. This place has certainly had a turbulent history with invaders and plunderers over the centuries from the time of the Normans and finishing with the Saxons, who by the time had plundered the place many times thought it time to call it quits, as a lot of their own people had settled there. Not much point in plundering your own folk is there?

We had landed on Iona at about 12.30 andso had about 2 hours to look over the place. The weather then turned from misty and atmospheric to brilliant sunshine which lasted the rest of the day including the whole trip home. Return journey ok, snoozed a bit, Pauline a bit more. Arrived at Oban with beautiful weather at 6.30PM sun shining brightly. An icecream was on the cards and we sat on the stone wall of the waterfront hoeing into an excellent double scooper each. Meandered back to the B&B and our pleasant day finished not long after we got there.