Travelling around Argyll with Doreen

Earlier this week we travelled to several places in Argyll, the county we live in.  First destination was Kilmartin....Scotland's richest prehistoric landscape.  Prior to arriving in the village we stopped at Crinan Canal as we spotted a sailboat going through the locks.  Doreen and Danny helped open and close the locks for the sailors. 
Photos of Doreen's trip

We stopped for lunch and more photos in the tiny village of Crinan.  In Kilmartin we spent the night at a B&B, visited the museum, wandered around the megalithic sites (stone circles, burial cairns, standing stones), and took a walk to Carasserie Castle. 

On to the Isle of Seil and the village of Ellenabeich.  We took a 2 hour boat trip on Seafari which was, at times, quite thrilling.  Danny and I had taken the trip twice before and Doreen just loved it.  We are going back for another trip in July. 

After spending the night on Seil, we headed to Oban and the Calmac ferry to the Isle of Mull.  After an hours trip we took a short ferry trip to the Isle of Iona, a tiny island Danny and I have visited many times.  The weather was spectacular but on our walk to one of the beaches a heavy fog rolled in.  It was still warm so we continued to walk.  While on the island we inquired about a youth retreat for Doreen as she'd expressed an interest.  Luckily we discovered there was a retreat (all ages) beginning Saturday.  So we booked her for the week and she arrived there today.  The retreat isn't strictly religious as it will include a boat trip, hiking, nature walks, workshops, etc. 

On the drive to Oban to catch the ferry we stopped at Arduaine Garden.

Doreen in Inveraray

We spent the day in the village of Inveraray.  Lunch was at Loch Fyne Oysters and we visited the castle - home of the Duke of Argyll.  

Doreen in Scotland, aye.

Doreen is enjoying the food, the hot running water, not having to hand wash her clothes, shopping for clothes, fast internet, and being a tourist.  She does find it too cold here and wears a fleece most of the time.  Today she went to Glasgow to visit the Kelvingrove Museum and Glasgow University.  Tomorrow we are planning on visiting Inveraray Castle and possibly the old jail.  Next week we are visiting Kilmartin, Seil Island, and the Isle of Iona.  On Seil Island we will go on a boat trip to view wildlife near the Corryvreckan whirlpool. 

Doreen Photo Album

Doreen has arrived!

 Doreen flew Emirates from Entebbe to Dubai, having a 7  hour layover there.  I booked a Meet and Greet company so someone would escort her through a very large and confusing airport.  I also booked a lounge so she could rest comfortably and get all the food and drink she wanted with no charge.  She was then escorted to her departure gate in the morning.

She arrived in Glasgow on time but we became quite stressed as she didn't appear for a long time after it seemed that everyone on her flight was long gone.  Finally, the immigration office phoned me and asked for confirmation about statements she'd given him.  Fine.  She arrived soon after. 

Doreen enjoyed the food on the plane and in the Dubai lounge.  She was surprised to see sunshine when she arrived in Glasgow, but had to inform her that it's not a daily occurrance.  Our dishwasher, washer and dryer, hot water out of a tap, drinking water from the tap, and freezer were items of interest for her.  New food today:  grilled corn on the cob.  She loved it and found it very sweet.  The very large Tesco supermarket was a place of interest to her as well. 

On the ferry from near Glasgow to the town near our house:

Doreen is visiting!

The girl we help sponsor and support at university in Uganda has finally been approved for a visitor visa!  She was rejected once as the UK worries about visitors from certain countries staying illegally.  She's reapplied with help and has the visa.  Her flight is due next week.  She'll stay for 2 months and we'll travel around Scotland and the London area.  Culture shock!  Stay tuned.

At her university hostel in Kampala

just a few pics

Sunset down the loch

Crannog in Lock Eck - ancient artificial island (about 5000 years old)

Lock Eck and gorse

Rhododendrons at Benmore Botanic Gardens

A few springtime pics...

At sunset across the loch from our house...

Due to an unusually harsh winter this year, most flowers are blooming later than normal.   Some in our garden.... rhodendron, azaleas, magnolia tree

Finished redecorating living room!

We've been extremely busy since we came home from our travels near the end of January.  One more room is now finished - the living/dining room.  Now on the lookout for some nice art for the walls.  The large wall hanging was purchased in Uganda, as were the woven baskets, bowls, trays, wooden masks and wooden boat, woven placemats, pillow covers, cloth, etc etc.  Also on display are photos of our Ugandan friends and artwork by one of our friends. 

Photos of our redecorating and remodeling

Isle of Colonsay, continued

We enjoyed our week on Colonsay even though it was quite cold much of the time.  Choices were to stay in the house in front of the fire, or bundle up and go out.  We did lots of walking and biking and most afternoons we spent some time in the lovely Colonsay Hotel with pints of beer and wireless internet access.   Colonsay's history goes back nearly 9,000 years.  Intro to Colonsay

On our final night the ferry arrived in Oban just before 10pm so we spent the night at the incredible Falls of Lora hotel before driving home this morning.   Falls of Lora Hotel, Connel by Oban

This was the first time we stayed at this hotel and we were in awe of the incredible collections in it...large brass items, antiques, an eclectic collection of paintings and photos, etc.  

More of my Colonsay Photos

Isle of Colonsay

Danny are I are spending a week in a rented cottage on the wee Isle of Colonsay.  Our 10th wedding anniversary was April 17th.   Our cottage is a 3 bedroom traditional stone cottage which faces the Atlantic Ocean and it's the same one we stayed in for our 5th anniversary.

Colonsay is 17 square miles with a resident population of less than 200. 
http://www.colonsay.org.uk/

Sunday we rode our bikes to Balnarhard Bay, a stunning beach.  The ride was gorgeous but there were many steep hills we had to walk the bikes up.  Well worth it though!