05/08/2024
Tuesday the start of week 2!!! It started with the same normal πΌ chaos, Lawwa took the ho-boys for a walk whilst Lilli cooked breakfast. Then we headed back south to the RSPB π¦ carpark. I don't like the RSPBπ¦ it means I have to be on my lead, as I may chase a bird π¦!!!!! I never chased birds π¦!!!!! We walked towards a beach β±οΈ, it was quite a way but I enjoyed the walk across grassy areas! Then we got to the sand dunes and then the beach β±οΈ. It was huge and only a few other people on it!!! We settled down the ho-boys got their toys out and we were allowed off our leads. We had fun running around but the Hoos hadn't brought my ballβΎ βΉοΈ!!! As the Hoos were considering getting ready to leave another family and dog πΆ came onto the beach β±οΈ it was a huge beach β±οΈ so this wasn't an issue, but they set up about 10m away from us and the dog π wasn't well behaved like Brec and I it was running all over the place and it's Hoos didn't seem to care π². This led to Lawwa and Lilli packing up quickly and leaving, we walked slowly back to the van π as π« was walking too, even if he did have to be encouraged with games!! When we got to the van π the Hoos had a drink and some food before we headed off again. We tried to park near the castle π° bit there want anywhere so we found another RSPB π¦ carpark, where we parked and walked to another huge beach β±οΈ, this one was deserted. We played here for ages, I had my ball βΎ and the boys had there diggers πand spades!!! It even turn into a letters π and numbers π’lesson for π« as the Hoos graffitied the beach β±οΈ. Eventually the Hoos decided it was time to head back to the van π. We headed back to camp ποΈ before heading for a visit to the local hotel/pub. The Hoos had a drink π» and chips π before we headed back to the van π for tea, soon followed by bed ποΈ π΄.
Wednesday we went for a walk in the main village we went to the post office to send postcards to the grey-hoos π©πΌβπ¦³π©πΌβπ¦³π¨π»β𦳠and the village shop for a few supplies and some island Gin before we headed out in the van. We went back to the north of the island, Lilli had another beach β±οΈ that he wanted to visit. When we got there we couldn't park as there were already 3 cars parked up so we headed back, we stopped at a graveyard where we parked up. Before finding a beach β±οΈ though the Hoos had cheese π§ and biscuits πͺ. They hadn't really had breakfast (well the ho-boys had!! π€£ β¦ Of course). We then followed a track down to the beach β±οΈ. It was another huge beach β±οΈ that again was deserted, this one looked particularly nice π we played diggers π chased balls βΎ, dug and graffitied for ages before it was time to go again, we headed back to the van π and back towards the main village as it was time to get fuel β½!!! It's a good job this island is only 13 miles long and 3 miles wide otherwise we wouldn't have been able to explore in the way we did!!! Fuel was Β£1.93 a litre, Lilli should have filled up on Tireeπ!!! We only need enough to get us to the petrol station β½ on the mainland tomorrow so it wasn't too bad!!! We then parked at the campsite ποΈ before heading back out for a walk to find some tea! We walked to a cafe but it looked very busy so we went back to the hotel/pub. The Hoos had drinks π» and burgers π followed by ice-cream π¨. Then it was time to head back to the van π for bed ποΈ π΄.
Thursday was a day of travel, we started the day slowly as the ferry β΄οΈ wasn't until 12.30 so after breakfast and packing the van π the boys had one last play at the park π and the Hoos brought some honey π― then we headed back to the ferry β΄οΈ port to catch the first ferry β΄οΈ of the day back to the mainland!!! When onboard we headed outside as it was a sunny day π, Lilli soon took π« for some boat pasta π before returning so Lawwa could take πΌ for some too. Lawwa return eating Ice-cream π¨ which Jah demanded to share with her!! After a bit more watching Lilli went for a walk with Jah and also returned with more ice-cream π¨, which π« shared with Lawwa. After a bit longer it was time to head back to the van π. Lawwa and Lilli discussed a plan of action for time on the mainland, first off was another food shop then Lawwan was to walk us into town whilst Lilli filled the van π, he then met us in town where we had a look at a few shops before heading back to the van π for another ferry β΄οΈ. This time we were heading to Mull. It was a much shorter crossing of about an hour but the boat was just as big!!! When we got the campsite ποΈ it was getting late, reception was closed so Lilli had to phone π€³π» the campsite man who told us to pitch up and visit reception in the morning π
. After pitching up it was time for bed ποΈ π΄.
Friday was a slow morning π
after the late night for the ho-boys π, although πΌ was still up early. The weather had also changed it was wet π§οΈ and a bit windy π¬οΈ π. Eventually we headed out in the van π, we drove around the island ποΈ for ages we drove through mountains ποΈποΈ not that we could see much π§οΈπ«οΈ. We drove a very bumpy road towards another island ποΈ (Ulva) but we didn't go across to that one. We then headed towards Tobermory (Balamory) it was still raining π§οΈ, so the Hoos left us in the van π whilst they had a look around. We then headed back to camp ποΈ, via the little biscuit πͺ shop, hoping that the awning would still be standing to cook tea, stir-fry π tonight π€€ which πΌ willingly shared with us π. The Hoos the called the older-hoos, to discuss the plan for next week as the forecast was for rain π§οΈ rain π§οΈ and more rain π§οΈ, not fun for camping ποΈ in and no good for mountain walking π₯Ύ either. The decision was made that we would go to Northumberland instead as the forecast was for more sun βοΈ. It then wasn't long until it was time for bed ποΈ π΄.
Saturday the Hoos got up quickly, cooked breakfast and left the campsite ποΈ quite quickly. They had decided that the forecast was for showers but we were going to get another island ποΈ in. The island of Iona!! It was quite a drive to the ferry β΄οΈ that was mad even longer by a broken down bus π on a single track road!!! But we eventually made it to the ferry β΄οΈ. This was a much smaller ferry β΄οΈ we went on as foot passengers π£ . It was only about 10 minutes untill we arrived. It was a small island but had lots of people on it. We walked to a big church place, had a look around some shops, Lilli went into one shop and came out with cake π° not that any of it was shared with us π. Then we walked back to where the ferry β΄οΈ stoped we looked at a few more shops then it started to rain π§οΈ. We shelter until it passed, we then headed to the beach β±οΈ it was only small but we had a run around and I found a pebble to play with π it started to rain again, we all got soaked!!! So we decided to get back on the ferry β΄οΈ and head back to the van π. We took a different route back that took us through the quieter area of the island ποΈ it looked like a good place to explore and had a Munro but we didn't stop!!! We stoped off just before getting back to camp ποΈ to get some beer πΊ for Lilli and then some food from a food truck! The chips π were good π π (πΌ did an excellent job of feeding me π). We then headed back to camp ποΈ the Hoos were happy π to see the awning was still standing and in one piece. The rest of the evening was spent chilling out before bed.
Sunday morning was damp but not raining, after a bit off a slow start. Lilli made cheese on toast for breakfast and then we headed out. There was a few places that we wanted to visit. The first was to go back to Tobermory to get some Whisky, and a few supplies. Then we headed back to the little biscuit πͺ shop and then to a cheese farm, which was very busy so we left there in search π of a quieter cafe. We tried a castle π° but that was also very busy so we headed to one near camp ποΈ but that was closed so we admitted defeat and went back to camp ποΈ. We spent the wet π§οΈ afternoon getting ready to depart tomorrow. Including two loads of laundry π§Ί, washing up and cooking a stew for tea π². The weather was getting winder π¬οΈ too. After tea and packing most of the van away the Hoos decided that the best thing to do was to get the awning down as the wind was getting strong and it would make the morning easier. So they togged up in their waterproofs and started. It was entertaining watching them battle, π« had great fun watching and helping πΌ was not as impressed!!! But it came down without any damage. Then it was time to shower the ho-boys to warm them up and get ready for bed ποΈ. Then there was just enough time for π« to have a hot chocolate before bed ready for a big day of travel tomorrow.
Monday morning π
started with getting up and getting the boys in their car seats to head towards the ferry β΄οΈ. One stop on the way was for breakfast which was bacon baps π₯ and coffee β. This was a smaller ferry than what we used to get to mull on and it was raining so we just sat in the lounge and to π« disappointed he couldn't have boat pasta π!!! On arrival in Oban we just continue on the road heading towards Edinburgh. The trip was uneventful and we didn't have any stops until just south of Edinburgh by which point it had turned sunny βοΈ. Lilli stoped to pick up a few bits of Scottish food before we crossed the boarder β¦ mainly Lorne sausage!!!! We are know on the road again heading for tonight's campsite ποΈ where we are meeting the older-hoos π©π¨π». The plan is for one more stop along the way to have some food and another play, but for now I going to get some more sleep whilst we are on the road π£οΈ!!
Update you again soon Alfie ππΎ
