After 5 days back in Newcastle to visit the family again it was time to make our way to begin our Scottish adventure.  Allen and I thoroughly enjoyed a great couple of days with Kerrie & Alistair in Scotby who are fortunate enough to live here 6 months of the year and 6 months back in Australia. Although we arrived in Pinot, we couldn’t resist the offer of a bed for the night … and ended up staying two nights … luxury 😊 lots of laughs, good food and great company. Very kind.What great hosts … the best cooked breakfast complete with Haggis and Black Pudding for the boys, my favourite Cumberland Sausage, yum

Met their good friends Liz and John and went to see Dunkirk followed by dinner and a few drinks after.Called into Carlisle and bought our survival kit for Scotland ….(as we write this none of the products have been used ! Due to the copious amount of rain we have encountered) but Boy Scouts be prepared when the wee beastie midges do appear they apparently are a nightmare.A short drive to Scotland….Arrived in Largs and found a site for the night, the most interesting spot so far on our travels, campsite wise, it was out in the sticks in the middle of a working farm surrounded by horse stables, machinery parts, horse manure a dog and a few gas bottles to complete the setting ha ha Sorry forgot the 41 year old Shetland Pony that took a shine to Al Pal. Apparently that’s about 120 years in human terms. Apart from arthritis, bad teeth and very pot feet, he’s in good nick.As fate would have it I think we were destined to stay here the night as the next property over the many fields surrounding this farm was where the founder of our home town Brisbane,( a former convict settlement ) was named after. Thomas Brisbane was born in Largs in 1773 he was a British Army officer administrator and Astronomer. He was appointed the 6th Governer of NSW. Many sites around the area are named in his honour.Next day we caught the ferry from Arrdrossen over to the Isle of Arran.First stop was Pirnmill were we wild camped for the night … you can just make Pinot out in the distance in the picture above. Just gorgeous. Great bike riding around here, we even met a wild Peacock strolling around.Next wild camping spot was in Sannox, found the perfect spot on an estuary all alone till black barefooted Kerry and Scamp his dog pulled up across the way. In search of his lost Baccie ( Tobacco ) 😂 he made his way to chat and ask us if we had any. Al got up from his chilled position on the beach and went to help him look for his lost loot. Needless to say Kerry was back 5 minutes later after Al found his Baccie in a bush for Al’s last beer. I was not allowed to invite him for dinner 😳😳 Bless him I think he had had a hard life.

 

Next day it was time for a campsite with facilities … the washing machine to be precise so we  went to Lochranza and found a great place complete with Deer on the adjacent golf course just magic.More hills to climb on the bikes and enjoy the stunning surrounds.

Time for another great hike, just a 2 hour return as we had been for a ride earlier on in the morning. Up through the Glen over the moors and return by the ocean shore, Wrong ! Five hours later, couple of wrong turns, battered and bruised, soaked to the skin we limped home 😢 but did we enjoy it ? We loved it except for the mountaineering course that was involved … the wet boulders that we continually had to squeeze through, the slimy rocks  we had to climb over the bogs we kept falling into, the ferns slapping in our faces ha ha ha we laughed so much … but this is when I lost it. Al said to me Amanda why are there bubbles coming out of your bottom 😂😂😂😂😂 we were so wet and soaked to the bone I had obviously not rinsed my knickers well enough and the agitation was causing a lather, you had to be there hilarious !!

the boulders were impossible to take pics of as we could hardly see in front of us never mind use are freezing hands to take snaps.

Thank goodness there was a great washer and dryer waiting for us at the end of this adventure…, which Al bless his cottons did as I couldn’t move !!!! Loved our 4 nights on Arran. 

Next stop Oban ….left on the ferry first stop Skipness a cute little hamlet, remains of a castle, great seafood restaurant and a smoke house where we stocked up on smoked salmon and mackerel. Prime position for Pinot

Nearly fainted seeing this little deer napping at the coffee shop.stopped at Kilmartin on route …lots of historic stones etc … sorry this is my turn   To write the blog and alas as always my history is nothing compared to Al’s knowledge which always amazes me ….

Obanarrived once again in the rain …. UK summer at present is a lot colder and wetter than Brisbanes winter ! But not complaining honestly !

Gallanch campsite overlooking the Isle of Kerrera just outside Oban perfect base to explore. Had another wonderful ride from Gallanach to Taynult avoiding the main roads and through the Glen Nart National Park, Through rain,wind & intermittent sun it was magical and loved every minute of this 55 k return trip ……I still hate hills with a passion but this time I never swore once I was in my element ….with a smile from ear to ear …….life is good !!!!

Next stop Isle of Mull ….

Take Care

Love to all xxx