Following our epic week around Mull, Jan, I & Kasara are ‘just chillin’ for a few days around Oban, the first time inn8 weeks it is just the two of us. We haven’t been in Scotland long, but seem to know these waters quite well in the placid, delightful state they seem to be presenting us with.
Time for R&R and a few domestic chores like eating out, watching England lose the Euros, doing the laundry, cleaning Kasara, getting the bikes out & walking the length & breadth of Kerrera.
The back end of this short recess we have been joined by Chris & Barbara for a couple of days - lifelong friends who have driven over from their home in Edinburgh.
Weather report: Light winds remain, some sun and some mizzle and a bit of fog thrown in to the mix but nothing to complain about….our luck continues.
Our mooring highlight: has to be at anchor in the secluded bay (only us), around the northern tip of Kerrera (Oban) in Oitir Mhor Bay. Both sunset & and sunrise were awesome given the backdrop of islands, hills and the Firth of Lorn. The skies seem huge and the cloud formation is constantly changing.
With C&B aboard mid week we headed north into The Sound of Mull, to Tobermory & a rendezvous with “Bruce” the diving boat bottom cleaner - a third of the price of lifting the boat, and an extra knot of speed after that.
A next day lunch stop at beautiful Loch Drumbuie before overnighting at Lochaline (pronounced LochAlan ) and walking around the loch as far as the wonderful house & gardens at the Ardtornish Estate (1st cultural highlight).
Eat in: our highlight has to be Barbara’s delicious Venison casserole.
Eat out - Our stay at Tobermory (great museum - 2nd cultural highlight) delivered a fun night at the “Mishnish” - great food but poor service (difficult to get hospitality staff - Covid & Brexit!).
At the end of the week we were then due to join our friends at the wonderful Pier House Hotel in Port Appin, famous for its seafood, where they were due to stay for a few days & we would moor off.
However, staff with Covid put paid to best laid plans and the hotel was suddenly closed! So one more night aboard the good ship Kasara for C&B instead. A hastily booked pie supper at Tigh & Truish at Clachan Bridge lifted our spirits, whilst at anchor in mizzly Puilladobhrain. The pub is a yomp over the hill from the anchorage on a well signed path, but well worth the walk.
Wildlife highlights: included a “siege” of herons ( flock of 9 herons), loads of seals especially in Loch Drumbuie, a sea eagle (maybe) in Lochaline, shaggy highland cows with “lock down haircuts” on Kerrera. We are still looking for otters, basking sharks, golden eagles & minke whales.
Great week, with great friends, thanks for the fun Chris and Barbara. Well chilled and ready for Leg 6 Skye week!
Kasara Out.