Got back home from Islay today.
Got up early and left the cottage by 07.30 to get to Port Ellen for the ferry journey back to Kennacraig. The ferry journey took about two hours. Lovely, clear weather meant we could clearly see the Islay coast and in the other direction Northern Ireland on the horison.
Once we got to Kennacraig we drove home, stopping in Stirling for lunch.
Had a really good break, but, as always, it was nice to be home.
Finalt day on Islay. Rachel is getting bored – too much of a town girl.
Took a drive to the north of the island and had a look around followed by lunch at the Schooner Inn with Rachel and Ian. Ian seems to have fallen in love with scampi!
Rachel and I cooked her Lemon Sole in cheesy breadcrumbs for everyone which seemed to go down well.
Another day dune jumping this time at the north of Lagan Bay just south of Bowmore. Again, fantastic weather and lots of sand. Went swimming again in the afternoon and Philip and Becky went out for dinner.
Monday, so it was time to visit the Ardbeg distillary onthe south coast of Islay. Had an interesting private tour of the distillary that Philip had organised followed by an excellent lunch outside the visitors center.
In the afternoon Ian, Julie and I went back to Bowmore for a swim at the town leisure center.
In the evening Philip and Becky baby sat whilst Julie and I went out for an really nice dinner in the Schooner Inn by Bowmore harbour.
April 2nd 2007, Ardbeg Distillery, Islay, Scotland.
Today we went “dune jumping” with Philip and family. Left Bowmore in the morning and drove in convoy to the north of the island, parking on the west side of Loch Gruinart. Went for a short walk and then spent about three hours on the beach and sand dunes. The kids all had a lot of fun playing in the sun.
Took the Ferry from Kennacraig to Port Ellen today.
Got up and met Philip et al for breakfast in the hotel, then headed to Tarbet for supplies before going to Kennacraig to wait for the ferry.
The kids seemed to enjoy the ferry and played well together.
Once we arrived on Islay at Port Ellen we drove up to Bowmore and unloaded the cars into the cottage – Distillery House, part of the Bowmore distillery, right in the center of the (very small) town of Bowmore. The cottage was very nicely appointed and came complete with a bottle of Bowmore 12 year old to help us settle in!
Off on our holidays today - a few days on Islay with Philip, Becky, William and Emily.
Left Aberdeen after school and drove to Tarbert on the Kintyre peninsula getting to the West Loch Hotel at about 8.30. A long drive through some pretty impressive countryside – Crieff, along Loch Earn, Loch Lomand and Inveraray.
