Iona

By Saturday evening the weather was getting worse. On Sunday we only ventured out to get food - at lunch (another friendly pub) and at dinner (a different friendlypub). It was blowing a gale with horizontal rain. No ferries were running and we were worried our plans for Monday would be compromised. Luckily the weather improved overnight.

Early Monday morning we caught a ferry from Oban to Craignure on the eastern side of Mull. From Craignure we caught a bus to Fionphort on the western side of Mull. From Fionphort we caught a ferry to Iona. Me being me had come prepared with ferry and bus timetables. There are only 3 a day buses on this route. We were amused at Craignure to watch a Danish schoolteacher talking to the bus driver. She had no idea of times or availability for her 34 students and 4 other teachers. The road across Mull was mostly only 1 lane wide . There were numerous designated 'passing places'

We dropped out overnight bags at our b and b and went to the abbey for a brief look, then food , then back for a longer linger. We were both interested in the historical significance to the origins of Christianity in this part of the world. The rugged coastal scenery, rocky heather covered hills , scattered small cottages and wandering sheep added to the allure of the place. It is easy to understand why many people have come here over the decades to think .

This morning we woke to blue skies and calmer seas. After breakfast Noel went off on a trip to the island of Staffa. The main attraction for him was Fingals cave. Pillar like rock forms forming the walls and the high ceiling gave the cave a cathedral like sense. The view from the highest point of the island of surrounding islands, the mainland and the sea was truly majestic. I stayed on Iona and moved from 1 nice seat with a view to another nice seat with a view for 3 hours. Very pleasant.

We reversed the ferry, bus, ferry route to get back to Oban but with a longer than expected wait for a late ferry to Oban