A Long But Really Beautiful Day!


Up this morning at 4:30 am – hate to miss the ferry boat!  Everything repacked and into the car by about 5:15 and on the way about 5:20 am.  As it was, we were 7th in line to check in – and this time, they actually scanned the copies of the paperwork we provided, unlike at Ullapool where the sheets were just collected and not returned.  As the ferry overnights at Stornoway, and leaves at 7 am, there really wasn’t too much of a crowd returning to the mainland.  Everybody seemed to fit into the bottom level, so there were no upper levels used, and Robert, being the crafty guy he is, managed to find his way onto Deck 6, the main passenger lounge, by using the elevator (they had the stairway that I tried to use, blocked off and marked “Crew Only”).  Thus, he was able to get the two best seats – front row center for us to enjoy the ride back to Ullapool!  Such a clever guy!  No seasick pills this time, and while there were some white caps occasionally, the sea was remarkably calm all the way across and neither of us had any problems at all, I am happy to report!  And shortly, back to the cars and we were driving off at Ullapool!  Back to mainland Scotland!  And – real two-lane roads again!!  Wow!  What a concept!  Haven’t seen those, really, in weeks it seems!

 

Our route today was to get from Ullapool to Lochgilahead, a small town near the even smaller town of KilmartinGlen.  The map estimate was 4½ hours of driving … but honestly, it was actually more like 6½ hours, as it was VERY slow going.  Beautiful roads though, and truly, the most beautiful scenery we have been through – and believe me, we have been through lots of beautiful scenery!  Hopefully the pictures will speak for themselves!

 

We did have a drive through Inverness and managed to find a McDonalds – the most northern in Scotland, we believe – although it’s hard to tell, as there is any amount of McDonald’s everywhere around here – just not the hamburger kind!  We were even able to find a very close parking lot, making lunch a very convenient stop, thankfully, as we hadn’t really had much for breakfast!  And then it was back on the road for hours of steady driving.  We went through plenty of “Forts” – Augustus – William – and followed Loch Ness for miles and miles.  All very, very beautiful.  Turned inland at Oban – a very small but really busy city, and from there, quite a sprint to Lochgilaphead.  Pulled into town and we were able to find a parking place very close to our apartment for the next four days.  Parked, located the apartment, got our luggage from the car and moved everything in.  There are a few flights of stairs, which aren’t the best for Robert, but the apartment is quite nice – and the view is stunning!  



Lighthouse at Stornoway

Coming in to Ullapool

Suburbs of Ullapool heading south






Loch Ness

 

No signs of monsters that we could see!


But the forests were stunning

And even a castle on an inlet!


R's mac & cheese

And my lasagna!

Again, the problem is heat – or the lack thereof.  It’s cold in here.  There are two small space heaters, which are hardly adequate.  Supposedly the heat is off during the day, and comes on during the night?  We’ve contacted the housekeeper to try and figure out the WiFi password, and got that sorted out, but not sure what we’re going to do about the heating arrangement.  Stay tuned … if Orkney is any guide, we’ll be fine in 2½ days … until then…

 

We were both so tired that we didn’t want to go far for dinner … so I found a place around the corner – the Argyll Café, that had both take-away (or take-out, as we say in the U.S.) and dine in, pizza, fish and chips, etc. so we thought we’d try it.  Well … turns out, once we were seated, no pizza until Wednesdays (??) – and no more fried fish … it was 6 pm … and then they were out of fried chicken …. So!  I got their lasagna and R their mac and cheese – both served with salad and chips (French fries).  I know … don’t ask.  As it turns out, the food was excellent, surprisingly, and we’re going back tomorrow promptly at 6 pm for pizza!  

 

So, back now and in for the night!  More tomorrow!

m

xxx

 

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