Oh! What a Drive!

 

Today was our leaving-Orkney-going-to-Ullapool day.  So, up about 5-ish to a fairly mild but overcast day.  We were totally repacked and breakfasted and basically ready to go by about 7:30 am – and that includes stripping the bed, cleaning out the fridge, vacuuming the floors and putting the garbage out in the correct recycling container (and believe me, with the various kinds of recycling containers on Orkney, it is definitely NOT easy!). Finally left the cottage in pristine condition about 9:15 am to get to the Stromness ferry about 9:45 am to check in for the 11 am sailing time.  For some reason the ship got off a bit late; difficulties loading apparently, although we didn’t notice anything.  This time, the water was quite a bit more “noticeable” than it was on our way over, and it reminded me that I need to pick up some Bonine before we attempt tomorrow’s 2½ hour ferry ride from Ullapool to Stornaway on the Island of Lewis.  The North Sea is no mill pond.  

 

Landed just about 1 pm, and off we drove – head first, yeah! And we were back in Scotland again, and heading on our way to Ullapool.  There are a variety of ways to get to Ullapool, but everyone one of the ways involve very small roads and take a very long time.  We opted to head across the top of Scotland and then head south and west.  The drive was 124 miles and was said to take 3 hours and 11 minutes.  When you think about it at all, 124 miles in that amount of time, it really seems ridiculous – but when it actually takes you just a few minutes short of 4 HOURS, it really gets crazy – which is how long it took!

 

The road for the most part was basically one lane – with lots and lots of “passing places” as they’re called. Fortunately, there isn’t all that much traffic – in fact, at some places, we would go for literally miles and miles without seeing another vehicle at all – but there were so many blind curves and “narrow” spots, where one side or the other – either us or the car coming towards us – would have to quite literally back up to let the other person go through – it was quite a day of difficult driving.  Not sure I’d really like to repeat the experience again.  The scenery was incredible.  Miles and miles of sky and water and rocks and brochs with gorse thrown in for good measure.  We did see small RV’s (as those were the only things that would fit on these roads) and some bicycles and even some hikers and motorcycles as well – oh yes, and then the random huge tanker truck.  But again, keep thinking how slow you have to go to cover 124 in 4 hours.  Finally … and I do mean FINALLY, we arrived in Ullapool, from where we’ll get the ferry tomorrow to Stornaway tomorrow. 

 

Say that again??

Beautiful house across the water

Road into Ullapool

Lounge out to the yard and water

Back yard of our hotel running down to the water

Wonderful lilacs!

Stunning azaleas!

Boats in the harbor

Ferry we'll take tomorrow!

We both had the wonderful tomato soup

R's linguini

My shrimp cocktail

Bi-lingual signage!

Our hotel, Harbor House, is small – 20 rooms, I think.  Very nice couple running it, who greet you with a small dot of sherry (which I had) or whiskey (R) and some fabulous shortbread cookies.  The rooms are TINY but well equipped, although there’s really way too many pillows to even find space for them all, but it’s only for one night.  We dropped the luggage and then walked along the seafront into town to find something for dinner.  Managed to get a table at the Seaforth Restaurant.  Had to share a table, which was fine with us – met two lovely gals from the Netherlands (Utrecht) who were here on holiday, and enjoyed exchanging holiday experiences with them.  R and I both started our meals with delicious tomato soup.  Then I had an excellent shrimp cocktail with Marie Rose dressing (1000 Island), and R had their Linguine with prawns, topped by a Langastino, which he said was very spicy and delicious!  Back to the Hotel about 7:30 and now in for the night!  Catching the ferry in the morning, so more later!

m

xxx