Outer Hebrides

Last night I was at the top of the hill overlooking Oban, Forth of Lorn, Lismore and in the distance the Sound of Mull which was to be the ferry route I would travel tomorrow to Lochboisdale in South Uist. I had arrived earlier in the afternoon to a sunny, warm and bright Oban. I have to add here this is most unusual. Kate and I travelled to Oban several times but this is the first time I have experienced a dry and blue sky Oban. A nice bonus. I had intended to wild camp overnight but unintentionally arrived at Oban campsite.  At fifteen quid another bonus as I could 'do all the necessary's a motorhome demands plus luxuriate in a good hot shower.

The evening was gorgeous with the not too strenuous walk up the hill a pleasant exercise after the evening meal. Tanya had her exercise too as she strained on the lead with, I may add, splendid use of all four legs, trying to get free and chase the sheep which were in no particular hurry to scatter themselves as we approached. Yes. I am afraid she does have that discrepancy of doggy brain which means lead on whenever the woolly jumpered grass engined beasties are encountered.

So here we are a day later wild parked at the southernmost point of South Uist. The waves are gently crashing onto the white sandy beach and Sadie is neatly perched just above on a convenient stony area. Evening is drawing toward night now with the westward panorama turning to darker shades of blue and grey as the sun rolls away behind firstly, her cloud cover, then horizon and so taking her myriad coloured pallet onward to yet more sunset adoring eyes.

The ferry was five hours but what views as we sailed up the Sound of Mull past Skye, Rum and then out into deeper waters as the Hebridean Isles slowly presented themselves ahead but then disappeared in the mists of squally showers.

I'll give Cal Mac full marks too for allowing well behaved dogs into the passenger areas. She thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the 'not too rough' sea movement did not for one moment spoil her enjoying her pre prepared evening meal.

After five hours on a ferry though we were both glad to finally settle Sadie and release and relieve with a good romp along this beautiful wild and desolate beach.  Actually not so desolate as there is an Inn about half a mile further on at roads end. There is a surprising flow of traffic going to and fro. Never mind. The search for real isolation starts in earnest tomorrow. For now a wee bit of traffic along with no intelligible radio, no internet and no mobile phone signal will have to suffice. TV I hear you say? Well you are certainly correct to ask as Sadie is of course proud owner of a fully functioning satellite TV system.  I'm afraid though the 'emotion grabbing drivel' electronic hypnotizer screen has no appeal whatsoever to me. I'm not a regular TV person under normal circumstances and most definitely not when the whole of  universal creation is majestically displayed before me through a panoramic motorhome windscreen.

D'you think Michele is right? 

Perhaps I am y'know. Am turning into one of those recluse type of elderly, eccentric (read, 'daft') grumpy hermits. Ahhhh well! At least I'm enjoying it!