July 2

After breakfast, I took off for a hike through a forest trail, recommended by Mary, the owner of the B&B. I was catching the bus to Fionnphort just before 1 pm, but had lots of time for a walk. The sun was shining and it was lovely, so, having packed up my belongings, I left my suitcase, my backpack and my hiking boots at Linnhe View and set off.

I love this island. I love the rugged terrain, the mountains, the woods, the water. What more could anyone ask? The trail in the forest was NOT paved, so it was a delight under my feet. I was in sandals, but it wasn’t that difficult a walk and these are solidly supportive sandals (the kind I wore in Israel, and Ireland and the DR .... in other words, tried and true friends!) The trail was fine – more like a narrow road, and it was great, except, of course, that unlike Windsor/Essex, they have hills here...

I learned about why, as Mary said, the first levels looked like the fallout from a nuclear disaster. If we manage to find a link that will let me add photos to my blog, you’ll be able to read their explanation. Otherwise, I’m hoping to be able to establish a link. Needless to say, there is a plan, and there is both rhyme and reason to what they are doing.

As I looked up at one point, I saw a very black cloud looming over one of the peaks. Fortunately, it was quite some distance from me. But my mother didn’t raise any fools and so I thought that perhaps it would be wise to head back. I turned back, but hadn’t walked for even three minutes when I felt a drop. I thought a shower was imminent and hoped that I’d be able to reach shelter before it changed its mind and did more .... Suffice to say, I now fully understand why you go NOWHERE on Mull without your wet weather gear close at hand. The rain was heavy enough that I took my watch off and tucked it away so that the water wouldn’t get to it. My hair had a complete soft water rinse before I got back to the B&B. But my camera was safe in its case. My watch was safe and dry, and the rest of me would dry. Sooooo, I used the towel I have to take to Iona to dry my hair and my face and arms, put the waterproof jacket on, swapped my sandals for my hiking boots, and went back out to enjoy some more walking.

I took a few more photos and then went and waited for the bus, Mary having warned me I didn’t want to be at the back of the queue. Needn’t have worried – there weren’t many on the bus.

The obliging bus driver dropped me off at Achaban, which is a “10-15 minute walk” from Fionnphort. I’m not sure I knew that when I booked, but the exercise is good for me. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it! I dropped off my luggage, and, wiser now, kept my jacket and my hiking shoes and set off for Fionnphort. And all I’ll say is that it took me more than 10 minutes – but I was stopping to snap pictures on my way, which surely slowed me down!

Fionnphort is a small town, more like a fishing village, with a ferry to Iona. I’m not sure I made the wisest choice when I decided to move for nights two and three, but at the time, Fionnphort confirmed first. And, all B&B’s here have “No Vacancy” signs hanging. I haven’t decided what I will do with my last day. But I have some time to make up my mind. Fionnphort has very limited options for food – I’ll let you know how good those options are after I’ve tried my evening meal!

There's concert in the church this evening. But I’m not sure that I’ll be able to eat, and hike back to the church. Oh, AND stay awake for the concert! I’ll let you know!

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 6:6-8:1