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| The picture frame view from the house |
Today S and A2 had decided to climb to the highest point on the pink granite rocks next to the house. So it was a relatively early morning, a quick bite to eat before setting off out of the gate and up to the right. We just headed for the first highest point. The route was easy as I left the navigation to A2 (who has proven him self on a couple of occasions in the past). Once we got to the first top it was clear that the high point was across an open plateaux and then up. Again I left the navigation to A2 and once again there was no problem. There is a path across the plateaux but you have to pick a route up the stones. It is a little boggy but no problem and the scrambling is easy. We were at the first peak in 10 minutes and at the second 15 minutes later without rushing.
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| A1 pic of ascent |
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| A1 pic of us at top |
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| View of Fionnphort from peak #1 |
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| View of Fionphort from peak #2 |
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| View of Staffa from peak #2 (squint and zoom) |
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Path down to beach.
Look at this for a driveway! |
From this peak we had great views and we could also see a path leading down to the (so called quarry) beach. So we followed the path down to the first beach of the day. We were the only ones there, the weather was great, the sea was blue. Yippee. We decided to go back across the cliffs, head away from the beach diagonally towards the house. The path was easy and a lot less boggy that the route we had taken a few days earlier. Thats good just in case we come back (I hope) we will be able to navigate directly to the beach. Just before we arrived the easy way back to the house A2 suggested a bit of scrambling down the cliff to the beach. This was fun but when we got to the beach we found that we had some more scrambling to do to avoid wet feet.
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| Beach (Quarry) |
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Some scrambling required to get down.
And to avoid getting wet feet! |
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| Our next door neighbours house (Artistic?) |
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| A1 pic the wanderers return |
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| A1 pic of those sheep like our grass! |
When we returned to the house A1 and E had fed and watered and A1 had taken some good shots of out epic ascent. (I will try to add these pics later). So without further ado we got in the car and drove to the second beach of the day at Knockvologan. We parked the car in the field with geese and chickens and walked down the stony track heading for the sea. The stoney track is not long and we were on the beach in 10 minutes.
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| A1 pic of sheep on the beach |
We had been told that there were 3 beaches here. The instructions are: go left at the bottom of the track for the 3 beaches, go right to get to Erraid.
Beach number 1 is nice. E&A2 were happy to wander round beach number 1 and just enjoy being there. Myself and A1 went left and climbed the over the short headland to beach number 2 (which is nicer) and then over a similar (slightly longer) headland to beach number 3 (amazing). In the bay at beach number 3 was our red sailed boat and the captain, Mark and family were picnicking in the dunes. We were starting to feel a little bit like locals, fancy meeting someone you know... We just waved and wandered across the beach admiring the views and wondering how we could be so lucky. Just perfect.
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| Beach 1 looking towards Erraid |
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| A1 pics of views from top |
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| A1 pic first view of beach #3 |
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| Looking back at Beach # 2 |
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| Our red sailed boat on beach #3 |
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| A1 shot of same |
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| A1 shot of beach #3 |
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| Us! |
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| Walking up hill back to Knockvologan (Artistic?) |
On return to beach number 1 A2 decided he would like to visit beaches 2 and 3 and also he would like to walk back to the house. (He likes a challenge!). Sounded like a good idea... (well to me it did E was not so sure). The walk up the stoney path to the car was easier than we imagined and soon we were back in the house, relaxing for a change.
Just before we left we had another treat in store .. an otter on the beach...
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| A1 otter pic zoom for a proper look at this one! |
I had been looking at our garden and the beach and thinking that it might be a good opportunity to get a bit of golf practice in. My idea was to take my 9 iron and hit some balls from the grass onto the beach. Obviously I had to wait until the beach was empty. I took the opportunity while waiting for A2 to get home to try it out. I took 3 balls and hit them towards the big rock and then walked onto the beach to retrieve them and repeated this 4 or 5 times. Great fun. I was pleased that most of my shots were in the right direction and in a similar place (maybe just stick to a 9 iron for golf?). I thought it could only have been better if I could have persuaded another team member to stand on the beach and retrieve the balls for me ;-). I expect danger money would have been required.
As it started to get dark we started to wonder if A2 would make it back before meal time at the pub. When we left him the weather was warm and he had only walked a few miles. As darkness approached it got colder and I realised he would have walked about 9 miles in total. No need to worry though as A2 got back just before dark, grinning but saying it was further than he thought. (There have been many occasions when A2 has gone missing way after dark.. its his speciality!)
There was another glorious sunset thwarted slightly by the clouds in the distance but I got a pic anyway.
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| Sunset |
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| A1 sunset pic |
So a well earned trip to the Keel Row was in order and the usual food, beer and good company followed as they had on other nights. A great end to a great day.
On return home the atmosphere was a little subdued as we all started to realise that the next day was our last one. Lets not dwell on it, lets make it a good one.... ZZ.zzz..
