We were up and ready in time to eat last scraps of food before all packed and ready to leave at 10:30 as agreed. This holiday ran like clockwork due to the constant badgering by Sgt Major S. (You can ask the others!). We were all sad to leave but what a holiday we had. On packing the car I was the one who carried the suitcase of A2. It was MUCH heavier than I had remembered. I believe this was due to some extra beach memorabilia smuggled in the suitcase. Next year there my be a weigh out and in. (I wonder if this contributed to the need for a replacement wheel bearing on return home?) (Its a good job that A2 is generally a good old boy!)
 |
| Ready to go |
The journey along the single track road back to the ferry was pleasant and we had some time to get some last snaps of the scenery. We got in the ferry queue and had time for coffee and cake in a local cafe. The ferry arrived on time but took at least 15 minutes before it manoeuvred itself onto the dock. We were told it was the unusual tide and wind that had made it more difficult.
 |
| Ah the good old single track road |
 |
| Our trusty transport |
 |
| Arrival at Ferry Port |
 |
| Artistic shot while waiting for the Ferry |
On the ferry some of us grabbed a soup as we knew there was a long journey ahead. The weather was kind enough to allow us to sit on the deck for most of the trip watching ferries coming and going from Oban.
 |
To the tune of "Bye Bye Love"
Bye Bye Mull,... |
 |
| They don't look too fed up |
 |
| Wish we were going that way! |
We filled up with diesel just outside Oban (with many others from ferry) and had a quick stop at the Green Welly Stop just before Crianlarich. This turned out to be a good place to stop and I will remember it for future visits to the Western Isles.
We hit the M8 Glasgow at rush hour which was a bit of a pain although we never stopped, just crawled but with the help of Margot (our SatNav) we navigated through at least 6 lanes of motorway through a sea of cars. (Take me back to Mull now!) One more stop was needed on M74 before finally arriving on the M6 in the lake district for the turning to Shap. Now as far as I knew Shap was more of a hill than a place so I wondered where the hotel could be.
As we turned off the M6 we were immediately on a very dark road. It could have been Scotland again. There were no street lights, there were cows and sheep on the side of the road and Margot pointed us down a narrow lane that seemed an unlikely to find a hotel. We stopped at a dark gate with a sign saying Visitors Only (or Trespasses will be Prosecuted or something similar). We hesitated a bit here but it just looked like dark buildings. Eventually we drove on a bit farther to find a sign to the hotel. Relief... we were knackered after a long journey South. The hotel was busy, there were a few coaches in the car park. We quickly booked in and ordered dinner in the restaurant. As we were making our choices a female singer started in the room next door. (In my line of vision). She was Ok but some of the (elderly) coach party were soon up dancing and harassing some youngish lads. It was not safe to go out there! The meal was fine (probably a bit much as all we had done was sit in the car all day) and we had a couple of drinks before retiring to our rooms.
