Busy Saturday

Been a busy day today, an early start to deliver Isobel to school at 8.30 to catch her coach to Braemar for her silver Duke of Edinburgh expedition.  Thankfully, after a few early showers the forecast is good if a little chilly.  Had a little bit of a panic when we found there was no compede but a lightning trip to Sainsburys and back solved that one, Ellie jumping on the bus just as the door was closing!

After that little panic it was up to Countesswells to deliver Ellie who was keeping goal for the S3 A team against Morrisons Academy of Crieff.  A 2-2 draw was a fair reflection of a very tight match. Robert Gordons twice being in the lead only for Morrisons to then peg them back.

After hockey it was home for a quick bite of lunch then of to the ski slope for some practice.  Ellie has races at Hillend in Edinburgh for the next three weekends, Craig McFie, Scottish Schools Dry Slope Championships then finishing off with the Scottish Dry Slope Champs in four weeks time.

And to top it off, it was the first outing for her birthday present from the summer, a brand new pair of boots thanks to Grandma and Grandpa!

Last Day of Holiday

Saturday was a fabulous day with wall to wall sunshine.  Isobel fancied a look at the new Slate Islands Heritage Centre where Ellie Julie and I had been earlier in the week so we all cycled from home to the Luing ferry and then round to the centre at Cullipool.  Julie spotted them preparing fresh lobsters for the evening menu and, shameless as ever, asked if they could spare a couple, and we were left finding space for two lobsters in our rucksacks, all for £14!

Thursday

Thursday saw an early morning trip down to Glenalmond to pick Isobel up from her hockey camp, unfortunately a day early after Norovirus did the rounds of the camp. Fortunately it was just a 24 hour bug.  While Isobel was recuperating Ellie decided it was a good evening for a sail in her optimist.

Cycling to Bonawe

Weather was good on Wednesday so Ellie julie and I decided to go for another cycle, this time exploring the road along the north side of Loch Etive, past Ardchattan Priory and along to Bonawe.  I was fancying trying the long climb up and over the saddle to Benderloch but Ellie was quite rightly having none of it and made a unilateral declaration of independence and turned round after the first kilometer of climbing!

Wildlife Watching

After our cycle trip to Luing, the weather cleared and with only a light wind it was an excellent opportunity to head out in the RIB.  We went out through Cuan Sound and then across to Belnahua then Lunga and down the sound of Luing.  Spotted the usual seal colonies and then went down to the Grey Dogs where we were treated to a view of a sea eagle on the rocks only a few meters away and then further down the shore on Scarba, a juvenile sea eagle. Great end to a fab day.

Cycle on Luing

Isobel has headed off down to Glenalmond for a hockey goalkeepers camp so Ellie Julie and I have a few days to ourselves.  After a damp start things started to dry out a little and even some blue sky made a rare appearance so we decided to head off to Luing for a cycle.  Caught the 11.00 ferry and cycled round to Cullipool and tried out the new Atlantic Islands Centre.  Had some fabulous home baking to fuel us up for our ride.

Fabulous views across to Mull,  Lunga and Scarba.

Arduainie

Took Isobel down to Glenalmond for a hockey goalkeeping camp on Monday morning, weather was wet to put it mildly.  Thankfully there was a break in the weather about  4pm so we went down to Arduainie for a walk round the gardens.  It was still pretty dark and overcast but was good to get out.

Seafood Temple

Went to the Seafood Temple in Oban for a celebratory meal Friday evening, celebrating Julie's half century and Isobel's results.  A fabulous evening weather wise allowing us to enjoy what must be one of the West Coasts best settings for a restaurant.

Cycling at Crinan

Spent Friday cycling from Crinan to Ardrishaig and back.  For once it was dry (well most of the time!) if a little overcast.  We fueled up in the cafe at Crinan basin, the lemon layer cake was particularly good.