We're facing a week of self-catering in Tobermory, with limited resupply means close at hand. Judging that Lochgilphead was unlikely to have a large grocery store with wine supply we opted to drop in to the huge Tesco Extra store on the NW outskirts of Dumfries. Here we found that Scotland's licensing laws forbid the selling of wine before 10:00am. Fortunately we arrived there at 09:50am and killed the ten minutes usefully in buying other necessities for provisioning our flat in Tobermory.
Direct sunlight was now reaching the earth's surface occasionally at Dumfries as we departed and in fact the local weather was to remain like that much of the day, to our relief. We travelled quickly on quite good roads, well sign posted with just the occasional clink, while cornering at speed, of glass on glass reminding us that we were carrying a week's supply of reds for two. Well, maybe a few more as they won't go to waste and we have the means of carrying them. And who knows, we may have to offer hospitality to unexpected guests...
Once across the ferry we decided that our huge Scottish breakfast was also good for lunch so we pressed on without refreshment stop, travelling NW then NE to round the northern tip of Loch Fyne. The road from there to our destination simply followed south the western shore of Loch Fyne.
We were making such good time that Mary decided that we should take a short break at Inverary, a place she'd heard was "nice", code for "it has shops". It did look pleasant but was full of old people, and people old before their time, on outings, wandering about with ice creams and looking bored or nodding off in the sunshine. But at least, as Mary said, they weren't sitting home watching the telly.
Here's where we found that spending a penny now costs you three bob. The local public toilets looked like they might be Council money earners so I warned Mary she'd probably have to pay and to make sure she had a selection of coins. Far too long later she emerged having had to queue, change a pound into 10p and 20p pieces, and then place 30p into a slot to force entry through a turnstile. I hope Australian councils don't start getting such ideas.
Some refreshment was taken here by us with stirring music in the background from a busking, kilted, much photographed bagpipe player. And then it was off for the final leg to Lochgilphead.
Our pre-booked B&B here was The Corran, just on the edge of this small town and directly opposite the Crinan Canal. Jana, a young Polish lady, welcomed and briefed us thoroughly. Then we got out a bottle of red, intent on enjoying it out in the back garden while the sun was out.
The Argyll pub and restaurant were a ten minute stroll away and they gained our custom for dinner, based on Jana's recommendation. Here there were many reasonable quality meals available for about £9.95, around $16 Australian. Generally we have found that eating out is not expensive compared with Australia and the quality is good.
Off to Oban and the Isle of Mull tomorrow...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
No comments:
Post a Comment