Islay

Over Easter, we visited Islay in the Scottish Hebrides. It was a lovely trip, including the drive, ferry, and a Glasgow visit. We had fabulous weather, apparently it's always like that. Here are a few impressions.

Loch Lomond

Inveraray

Our ferry

Kelsey and the Saltire

Reminder of a trip long ago

The paps of Jura, Islay is behind them

The sun is setting, but there is still a long way to sail...

Our B&B in the morning sun

Cycling trip

Kelsey was unstoppable

Maybe the Bruichladdich bar explains it

The gates at Bruichladdich and the majestic Alfa, a match made under Hebridean sky

At Laphroaig

Still there

This is not your corner-shop kind of distillery

Ardbeg, home of Ardbeg

The kiln towers

A beach with seals (trust me)

Decisions, decisions

Beach, but no seals this time

Sailing in Scotland

We drove to Scotland over the bank holiday weekend to pick up our newly acquired 14 foot dinghy sailboat. On the way we stopped in Durham then stayed overnight just outside of Edinburgh with the couple we bought the boat from. We then camped at St. Mary's Loch in the middle of nowhere in Scotland. We camped at Tibbie Shiels campground, located loch-side and also conveniently next to a pub and sailing club. Aside from that, there was nothing else for miles around. I camped only a few nights until I had to go back to work, but Richard stayed on in Scotland for more fun and sailing.

Durham cathedral

Entering Scotland

Trailing the boat to St Mary's Loch

Campsite at Tibbie Shiels

Our first sail - we just managed to put it all together,
with some help from the friendly sailers at the club

It floats! Success.

I even managed to skipper for a little bit