Monday morning--bright & early--we embarked on our adventure to Iona...a train ride, a ferry ride, a bus ride, and another ferry ride--with a wee lay-over in Oban after the train. :o)
The weather was great--at least in my opinion.
The journey was phenomenal--for all of us.
The food was interesting--for them.
The people were memorable--for all of us.
Monday night, we arrived near dark to howling winds on the island. We had our dinner in the Argyll Hotel and found a place to lay our heads at the Iona Hostel which is located at the northern most part of the island---and in the middle of a sheep farm if you ask mum & Melissa. (oops! I forgot to consider that my mum's idea of camping is a hotel---eek!)
Tuesday, we toured various bits of the island, including the Abbey & its grounds, the village, the Catholic House of prayer, and the various shops that were open during the winter. (tourist season starts in April, so most are not open until then). We had our lunch in the pub--it just opened that day--fish and chips with peas. That evening, we watched the sunset from the Northwest beach and looked for seashells too! We even had a chance to play some "Farkel" (a dice game). I didn't win.
Wedensday, we toured the Nunnery, the MacLeod Centre (operated by the Iona Community) and made a big trek to the Machair--the flat, western part of the island where the golf course is situated & the best beaches are for swimming. We were invited to lunch with the staff & guests of the Iona Community (I work for them)--and met lots of interesting people. That night we even played some more Farkel. :o) I didn't win.
Thursday, we had another early morning in order to catch all the bits of our connecting travel--a ferry, a bus, a ferry, & a train--all in reverse. Whew! We made it back to Glasgow, where it's a little bit warmer & the sun was shining.
Needing some sleep & quality rest after all the miles we've been walking...
Jamie
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