Isle of Lewis, Scotland
Off to Lewis again, hurray. Set off at 5.30 am from Taunton with Millie the dog as a companion. Mum thought Millie would enjoy Scotland. Arrived in Gretna at 12 pm. Filled up with petrol and carried on to Moffat for a picnic lunch. Stopped off at the community nature reserve. Just managed to shelter while we were deluged with rain and then hail stones. Sun came out and I walked Millie around the reserve.
Arrived at Galvelbeg B & B at 4pm. Met by Nigel and Sarah. Lovely B & B - Millie appreciated the treats given to her by the resident dogs, Murphy and Barley and I enjoyed the homemade shortbread. Had dinner at the Murray Park Hotel - a good recommendation. They are dog friendly there too, so I could have Millie in the bar with me while I ate a delicious dinner of fish cakes.
Set off around 9 am for Ullapool with a few stops on the way. A longer stop at Rothiemurchus near Aviemore to walk Millie. Arrived at 3 pm and checked in for the ferry. Walk around the town and added to the local economy at the great bookshop. An uneventful crossing on the new ferry - Loch Seaforth and arrived safely at ‘Ghinda’, Lochganvich, Lewis.
Strolled around the castle grounds and Stornoway on Thursday morning and visited the 4 estate agents. Too early for rentals for November so I have to keep checking their websites. Met Jenny and Jane for coffee and cakes in Delights and then back to Ghinda.
Went to Ness and a quick visit to Europie beach - very windy so continued around the loop to Callanish for coffee. A short walk for Millie at the stones and returned to Ghinda. In the evening we all went to Tarbert community centre to see Willie Campbell and the Open Day Rotation. Fabulous.
I had planned to accompany Jenny and Murdo to meet people off the cruise ship and take them around Lewis. Due to the weather, the cruise ship didn’t dock in Lewis so Jenny and I went off to Tolsta to see Anne and Donald. We then walked on the beach.
A good walk at Reef beach in Bhaltos on Sunday.
Aqua fit with Jenny on Monday and lunch at a new cafe on Point. Must return there to try out their coffee
To Harris on Tuesday for lunch at the Skoon Art Cafe. Bought another of Andrew’s paintings. A quick trip around the island and tea at Hebscape Cafe with a chat with Chris and Darren. This was the first time for Jenny and Murdo and they were impressed with Darren’s photos. I bought his book and hope to do a workshop when I finally get to Lewis for the year.
Jenny accompanied me until Inverness on the way back home on Wednesday. I left Millie in the car on the ferry so was able to have a good look around this time. Good journey until the rain came down outside Perth and kept it up until the rest of the journey. A pile up on A74 meant a couple more hours driving but made it to Lisco Farm, which is 8 miles off jct 40 of M6 and makes a great stop. Dog friendly, loads of homemade stuff. Loved the ginger biscuits. Great value for money with friendly hosts. The best bit was coming down to breakfast and seeing proper butter in a dish rather then those horrid pats. Would definitely stay here longer to explore the Lake District.
Another long drive back the next day. I stopped in Keswick for coffee - plenty of barista cafes here and the market was on. Stopped off for a good walk at Sizergh castle near Kendel then onto the M6 at 13.30. I had forgotten it was the English half term so it was stop start driving. I left at jct 15 for Shrewsbury and a detour through Wales. Still a long drive but better than the motorway. Back at 9 pm. Millie slept most of the way.
Next trip is to Slovakia, a Tatra photography walkshop. Off on Sunday to Gatwick.
 |
| Moffat community nature reserve |
 |
| Poppy at Galvelbeg B & B |
Arrived at Galvelbeg B & B at 4pm. Met by Nigel and Sarah. Lovely B & B - Millie appreciated the treats given to her by the resident dogs, Murphy and Barley and I enjoyed the homemade shortbread. Had dinner at the Murray Park Hotel - a good recommendation. They are dog friendly there too, so I could have Millie in the bar with me while I ate a delicious dinner of fish cakes.
Set off around 9 am for Ullapool with a few stops on the way. A longer stop at Rothiemurchus near Aviemore to walk Millie. Arrived at 3 pm and checked in for the ferry. Walk around the town and added to the local economy at the great bookshop. An uneventful crossing on the new ferry - Loch Seaforth and arrived safely at ‘Ghinda’, Lochganvich, Lewis.
 |
| I stopped here a few weeks ago on my Visual Art weekend with Tanya and Mike. |
 |
| I didn't notice these pans last time |
 |
| Daisy field at Rothiemurchus |
 |
| Another walk for Millie at Little Garve |
 |
| Does this look like a famous Stout? |
Strolled around the castle grounds and Stornoway on Thursday morning and visited the 4 estate agents. Too early for rentals for November so I have to keep checking their websites. Met Jenny and Jane for coffee and cakes in Delights and then back to Ghinda.
 |
| 'Ghinda' tulips |
 |
| Katie Morag exhibition at An Lanntair, Stornoway |
Went to Ness and a quick visit to Europie beach - very windy so continued around the loop to Callanish for coffee. A short walk for Millie at the stones and returned to Ghinda. In the evening we all went to Tarbert community centre to see Willie Campbell and the Open Day Rotation. Fabulous.
 |
| Deer in Achmore |
I had planned to accompany Jenny and Murdo to meet people off the cruise ship and take them around Lewis. Due to the weather, the cruise ship didn’t dock in Lewis so Jenny and I went off to Tolsta to see Anne and Donald. We then walked on the beach.
 |
| First flowers of the machair |
 |
| sheep bone |
A good walk at Reef beach in Bhaltos on Sunday.
 |
| Millie enjoying her walk in the wind |
 |
| Neve enjoying her walk too. |
 |
| Micky joining in the fun |
 |
| Neve after a last dip in the river |
 |
| Yet another of a 'Ghinda' tulip. Have I mentioned the wind on Lewis? |
Aqua fit with Jenny on Monday and lunch at a new cafe on Point. Must return there to try out their coffee
 |
| Swallows at St Columbus church, Point |
 |
| Millie and I taken by Jenny |
To Harris on Tuesday for lunch at the Skoon Art Cafe. Bought another of Andrew’s paintings. A quick trip around the island and tea at Hebscape Cafe with a chat with Chris and Darren. This was the first time for Jenny and Murdo and they were impressed with Darren’s photos. I bought his book and hope to do a workshop when I finally get to Lewis for the year.
 |
| Leverburgh |
 |
| Taransay from Harris though the car window, hence the tint |
 |
| With window wound down after the rain stopped |
 |
| Panorama of Seilebost, Harris |
Jenny accompanied me until Inverness on the way back home on Wednesday. I left Millie in the car on the ferry so was able to have a good look around this time. Good journey until the rain came down outside Perth and kept it up until the rest of the journey. A pile up on A74 meant a couple more hours driving but made it to Lisco Farm, which is 8 miles off jct 40 of M6 and makes a great stop. Dog friendly, loads of homemade stuff. Loved the ginger biscuits. Great value for money with friendly hosts. The best bit was coming down to breakfast and seeing proper butter in a dish rather then those horrid pats. Would definitely stay here longer to explore the Lake District.
Another long drive back the next day. I stopped in Keswick for coffee - plenty of barista cafes here and the market was on. Stopped off for a good walk at Sizergh castle near Kendel then onto the M6 at 13.30. I had forgotten it was the English half term so it was stop start driving. I left at jct 15 for Shrewsbury and a detour through Wales. Still a long drive but better than the motorway. Back at 9 pm. Millie slept most of the way.
 |
| View from the bedroom window at Lisco Farm |
 |
| Lucky enough to see the red squirrel in the morning |
 |
| A quick look at the resident goats before I set off |
 |
| Not to forget the female goats - blurred due to lack of light |
 |
| This is on the road from Lisco Farm to the A66 |
 |
| Welsh poppies on the walk at Sizergh castle |
 |
| The church at Sizergh |
 |
| View from the church |
posted by carodragon at
1:15 pm
2 Comments:
Great pics
By
Unknown, at 11:16 am
This comment has been removed by the author.
By
Unknown, at 11:16 am
Post a Comment
<< Home