IslayBlog.com -> 2008 ->
Monday, 21/Jul/2008
Back From A Week On Islay
So there we are. I'm back after a week on Islay. A comparably wet week on Islay, at least compared to most of my previous visits. With the rather damp weather for large parts of the week I didn't get as much walking done as I had hoped, but I still had a great time. I just did other things, including a lot of reading. I read 4 books (none of them Islay related) and relaxed. But the weather wasn't all bad, to compensate for all the rain, mist and fog I also had views like this on occasion:
As you can see the reappearing wreck is still visible. Actually, there's even more of it visible now compared to back in April. I'll post a follow up entry with more pictures some time over the next few weeks.
What else? I did a bit of ‘birdwatching’, well, kind of. Regular readers will know that I don't consider myself a birdwatcher and don't know much about birds, but I blame my hosts Ian and Margaret of Kilchoman House Cottages for slowly developing an interest. There are bird books in all the cottages and I did use the one in my cottage (Saligo) to identify the Islay Birds I had seen (and sometimes photographed). I've recorded some video footage of the buzzard above, I think some of it will even be usable. More of that once I had the time for some serious video editing.
When I arrived on Islay as well as later in the week I had a look at the progress of the Islay Hotel in Port Ellen. Roland was so kind to give me a guided tour of the site, including a view from top. More about that later, but they certainly are impressive. Again I've recorded some of it on video, once I've got the editing done I will publish it online. If you look closely on the picture you will notice the Spot The Whisky Barrel barrel at the entrance to the site office. If you are on Islay over the next few weeks visit Alison (if the barrel is outside of the door she's in the office) and get your ticket. Alternatively just do it online.
Anything else? There's a lot more, too much to mention it all in this entry. There will a full travelogue at some point (once I've completed all the other outstanding ones...), but some other highlights included: A fantastic dinner at Paul and Joan's an taigh-osda in Bruichladdich. Watching James (contact JW Watersports on 07748-782949 for bookings and further information) teaching windsurfing on Loch Indaal and his students making great progress. A late afternoon walk at Kilnaughton Bay in beautiful sunshine after a rainy morning. And much much more.
Advertising
Navigation
[Previous entry: "Friday Islay, Gigha and Jura Picture (65)"] [Home] [Next entry: "How to Spot Granny's Rock on Islay"]