大象传媒

After nearly 7 weeks holiday, my daughter has finally returned to school! Her first summer holidays as a Mull resident and she has loved every minute. We have been on Mull for 3 months now having moved from Derbyshire and it still feels like we are on holiday - I keep expecting someone to tap me on the shoulder and politely tell me its time to return home - how could I ever return to that life? As a Nurse working 12 hour shifts with no break, working nights and weekends, hardly seeing my daughter and husband. I am now in a world surrounded by peace, no stress and the biggest sky I have ever seen, the most dramatic scenery and wildlife to die for. Our neighbours are sea eagles, red deer, otter, highland coos and a the sea forever changing colour and mood. I have to keep pinching myself - it is truly paradise. I am new to this "blogging" phenomenon but would like to share my experiences in this new life so watch this space. I hope to add some photos too when I work out the technical bit!

The weather today has been warm and sunny with beautiful blue skies - however I travelled up towards Calgary and was met by a sea fog coming inland - quite eerie - I was heading for a high point on the Island to try and glimpse basking sharks but could only see a few yards in front of me - however I passed this week one who seemed to be asking for his picture to be taken. Before tea I suggested we go to Otter Bay as we call it - we sat mesmerised by two otters feeding and cavorting in front of us - it seems a million miles from the real world but its reality up here - I could have sat there all night but "I'm starving" from daughter and husband called it to an end. Another day in paradise!

What a weekend! We have just had a houseful of my husband's family as it was the "southern" Bank Holiday - as typical townies they didn't quite "get it" - why we moved here, the scenery and wildlife etc etc but I have to accept we are all different and are motivated by different things. To help my husband out, who was answering a distress call from someone who had water spouting out of their toilet (he's a plumber for his sins!) I said I would take the inlaws back to Glasgow airport - I really like the drive from Oban through the Glens, past Loch Awe and Loch Lomond so it was no trouble for me. We got about 3/4 up Loch Lomond when we stopped - sat in a traffic jam for about an hour - passengers were getting twitchy about missing their flight - I was internally stressing about getting back to Oban in time to catch the last ferry back to Mull - when we got to the front of the jam a log lorry had gone too wide round a corner and had slid off - added to that there were temporary traffic lights - all in all - chaos! We got going again and dropped off (and I mean threw them out of the car at the airport drop off point!) at 15.00- bearing in mind I had to be in Oban by 17.30 the latest for the last ferry it was going to tight! We had passed lots of police vehicles so I assumed the chaos would be cleared for my return journey - oh how wrong I was! Hit the chaos again at Loch Lomond and just sat and watched as the police reloaded all the logs onto a new lorry, then pulled the lorry out of the side of the road, - we finally got going only to be stuck behind a coach for miles! I had 2 battery pips on my mobile and of course, no charger with me so husband new what was happening. I made it to Oban at 19.00 and then it hit me! I'm stranded - there is no way home until the morning. Should I sleep in the car or try and find somewhere - I had absolutely nothing with me except my handbag of course. The ferry office was closed of course so no help there. I found a hotel nearby, fortunately the Co-op was still open so I could purchase some vital bits that one needs. I was first at the ferry terminal this morning and they promised they would get me on the first boat out - the Calmac staff were incredibly helpful - they do get some stick at time but they were great and I arrived back on Mull at 08.30 this morning just in time to take my daughter to school! I am surprised at how calm I was thoughout this episode which I have put down to being de-stressed living on Mull. In future, when we go off Island, we shall have an "emergency bag" in the boot of the car - I'm sure this wont be the last time it happens.
Anyway, some pics of our beautiful island now I have adjusted the camera.

Today I was going to do the housework - having had a house full for 4 days, it looked like a war zone - my daughter (6yrs) had managed to get every toy out she owned, together with the general devastation visitors bring with them - following yesterday's adventure I had done phase one of the cleaning but thought I would knuckle down and get the rest down today. Have taken Hannah to school, I mused on the walk back home - housework or a jolly jaunt out somewhere - the sun was out this morning with a lovely blue sky - it was a difficult choice - guess which one I chose??? So flask and sandwiches made, off I went. I just did a simple route through Glen More which is stunning at any time of the year - the heather is now out, the bracken is turning brown and I spotted some deer high up on the mountain ridge with a huge set of antlers! Saw golden eagle, lots of buzzards as usual but I still love to see them - as I sat eating my lunch, the weather began closing in so headed back home and also for school pick up at 3.00. Hope you like the pics.
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"Looking up the Sound to the Mainland - look how big that sky is!"
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"just wonderful horizons in Glen More"
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"This is where I had my lunch - I just love this spot - I would I could relay the atmosphere - just pure tranquility" >

Honest - I really was going to finish the housework today - just popped out to put the rubbish and was faced with this trio staring at me with an expression of "fancy seeing you here!" I sneaked back into the house and grabbed the camera but in my haste didnt press the right buttons so not such good pictures - (I am no David Bailey and the camera is really a noddy one - I'm hoping Santa has my new address and will drop one down the chimney) - added to that the Sea Eagle has been sitting on the rocks at the back - I am fascinated by these birds and cannot take my eyes off them - too far away to take a decent snap.

Today's challenge was going to Tobermory for the weekly shop. This is like the outing to the big city and you have to be fully prepared - suit of armour, steel toe capped boots and sharpened elbows! If anyone has been to the Co-op in Tob they will know how narrow the aisles are - no time to ponder "what shall I cook for tea tonught?" - you have to go for it and grab anything you can as you go up and down the aisles - when you get home you can play a game of what shall we have with the tinned rhubarb and baked beans??

anyway having survived the Co-op, sat in the harbour eating my lunch (Mull Cheddar of course) - I took some snaps along the way which I hope you will enjoy. My challenge for the weekend - to conquer ironing mountain which has erupted over the floor! Note to self - I must stop enjoying myself so much!




Tobermory harbour - how flat is that sea?"


"The Pier Tobermory" >


No guesses allowed - note the chip van wasn't open - the best fish and chips I've ever tasted!" >


"Love this view - looking up the Sound towards Tob - 5 mins after this picture it rained!" >