As a result of the Crinan parkrun cancellation, plus today's weather forecast, I did even more research and planning-on-the-hoof first thing this morning and came up with a plan to visit the island of Lismore with my bike to see what I could see.
Things to remember:
- After swearing I'd never do the Gavanan Sands parkrun ever again, I did the Gavanan Sands parkrun again. It's truly brutal. No parkrun should ever carry warning signs of Steep Gradients Ahead. They aren't kidding.
- The last-minute booking on Cal-Mac's online platform (I have an account, now) saw me heading to Lismore early this afternoon. The island is reportedly very fertile, low lying and hosts a number of cultural attractions. The best of the cultural attractions (for me) were some genuinely impressive carved tombstones harking back to an epoch of a mix of Viking / Celtic culture.
- I also found a traditional BT phone box: complete with phone!
- And the ubiquitous island-life smattering of abandoned vehicles.
- Overall, I found the island twee in places, but all a bit underwhelming.
- Saw a porpoise on the way over and the by-now usual bird life, including gannets diving.
- At the intended overnighting spot spot shown now and ready for a mega-early start in the morning bound for Tiree.
- My original intended overnighting spot tonight was thwarted by a flimsy and a PVC. The entourage was complete with gas cylinder and chairs strewn around outside, utterly bespoiling the grandeur of the landscape. I concluded disrespectful tossers.
Post composed at 21:45 on Saturday 28th June from my (unobtrusive) intended overnighting spot N 56.40445°, W 05.37953° / http://maps.google.com/maps?q=loc:56.40445%2C-05.37953