The road goes ever on and on...

The day started well. Got up on time. Got out the door on time. I still have a cold so felt pants, but otherwise it was good.

The first part of the journey is a three hour drive to Oban. A beautiful drive normally, but the weather was foul. The cat, who we thought had become a better traveller after we had the genius idea of putting her travel box on the centre console between the two front seats, proceeded to yowl and produce the usual viscous foamy drool in copious amounts. She seemed more agitated than usual and we found out why half way through when she kindly crapped in her box. Some yelling and screaming and gagging ensued.

Next I had the joy of 40 minutes in Oban Tesco trying to buy a week's worth of fresh food. Pushing a large trolley with one hand, iPhone open on shopping list in the other.

The hour waiting in the ferry queue and journey to Mull was mostly fine, except for the point where I realise I left my walking boots at home, so only have the wellies I keep here and my sheepskin boots for a week.

The drive over Mull was very, very wet. The man on the Iona ferry helped us out though by carrying our luggage on, and a nice chap did the same at the other side. Unfortunately nice ferry chap also let us know that the man who runs the only taxi service on the island is away for the weekend.

We carried it all: a wheeled suitcase, two rucksacks, two cross-body bags, three bags for life (one containing cat littler), a large cool bag, a plastic box of food and a yowling cat. About two thirds of a mile maybe, and across a field. It took two trips. It was wet. Our shoes were not waterproof.

Now after hot baths and a pizza, we are fully settled in by the fire watching the original Star Trek movie on the laptop. The cat is happy and sleeping on her favourite armchair. I'm looking forward to sleep.