Back Blip - Machrie Bay, Islay

I don't really know what picture to post from today.  Amazing day out on Islay - sunny, warm and nearly no breeze...

After our last trip some six years ago, my friend EC and I were determined to get some cycling in...  what a great way to break the funk I've been feeling the past few weeks!  ISLAY

We got in late (8:30pm) the previous evening and had to beg to have a restaurant make us a few sandwiches.  Different part of the world. 

Our B&B doesn't believe in any locks on the doors which is a fresh welcome to the current feeling in the world.  It was perfect and only a stones throw from Bruichladdich distillery. We picked up a couple bikes in Port Charlotte and started riding toward the western coast.  Again, perfect.  No ID, no deposit, no forms to sign, feel free to take a helmet or not, just put the bikes back when your done, give a call if you get into trouble... the owner even gave EC his own sunglasses since EC's broke the previous evening.  Very nice people.

Over to the coast and over the ridge where the road ends and down to the beach on Machrie Bay.  Up the beach and back onto another road over to Kilchoman distillery for a tour and lunch at the café.  On up to another dead end road to see the Sidney Opera House like rock, back down and up over to Sanaig Farms for cakes and coffee at a stylish little art gallery on the coast and another beach, back down and around the big Loch Gorm, and back over to Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte for some 50 km's in all... Beautiful day touring on the bike.

Too late for any tastings at Bruichladdich, but we managed to pick up some samples that were waiting for us, which was a very pleasant way to begin the evening sitting on the bench in front of the distillery on the coast and musing about life's funny surprises.

A wonderful dinner at Port Charlotte Hotel and a walk about before and afterwards, then a quick drive down to Portnahaven at dusk to listen to the mermaids singing in the harbor as legend has it.  The seals or sea lions (not sure) put on quite a show and the way the little harbor is shaped amplify all their calls and grunts and moans.  Incredible!

Great great day.