So, with no hostel in sight we headed to a campground on the other side of the island. It was a bit of a slog to get there, but the reward made it all worthwhile. The campground was just up the road from a white sand beach, and surrounded by hills full of sheep, it was a pretty perfect place if you ask me. They rented out tents and camp stoves so we were set for the night.
After being attacked by some hungry chickens, and making friends with the barn dog, we went and enjoyed the sun on the beach, checked out the town and tried to track down some info about Carly's heritage. Again, it was a beautifully sunny day and Iona was buzzing with activity. We headed back to the campground for the night, but while at the hotel we heard about "St. Columba's Tears". In a bay at the very southern end of Iona, a few miles from our campground, limestone with green streaks from pressurized plant matter washes up on the shore. Apparently, while you carry a tear, you will be protected from drowning, bonus, so I set out to find the bay. Originally I thought, ah, due south, keep the loch on the right, you'll be fine. Not so much, I got to the coast, but even after some interesting climbs from one bay to the next, I don't think I ever actually found St. Columba's bay. Luckily, and with some careful searching, I did find a few "tears" and headed back to the campsite to make some dinner.
3 hours later after the sun had set, we enjoyed some 'al dente' pasta, raw courgette and some sausages. Ah, the joys of cooking with a mediocre campstove.
Sadly, that was the last night of our trip through the islands. Carly headed back to Canada, and I up to Dunino for a relaxing visit with the family! The west coast is definitely one of the highlights of all of Scotland and I'm glad I could enjoy it and the adventures with a familiar face and a good friend.
Ah, finally done with the stories, sometimes it get's a little old typing out your trips when the memories are a little more vivid and exciting than you can describe yourself. On the way home I will hopefully put together a slideshow, so stories will be retold with vivid detail in person with the highlights in that.
As I write this blog I really should be studying for my last exam on Monday, but we are all finding it a little hard to study when summer and home are so close, and with each night it seems like someone new is leaving Aberdeen. It only makes sense to hang out continuously until we all leave, right? Yesterday we finally got to check out a distillery, and sampled a few drams with a great old tour guide. It was a beautiful day so afterwards we headed down to the riverside for dinner, I got to practice my fly fishing technique (its pretty ugly) and the day turned out great.
When I woke up today, I realized I actually needed to pack, and its hitting harder and harder that I am actually heading home so soon! It's definitely a mixed bag of emotions, even with exams I am really enjoying everything here right now, but I am anxiously awaiting my first step onto Canadian soil, and contact with old friends and my family. I am not feeling particularly inspired right now, my brain is exploding with to do list's, anticipation and memories, but there should be one more post in the works before I come home, and hopefully some picture updates to the last few.
This week, I finish exams on Monday, fly down south to visit family Tuesday, then head home Friday morning. For those of you reading in the Sault, I will be home Friday at 6, so keep your schedule open for some celebrations next weekend!!
See you soon!
George
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