Last Day on Islay

I know it's not for everyone, but I love being someplace where there's next to nothing to do. Islay definitely fit that bill. I had walked to the only distillery I wanted to visit so that was done; there's only one boat-tour company on the island and I had waited too long to book and they had no slots open for the days I was there, so that was out; I didn't have a car, so driving around just to see more of the island wasn't an option; that left visiting the Machrie Hotel, or more specifically, the spa at the Machrie Hotel and Golf Resort. So yesterday I booked myself a spa service, got on the bus in town, and got dropped off at the top of the road to the hotel. It was probably a 20 minute walk from where I got dropped to the hotel, past the sheep, along the meadows, on a beautifully sunny day. I had a fabulous massage followed by lunch at the hotel restaurant which overlooked the golf course. Couldn't have been a better day on Islay.

Back in Glasgow now, where it's pouring rain which is fine with me. Looking forward to getting back to the boonies tomorrow.

If It's Good Enough for Ron Swanson...

All my life, I have avoided Europe and its multitudes of terribleness. But it turns out, much to my surprise, there is actually one place in Europe that is worth seeing. These tiny islands off the coast of Scotland where God’s chosen elixirs are distilled, barreled, and prepared for consumption. THIS is worth the trip.

--Ron Swanson

I've never had the aversion to Europe that Ron Swanson had, but his discovery of this particular island where I currently find myself is what prompted me to come here. I've also never had his affection for Scotch whiskey, but that was no deterrent. 

So I started down the path...

...and ended up here:

Lagavulin whiskey has a peaty, smokey flavor that some people love. I though it tasted like sucking cough syrup through a campfire. But I still love Ron, and I love being on this remote Scottish island. 

 

Islay

Today I got up at the crack of dawn and flew from Glasgow to Islay ("Eye-lah"), one of the Hebrides Islands. It's wild and remote and I love it here - even though all I've done today is walk around the minuscule town of Port Ellen, nap, read a book I found in the lodge where I'm staying, work, and eat some fish and chips. I'll explore the island tomorrow and explain why I chose this rather random spot on the map. 

Port Ellen

Saw this in the grocery store; was not brave enough to buy it. 

blue door is the Islay Lodge, where I'm staying

Finnich Glen

Today was quite an adventure, down into a canyon via slippery, wet, ancient stone steps. Definitely something to do with a guide and a group and great way to spend the morning.

Glasgow

Arrived in Glasgow by train yesterday and met up with my friend Dilini whom I last saw 14 years ago when she lived in Spain. It felt like I'd seen her a week ago. Dilini gave me a little driving tour of Glasgow after which we went to the house in which she grew up to visit her mother, my Auntie Celia (my mom and Auntie Celia were schoolgirls together in Sri Lanka) and then we went back to her flat and she made me dinner. It's a real gift to have friends all over the world.

Walking tour today of the East side of Glasgow. All of Europe is complaining about the weather so I have to add that it was sweltering. In Scotland. Which is just. Not. Right. It started off cool and I was delighted to be in jeans, a sweater, and my raincoat. Then it started to rain - boiling hot rain as far as I could tell. It felt like New Orleans in August inside my raincoat but once I peeled it off it was an enjoyable tour of some great spots around town.

Canal Life: London

London is once again sweltering. I'm writing this from Glasgow, which is also sweltering, because during my two days in London before coming here, it was too hot to take pictures or do much of anything. On my last night there, I manged to muster the energy to go on a dinner cruise through the canals of Little Venice. When I lived in London for a couple of months in 2008, I used to walk along the canals quite a bit, so it was nice to experience them from the water instead of the walking path.,

Welcome drink was cider brandy. I heard one guest compare it to cough syrup but I liked it. 

Chef Steve and his sous chef Sasha whipped up a wonderful seafood dinner in a galley the size of a closet. 

I eat oysters very occasionally, this one was delicious. 

yummy fried sardine.

spinach and watercress soup topped with crab  - this was spectacular.

hake from Cornwall

sorbet with apricots for dessert

Lots of Londoners were out on a Friday evening, picnicking on these little rental boats.