Three Valley Day

Sunday May 7

Having to share the breakfast table is not something we enjoy. Sometimes, we meet interesting people. This morning there were five people already well through their meal. And silence for the first ten minutes. One woman then asked where we came from. Pam then asked why they were here. The reply ''we're on a pilgrimage''. A coach load of church goers from Worcester who are staying this week  in every B and B between here and Bunessan. Jane had Emailed me last August to warn of this and, kept our room for us. They were off to Iona to-day, for the Sunday service I guess, we'll ask to-morrow.
John is back from his trip to Glasgow and fancying changing his Honda CRV for a newer one. I suggested that he persuade Jane that it would make up for her filling his shed with rubbish from a beach clear-up. 
We both needed a rest from driving a long way on these roads, it's very tiring. Waking up to another cloudless day is wonderful, yet that too is tiring on the eyes.
We took our time getting ready to leave before driving - slowly - to Knockvellogan, and back via the campsite at Fidden. The Whimbrel were even more distant to-day in the first sheep field past the campsite.

Some pleasing birds. Whinchat, Cuckoo, Stonechat, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Buzzard, Raven, a Willow Warbler in every bush. Don't they ever get sore throats?
We both love the bay at Uisken, even when it's relatively busy, as it was to-day. Well it is Sunday. It's rocky, hemmed in by mountains, white sand, so many different seaweeds amongst the rocks, with an island protected entry. 

Northern end
Southern End
The house on a lorry at the camping site end, had become the centre of an encampment to-day. Open house ?


About three years ago, a fellow guest told us about Scoor which is a valley east of Bunessan, the track starting on the right as one leaves the village. As it climbs, the surface deteriorates considerably, improved by recent grader work. After a ricketty wooden bridge, the final climb ends at a notice stating that further access is for the self catering cottages only. This is where we park, with a magnificent view over a small loch, then the  large Loch Assapol, the sea a blue haze in the distance. We frequently see White-tailed Eagle and Hen Harrier from here plus several 'padders' on the water. Pam did see an Eagle, I missed it.
The padders were Wigeon, Little Grebe and Mallard with eight young. Orange-tip and Green-veined White Butterflies flitted by, never photographable.
Bunessan Harbour was full of water. We managed to park so that neither of us was in the sun.Six Curlews flew in to settle somewhat restlessly on distant rocks.

A Common Sandpiper finally appeared for half a minute on nearer rocks.I can't go home without photographing one of those .....

Another Fidden visit before retiring for the night, only as far as the campsite to-night, where the tide was on the turn.  At last, a few Dunlin amongst the rocks. One Mountain Hare fed on the other side of the creek, one Grey Seal flopped on a rock and a Redshank sauntered the shore. 
Driving homeward, we met Sue and Ian who had spent all day on Iona before finally having a brief view of a Corncrake. They were fed up that the Hotel veggie garden bird had stopped being obliging. Typical of the bird's behaviour really, in my experience. Showy enough for the first few days after they arrive to claim their territory and then, their notorious skulking and secretive behaviour.
Shall we have a last visit to Fidden  in the morning before driving to Dervaig? I expect so.



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