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Going to Oban (6th July 2021)

The journey north was tedious with very slow traffic on the M61 and then the M6. Once we passed the exit queue to Blackpool we were 'away' and headed to Tebay services. "Why not?"  I hear you say.

The plan was to head up Loch Long, past the Faslane base but this is about 30 mins longer than directly up Loch Lomond and as we were a little late we decided to take the main road to Tarbet and Arrochar.


We then headed-up Rest and be Thankful. In spite of the continuous road repairs, we drove straight up without delay and then took a left at the summit and plunged down, down, all the way to Lochgoilhead.


Here, after much research, we knew that there would be a welcoming pub with adjacent car park for the night.



No sooner had we stopped and lifted the roof than we were greeted by people from East Kilbride who whanted to talk about the Land Rover. This was easier said than done but with a few hand gestures and mutually understood phrases, we managed to talk about not only the vehicle but also Rolls Royce aero engines at Derby, the Moray coastline and the beautiful view across the loch.


Most of Glasgow appeared to be here, having been released from their Covid lockdown and they were happy, especially our friends from East Kilbride who were the loudest.


The family in front of us as we waited "to be seated", gave their name but the greeter was unable to locate them on his iPad. He returned to ask the guy if he was called Al or Alan but once informed this still didn't help. In fact the solution was to give the iPad to another member of staff and this then smoothed the way in for them.


We didn't have a meal booking but they found room for us at the table by the window, with yet another great view of the loch. sorry Al, or Alan.




It rained a little in the evening but in spite of the cloud there was a feeling of daylight until late. In the morning the sun was up before the birds and we felt warmth through the canvas. It's a great setting with Loch Goil, an arm of Loch Long, stretched south as far as you can see.





We drove up Hells Glen to get to the main road and were soon skirting Loch Fyne and passing Inveraray Castle. We parked at the town next to a Defender 110 (from Glasgow) and eventually made it into Brambles Bistro for a coffee and morning scone. I had to decline the clotted cream and jam as it was too early in the day.  Brambles staff are clearly recompensed for up selling but I wasn't going to fall for any of that nonsense.


I was directed to the Covid app check-in and prepared my phone (Bluetooth to ON) but the QR code was rejected when I scanned. So I tried again but still it wasn't recognised.  The waitress gave me another code to scan but when this failed they realised from my accent that I had the English app. Unfortunately I blurted out something like "it's not a different one, is it?" and then virtually left Brambles and visited the Apple App Store where software was quickly installed and we were 'in'.





We paid a second visit to the iconic Inishail Chapel on Loch Awe. It's absolutely beautiful. 





Then, approaching the final miles to Oban, we turned left up a tiny roads where no motorhomes can drive and ascended to a high pasture. It was spectacular and a perfect spot to spend a lazy lunchtime.





Then it was down into the back of Oban and we made an early reconnaissance of the ferry check-in. It was only 2pm and our booking was for the 3:45 sailing. However a ferry was finishing loading and no sooner had we flashed our ticket than we were in lane3, the standby queue and two minutes later we drove on. I even had to check that it was the ferry to Mull.





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