When you have to resort to episodes of downloaded Something Special in the tent as the rain tips down...then the laptop dies, it's maybe time to think about heading home, which is our plan for tomorrow. Today we had a brilliant trip to the Highland Wildlife Park. Wildcats, yaks, camels, tigers, monkeys and polar bears. The latter were a big hit and since leaving their enclosure, Martha has called them several times on her toy phone. Who knew they were so up on their mobile communications technology!
We had a lovely calm, sunshiney ferry crossing back from Colonsay this morning and a scenic drive cross country via Glencoe to Rothiemurchus, just outside Aviemore. Weather permitting we're here for 3 nights. Right now we're all in the tent, hoping for an early night after Martha pre-empted our 6am getting up early for the ferry alarm by 40mins. However after two long naps in the car, she's not looking too sleepy...
Well, not exactly, but we're on Colonsay for at least one if not two more nights, as the ferry we were supposed to be on this evening was cancelled due to gales and torrential rain. Today has been a day of soggy bee keeping for Jono with more theory and fewer real bees, who are not big rain fans! Martha and have survived. Martha has copied me exactly saying 'Oh my God' in response to the volume of cake crumbs she managed to create all over herself and the carseat, whilst i tried to get enough 3G signal to get on the met office and Cal Mac websites! We stopped at one point during another double lap of the island sleep fail drive, for me to retrieve her caterpillar blanket. She wanted out. I said no. We drove on and a minute or so later i accidentally put the car into first instead of third. It revved and slowed, unsurprisingly, and i said 'Sorry Martha'. The voice from the back said, with a hint of bitterness... 'Sorry Martha, not getting out'. Hopefully i'll be forgiven by tomorrow!
I learned that buggies and cattle grids are not a good combimation. That if you're going to do laundry about a mile walk away, it's a good idea to check you've remember detergent before you set off. And that almost 2yr old toddlers that don't want to walk are very heavy but also very open to shameless bribery with bourbon biscuits. Things Martha learned... That geese eat grass. That there is a bird called a corn crake which makes a funny croaky sound. That small hands can't hold a stick, two stones, a pine cone and some daisies without dropping some or all of them repeatedly. That sand is fun to throw until the wind changes direction suddenly. And Jono learned lots about bees!
We're on Colonsay. Yesterday, wall to wall rain. Today, plently of very blustery sunshine. This is Kiloran Bay which we passed on a walk to see a giant stone whale in a field. We also enjoyed a scenic and ultimately pointless full circuit drive around the island to let Martha sleep in the back. Instead she helped herself to the plastic measuring jug from the cooking utensils box in the back, and spent most of it shouting sleepy girl, sleepy time into the jug like a megaphone, whilst not sleeping at all. Thankfully the scenery was nice...
Visited the sea life centre this morning. This is Martha flapping her arms and poncho like the rays and flounders. They were a favourite, as were the seals and otters. In fact the otters were almost the lucky recipients of Jono's glasses when Martha swiped them off his face and threw them. There was a row, there were tears, but the prospect of not seeing the jellyfish meant good behaviour prevailed afterwards! Spending a night of luxury in the Oban Bay hotel tonight, the off to Colonsay in the morning.
This morning Jono and Martha went on the Harry Potter train journey - minus the steam train - from Arisaig to Banavie. Here they are with martha proudly clutching her train ticket which has now been safely stowed along with quite a lot of stones, some shells, pinecones and a feather in her treasure box.
Martha seems to ne enjoying life on the road, but from time to time would like to see some of her friends and family. So in the car park in Fort William Martha went on a pretend drive to see Uncle Paul. According to her commentary, she was keeping her eyes open for bunnies and seals, and saw a sea urchin over there. After the drive was over, Martha helped herself to a pair of boxers from Jono's bag on the ground leading to this slightly surreal exclamation "Martha I'd rather you didn't rub my pants into that vans bumper, or any bumper for that matter!" Life with Martha is never dull. Sometimes bizarre, but never dull!
We're cosied up in the tent watching emergency Mr Tumble episodes on the laptop before bedtime. Although i use cosied relatively speaking, pretty much just meaning we don't actually have hypothermia and are dry at least! Todays highlights have involved a trip to Mallaig swimming pool, some lovely scenery, procurement of a new pair of fleecy gloves for me, and martha dropping something heavy on her foot and kissing her own toes better! Fort William-ish beckons tomorrow...
Photo taken on the Armadale to Mallaig ferry, where Dolly, Mr Snappy and Sizzles enjoyed the view. Due to a very scenic detour we made the ferry by the skin of our teeth - it added an extra level of distress to the hairpin bends,blind summits, passing places and 14 percent hills! Since the car thermometer has been above 5 most of the day, we're camping again tonight near Arisaig. Keep your fingers crossed it stays above freezing tonight...
Sheltering indoors again tonight in one of the simultaneously scenic and unpleasant hostels I have ever stayed in! This pic was taken earlier in Kyle of Lochalsh, shortly before i shamelessly bribed Martha with cherry liquorice to get back into the car and be good until we crossed the Skye bridge! Wasn't sure Martha had fully understood the bargain until we were on our way and a little voice from the back seat piped up 'Martha over there liquorice in mouth'. Yep, that pretty much sums it up!
Because i've not worked out how to rotate photos! But i have been reunited with my phone which has spent the past couple of days awol somewhere in the car! So see what looks like rain on the window... It's actually sleet. Yey! Perfect camping weather. But thankfully the sensible parent conscience overruled and we've bailed into a little heated caravan tonight, at badrallach on the shores of little loch broom. Phew!
Because i've not worked out how to rotate photos! But i have been reunited with my phone which has spent the past couple of days awol somewhere in the car! So see what looks like rain on the window... It's actually sleet. Yey! Perfect camping weather. But thankfully the sensible parent conscience overruled and we've bailed into a little heated caravan tonight, at badrallach on the shores of little loch broom. Phew!
Today has been a day of stunning views, sandcastles, bbq sausages for lunch... And almost 2hrs of mini-m not going to sleep tonight. But she finally gave in. Wondering what her opening gambit will be in the morning... This morning it was 'standing up' - she was, and the dzy before she opened her eyes and said 'sausages'. Porridge may have been a disappointment!
