Islay

I’m up and away by 8am, after making Jane, who’s sleeping on the living room floor, with Steve (a dog), a cup of tea.  She didn’t seem to be in a hurry to drink it, but then it was pretty cold, and dark…

The drive to Kennacraig goes well.  Kennacraig is, literally, just a ferry terminal.  Although it does seem to be relatively busy.  When I initially park up the van, in one of the car parks, I notice some movement in the, initially seemingly empty car, parked next to mine.  Closer inspection determines that a Robin is flying about inside the car.  Is it possible to accidentally shut a bird in your car without noticing?

The crossing is smooth, and Islay alternates between looking sunny and brooding.  I pick up some food in Bowmore and then find the reserve.  my home for the next two weeks.  The RSPB reserve at Loch Gruinart.  Yes, indeed, we have a winner!  Hopefully.

Eion, the farm manager (cattle and sheep are kept on the reserve to maintain habitat for various birds, which I’ll probably mention over the course of the next couple of weeks), shows me the bothy, where there is a kitchen living area, a number of bedrooms and a couple of toilets/washrooms.  No one else is about until Catherine, the warden, shows up to give me an induction.

I carefully choose the bedroom that doesn’t overlook the cow shed.  There is a room upstairs which is already occupied by David, another volunteer, who’s away for the weekend.  He will be my house (bothy) mate for the next two weeks.  Apparently, he’s nice.

First impressions are good.  If I have a gripe, and it would be a small one, it’s that everything seems to smell ever so slightly of cow shit.