The minute you get off the ferry you can feel the stresses of life slipping back off the pier (ok I may not have that many stresses this year but this is the latest of many visits and each time you feel yourself relax instantly). The friendliness of the locals is also apparent from the outset. They literally wave you onto the island and whilst you're here there is the obligatory (but very friendly) wave every time you pass another driver on the road.
The views themselves then blow you away - stunning white beaches, turquoise seas, cows at the water and sheep on the road. A wonderful experience for the twins to be up close and personal with real life animals.
And all of this before you even reach your destination of Port Charlotte.
Holidays like these work best to revive you when you follow the same routines. That in itself is the relaxation. This time was obviously a different routine given there were two 21 month olds involved but that just brought a different routine to proceedings (and earlier starts - to the day and to the bar opening in the evening!!). We still managed to escape to visit our old haunts when the late morning nap was underway. The old haunts? Well first there is Bridgend Hotel where the McCulloch wedding took place four years ago - always great to catch up with Lorna and the team. I can highly recommend it for a stay.
Then there is the Outback Art Gallery which is an old cow shed in the back of beyond down many single track roads and far enough out your phone thinks you're in Ireland and puts you on global roaming! There are some wonderful pieces of art here as well as being a great place to grab a coffee and cake.
Normally we'd also visit the Holy Coo cafe in Bowmore but unfortunately it's had to be closed for this season.
And then the one we all love. Our annual visit to Bruichladdich Distillery just two miles from the house.
It is described as an Hebridean Progressive Distillery and it is just that. Every year the shop evolves as does the amazing range of whisky they distil and sell - the packaging itself would almost make me buy whisky.
I do feel like heathen when I visit - I really don't like whisky. But what I am in love with is The Botanist gin made by Bruichladdich - my favourite gin in the world (so far).
This trip to the distillery was a particularly poignant one in that we arrived in time for Duncan McGillvrays retiral morning tea and speeches.
Duncan has worked at Bruichladdich for 40 years and been distillery manager for 36 of these. At that time there was pretty much only the money to reopen the distillery and everything else was a struggle which relied on the ingenuity of Duncan and the v small team to fix boilers etc to keep the place open. Bruichladdich has been on a huge journey since then and today, with the support of their new owners, they are in the process of building new bonded warehouses and re opening the one that has been lying derelict in Port Charlotte for many years. To be there to witness the words of kindness, the giving of gifts and the real friendship shown by his colleagues was a really special experience. One of the gifts given to Duncan was a new bike (he's been cycling to work on the same bike all these years). To send him off in style a fair few of the team brought their bikes to work that day to cycle the two miles back to Port Charlotte (the bar at the Port Charlotte Hotel to be exact!!) with Duncan. It was great later in the day to see all the bikes piled up outside the bar.
Whilst on Islay we...
...HUNG OUT AT...David's mum and dad's house. A beautiful relaxing spot with lots of sun traps - the best one being affectionately known as "the bar" as the sun just happens to shine in there about 5pm. The great thing is that it's a spot that's lower than the single track road outside but the neighbours know to just stick their heads over the stone wall and they'll be invited in for a dram - love the relaxed island living model...
...WINED ON...way too much and can't believe I'm going to say this but this weeks very quaffable wine for any occasion (except when trying to impress) was a boxed (yes boxed) wine from Co-op - a Fairtrade Chilean blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot and Carmenere. I suspect I may regret admitting that but then I never have been a snob...
...DINED ON...like the wine, way too much but beautiful family meals every night from mince and tatties to lamb stew, salmon and David's famous fajitas. Yum (needless to say since returning I've been tea total, fasting, walking and cycling!)
So if you've never been I suggest you get there - you'll love it and want to keep going back. I'm always available to join you as an all expenses paid tour guide.
Final note for the night...I'm currently looking for a three month contract from August to the end of October. If anyone knows of anything in corporate land or coffee / wine land then please let me know.
Until next week - have a good one.
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