Isle of Mull with video

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summittoppler
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Isle of Mull with video

Post by summittoppler »

Some my pleased to see there is no fat bike content in the following:

I'd been planning on getting over to Mull for a while now and despite having it securely set in stone last October half term, the weather gods broke that stone.
so as the Mrs got back from a short break to Poland, I clearly had a 'pass' to use so why not set a new stone and get over to Mull.
After a 6.5 hour sweaty drive on Easter Saturday I managed to get the last £3:70 ferry to Craignure but not before a fish supper at the harbour.
Image20190420_184653 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Image20190420_190015 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Image20190420_191037 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

There's something I like about walking on one of the Cal Mac ferries with the bike, that sense of adventure starts now. The 50 minute crossing was very calm and given the fact the rest country were baking in ealry summer sun I was hopeful. I even managed to spot my wild camp spot from the ferry.

Image20190420_200543 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Image20190420_202657 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

However on arriving at Craignure the summer weather had gone and the evening drizzle arrived. I made the short 5 miles ride to the camp spot disturbing deer as I lit up the quiet lanes.
As some of you know, the deer see you before we see them. A bit like Zulu's, thousands of 'em!
Image20190420_211059 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

I set up with the glow of Oban lighting up the night sky
Image20190420_215826 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

A quiet night apart from the sea birds, an Owl, seals and I assume deer growling or shagging!

Where's my bike...
Image20190421_072210 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

After packing up just after I heard the local farmer on his quad nearby, I only went a few miles down the road to Strathcoil to the Reflection Bench for a morning brew. Not sure why its called that....
Image20190421_085653 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Image20190421_085150 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

The road was now very quiet and short a single lane with the usual Pi$$ing place signs.
Image20190421_100323 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Still no sun...
Image20190421_102644 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

A big climb was rewarded with a long downhill run to the right turn onto the B8035.
Image20190421_104255 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Image20190421_170609 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

The scenery got pretty good by this point too which helped take my mind off the head wind blowing down Loch Na Keal.
Image20190421_121545 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Image20190421_122658 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Image20190421_124106 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Image20190421_125018 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Image20190421_125141 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

I then spent a good hour watching and filming a couple of otters coming in and out of the water!
Image20190421_130859 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Soon after my legs which aren't use to riding all day on a loaded bike in to a head wind were telling me to get back to Oban and get mullered in Wethers, I duely obliged :lol:

Image20190421_143128 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Image20190421_153513 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

cheers!
Image20190421_193852 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

A lot of reflections on this one:
1, as I only got my van back from the garage an hour before leaving, I'd say deep down my heart wasn't 'in' the trip as I did think it wouldn't happen. Grr
2, I'm glad I took the Genesis
3, pee'd off the dynamo hub didn't charge my phone until I reached about 15mph!!
4, why do head winds follow you?
5, why get drawn to Wethers?
6, a bit far to drive for a 'short' ride
6, I'd do it again!!
Last edited by summittoppler on Tue Apr 23, 2019 2:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Isle of Mull

Post by Bearbonesnorm »

Number 6 is probably all that matters Jeff :wink:
May the bridges you burn light your way
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summittoppler
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Re: Isle of Mull

Post by summittoppler »

Bearbonesnorm wrote: Mon Apr 22, 2019 7:16 pm Number 6 is probably all that matters Jeff :wink:
Absolutely Stu, it doesn't matter about anything else as long as the spark is still there ;)
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Rasta
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Re: Isle of Mull

Post by Rasta »

I've done a fair few scuba dives just off your bivi spot. Lots of scallops there.
A great island for cycling round.
slarge
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Re: Isle of Mull

Post by slarge »

We stayed on Mull last year, and drove round the same roads you rode on. It's a great place to ride, and I hope you saw some sea eagles.

And as Stu says, number 6
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summittoppler
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Re: Isle of Mull

Post by summittoppler »

slarge wrote: Mon Apr 22, 2019 10:13 pm ....and I hope you saw some sea eagles.

And as Stu says, number 6

O yes, 1 sea eagle, 2 otters, 1 mouse, loads of buzzards, deer, 4 seals, a few swifts and heard my first cuckoo of the year :)
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summittoppler
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Re: Isle of Mull

Post by summittoppler »

Here's my film from the trip...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-j0qOl9fjI







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Re: Isle of Mull with video

Post by Escape Goat »

Great little write up Jeff, loved the video as always. I've got the GoPro charging and mounts for the WRT...just need a selfie pole and I'll be happy.

Will we see you at the WRT? I honestly can't remember if I've asked this.... Sorry if I have!

:-bd
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summittoppler
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Re: Isle of Mull with video

Post by summittoppler »

Thanks Al, glad you enjoyed it. Mull is a great place for cycling, the scenery and wildlife is top drawer.

As for the WRT, I'm yet to do one. Maybe next year. Have a great weekend, I'm sure you will :-bd
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Re: Isle of Mull

Post by ootini »

Rasta wrote: Mon Apr 22, 2019 8:25 pm I've done a fair few scuba dives just off your bivi spot. Lots of scallops there.
A great island for cycling round.
Yeah, some nice wall dives there. And spitting distance to some lovely wrecks.
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ootini
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Re: Isle of Mull with video

Post by ootini »

To be fair, id say Mull was my favourite place in the UK.
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summittoppler
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Re: Isle of Mull with video

Post by summittoppler »

ootini wrote: Sun Apr 28, 2019 9:00 am ...id say Mull was my favourite place in the UK.
I've been to most of the islands on the west coast now and apart from Harris, Mull was and is a place to return to :-bd
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