Kerrera Tea Garden, Isle of Kerrera, Argyll

Today we went for a jolly to the Isle of Kerrera, which is just a very short ferry journey away from Oban.  There's not much on this wee island, but thanks to my Monster in Law's obsession with scones, she knew there was a wee cafe at the other end of the island and so we made this our objective.

The ferry itself was, I felt, quite expensive at £4.50 each for a return journey, however, the two chaps running the show were friendly and welcoming and I really enjoyed the short trip.  It seemed busy both times, mainly packed with folk like us, aiming for the cafe.

Oban from the ferry

The journey was quite spectacular.  We had been blessed with a temperature of 22 degrees, which is rather unusual in Scotland in the month of May...or actually, any time of year.  We got a few lovely photos of the scenery.

I had been assured that the cafe was roughly two miles from the ferry.  I enjoy walking, but I do prefer to be on the flat.  Unfortunately for me, the journey seemed to be mainly uphill.  In the heat, I was struggling!  I would normally be able to walk two miles in roughly half an hour, but this took us quite a bit longer, I think it was roughly an hour, even the dog was flagging.

The tea garden itself was nicely set out with quite a few tables in the sun, surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers.  You can't actually go inside the bigger house as this seems to be a staff only area.  Luckily it was a nice day, otherwise, I'm not sure where all of the customers would sit.  The inside area, in the steading-like building, only had three small tables, all occupied.  

I ordered a lemonade and a lemon drizzle cake, both sounded refreshing - I was clearly in need to some zing!  Monster in Law ordered a scone, but unfortunately they had none left.  The friendly hap who served us explained that this was due to a walking group having ransacked the place earlier.  Alan said that he thought that some staff members and many of their customers looked 'a bit vegan', and 'as if they might wear hemp shoes'.  As terrible as this is to say, I must admit, I knew what  he meant.  

The lemon drizzle cake arrived.  It was a good sized slice and very tasty.  I was pleased that it was, as I felt it was quite expensive at £2.50, however, I can understand that not only do they have a captive audience, but also have to struggle with the logistics of getting ingredients to stock the kitchen from the mainland.  We had a wee nosey in the bothy before we left.  It was nicely set out and looked well equipped with everything you might need.  Monster in Law vowed she would stay next time she visited, although I think she'll maybe bring ingredients for scones with her as a backup plan.

I was pleased that our return journey was shorter due to it being downhill, because I could feel I had been sunburnt on our way there.  I hadn't been prepared for sun in Argyll seeing as Aberdeenshire was a cloudy 13 degrees.  Lesson learned.  

Pitmedden Gardens

I was invited for a cup of tea at Pitmedden Gardens by Mother Hubbard and Monster in Law.

It was lovely.  Although it was a sunny day, it was not really pleasant enough to go for a walk in the gardens, especially at a cost of £6.50 each, as it was quite windy.

We enjoyed our tea though, although in my case, it was a hot chocolate...

The Victoria sponge I had was delicious, definitely homemade.  The Mothers has scones and seemed to enjoy them.

The cafe itself was smaller than I expected and full of ladies of a certain age who 'do tea'.  The staff were friendly and I couldn't have faulted the service.  It was quite expensive, but this was to be expected of a National Trust Cafe.

I'd happily go back.

Scottish Game Fair, Scone Palace, Perthshire

This has become an annual event in our calendar.  This is owing to the goodwill of Alan's dad, Phil, who holds a stall here (Sportsman Game Feeds).  A pair of free tickets usually end up in our direction.  Phil deals in all things game related.  I think mainly feed.  Alan seems to have no clue what his dad does.

Alan insisted on taking the dog - a lesson we should have learnt from last year.  The game fair is a great place for all well behaved dogs.  Walking around the fair, at times, I did wonder if there may be more dogs there than humans.

There are an array of dog-related stalls, including a 'Dog Creche' which we made use of last year and again this year.  Fara was happily taken from us for two hours and popped into the creche where she got to sniff lots of other dogs bums.  This allowed us to explore the food tent and other places unsuitable for bouncy, hungry doggies.  This works on a donation basis with money given being put towards rehoming gundogs who can lo longer be looked after by their owners (Dog Creche).  Most dogs at the fair are very well trained gundogs and so put our badly behaved, poorly trained pooch to shame.  Although, said that, by the end of the day she had started to calm down...it only took six or seven hours this time.

We bought a few bits and bobs, including a fantastic Scotland shaped slate from Slated which is going to be (hopefully) hung on a wall somewhere in our wee flat.  Their slates are beautiful and very well priced.  I hope to buy some more, both for ourselves and as gifts.  I'd be pleased to see them back at the Game Fair next year.

We also bought a gift for Phil and his wife, Sarah, as a wee thank you for the tickets.  A trio of wooden mushrooms which they both seemed very happy with.  They almost immediately picked a place in their very well kept garden to put them.

Last year there was a great stall selling roadkill pigeons which had been rigged up to move.  It was there again this year, much to our delight.  I'm sure there's a very good reason for this but I'm ill informed, preferring to concentrate on the novelty factor.

Alan and I ended the day convinced that our next big purchase would be a wood fueled hot tub.


Happy wife, happy life...