Ee-Usk, Oban, Argyll

This is a place I've been wanting to visit forever.  As I previously mentioned, we are fairly frequent visitors to the Oban area.  This restaurant is in the heart of Oban, right on the waterfront with beautiful views from the floor-to-ceiling windows of Kerrera and Mull.

I'm a seafood fan.  Alan isn't.  This is the reason we have not visited before.  I had actually convinced him to dine here last time we were in Oban but I had underestimated the popularity of Ee-Usk (NOTE TO SELF - MUST ALWAYS BOOK A TABLE IN ADVANCE).

We nipped into the restaurant prior to our wee jolly to Kerrera to book a table for when we came back.  As Monster in Law is vegetarian, she was a little apprehensive about eating here, worried that they may not have anything to offer.  In order to reassure her, we checked as we booked the table that they can cater for a hungry herbivore.  Yes, they can.  Great!

We returned from Kerrera roasting and ravenous.  I already knew what I wanted.  Seafood Platter, of course.  The £19.95 one, not the Grand Platter at £100.  I was hungry, not rich.  Although I'm sure it's probably good value especially if you get five times what I got on mine.  Also, it serves two people.  Totally justifiable.  I will bear this in mind for our next visit.  

I've never had an oyster before but had wanted to try one for years.  I was quite nervous about puking it up in front of the whole restaurant...but I managed not to!  Woohoo!  I enjoyed both oysters without either of them making a reappearance.  A great sense of achievement was felt.  

I already can't wait to go back.

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.  

Freeloaders

Today we were given a kind gift from my father in law, Phil, and his wife, Sarah.  They grow much of their own (award winning) fruit and veg and we were lucky enough to have received a bundle of goodies from them as we visited. 

My cooking skills are limited although I do love to make up recipes on a trial and error basis.  

I used up some veg in a stir fry as suggested by Phil as he messaged me to let me know that the peas that Sarah had included in our bundle were of the sugar snap variety and so didn't need podded.

I included beetroot in the stir fry, however, I wouldn't do this again.  Although the stir fry tasted great, it's a shame the other vegetable colours were masked by the pink hue.  I like a colourful supper. 

I had been wanting to try to make fruit liqueurs for some time - and this was my opportunity!  Perhaps not the most nutritious way to use up fruit but definitely the easiest way as far as i was concerned.  I had previously made limoncello as wedding favours so I figured it would be similar.

So, I have attempted blackcurrant gin and pineapple chilli vodka.

 Looks good so far!