The Great Escape.

I had my first proper bit of escapism this weekend, I left the island for4 whole days, and by the miracles of modern travel, found my way back to Wales, in approximately one and a half hours flying time, compared to 12 hours driving time.

It was a strange surprise that Wales had turned into summer while I had been away, so made the most of it by getting in the first icecream and the first sea swim (bracing, but not too bad!)

You'll maybe not be surprised that I am yet to swim in the sea up here.
Having said that I am member of the local swimming club whose motto is "Swim y'bastards!"(written in Gaelic so as not to offend those of sensitive dispositions)


The pool is in Bowmore, and is heated by the Bowmore distillery, which is a useful form of recycling.

And the swimming club members can usually be found in the local pub after their swim, which is probably the best thing to do after excessive exercise.



Excuse the randomly inserted pictures,

These are not pictures from Islay:

Mean and moody Loch Fyne,

Mean and moody pirate

Mellow and moody piece of MacIntosh stained glass.

While enjoying my escape to civilisation, I spent an entire day in Glasgow.

There is loads of MacIntosh related gubbins there, the House for an Art Lover comes highly recommended. I shopped to within an inch of my life, such was the joy of being in a 'big city' again, having more or less got used to the lesser range available in the Co'.

Had to stop when I could no longer carry any more.

And it was time to return to the little island. Flying back home was quite strange, nearest I've felt to wondering what I am doing, almost like sending myself to Coventry.

See, let myself get dazzled by the big lights and pretty shiny civilisation.