Port Ban - Iona 2

We were rudely awoken this morning, in my case after a restless night, by the sound of the smoke alarm. We think somebody had been having a rather enthusiastic shower. I grabbed my most important things on the way out of the door - my handbag with car keys and my phone. Fortunately all was well and we went back in to get dressed for breakfast. We went to morning service in the house and then wandered along to the Argyll hotel for coffee in the garden overlooking the Sound. Beautiful. Gill headed over on the ferry to pick up her bike and I made my way across the island to Port Ban via the wonderfully named Bay at the Back of the Ocean, extra 1.
Port Ban has a beautiful white, coarse shell, sand which sets off the clear water beautifully. The beach is very long and slopes gently into the water. I've wanted to swim on Iona every time I've come here and today I finally did it. The water was bracingly cold, but beautiful. I always take ages to get in but today, once I did it was easy to swim and relax - although I was tingling with the cold until I immersed myself!
Coming out was easy, the warm air meant that I was not shivering at all and dried quickly in the sun. I was glad I had my flask of coffee though. Gill arrived around 2pm and we had lunch then lazed around collecting tiny cowrie shells until around 4 when we headed back across the island. Note to self, don't wear new sandals then walk 4 miles in them without socks. Fortunately I brought compeed with me.
We went to the Columba Hotel and sat in the garden with a cold drink enjoying the early evening sunshine. I'd have preferred an ice cream but that wasn't an option! We did have home made ice cream for pudding though so that was probably just as well!
After dinner we went to the Abbey weekly welcome service which was lovely. (extra 2). We'd had to book, all seats were well spaced and hands were sanitised. We had books though and we were able to sing, OK I had to wear a mask and it felt rather strange but for the first time in over a year I was singing in church. The sound of the Iona Gloria echoing around the ancient stones, was just wonderful.
The numbers in Scotland seem to be beginning to slow down again thank goodness. I don't think I'll be running around socially distanced and without a mask for a good while yet though. That's my choice I know, but it will make me feel more comfortable I think. Keep safe everybody.