One of the Lighthouse Family

Woke up to a heavy flurry of snow this morning - as always, my first thought is of taking the car down to the road in case the drive gets slippery. The snow didn't last long however, so all was well. 

We walked down to Homebase this morning to get a few bits and pieces - dry, but with a chilly wind again.  As we came along Ardconnel Terrace, which overlooks the harbour, the 'Isle of Mull' was coming in from . . the Isle of Mull, closely followed by the 'Isle of Lewis', incoming from the Isle of Barra. I waited until they were both in shot and got some reasonable pictures of the duo - but I did a ferry Blip yesterday! (OK, I'll put one on as an extra!)

Instead, this is the Northern Lighthouse Board's 'Pole Star', one of two lighthouse tenders, the other being 'Pharos'. We see them both in Oban, having a base here.

After lunch I drove down to Ganavan, Oban's beach, to attempt a wildflower survey for the BSBI, the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Every year they ask people to carry out a New Year Survey and send in the results. The landscape to the rear of Ganavan beach has a variety of habitats - wet areas, woodland and woodland margins, and grassy slopes. I spent getting on for an hour out there and came up with a single record, gorse, of which there is plenty! Not very exciting!