Sunshine and slate

Today dawned dull and rather dreary, which was a pity as we'd thought maybe that we could go out somewhere and take a picnic. Eventually we decided to go out anyway and come back for lunch, as Mrs M had something on during the afternoon.

We set off for Ellenabeich, on the Isle of Seil, some half an hour south of Oban. We stopped off to visit the garden of An Cala, a beautiful place nestling under the huge cliffs which back the village, and protected from the wild sea winds by a high wall. At this time of year the garden is full of flowering cherries and today a beautiful magnolia was already dropping its petals on the surrounding grass. This is my Blip today. 

The Isle of Seil was once the centre of the slate industry, one of the Slate Islands that 'roofed the world'. The whole area, beaches, roadsides,  everywhere is full of slate debris and the lagoon in my extra, backed by the village, is a flooded quarry. It's hard to imagine it being hacked out manually! Across a short stretch of water is the Island of Easdale, which has a number of flooded quarries too. There are wonderful views out to sea, to the Isle of Mull and to many smaller islands such as the Garvellachs. The only strange thing was the lack of people! This is Easter Monday for goodness' sake! It was very quiet, but we didn't mind that. 

I popped back into An Cala on the way back for a chat with the owner as she had just gone out as we arrived, and then we set off home. And contrary to the forecast, the sky was blue and stayed that way all day! 

Quote of the Day: " If you want to know what the weather's doing, look out of the window'! - Grumpy Old Man..