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The Island of Mull... One Summer
Wednesday 9th October 2024
In July next year, Journeying pilgrims led by team members, Phil and Graham, together with Wendy from 'Mull Another Way', will walk and explore the rugged and very beautiful landscape of the Island of Mull.
By way of an appetizer here's an account of our first journey to the island...
A blanket of 'dripping wet' shrouded the hills as we drove in convoy along the narrow-rutted stone track that led to camp number three. Pot holes were brim full of water, hedgerows dripped on either-side and beyond that, tall grass, hung heavy by rain that had only just stopped falling, sloped away into the mist below.
We swung the vehicles into the lonely corral at the end of the track. All around walls of dark rock, fifteen meters high and generously covered with green foliage closed in around us. On the ground, patches of wet yellowing grass, flattened where tents had recently stood.
Brakes clicked into place and after a moment's pause to wipe steam from the windows and stare out at our new 'home,' the doors of the minibus and car opened and we stepped cautiously out and into the muddy world around us.
It was early evening and tents needed to be pitched before the next downpour and the gloomy dark of a fast-encroaching night overtook us.
A few days into our 'Summer Journey' and by now each member of our little band was adept at putting up their tent. We set about the task in good spirits occasionally calling for assistance to help steady a cross pole as it was threaded onto the tip of the 'A' frame.
Once the Kitchen and Community tents were in place; two folk peeled off to get the kettle on and put out a few chairs and tables.
Nightfall over the island descended almost as rapidly as the next storm broke and pilgrims to a man dashed for cover, mugs of tea in hand. A couple of lights in the community tent brought a cheer to the surroundings as we stood or sat in our shorts and raincoats, talking loudly about the day's events above the clatter of the rain. The leaks around the edges and across the roof somehow seeming to cement our relationship with the great outdoors.
Later, after our service of Compline and not wanting a disturbed night, some of the ladies made their way through the pitch dark to the single toilet that stood in an old draughty byre on the far side of the field. With a solitary torch light and a seat that often fell away on impact, this was not an expedition to be undertaken lightly!
Despite the rain, or maybe because of it, the island of Mull captured our pilgrim spirit. We were not disappointed and have returned many times - sometimes in rain, often in sunshine.
We are greatly looking forward to our return visit next summer, when we'll also walk to the summit of Ben More and cross the Sound to the magical Island of Iona. And throughout it all we'll be based in comfortable farm cottages on Mull...
Image: Island of Mull, Castle Duart.