The beginning of 2013 travels

It doesn't feel much like spring yet, but the days will soon be getting shorter and so I need to get out and about and ask people their wishes.

I went to Iona and the return journey to London took 14 hours, despite being very efficiently timed to connect different modes of transport. In such a small country as Britain, it seems odd that there are places that can be remote. Two ferries, two trains, a bus, car, plane and some spectacular scenery and I was back in south London.

Back into the world of cars and buses, after a week of walking, Cars only allowed to and from the ferry. There were lots of people wandering about - day trippers and visitors to the Iona community. Most morning a (smallish) cruise ship came by and small boats would ferry people to Iona and then sail off each evening. There were also plenty of bird watchers. Iona has corncrakes - which look like a cross between a pullet and a partridge and make a lot of noise. The bird watchers watch hopefully with long lenses ready; the corncrakes scuttle through the long grass avoiding all cameras.

Farming is on a small scale. The crofts have a few cattle, more sheep (and lambs) and chickens.
Now I'm back in consumer central surrounded by shops and things to buy.