JOGLE Blog – Notes from the Isle of Mull

-Wwoof – Willing to work on organic farms.

I may have a mild case of Stockholm syndrome, I can’t work out if the wwoofing hosts have been really nice or I’ve just been here too long… I’ve basically been living in the attic of their house for about a week, they provide a bed and food and I help out around the farm! Joking aside the hosts have been amazing, they’ve made me feel right at home! It’s been pretty nice to have a regular bed after camping and staying in ropey hostels.

I have really enjoyed my time on the farm, very rewarding hands on work. Was quite overwhelmed by the size of the plot when I arrived, as there are parts that still look wild, covered in bracken and heather and I thought my job would be to clear it!

Also the hosts have totally destroyed the stereotype I’ve held that everything Scottish people eat is fried in some way, no mars bars in batter here. I stupidly assumed that they would serve a fry up for breakfast, ploughmans for lunch and roast dinners everyday! They’re organic extremists and strictly vegetarian, it’s good food but after working the land all day, I craved a steak. I think one of the daftest things I’ve actually done this week, was head back over to the main land just to eat a filthy dinner, there’s only one pub locally and I didn’t want to be caught eating non-organic food, I feared I would have been deported(so I jumped on a ship and deported myself?!).

-Obviously in an ideal world being organic and not using chemicals on crops or plastic for packaging etc would be preferable, but we’re completely tied up and reliant on all of the things that are bad for us and the environment. I think the only way to be completely organic would be to strip naked, lie down on the grass in a planking style and just slowly die, ‘It’s what the flower god wants, totally organic man’. I’ve just realised that probably sounds very cult like, wow these small islands really do give out a wicker man vibe! HEATHEN!

Nothing that adventurous has happened over the last week, but I’ve had a brilliant time in and around the Inner Hebrides, hopping on boats and sightseeing. I’m lucky the weather has been on my side. Yesterday I visited the Isle of Iona, I spent most of the time relaxing on the beach just staring into the silver sands and turquoise sea, bliss.

Looking forward to getting back into the walk, will continue south on the West Highland Way along Loch Lomond, may climb Ben Lomond if the weathers good!

The next big stop will be Glasgow, where I hope to find the very finest deep fried Scottish food.

Waffling on…

A few pictures from the last week

Strong coastal defences around the Isle or Coll, apparently they’re to deter smugglers from bringing in non-organic products.

Balamory, far too much noise here!

I’ll take one!

Torosay castle gardens