To conclude the cycle itinerary, I took my bike on board the ferry to Craignure on the Ise of Mull for the first part of the trip. The weather was wet and breazy and I wondered what to expect on the 30 mile ride after docking. It was Maundy Thursday and the ride took me out into a wilderness mountainous area, with numerous campervans and cars passing through. At one point I wondered if I had taken a wrong turn and my fingers began to become red and toes numb. It reminded me of the account of Jesus in the wilderness and how its often the unknown that has to be overcome to see the bigger picture.

Then the terrain changed to lower elevation and a loch (Scridain) appearing on the side of the road. A lone cyclist went by with a nice smile and by 11:30 the weather became dryer and warmer. I went through the small fishing village of Bunessan and then the sun came out and changed the atmosphere completely. The sea turned from a murky green, to blues and greens and more sea gulls could be heard. On arrival a Fionphort I got on the ferry without delay and the short expanse of water and clear view gave me an opportunity to take some pictures of the abbey in the distance. (See photo)

The Easter weekend was now appoaching and as a Christian, the island with its bleakness and beauty seemed appropriate to end the trip. There were sheep and lambs around the farmers fields and abbey had a poster with service details for visitors to join in if they wished to. At the Church run guest house, the visiting vicar (Rev Rod Geddis) lead services including one on Good Friday afternoon compiled as a play, him being of a ruff centurian dealing with this Jesus person walking to cross etc. The other guests were mostly of retired age and lovely to chat with. Also three guests from Brussels (Belgum) whom I joined on a walk to a near by hill top view point. On Sunday I went along to the Abbey service and enjoyed the music sung in their Iona acapella style.

The Island has been a leaving or destination place of pilgrimage for centuries and after the arrival of the Irish monk Columba in 563, became a centre of Celtic Christianity.

It was an amazing feeling to be here and with the sky and views around, felt quite heavenly.