Isle of Iona

22 May

Today was our last outing before we head back to Glasgow and it turned out to be quite the pilgrimage. We headed back down to the ferry port and caught the ferry to Isle of Mull.  We then took the southern bus all the way to Fionnphort. Then it was another very short ferry to Isle of Iona.  

What greeted us there was a spiritual encounter not only for a further insight to the spread of Christianity in the early centuries after Christ's death and resurrection but an encounter with God's sense of humour. 

I had been plagued with stress about the parking fine for which I'd had no response so I'd emailed them last night to follow up.  After landing on Iona, Mom and I made our way to the ancient nunnery and were walking through the ruins, when my emails caught my eye. I opened it up to check and lo and behold, my fine had been forgiven, excuse the pun. I'd just finished reading that when I look behind me at a meditation bench with a plaque on it that read, "In memory of ALUN HUGHES 1939 to 2014 who found peace here".  Well God certainly gave peace to another Hughes right at the very same spot. 

The nunnery was extremely beautiful and you could clearly see the love and care that it had been built with.  A little way further and we found another chapel with amazing sculptures showing very early crucifix designs. It is a beautiful soulful island. 

We had hoped to progress further and enter the amazing Abby but by now in our trip, our exchange rate is really starting to hurt, so we were restricted to outside viewing. 

We went back towards the ferry's and decided to have lunch on the small island hotel. A delicious soup was served. 

We headed back to the 1st ferry but alas after landing found we had quite the wait for the next bus. After the long bus drive we then found that although the ferries allow more passengers from other times to board, this ferry was full and we had to wait for our later ferry.  

Finally arriving back at Oban we had a quick meal before walking back to our guesthouse, which was after 9pm so a long and busy day and hence the late posting of this blog. 

All in all a beautiful but exhausting day! 


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