Day 0
Thursday 11th May - Bristol to Oban
The foundations for this crossing were laid not in the dark winter nights spent planning, nor in the training and other preparation, but in the bar at Bristol Airport. Ironically the room that once was the bar, since redevelopment, has been a large training / conference room where I occasionally run training sessions. I always feel so at home in there mmmmm.
Anyway, it was a sunny day in May 1995 and to the great relief of our respective wives, departure day had finally arrived and we were deposited at the airport. Checked in - and lo and behold 'delayed' was flashing by our intended flight to Glasgow.
Initial frustration was soon to disappear as we realised it was past 10.00am and the bar was open. The plan was to grab a quick couple and be ready when the plane arrived. Mustn't get drunk. 30 mins turned into a couple of hours, and so dear friends the die was cast!!
Still only midday as the plane arrived. About 1.00 we touched down in Glasgow and swiftly to the bus station and onto a bus for Oban. My recall is that there was one almost ready to leave. Must have been as I don't recall the bar.
The journey to Oban was tortuous, especially after the 3rd or 4th trip to the on-board loo. Thank god they had one! Many of you will know the feeling; sleepy eyes, just getting hungry and a 'carpet-dry' mouth. I was fast losing the will to live when the bus stopped and the driver announced 30 minute break. Alllelujah! From semi - corpse to Olympic sprinter in a nano-second! We were in Lochawe, and we loved it.
I recall gliding gracefully through the bar of a fairly posh hotel, ordering 2 pints of Guinness, clocking the gents and arriving at the hallowed porcelain without breaking step. Impressive, even if I say so myself.
Ahhhhhhhhhh was the question, Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, was the reply. A sensible 2 pints so we didn't have to argue whose round it was at the next bar. Back on the bus and soon into Oban, as many will know, a delightful place. I have been back since and explored it a bit more. Its so much more than a ferry port.
We found our B & B, settled in and made our way to a lovely pub right on the harbour wall. Yes, ok, we had a few and a hearty meal...and a few more - well we were on holiday.
