It was now September, and I was preparing for my trip back to South Africa, and I was as always sad to leave this safe haven, where I could walk the mountains all on my own, never having to look over my shoulder to see if there was some evil being following me. The midges was the worst that could throw my serenity, but I had brought a South African mosquito killer the previous year, and that proved to be excellent to ban the bloodsucking little monsters from my tent when I slept out.This year I found that 'The Wee Minden', a nice gift shop next to the Kingshouse hotel that was selling all kinds of nice things, including beautiful jewelery, was also selling this stuff, and it wasn't long before all my friends stocked up on the Tabbard.
I have now secured the job at the Kingshouse, as I just did not see my open to stay and see the inn go to the dogs. If Bryan could run it I think he would have run it like a decent hotel, and not like the third rate place it was turning into.
But of course I was going on holiday again, and this time it was to Mull. I was looking forward to that, as Mull always had a kind of mysterious pull for me, maybe because of all the stories about the clearings, but I think that a book by Jim Crumley called 'The Heart of Mull', had really sparked my interest, as it was so beautifully written.
Liz and self pored over the computer looking for a nice cottage that would allow the dogs to go with, and it was quite frustrating, as for instance we would find a wonderful place in our price range, but then on looking into it, found that dogs were not allowed, or when it was on a farm, that there were sheep or other dogs. All this was for Benny's benefit, as the little rascal was as high as a big rat, but as macho as a prize fighter, and would attack any animal, big or small when he got the chance, and Liz felt that she would not like to keep her darling on a leash on his holiday!
Annette, an old friend of Liz came to visit while we were looking for a cottage, and when she heard that cottages where it would be convenient for Benny (if you bally please!) was scarce, she offered to look after the dogs, and Liz and self almost became enemies when I said that I find it a wonderful idea!
Annette was a wonderful lady, who started a university degree at the age of seventy four, and finished it. She had a small farm where she kept a few sheep which she sheared herself, wash and dye the wool, with dye made from plants, and the she spins it, and either weave with it, or knit jackets, and all of this with the help of her daughter.She also drives around her son in law, who, together with a lot of other Strathyre men, had lost his drivers licence because the new policeman had caught him driving under the influence.
In the end we found little Staffa Cottage overlooking loch na Keal.