Salen to Kilmelford via Oban
A day in Oban offers the opportunity to revisit eateries and be more confident about a brief review. First was KRONKS, shown here with regular customer Trisha enjoying her daily coffee. On my arrival I asked a chap eating heartily if the cafe was still good and he simply gave a thumbs-up!
I was served by Nieve who remembered my name on a single mention and Trisha opined that, “She’s lovely, Nieve, lovely.” Wanting to mention a photographed regular by name, I told Trisha that friends Nick and Trish of long standing would help me remember her forename.
Next was my favourite fish and chip shop a short walk away. See below the shop with its claims followed by my full and emptied plate. The sole, chips and mushy peas were all excellent.
I remarked to the chap at the next table that it was unusual that people finished more quickly than I did after cycling and after a short chat he gave his name as Nick. Surely the couple Nick and Trish embedded in my brain would not now let me forget Trisha’s name (see above).
On return to KRONKS I asked customer Rowenna for a good name for Norman’s Travelogue. She told me that a website with just that name “does what it says on the tin” so thanks again, Rowenna.
The large Tesco in Oban is a good place to stock up and spend time until the read to Kilmelford quietens in the evening. Dave and Darren were helpful in getting giving me enough phone battery charge to carry out some essential activities and also guided me in the best way to carry out these tasks on a phone.
My interest in trying a trailer behind the bike has been prompted by conversations with a few users this trip. Outside Tesco, Robert from Kerrera was pleased with the Burley trailer that he hires from the island’s community centre.
Before setting off I wanted a calming drink of peppermint tea in the Tesco cafe, but after the struggles with my phone did not feel up to handling the new electronic ordering system. I was grateful to Michelle for demonstrating it to me. I wanted a receipt, partly to test the new system (not expecting that the whole process would proceed without a hitch). Sure enough, the receipt caused problems:
The main road to Kilmelford Yachting Haven was quiet. There I met David’s son Adam for the first time and was impressed how he interrupted his gym session to provide help immediately. He ensured that full charging of phone was possible and also stored some heavy and bulky kit that would not be needed until my return.