A mooch about Lochgilphead

Toad and I had been going to take part in a field trip to Kerrera with the Argyll Bird Club but because of a forecast of heavy rain and strong winds it was cancelled. This meant that LSB and I could go for a mooch around Lochgilphead instead. LSB drove there and we had refreshments at the Smiddy Bistro. Then we explored homeware and arty shops working our way up Argyll Street. When We spotted a sign saying "Free coffee", LSB pressed her nose to the window (well, almost) to see what was what. Next thing we knew three people were leaning out into the rainy street urging us to come in. I wish I'd had a camera ready to get a shot of that!

We went in and found it was a drop-in meeting place, in someone's house, for SNP (Scottish National Party) supporters. We were given hot drinks and biscuits and had some friendly chat. We live in the same constituency as the group of people in this house. We didn't talk politics.

The house has a big applique hanging in the entrance hall. I took a picture of part of it.

Continuing up Argyll Street we went into another homeware shop where I splashed out on a silicon pastry brush—my natural bristle one is starting to moult, presumably like the animal it came from—and a ball of soft Indian cotton twine. Boggy Brae gardening tasks always seem to need more string.

On our way back down we stopped for tea and cake—the best chocolate and carrot cakes ever!—at Cafe 35, where I and two other friends had called in a few years ago after our trip to Knapdale to see beavers (we saw no beavers but we did have a lovely day). LSB is the carrot cake tester. I test chocolate ones. Each of these types of cake can be disappointing; those at Cafe 35 were not. The tea was good too. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

On the drive there and back we noted with delight the many hazel catkins dancing in the wind in the road verges and, on other tree species, the clothing of lichens that makes them look never-bare even when they're leafless in winter.