Visibility almost down to zero.

 Aug 9th

We both woke with a start, no idea what the time was, but it was still dark. A loud roar sounding like a body of water coming down the mountain. MB rocked and a deluge of water engulfed MB. Sounds dramatic, it did to us at the time too. Looking outside, what we could see was the stream to the front of MB had more water running down then yesterday, but it wasn't dangerous. What we had heard was a sudden squall, a powerful wind carrying with it very heavy rain which lasted for several minutes. The worry of more of the same had us both lying awake, and it took a while for us both to drop off again.

The stream in front of MB

I think worry kept our sleep light, and we both woke well before 6 am. It was pouring down, didn't bode well for the rest of the day. Just before leaving, the sun briefly appeared and produced a fabulous rainbow. In fact, as we drove along the road, it almost felt we were catching up with it and were about to drive right through

 

The parking area by the Meeting of Three Waters was free of vehicles. I know I grabbed a photo as we drove by yesterday, but the opportunity to stop and get a better one was too great. 

 That drive through Glencoe glen was something not to be missed. Its sheer scale and grandeur of its surrounding mountains has to be seen and admired. Today, the cloud lifted long enough to take these photos.

So today was more of getting from A to B. Nothing planned other than go back to Oban for a shop. The route we took was to take us towards Glasgow, plenty of roadworks on the way to heed our progress. It was one hold up after another and at one point the rain got beyond a joke, Ian pulled over in a lay-by to allow it to blow over.

Flooded roads showed the continuing rain fall.

The top two photos are of the heavy rain and the bottom two, water off the hills and mountains, had to go somewhere.

North of Glasgow, we encountered more heavy traffic. Everything slowed down to a crawl, and then it was stop, start for well over 40 minutes. The sat nav showed a roundabout 2.9 miles from where we joined the queue, when we eventually reached the roundabout, found no reason for the hold up at all! The delay meant we never got as far as we wanted today. Looking for somewhere to stop, Ian looking at the app came across Balloch Steam slipway. It's by the marina, but no overnight parking allowed. What grabbed his attention was the facilities. Black water, grey water and fresh water next to the slip way and could all be used for free. The loo could do with emptying, and we do like to keep the water tank topped up, so that was the first port of call. I have put this photo on for anyone wanting to use these facilities if coming to Glasgow by motor home. It wasn't easy to find, but hopefully this photo will help to show where the facilities are.

 Not far from there, Ian found an overnight stopping place. It was in Drymen road car park, and considering what wonderful places we have stopped in, this one was just off the main through road in town with views of cars! It's noisy and not ideal, but Ian has driven for 5 hours. A stop for lunch and shop didn't really give him much of a break, and sometimes I wish I could help with the driving. I lost my nerve years ago, and the thought of getting behind the wheel is terrifying. Tomorrow is another long day, heading to the Yorkshire Dales where the views will be much more to our liking, and then Sunday will see us back to FS.

Look at that...the sun. Not seen that for a while!