A Room with a View

6.5.17: A Room with a View

Had a good continental breakfast while some of the French (ie, of the male variety) indulged in a "full Scottish". Mags came around with bags of "tablet" by way of a welcome gift for one and all. If you've no idea what it is, just follow the link and discover the delights of this lovely, sweet melt in the mouth confectionary. No need to mention the calories! https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2014/jan/22/how-to-make-perfect-tablet-recipe
Took taxis for the short ride to get our tour bus at the pick up point opposite the airport. I found out later that the bus had come up from Carlise collecting passengers on the way and we continued to do so all the way to the last stop at Largs where we had time for a walk and a coffee. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/largs/largs/index.html
Of course most of us ended up at the Art Deco "Nardini's" café and ice cream parlour founded in 1935 by Pietro Nardini of whom the actress Daniela Nardini is a descendant. http://www.nardinis.co.uk/ Service was poor but it is an institution and a "must" for visitors.
Our fellow travellers were more elderly than ourselves but were pleasant and good natured in the face of a rather noisy French onslaught.
Our next stop was at the village of Luss on the banks of Loch Lomond where there was time for a wander in the sunshine and a bite to eat.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/luss/luss/index.html
As we were just a little too early to check in to the hotel, our driver, Christine, took us on to the "Rest and be Thankful" mountain pass at 235m above sea level http://www.scotlandinfo.eu/rest-and-be-thankful-on-the-a83/ We stretched  our legs, admired and marvelled at such grandiose scenery.
The approach to our hotel was through woods carpetted with bluebells and according to Christine you can see red squirrels if you're lucky. We weren't. As the hotel came into view there was spontaneous clapping from "my group" and I heaved a huge sigh of relief. The interior of Ardgarten Hotel lived up to the photos on their website. Everyone in the group had a large comfy room with a view over Loch Long, a sea loch. Food was good with plenty of choice, there was evening entertainment, the bar prices were very reasonable and there were two Shetland ponies in the grounds. Just a weenie niggle; with 3 coach parties in, of which we were the youngest I might add, food was served in sittings starting at 6.30pm; a bit too structured but with friendly service, it seems a churlish to mention it especially as this 4 day, 3 night tour included dinner, bed and breakfast, travel, a wee cruise and a visit to Mount Stuart House for £196. Jim who was an accountant with an international firm couldn't believe what we getting for the price and had been worried beforehand that it was too good to be true. It wasn't. https://www.lochsandglens.com/our-hotels/ardgartan-hotel
Weather:
Sunny and warm