At Iona

Phil had no trouble climbing up Dun I - the highest hill on Iona.  The Abbey is in the background with Mull across the water

The tiny island of Iona is beautiful - it was once home to over 500 people but the potato famine decimated that and while it has increased slowly, there are still only 120 year-round residents.  The Abbey though is the 4th most visited site in Scotland hence LOTS of day trippers.  A couple of days while we were there there were large cruise ships docked off shore bringing passengers in on the life boats. Tourists are an important part of the island's economy and they stick to a fairly short route from the harbour to the Abbey and back so they don't interfere too much.

From Dun I looking east across Mull.

Chopping veges with my buddies from US, UK, Czech Rep, Germany, France.  Some of us were just there for the week but others for longer - six weeks to 3 years

Phil was going so fast with the hoover that he's just a blur

From Dun I looking north across the crofts - Staffa and Skye are on the skyline.

Life on Iona isn't all climbing hills.  There are worship services at 9am and 9pm each day in the beautiful Abbey Church.    They are probably the main reason we go to Iona - really inspiring.  Also most afternoons there are prayers for peace and justice.  Members of the  Iona community are heavily involved in activities and advocacy in these areas. 

But there are also chores to be done.  One meal each day you have to help set up, serve andclear away then wash up.  In addtion I had to chop veges each morning and Phil had to hoover a hallway - not terribly onerous.

Some of these photos have jumped into odd places but I'm sure you'll get the idea.  More about Iona later.  Phil wants to check his email - we're not used to having to share one laptop!!!