Tobermory Public Toilets (A Saga) 2009 - 2015

[Dave-Shafa]

Tobermory is a popular watering hole and anchorage, marina, Mishnish and shops, conviently placed next to the Sound of Mull.
Younger readers may know the place as Balamory.

Public Toilets (A Saga) 2009 - 2015

My story begins when I arrived in Balamory on the sloop Shafa(1) after a tempestious voyage from Lochaline. Lochaline is dear to my heart as years ago I would visit on various salt caked dirty British coasters to load cargos of the silver sand which we took up the Manchester Ship Canal to an ICI factory where it was said to be made into toothpaste.

I digress. I arrived in Balamory and found the local populace were up in arms about the closure of the towns public toilets on the middle of the High street.
The lavatories being transffered to a newish building at the opposite end from the ferry terminal. One poor old disabled lady, someones grandmother had been dropped off at the terminal and (there being no toilets there - at that time) had to limp round to the Tobermory Marine Visitor Centre.

Winter Opening hours of the the Tobermory Marine Visitor Centre are Mon-Fri : 10:00 - 16:30 Their charming website neglects to mention alternative cludgies.

Anyway in 2009 after speaking to a shop owner about the shitter situation, over the road at the aforementioned toilets, was none other than the local Councillor.

A short discourse took place, after which, led me to believe he had partaken of Messers., Burn Stewart Distillers PLC, Ledaig, Tobermory, 1798 Malt Whisky.

"Sling your hook sailor and F orf".

Six years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday. The innocent shop owner overheard the altercation and said, "He's always like that"

Purely by chance today I came across a Argyll and Bute publication re toilets.
http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/moderngov/ieIssueDetails.aspx?IId=52848&Opt=3

There is much much more of this saga but in the meantime for your delight, I give you ............

 

[Dave-Shafa]

Tobermory Public Toilets (A Saga) 2009 - 2015 Part the Second.

Hello again Dear Reader. For those who come upon this saga for the first time I shall succinctly reprise the Tobermory Public Toilets (A Saga) 2009 - 2015 Part the First.

Stramash in Balamory.

Tobermory Public Toilets (A Saga) 2009 - 2015 Part the Second.
In which our Hero, myself, Photographs a daring Rescue. - The Royal National Lifeboat Institution - The Most Expensive Ship in the Western Isles - A Rich Reward.

Aboard Shafa (1), at a mooring in Balamory Bay, with Sukie, the ships cat, sheltering from the incessant rain, we heard a kerfuffle. With nary a thought for my safety or comfort, I grabbed a camera, Nikon D70, and lept onto the sodden foredeck.
The tragic scene will remain always etched in my memory. The Tobermory RNIL lifeboat was attending to The Most Expensive Ship in the Western Isles.
[This ship, The Most Expensive Ship in the Western Isles, was to feature again in my life, at Kyle of Lochalsh, but thats another Saga.]

The Most Expensive Ship in the Western Isles has dragged her anchor or mooring. Being the heaviest vessel for a thousand nautical miles.
Being a trained Tog I snapped a few pics. The Ship, the RNLI flashing around in Lifeboat and RIB.

Next day the weather having abated, I went ashore where The Most Expensive Ship in the Western Isles was tied up alongside the fuel berth.
I had taken my laptop with me, fearful of the effects of the creeping dampness. I approached the gangplank of The Ship, "Ahoy" quoth I, "I have pics of your rescue by the fine lads of the RNLI".
"Come aboard Capt'n" the owner and Captain of The Ship replied.
I was shown into a vast galley/dinning room into which my own small but tastefully decorated sloop would fit several times.
Offered drink, I declined The Owner impatient to see the photographs on my laptop.

The Owner was enthralled, "Can I have copies?". I explained I was a Proffesional Photographer and 25 quid would suffice. Done.

Heading down the gangplank a Balamory resident of good standing on the West Coast, allegedly, and in a position of authority in the harbour,
stood with mouth hanging open as I disembarked with my loot.

Tobermory Public Toilets (A Saga) 2009 - 2015 Part the Third.

In which our Hero diddles The Crown Estates - allegedly.

Meanwhile .....

 

[[32511]]

That's an old video- the little trains are long gone!

 

[NormanS]

You may be interested to know that the ex public toilets were sold off, and now house a (very good) ice cream shop.

 

[Dave-Shafa]

NormanS as ever you are ahead of the game. You may have spoiled the drama for our younger readers on the other hand we may have grabbed their short attention filled lives with the promise of something AWSUM !!! ...

Tobermory Public Toilets (A Saga) 2009 - 2015 Part the Third.

In which our Hero diddles The Crown Estates - allegedly - The public toilets are SOLD - Fake artifacts are found in the museum.

 

[Sandgrounder]

Dave of Shaffa,

You sound like a man with a bee in his bonnet; why not just tell us what your gripe is?

p.s. not a resident or anything like but I was an occasional visitor during most of the early period of your complaint; whatever it may be.

 

[Dave-Shafa]

Sandgrounder of Windermere, it is well past your bedtime as you know and the Sandman is coming to sprinkle sand into the eyes of little boys at night to bring on dreams and sleep.
Night night sleep tight and dont let the bugs bite.

 

[Gwylan]

What have you all been drinking or snorting?

 

[Dave-Shafa]

Gwylan dear nothing like what you have. I have looked at your Photostream and frankly my dear I'm horrified.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gwylan/

 

[nortonmotors]

Interesting set of photos - but that tin of Russian caviar seems at odds with the general naturalist trend.

C'mon, let's have the next installment of the Saga. All may become clear before it's pulled for risk of libel .