The Puffer Bar takes us back to 2015 when Greece was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy and having to be bailed out by the EU.
How are you all getting on in coronavirus isolation? It is odd to think that the whole world is experiencing the same thing. Only, of course, it is not the same for everyone, far from it. We really feel for people who don’t have the luxury of a nice house and a large garden. It tempers our criticism of those apparently flouting the rules of lockdown but we still wish they wouldn’t. Thankfully we have the Donald “Covid-19 might go away this fall or next year – or sooner, or possibly later” to give us advice … and hope! We actually prefer the advice of our own Scottish novelist J.M. Barrie which seems apt for the current situation: “The secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes, but in liking what one does.”
The tiny island of Easdale once had a population of over 500, all of whom were employed in the slate mining industry. Slate was exported as far as Australia, Canada and New Zealand. However, the last slate was cut in the 1950s and most of the houses are now holiday homes with a steady population of around 60. Easdale island lies off another island, Seil, but you can reach Seil via the Bridge over the Atlantic.
World Championships
There is no bridge to Easdale however so to get there from Seil you have to press two buttons simultaneously on the jetty at Ellenabeich village. This summons the little ferry boat which only takes a couple of minutes to do the crossing. Once on Easdale, the whole island is car-free so peace and quiet reigns supreme. Just the sound of the sea and the birds, what a great place for kids to play. However, this idyll is broken every September when hordes of enthusiasts descend on the place for the annual World Stone Skimming Championships. The competition takes place in one of the old quarries. 
You have the choice of one pub, the Puffer Bar and Restaurant, take it or leave it. Luckily it is a wee gem. On a wonderfully warm day like this, it was like a little bit of heaven. Especially with our homebaked scones and homemade jam. Ours was bramble and lime. The scones were wonderfully light and the tea delicious. As we sit here we read that the new euro is to be printed on Greece proof paper. This really does seem like another world.
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PA34 4TB tel: 01852 300022 www.pufferbar.com
Even with COVID-19 we suspect that life on Easdale has proceeded pretty much the same as always. According to the internet the Puffer is still open and what if it is? The island doesn’t have COVID and no one can travel there so what’s the problem. The problem is that we can’t get there either!!!
EASDALE SHED
Another excellent re-post. Loved the J.M Barrie quotation and another fabulous shed picture
Yes we with large houses and big gardens are so lucky in the current situation. We are also very fortunate to have a Government which issues clear concise advice in comparison with Bumbling Boris and his co-horts at Westminster.
When this is all over we intend to indulge in some Island hopping. No need for any guide books – we’ll just refer to ‘ All about the Scones’.
Keep Safe and Keep Well
Thanks, it has been great for us as well looking back at old scones. Can thoroughly recommend the islands, they have provided us with many happy times. Stay safe.
Yes I remember it well, it was a really lovely wee island and we bought some pebbles from a woman outside her home, she had painted them as ladybirds. At that time we had 5 granddaughters so we bought 5. We need to go back sometime and buy another because as you probably all know we now have 6 granddaughters. I also remember when we arrived on the island there was a collection of lovely colourful wheelbarrows beside the ferry. Of course they are there for the islanders to transport their goods from the ferry to their homes. Lovely little place.