Interim

 Saturday April 30

The bed was comfortable, the breakfast as anticipated. I enjoyed my granola yoghurt with berry compote. Pam had the grapefruit variety plus waffles with berry compote. I didn't want much more so had a croissant. I put a cheese slice in a roll, wrapped it in a napkin and ate it for lunch. Pam did likewise, but added ham to hers. Even the toast was the small pre-packed slice variety. 

We left at the prescribed 10 a.m. in steady rain. Pam again heard a Cuckoo call. The only other birds we saw en route to Uig were Starlings. A stop at the usual shop for papers, before logging in at the ferry terminal. We were first in the assisted travel queue, Lane 4 alongside a car containing three Dachsunds.

For the first time, we sat inside on the boat. Still looking out of the window, marred by the rain and reflections, Pam saw two Kittiwakes and that was the total. It was very rough once we'd cleared Skye, the boat rolled rather too much for comfort. We had been playing cards but had to give up as neither of our heads was  good. Not helped by a little boy being ill. All was well as soon as we docked and sped off to our home for the next three weeks, Bonnieview apartment. Heather had left the gate open for us, gave a warm welcome, and helped carry in several lots of luggage. She's had all the windows replaced at the back of the house, and put two new armchairs in our apartment. Her daughter, Fiona, accused her of setting up a home for the elderly - the chairs are perfect for me, so she's probably right.

Once settled, it feels like home. We shall leave looking for the five Dotterel at Baleshire until the morning.


 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

North Uist Day 1

Image
 Sunday May 1 What a lovely day. Despite a late start - lunchtime - we were successful with birds seen, the sun shone, and we loved being back. We needed a leisurely morning after a hard week rushing around and yesterday's ferry journey.  Our first stop was Baleshare, a mere two miles down the road. It's a pretty flat, tidal and low lying island which is now connected to the rest of North Uist by a causeway.  The causeway was built in 1962 and it made a huge difference to the island's mainly farming community, with fifty or so now resident on Baleshare. The main reason for singling out this small island, is that it has magnificent beaches on its western side.   One is unlikely to see many others on the beach, as it is not on the tourist's normal route. It is on ours, as we have seen some good birds out here in the past. The parking  is a flattish area of shingle. Pam located the sought birds, and we drove the car further for a better view. One of...
Read more

The Black Isle

Image
 Monday April 25 I changed beds last night. The previous brass bedstead was so high that I needed a trampoline to get in. The new one is still a good height, and comfortable, so that's sorted. Dictated by the weather, we decided to visit the Black Isle. En route, we pulled into the layby at Dulnain Bridge from which to view the river. No Dipper to-day but Pam found a bedraggled Grey Wagtail huddled on a flat rock. Carrbridge holds a special place in our hearts, we stayed there in a chalet for over twenty years. A very short detour took us to THE bridge over the river from which we often see some good birds. As we turned round, a piper in full regalia climbed onto the ruins of the bridge and began to play. Awesome. In such a fantastic setting too. Pam is always very moved by bagpipes, she loves them. I joke that it's because she's tone deaf - although I'm fond of them too. A fellow teacher piped me on board the paddle steamer on which we celebrated my retirement.     ...
Read more

Over the Sea to Skye

Image
Friday April 29   Not a long journey to-day, the leaving of a rented house is always a chore though. I still resent having to strip beds and, sometimes, vacuum, before leaving. Surely that should be part of the service provided for the eye-watering rental price. Pam is very good about it. We failed to locate both the toaster and the rubbish bins whilst we were here. The indoor bins were left unemptied. We did without the toast. A beautiful, warm, and sunny morning on which to see the Highlands and the scenic roads to Skye. The thermometer showed 16C at one time. We made good time to the Skye road bridge, despite a lengthy part of the A road being single track with passing places. My first trip to the island was a very long time ago, in a minibus full of schoolkids and camping gear, for a wet week on a beach in the Cuillins. The first time that I saw Highland cattle eating seaweed on the beach. To-day we followed an easterly route, stopping at a Co-op parking area, which overlo...
Read more