Sunday 02. 09. 2018

Balallan - South Galson

I know we are essentially on a bike ride but it has to be said that we have experienced some interesting situations in our overnight accommodation. Two nights ago we found ourselves sharing our best on the planet B and B with another couple called Wilkinson (from Australia) so no relation and last night our host was from Newcastle and is in the process of trying to buy a property in the Limousin. Much discussion took place and although he insisted he didn’t want to hold us up, he just came up with more and more questions some of which we could answer and some we couldn’t. However, as it was blowing a gale outside, the delaying tactics were not unwelcome.

Isle of Lewis on a Sunday

How to describe today without sounding a tad negative? On the plus side, the very strong wind was, for the most part, at our backs or at least on the port beam. As for the day’s experience in general I would have to say it was not comfortable. The Scots would call it a dreak day, I cannot in fairness to any younger readers use the words that I would have used. Rain soaked us to the skin and obscured any glorious bits. As it is Sunday, nothing is open except the churches and they don’t score highly on the coffee for sale stakes. We re-acquainted ourselves with the “ bus shelter “! We have made good use of these in a number of countries and the Scots score quite highly………..kept the wind and rain at bay and offered a basic seat. Still, a cobbled together lunch is better than no lunch.

It seems that I was somewhat presumptuous in my description of the flatter topography of Lewis. It is clearly not flat, it's not that hilly but the term undulating is to underplay the effort required to reach the top of any undulation. But we just love an adventure and we are now in a small guest house, dry and warm and with a fair weather forecast tomorrow, we shall reach the end of the islands and return to Stornoway for the ferry to Ullapool.