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Eriskay, Barra & Vatersay.
Summer in the Outer Hebrides has now arrived and had no sooner had we got outside to our bikes than we were stripping off some of our outer layers that have become so much part of our life this last three Weeks. Having time in hand today we went along to Loch Boisdale and a quick look at the harbour where there was a Shag diving in a small loch and sunning itself on a small rock with its wings spread wide. We slowly made our way to the south of the island and stopped in awe at the view in the sound between South Uist and Eriksay. It was a absolutely stunning with the sun shining on the turquoise water, colourful boats in the harbour and rocks of every shape and hue. Just wonderful. Having crossed the causeway there was the vicious climb around Eriskay to the Caledonian McBrayne terminal where an extra low bottom gear was required. Again we were faced with amazing views of rugged coastline and golden beaches. Looking out to sea there were scores of Gannets diving into the sea for their lunch as we ate our sandwiches kindly given to
us from the hotel, which had been made for but left by some other guests.On the quay as you land on Barra you are confronted with a statue of Otters and a brief statement of their presence on Barra. Unfortunately we were not on the island long enough to catch a glimpse of them but we did see a 'silver bird' landing on the beach runway just around the headland. This daily service is run by Flybe between Barra and Glasgow, using a Twin Otter plane and must rate as one of the most laid back airports in the UK. The baggage reclaim is in the car park and looks like a modern bus shelter and no planes are able to stay there since there is only the beach area to use and the timetable is a tidetable. We continued down the coast and met a lone lady touring cyclist who, upon seeing the card on my bike declaring our purpose, immediately gave us £10. With other generous donations which we are constantly being given we now have over £250 and ’justgiving’ also keeps rolling in. Thank you everyone. Dropping our panniers off at the hotel was a good move since we rode to the South of the island and rode to Vatersay, which is across another causeway but entails riding up a very steep hill each way. The roads on he outer Hebrides are in excellent condition and many are new - I think I know where the money is coming from and it cannot be from the rates since the population is so small (maybe 100 on Vatersay). Whilst on Vatersay we came across the remains of a crashed light airoplane! Which is a Catalona, which came down during the second world war, and then we met a gang of men resurfacing the road unfortunately we got tar on our tyres, which is refusing to come off. Castlebay is the town from which we leave for Oban tomorrow and is the place which is being featured on a recent television programme. There is a very imposing castle on an island in the bay surrounded by many multi coloured fishing boats, which give it great character. The area around Eriskay is where there was a shipwreck of in 1941 carrying whisky bound for America. More on his tomorrow since they are showing the film made about it tonight at the hotel. Whilst the Outer Hebrides can look wild, unforgiving and hostile at times to have the chance to see the isles on a day like this is a real treat and a privilege and I will miss them. Sigh!!
Someone has to do it.
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