The Sunniest, Windiest place in the UK.

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I've just finished a ten day stint on small, relatively featureless island somewhere off the west-coast of Scotland... and it was luverly! I finally managed to get off my arse a bit and do some work. Not that much, but just enough to appreciate the spare-time and solitude in between and get some inspiration for many a song on Lila. I stayed in a converted barn next to an old millhouse with a stream and a waterwheel. My only companion was a slightly oafish German who was doing the same thing as myself, and who took great satisfaction in referring to me as 'fucking Auf-stghralian guy!'. As we were within such close range most of the time, we soon learned how to survive together and he eventually turned out not to be that bad after all.

Tiree itself is... sparse... to say the least. There is nothing you could really call a 'tree' anywhere on the island, and it is almost completely flat- apart from a couple of 'Bens' (Ben being Gaelic for Mountain) which hardly fit the category of 'slight incline'. It is nonetheless a wonderful place to reflect on life- or at least, I think so. I watched some amazing sunsets from the back doorstep of our hostel, sat for a while in a prehistoric stone circle and managed to indulge in a thing or two that even I consider crazy. One of those being plunging myself into the freezing Atlantic waters of the Hebridean Sea... (in the middle of Winter...) (...in Scotland!)

Tiree has some of the most beautiful beaches I have seen since leaving Australia (even better than the ones I saw in Thailand!!) and some of the best surf, too! The waves looked so good on the particular day I went down, I thought it might be a good idea to take off my boots, thick socks, trenchcoat, beanni, gloves, two jumpers, two shirts and everything else and jump in and try to bodysurf a couple of them! I lasted about 15 seconds of being completely in the water before I realised that I'd probably split in two and die if I stayed in any longer!! When I got out though, I couldn't feel a damn thing! The day suddenly seemed really warm and nice! (I should probably mention that today it is snowing blizzards here!) I felt really awake for the rest of the day and (Get This, Ash & Alaya!) I didn't even catch a COLD!! :P

In the next few days I'll be heading back from Oban to Fort William (hitchhiking in the snow should be fun! :S) in time for the bus to Edinburgh on Friday. Soon after that it's Ella's birthday and goodbye to the Swedes 😞 before heading to France 😊!

Hasta la vista para ahora!

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Photos

Isle of Tiree
...another rip-off... sorry!

Comments

[Norn]

Charlie, I sent you an Email, but it has been returned. Is your address still current?

[faasha]

Good to hear from you.
Haha! The trick to avoiding the dreaded lergies is to completely anaesthetise your body ! Great to hear that Tirie was such a worthwhile experience. The concept of hitching in the snow is not one I feel comfortable with . You can freeze out there you know.I presume you're either an icy sentinal by the side of the Oban -Fort William road by now or back in the comfort of Castle Rock. Missing you as always. Much love Dad . I'll ring again now that your back in range.

[goosepie]

do you have any rory macleod cds? I fucking hope you do!!! Im going to make sure one gets put in your parcel which is STILL yet to be sent! much love, Luc xx