Skelbo

Yesterday evening the fishing boats returned to the harbour with their catch, trays and trays of crabs. The frantic crustaceans were sorted, then loaded in to waiting vans, and whisked away to ensure their freshness for a waiting customer. During the night the rain pitter pattered on Marge, but the covering of cloud it brought with it made for a warmer night.

This morning the dark clouds cast shadows over the water. On the outer harbour wall, the cormorants stood to attention, awaiting their morning inspection from the seagulls who wheeled and screeched around them. Soon a blue sky split the clouds. Before we left Helmsdale, we walked to the library to donate a read book to their for-sale section. Then we stopped again at the outdoor shop where John purchased some fishing bait. In conversation with the owners we discussed the desperate need for more facilities for the vans in towns. They agreed, saying that the town council wanted to provide facilities, but the Highland Council would not help with funding. We had spent over thirty pounds in this shop whilst there, they could see how much it would improve the lively hood of the businesses in the town. We'd enjoyed our stay at Helmsdale, and told them so.

Once again, we had no plans to travel far today. We stopped at Dunrobin Castle, overlooking Dornoch Firth.

Walked around the outside and down to the water, where we saw yet more amazing coloured pebbles and stones.

Sat on one enjoying the sunshine was a Red Admiral butterfly. The tide was slipping away, leaving the footprints of walkers and dogs who'd passed this way before us. We decided to have our lunch before departing. Marge looked so settled under the trees, their leaves russet, red and golden, showing autumn was on the way.

Then a short drive to Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve at Skelbo, our night will be spent by the ruins of Skelbo Castle.

When we arrived, around a hundred seals were basking in the sun on various sandbanks, not moving until the incoming tide saw them slip in to the water. At the entrance to the loch we could see cotton threads of breaking waves, and in the shallow's geese, gulls, curlews and other seabirds waded. The wind was strong, and flattened the grass. We spent over three hours watching the wildlife, along with some other van owners, all of us mesmerised. Who knew wildlife could be so relaxing?

After dinner, the wind having lessened we took a short walk out down the lane. Behind Marge are the ruins of Skelbo castle.

In the darkening sky a half cheese of a moon was pinned.

We are now less than fifty miles from Inverness where we departed from thirteen days ago.

Tomorrow we plan to head to Loch Ness.