Portree

This morning a grey sky brought wind and rain. A peaceful night though, no noise from about eleven o' clock when a lorry arrived. The early ferry did not appear to run, so it was eight o' clock, when the vehicles arriving for the nine fifteen sailing that Uig began to wake up. We weren't envious of the people about to board the ferry, their crossing looked like it might be a little rough. We had considered visiting some of the other islands whilst here, but decided we wanted to plan our trip properly after some research. We have thought about cycling the Hebridean Way, a cycle route of 185 miles using two ferries and six causeways to hop between the islands. Angela was sixty in 2020, and because of covid we still haven't celebrated it. This might be the trip. 

The heavy rain delayed our departure this morning. At eleven o' clock the cloud lifted off the mountains and the rain stopped. Right Marge go for it.

Up at the viewpoint above Uig on the road to Portree, we stopped to make a video call to Angela's son Chris so we could speak to him about his work and talk to, and see our grandson, Elliot. Don't want him forgetting who we are, (especially now we've moved away from him).  The call was very entertaining with Elliot showing us how to eat crisps and insisting we see his nostrils. Why we needed to see this, well you know, three-year-olds and all that. 

We wanted to arrive in Portree by lunchtime, as last year when we were here, we'd seen one of the fish and chips shops was selling half a lobster and chips for virtually the same price as fish and chips. Sadly, no more. They had gone, replaced by a cafe. Looking around no one else was selling it either. After gearing ourselves up for this meal and now disappointed, we had to revert back to the traditional fish and chips. Before arriving in the town, we stopped at a large co-op store for supplies. No sparkling mineral water, what would we do, we drink about two litres a day. Well, there's always wine Marge suggested.

In the car park was an unusual camper conversion. What do you think Marge? No way!

Portree meaning Kings Port is the capital of Skye, so of course this small town was very busy. Since last year the car park has been enlarged and about six more motorhome spaces created, but for some reason only the four original ones can be used for staying overnight. Why? A banner in the town asks people to buy in the local shops and businesses. Are you catching my, drift? Marge of course has bagged one of these spaces. The young lady next to us is walking the Skye Trail. A challenging hill walk covering most of the length of Skye. Hang on, we think we may have done some of it. Me too. O.K. Marge. The other side we have a nice young couple with a baby and a dog in a hire van They don't really like it because it's so clean inside and they feel they might ruin it with their muddy boots. The boots are the least of your problem, you've a dog and a small child in there. 

This afternoon the weather settled so we walked out of the town a little way. John sat by the harbour looking for overnight stops, whilst Angela walked along the Scorrybreac trail for about half a mile. The views across the bay towards the island of Raasay were beautiful. Upon our return to Marge suddenly we heard a woman cry out. A man was sprawled on the floor just near to Marge. As usual a throng of people appeared trying to drag the poor man to his feet. Leave him where he is Angela advised them. No, someone falls to the ground, so let's pull the poor soul up and sit them down. It materialised the man had been stung on the throat by a wasp about ten minutes earlier. He had passed out, falling on to his face. He seemed a little spaced out. John called an ambulance. A retired doctor arrived on the scene and suggested the man lay down, see, leave the man on the ground. He was worried he might pass out again.

The result, not one but two ambulances. After sometime he was discharged to his motorhome for a lie down. Thank goodness he didn't pass out whilst driving. 

Today has been a funny day. Quiet, and we were going to say uneventfully. We bought a book on foraging and a pocket map of the outer Hebrides in the local bookshop. Does that mean we qualify to stay the night? Please Portree, open your town up to more overnighting vans, the owners have money to spend.