North Tolsta

No northern lights last night, when we checked activity was low. But wow! What a view this morning. The sky, blue as that on a picture postcard. This morning first stop Stornoway, a place we see on a weather map after the evening news, and somewhere we'd never thought we'd visit.  And besides they have a leisure centre. £1.30 each buys you a shower in your own wet room, with toilet and wash handbasin. So clothes washing as well as bodies.

We didn't want to drive too far today, so chose a spot about fifteen miles north along the coast. On the way we stopped at the ruins of St Columba's UI church, which dates back to the 14^th century.

Near to it, the Aiginis Raiders, Cairn, built to honour families whose farmland was taken from them by estate owners back in 1888.

By early afternoon we'd secured a prime spot in the small car park at North Tolsta beach, a small inlet opened out to a vast white sanded beach that stretched as far as the eye could see. It reminded us of the landing beaches in Normandy, France. A walk down on the beach, the sand marked by the waves was likened to mackerel skin.

The rocks covered in mussels and tiny whelks. Curtains of seaweed hung over them offering camouflage. Amongst the marram grass primroses peppered the sand. We'd chosen a great spot. John had earlier described the outer Hebrides as peaceful. Despite the roar of the surf you were lost in your own thoughts. It was peaceful indeed. 

Received from one of our followers, thanks Dawn x