Clachan Sands, North Uist

Yesterday evening we sat inside the Calmac ferry booking hall until they closed. The rain wouldn't relent and it made more sense to sit and read in a more spacious area. 

Back at Marge a German couple came over to take a look. After that John couldn't find the vehicle's ignition key and steering lock key. We tried looking in all the obvious places to no avail. Feeling more than a little concerned we literally turned the inside out. Cushions moved, cupboards emptied. Even the roof rack was checked. Nothing. Fortunately Angela had the spare set of keys, but we really needed to find the other set. We even reported to rummaging through the waste bins, so desperate had the situation become. Needless to say we suffered a disturbed nights sleep what with the concern and yet more door slammers near us!

This morning we rise at six thirty to search again. Nothing. A decision had to be made. Should we take our sailing to North Uist or stay on Skye in the hope the keys would turn up? North Uist won. After all we'd driven Marge the VW around Europe for five years with just one ignition key. Not such a clever idea we know.

Before joining the departure queue John left his contact details at the booking desk in case someone found the keys and handed them in. We didn't hold out much hope. We were convinced if we emptied out Muddy Marge again we might find them, hopefully. 

Then John's mobile rang. Were we still in Uig? Were we in the ferry queue? Yes and yes. A staff member on the pier had the keys and would hand them to us just before we boarded. That moment was a real game changer. We can't explain the relief. Angela told the young man who had them she could kiss him, but wouldn't. Just like her mother!

As the Hebridean slipped it's berth and cut through the calm water we placed ourselves first in the queue at the restaurant and ordered two full breakfasts. Angela vegetarian, John a full Scottish. Not sure he enjoyed the large piece of Lorne (square sausage) though. Tired, but now elated we settled down for the rest of the crossing. The north coast of Skye passed by the windows, rocky outcrops covered in green baize. Time to leave the island to today's influx of tourists. One million people are expected to visit this Skye this year.Thats a lot of pressure on a small island.

No rain today, just a cold north easterly wind which whipped across the open land of north Uist. But we don't care. The fact it was no longer raining was good enough for us. Our first stop on the island Clachan Sands, an area above a beautiful beach of white sand was just over a half hour drive away. We headed for it knowing there was water available so we could do some hand washing. A long walk down the vast beach collecting shells along the way and then a walk back through the machair stopping to photograph the pretty mix of flowers. White daisies, golden buttercups, birds-foot trefoil, yellow rattle and ladies bedstraw. Nearby in the sandy banks of the dunes rabbits burrowed and plovers and oystercatchers sounded the alert as four ravens circled and dived around them. 

The views here are amazing, especially now the tide has retreated so far out revealing the flat sands silvery in the late afternoon light. We've come to the Uists for peace and quiet. Hopefully we've found it. The donation in the honesty box is ten pounds to stay here. We think you can't put a price on such a magical place.