Island idyll

The sun sets in the west (just about everyone knows that), but Sunset Towers faced east.

We tidy up the detritus of the night before. The sky drizzles, but the Met Office promises fine weather all afternoon.

Megan heads back to Oban, after some encouragement. The party splits into various groups who walk to different destinations.

Claire, Joe & Owen head for a nearby bay, not far from the visitor centre. Tony, Angus, Ferdi and I follow on foot (and skateboard). When we catch up they have already swam (allegedly) - it was cold.

Alison returns from her solo wanderings and catches the 3:00 ferry back to Oban. Megan returns on the 6:00 ferry.

Sue arrives and drives off to collect Nick Pye, who has kayaked over. He got caught by a rip tide and had a very frightening close encounter with one of the ferries. All's well, but it's a rude reminder of the power of the sea.

Meanwhile, the local fisherman drops off forty prawns and two lobsters, fresh from the creels. Dinner also includes a salad from Leila, dressed crab from Stuart and Claire's kedgeree. There's peppers baked with halloumi and boiled potatoes. It mostly gets eaten, but we put some aside for Megan, who is recuperating from her exertions.

Some things in life are inevitable - and Stuart's "Welcome song" is one of them. Consumption of alcohol is another. The northern lights is not - they manifest as thin, parallel trails that ebb and flow.

Tony's mellifluous singing serenades us towards an early morning can of Irn Bru before bed.