Coochy Coo...

Backblipped

And in the blink of an eye we have reached the last day of our holiday on Lewis & Harris.  We could have been here for a month and still not seen and done everything we wanted to but I am very happy with what we have managed in the short time we had.

Today we headed back to Harris, north Harris this time, to follow another much anticipated route, the B887 to Huisinis.  

We stopped on the way to grab lunch at the Taste 'N' Sea, an unassuming little van on the side of the road (with amazing views of course).  

On the mainland this van would be selling burgers and the stench of fried onions would be all pervasive, but on Harris they do things differently, and this little van sells freshly caught fish and seafood and it is absolutely delicious.  Easily restaurant quality.

There were already five cars in the adjacent view point/parking space when we arrived and another five arrived whilst we sat enjoying the view and Lobster Scampi for David and mackerel in oatmeal for me.  Absolutely delicious.

Fortified by fresh seafood we carried on our way and if we thought we'd reached the pinnacle of our holiday yesterday, we were mistaken.  Today's trip has been the best of the week, leading us to our favourite destination of the week....Huisinis Beach.

The road is 15 miles of sheer single track perfection (we even passed tennis courts which must have the best view in the world!), and to travel it on a day like today (slightly misty and moody at the start turning warmer and sunnier, then ending with the most spectacular sunset on the way back...photos taken along the way in extras) made us feel like the luckiest people in the world.
 
The amazing scenery on the journey is special enough but for the road to end at one of the most beautiful little sandy bays is just the cherry on the cake.  And there's excellent facilities for travellers at the bay; showers, toilets, fresh water, chemical toilet disposal, pitches for camper vans and tents.  Perfect.

We sat for ages just watching clear blue water washing onto the sandy beach.  A young couple in a tiny camper van were sitting on chairs at a picnic table preparing their dinner on a small camping stove.  They looked so young and energetic and happy.  Made me wish we'd discovered this amazing place thirty years ago.

All too soon it was time to head back to Stornoway.  One last long look at the view and we turned the car around and headed the 15 miles back to the main road to Lewis.

We were so lucky to meet some of the locals on the road and I couldn't resist blipping one :-))

The Highland Coos roam freely on a section of the road and we were so lucky they were roadside when we passed both times (other times they are grazing high up on the hills)  They are not in the least bit fazed by people or cars so tend to just mill around and are in no hurry to move out of the way.  Given the road is the same width as the car and these amazing creatures are spread in front of you and on the sides of the road, there is nothing else for it but to wait for them to move.  

This is the closest I have ever been to these stunning creatures and I can confirm they are even more magnificent close up than I imagined they would be.  David was very anxious slightly worried they might damage the car.  As you can see, that was of no concern to me.  I'd have let them inside if I could have!  lol

Once we negotiated our way past them, the journey along the rest of the road was easy going, with the setting sun touching the already beautiful scenery with shades of orange and gold and purple.

As we were about to take the last turn away from the sun we stopped and I got the final shot of the day.  The sunset seemed like a fitting photographic end to our last day.

Back to Stornoway for a late dinner, packing and a final G&T to toast a great holiday.

We were just going to bed when I got a alert from the Isle of Harris FB page that there was a good chance the Northern Lights would be seen over Lewis.  Could this island have pulled out any more stops for us this week?  I don't think so.

Unfortunately due to our early rise in the morning and the fact we'd both had a drink, we weren't able to go in search of a spot to wait and hope for an appearance from the Northern Lights.  Hopefully next time.