Sea Stack.

This is the Old Man or Stoer, spot the climbers, not to be confused with the more famous Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye. We walked here today from Stoerhead Lighthouse on the Point of Stoer in Assynt. A walk we did 11 years ago on our first visit. If you stand on Achnahaird (our) beach and look up Enard Bay it is the end point of land you can see (also you can see the lighthouse at night if you happen to be down there.) 

A good walk but was a bit disappointed there were so few seabirds. Just two pairs of Fulmars nesting but there were lots of Twites around making a fuss as we must have been near their nests. Both in extras. As we set out this morning the Snipe was there again, third day running. I managed a half decent shot which at least shows off its beak. Lots of wild flowers and especially bog cotton everywhere. Surprised to see some heather (ling) already in flower too.

We were disappointed the tea van by the lighthouse wasn’t open but we had taken a picnic in case bacon sandwiches weren’t available. A memorable moment at the end of that first walk especially as the van had just started business and was being run by a Yorkshire lady. As we sat eating our sandwiches a Great Skua flew past. Maybe from Handa Island just across the bay from here, probably where all the other Fulmars are too!

On our return along the single track road we saw a sign to Choc o Latte. So stopped for a hot drink. Lovely lady made us great coffee and we couldn’t resist her home made and home grown rhubarb tart. ( She sold home made chocolates too but we resisted - they were pricey) She told us the tea van had been closed for three years. Sad as we know the Yorkshire lady had sold it on.

A bit of shopping at Achiltibuie Stores when we got back and were surprised to see local grown Strawberries so we got some for tea. 

 Just as we got back a van drew up delivering Chris’s Father’s Day card!

A glorious afternoon and the tide was full in so we headed down to the beach. All the channels were full but the lovely pinks were still ok. 

Just having a glass before we eat. 

Summer solstice so the longest day today. Last night I was still sewing without a light in at 10.30 pm and the night before I was reading till midnight. When I turned the light off it was still like twilight rather than dark. It doesn’t really get properly dark here at this time of year. It bothers some people and there are new curtains with blackout linings this year which will be good for the grandchildren but I never pull them on!