Contrasts and old acquaintances.

We made the morning crossing to Raasay. The sun shone. The rain passed through. The wind got up. And dropped. A changeable day indeed. A real “it’s just a passing cloud” sort of day; the photo looks to Isle of Skye from the shoreline in south Raasay. We watched an otter at the old terminal just around the corner. And enjoyed the vistas and solitude.

Extra photo is more than a road sign. I was pleased to drive Calum’s Road, something overdue for me. I’ve read so much about him, of his endeavours and achievements in respect of road building. Calum dug the road over a 10 year period during 1964-1974; he hoped new generations of people would return to Arnish and the north end of Raasay. People were slowly drifting away from the area then. The island feels good after long historic decline. We popped into the new distillery. And noted that an outward bound school party arrived at the ferry as we left. Tourism is important here, but it’s a fragile beautiful environment, and needs protecting.

Extra photo is the wee red boat moored near the ferry landing. I liked the big sky. The weather on the ferry crossing  back showed south of the Cuillin to be dry and sunny. So we went to Elgol, and did not a lot except be there, and watch the world go by.  A particularly special place for me.  Extra photo is a some canoeists and the wee fishing boat by the pier; they arrived when we were there.

We bumped into a friend on the road back to the house; we’d called unannounced, (no phone signal in this area), but he wasn’t in. Fortunately we met on the single track road and went back for coffee. He’d someone with him I’d not seen in 40 years, but obviously knew of; it was good to see them both here.