Technical Fault

There are of course hazards in all this island hopping. For one thing, you are dependent on boats actually sailing at the time they are meant to sail. Sometimes the weather can prevent this. And there is another possible scenario:

You arrive at the ferry port at the ungodly hour of 6.30am and sit in a queue, in the car because there is a steady drizzle outside, for 20 minutes. Then a yellow coat knocks on the window and informs you that there will be a delay of 4 hours because of a technical fault, i.e. the engine has broken down. You are told you can either go home (!) or go aboard.

Seven of us on board a rather large boat for four hours was . . . well . . . peaceful. We got breakfast and, the crew not having anything else to do, were willing to make us coffee.

We did sail eventually and arrived in Uig on Skye four hours later than we should have done. We had a long, long drive home and have just got back - very late.


So, what has that to do with the fishes? Well, travelling south through the Highlands of Scotland, we stopped at The Real Food Café at Tyndrum. Many people travelling in the same area stop here for the most wonderful fish and chips (yes I know I've said the best fish and chips are made in Yorkshire, but there are a few exceptions and this is one of them) in the cleanest, friendliest, most ethical place you could hope to be in. Opposite is the Green Welly Stop, where a lot of people also stop. These strange fish were hanging in the window. Oh and the point is that we had tea here, instead of lunch as we had planned!


Thank you so much for all the lovely comments, stars, and all those hearts, for yesterday's Sand and Water blip. I am delighted at the response, as I had despaired of getting the picture I wanted, because of the weather. Then that one jumped out of the computer screen and I felt I had captured a little bit of the magic of the Western Isles. I was pleased that so many of you agreed.