Palm tree wind sock

This palm tree has served us well as a living wind sock over the past few days. This morning it was slightly steadier than yesterday, giving us hope* that our ferry back to the mainland this afternoon would run (unlike the morning service, which was cancelled yesterday evening). By 09:00 we heard confirmation that we would, indeed, be heading home.

The ride across the Minch this time was far more comfortable for me today than it was on Tuesday. Taking seats in the centre of the boat, rather than at the front of the observation lounge, made a big difference - even though the boat was a little bouncy at times. This arrangement also seemed to have helped with my Scrabble. I won the final game of the holiday tournament - hurrah!

Once in Ullapool we gave the other cars a head start on the A835 to Inverness as we finished off our (delicious) ferry fish supper from a parking spot on the sea front. Then it was a 4.5 hour journey back to Edinburgh. Old episodes of In our time (Homo erectus, Covenanters, and Eclipses), followed by Add to playlist on 'live' Radio 4, provided our entertainment. The journey will be remembered for the deer that nearly ended up on our bonnet just outside Ullapool, and snow falling in October.

We were very, very tired by the time we reached home. I think that we will do our best to avoid long car journeys in the dark in the future.

*I wouldn't have minded staying another night at Baile-na-Cille, and Richard had no further bookings...

Exercise today: none.