Calanais (Callanish) Standing Stones

A great day out with friends who live here on Lewis. We met up at the Callanish Standing Stones where we had a very welcome cuppa and a scone in the cafe. It was blowing a hoolie outside and raining at times too, so all day we would brave the elements for a while, then retreat for food and a heat somewhere!

Gus took us to a favourite beach at Dail Beag to walk the dogs. It was a stunning place, all the more dramatic because of the very fresh weather!! From there we went to see Dun Charlabhaigh Broch, a fortified tower dating back to possibly 100BC. I was surprised at the access we had to this tower, we could climb all over it freely. After this exertion, another cuppa and a cake was required at the blackhouse village.

Another beach walk, this time at Dail Mor where we nearly lost Bo to the heavy rolling surf!! He'd very gamely gone in after a stone one of the boys had thrown in, forgetting he is nearly 93 in human years. He got broad sided by a wave, flattened and took another wave while in this compromised state. We were on the verge of a Baywatch Rescue when he got up and trotted out as fast as his arthritic legs could carry him!! Nearly the end of a legend!!

Not wishing to be outdone, Daisy fell in a river that flows down to this beach and got soaked head to tail. I swear Cassie is the only one with any sense!

Last educational historic visit of the day was to an intact blackhouse near where Gus lives in Arnol. These houses were a very basic style of living, as Gus puts it - barely a step up from cave-dwelling. It was a hard way of life, dirty and smelly living cheek by jowl with your livestock. Andy didn't enjoy the open hearth peat fire either.

To round the day off we had a great feed at Gus's house- a huge curry with haggis pakora- delicious! What we didn't know was that meanwhile Daisy was freezing in the van because she was still so wet and she only has thin fur. When we were driving home I had to wrap her in a blanket and cuddle her to heat her up- her wee red lips were actually purple!! Wee pet. Fully recovered now.

A very full day - hoping for less wind and rain tomorrow!!