Sunday 20/03/05

Today dawns bright and sunny, with wisps of fog over the Arnish Moor. This lifts at 9.30, leaving a gorgeous morning. A maximum of 17C is forecast for today. Set off at 12.40 for Arnish. A lady was sitting outside her front door in the sun on Newton Road. Passed through the town, which is at Sunday rest, up to the Bridge and into the Castle Grounds. Followed the Shore Road, past Cuddy Point and Sober Island. Everybody is out and about for a walk. Just before the Creed River, I have a spot of lunch looking out over the harbour. Continue half an hour later after saying hi to half a dozen people who come traipsing past my seat. Don’t know why, you practically break your neck going down the other side. Carry on along the Creed River to the bridge at the Iron Fountain, then to the Arnish Road. It feels quite warm in the sun, but in the shadow or in the breeze it’s still chilly. Thermometer shows 16C / 61F. Branch off just after the generator station towards the memorial for that royal fool Bonny Prince Charlie. He had landed in Lochs on May 4th 1746, walked all day to Arnish (oh, the poor sod) and arrived there the next day. Was regaled on May 6th by the lady of the manor. He subsequently went south again, staying on Eilean Iubhair, Loch Shell to stay there until May 10th, after which he buggered off to Skye. Standing by the monument, I noticed that I was closed to the inlet of Tòb Leireabhat. A river flows into it, which bars my progress across the Arnish Moor to Grimshader. However, it appears that there might be a bridge after all, although the map says there is not. I make my way across heather and rock. Find a stile across the fence (and a rubbish bin). And yes, there is a bridge across the river, part of a dam. The dam at the mouth of Loch Buaile Bhig is not shown on the map either. I cross to the eastern side of the loch, balance over a steep hillside. I manage to avoid having to use the lifebelt and settle down against a sunsoaked rockface for 30 minutes. Cut back to the first dam across another steep hillside and cross the dam. Return to the road by Loch Arnish at 4pm, and make my way back towards the Castle Grounds. Take a different route back through the woods, and find lots and lots of fallen trees. One path is still blocked, and it’s clear that much work remains to be done there. Return to Newton at 5.25. Nice views over the town though. Sunset at 6.40, but in a red blaze. Have a good old natter to mrs B over supper, which was a takeaway from the Balti House.