Friday 08/04/05

Well, winter has returned. Woke up to a white, snow-covered scene. The north or northwesterly wind is still here, and there are frequent snow showers. Visibility goes right down during those; when the sun is out, it melts the snow, it is April after all. Ferry announcement eagerly awaited by 3 of the guests. Why the newsreaders on Isles FM cannot get through a news bulletin without fluffing it beats me. I shouldn't slam them too hard though, they did do a good job during last January's hurricane. The ferry will sail at 1.45. I jump on the bus at 12.30 to experience the return of winter at Vigadale. The wind is still cold, but not as bad as yesterday, strangely enough. The sun comes out every now and again, perfectly timed incidentally with my lunch at 1.15. After that, things go downhill, whilst I go uphill. On creasting Bealach na h-Uamha, the northerwesterly wind hits me full on. Briefly divert on the path heading southwest, but return to the main trail after a minute or two. The snow up here is denser than down in the glen, where it had virtually disappeared. Stuabhal and the mountains to the south stand out in snow-dappled splendour. Provided I can see them of course, the snow showers limit visibility to 1 mile. Temperature sinks to +3C, and the iwnd picks up. Can nonetheless not get enough of the view in Langadale. I go as far as the river crossing, and quietly survey my surroundings. The snowshower presently disappears over An Clisham. Mullach an Langa, Teileasbhal, Stulabhal and Stuabhal tower over Langadale. Loch Langabhat stretches away to the north. The track over the shoulder of Stuabhal stands out. At 3.15 I do have to start going back, it takes me 60 minutes to reach the main road from here. After crossing the bealach, the sun comes out. It feels quite benign, but it is not. Temperature of +5 is still no great shakes. Pass two dead sheep. Another stands defaecating, popping out its rectum in the process. The 4.25 bus arrives at 4.33. Sally joins me at Balallan, and we compare notes on the way into town. The application for the windfarm on Barvas Moor comes under fire from an increasing list of organisations. Greenpeace as well as the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency SEPA. Good.