Monday 23/05/05

The morning started sunny and fine in town, so I thought to head for the Harris hills at lunchtime. Well, as per normal, Stornoway has its own weather. The minute I left town, a huge cloud loomed up to the southwest. In Lochs, the sun disappeared and after Airigh a'Bhruaich, it started to pour with rain. Got off at Bogha Glas. Driver very kindly didn't open the door until all following traffic had filed past, thankyou. Headed down the trail towards Langadale. Caught a whiff of putrefaction in amongst the downpour, which turned out to eminate from a decomposing sheep. Again. The rain kept on for about 40 minutes, but started to relent as I crested Bealach na h-Uamha. The sun shone over the northern end of Loch Langabhat (it's not fair!). Went down to the southern ford and lazed on the riverbank. The cloud slowly lifted off Stuabhal, Stulabhal, Teileasbhal and Mullach an Langa, the giants of Langadale. Retraced my steps at 3.15 and returned in warm sunshine to Bogha Glas at 4.25. The bus was its usual 10 minutes late, full of tourists merrily snapping away at the surrounding countryside. Back into town at 5.15, 10 minutes late as we stuck behind a slow campervan until Liurbost. Helped one of the other guests with a staggered bus journey round the West Side tomorrow. You need 4 buses and it takes 9 hours. Leave SY at 10.10 and return at 19.10, leaving stops at Callanish, Carloway Broch, and the Garenin Black House Village. One other guest appeared off the 8pm ferry. Full moon shone low in the south at midnight.