Saturday 01/10/05

Another month over, and autumn is firmly established in the Western Isles. A very cold northwesterly wind blows in showers at regular intervals. They are heavy. Temp 11C this morning. In between the showers, the sun comes out. Breakfast is at 9. And no, getting caught out in those showers is not funny. David and Bessie leave on the ferry at 1.45. There is a rash of showers about, you can see 4 at any given time. Today the Arts Centre is open to the public. In celebration, they let off a large number of blue balloons which come blowing past on the strong wind. Go out to have a look at 2 o'clock. Don't stay for long, because it's too busy. It's fairly impressive for such a small location, but a wee bit on the pokey side. In the evening, we have dinner at the Crown Hotel. Go there at 7.15. Starters consist of a drink, a bowl of soup; main meal venison, salmon or monkfish; cheesecake or sticky toffeepudding after. Another drink afterwards supplements the red and white wine. I give a tinkle on the restaurant piano (badly out of tune), but Canan nan Gaidheal goes down a treat with the rest of the restaurant guests. We return to 26 Newton at 11.05. The town centre is full of yobs, not very nice. Bedtime is 1 a.m..