Saturday 16/10/05

Another bright, sunny morning. At the breakfast table, we can see a submarine leaving the port. Tell Elaine which churches she can attend. Also advise her that it's possible to walk round to Arnish Lighthouse, a 5 mile walk one-way. Alternatively, it's the Castle Grounds or the Iolaire Monument at Holm. The family with children set off to Uig to join others staying there in a caravan. It's absolutely fabulous weather for the beach and kids. Mrs B and me toddle off for a walk through the Castle Grounds. As she has a degree of visual impairment (only has 50% of the field of vision in each eye, namely the right hand side), she prefers to have someone to her right hand side to aid with balance. Off we go at 2pm, at 2 mph instead of the usual 4 mph. Through a virtually deserted town centre. Have a look at the window displays in the shops, which are full of Mod-related stuff. Carry on over the Bayhead Bridge and left into the Castle Grounds. Cars whizz along the lane, a nuisance. Nice views of the town - you basically walk around it on the far side of the harbour. Have a break at Cuddy Point, until an undesired couple come up. A lot of wildlife in the water; grebes, cormorants, seals. Blackberries are ripe and present in good numbers. We stop at the viewpoint just before the Creed River, to admire the views. Then return the way we came. Take the odd break or two on the way, as you do with an older person. As we pass Somerfields, a woman sags onto the pavement like a sack of potatoes. She is blind drunk, and it's only 4.40pm. Her partner is not much better, but at least he can (sort of) keep to his feet. Elaine also had a nice time round the shore at the coastguard station. Mrs B's son returns at 7.30. His youngest is out for the count and does not reawaken until the next morning. The girl is practising her song and the poem she has to recite in the morning. In the end we all know about The old man whose cows ran off to the glen but do I care? They're not mine. And about the dog who jumped into the water to catch the other dog he saw there with his bone! A very late night ensues.