View across the Outer Harbour of Stornoway

Sunday 6 June 2010

Sunday 6 June

It is 66 years ago today that Allied forces landed on beaches in Normandy, France, heralding the beginning of the end of years of occupation by Nazi forces of large swathes of western Europe. The rapid advance through France, Belgium and southern Holland following D-day was only checked after the failed attempt to capture bridges at Arnhem, Holland, three months later. The Second World War closed in Europe in May 1945, but not after millions of people had been murdered on an industrial scale - because their religion courted displeasure with the German dictator, Adolf Hitler.

I went on a trip to Uig, western Lewis, this afternoon. It took 15 miles to emerge from under the blanket of cloud and showers that cloaked the eastern side of the island. We had a pleasant lunch at a stonecircle not far from Callanish, then proceeded to a beach in Uig. Beautiful area, particularly on a day like today. I have not yet finished uploading my 119 pictures, but will share a number of them in an entry tomorrow.