Monday 3 February

A very windy day, with no ferry service at all. The Clansman remained tied up all day, as did the Hebridean Isles, which is currently covering the freight run. The Hebrides, serving Harris and North Uist, did not sail either. Windspeeds in Stornoway were at force 7, but it was blowing a full gale further south.Spray was blowing over the causeway, but did not cause major problems. Tides are receding now.

One piece of interesting local news: traffic lights will be installed on the Laxdale Bridge this spring, to ease the flow of traffic at peak times. The one-lane bridge, with priority for northbound traffic, is a major bottleneck for people heading to or from Back, Ness and the West Side.

Very pleased to have discovered a soldier from the Great War who I can bring "in from the cold", in other words, have him awarded Commonwealth War Dead status and possibly put a CWGC gravestone over his last resting place.

Private ARCHIBALD MACPHEE
Last known address in South Uist: Garryhillie
Son of John and Mary Macphee
Service unit: 3rd Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Service number: 3/5553
Date of death: 10 February 1917 at the age of 23
Died at home of illness
Local memorial: South Uist

Sunday 2 February

Another high tide, but I wasn't going to get up early again to have a look. Yesterday showed me what Stornoway under water looked like, no need to see it again.It was still windy, and tomorrow will see yet another gale.

A cat had been found in Aberdeenshire with a microchip from the Canary Islands. Fortunately, its owner lived rather closer than Fuerteventura, so the feline could be reunited with its owner in short order.