Sunday 2 September

Overcast and breezy but mainly dry. Went for a spin out to Great Bernera, one of my fave spots in this island. Called in at little Tobson, a tiny hamlet with two equally tiny beaches, and Bosta, which has this magnificent beach. The tide was way out, allowing me to almost walk out to the tidebell. Only a deep and fast running channel of water prevented me reaching the device itself. After a look round the Iron Age House and the cemetery, the next destination were the Callanish Stones. A handful of tourists were around there. Returned to Stornoway via the Pentland Road. Just a few images to give an idea:



Callanish Stones

Bosta Cemetery

Iron Age House

Tide Bell


Bosta

Tobson

Saturday 1 September

Plenty of wind and rain today, although the rain did abate a little by sunset. The temperatures have not changed since the last couple of days, about 15C.

Today, it was announced that the Germany company Grünenthal apologised over their product thalidomide - for not apologising earlier. The drug was given to pregnant women between the late 50s and early 60s, giving rise to hundreds of malformed children and thousands of failed pregnancies. The victims have described the apology as risible, saying the company completely ignored the fact that they had done something terribly wrong. Thalidomide has come back into use for the treatment of certain types of blood cancer.

When relaying information on the internet, please check sources. Someone stated that all the ferries out of Mallaig were cancelled, but upon checking the Calmac website, it turned out that they were disrupted. Talking of disrupted ferries, the MV Isle of Lewis will be off for repairs on Tuesday and Wednesday. The relief boat, MV Isle of Arran, is a slower craft. Also causing disruption are the springtides, which necessitate the retiming of the Leverburgh to Berneray ferry. It crosses the Sound of Harris, which can be short of water at low tide.