Tuesday 4 September

Today started bright but cold, and there was decidedly a nip in the air at sunrise. It was mostly cloudy for the rest of the day, but the sun did put in an appearance every once in a while. The shop was heaving at lunchtime, but the girls at the checkout were pleasant and helpful as always. Obtained a replacement garden incinerator; they last for about six months, before they rust and fall to pieces. Very useful for burning cardboard and old papers, particularly when you only have a fortnightly bin collection. Ferry service in the Uig triangle (Uig - Tarbert and Uig - Lochmaddy) is up the spout, with the regular ferry MV Hebrides out of action because of an electrical fault. Anyone travelling from Tarbert has to come to Stornoway, 37 miles to the north, to catch a ferry to Ullapool - from where it is 160 miles back to Uig. The Lochmaddy to Uig service is operating, but with an amended schedule.

Stornoway at 7.15 this morning