Thu 10/02/05

A very cold day indeed, with snow showers. As I left B&B, a heavy shower commenced which left me coated in snow. Went into library, then back to the busstation for the 10.45 to Tolsta / Tolastadh. Got greeted by a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder. Weather improved slightly during the 40 minute run to New Tolsta, but the snow settled. Left the bus at 11.20, and headed down the road towards Garry Beach. First a visit to the Public Convenience by Traigh Mor / Large Beach. The wind is unpleasantly cold, and a full length expedition to Ness (10 miles) is out of the question. Cut across the machair at Garry Beach, and up an increasingly muddy trail. Had a lunchbreak, then returned the way I came. Saw a sheep jump into a deep river. Stupid animal got swept downstream, but managed to clamber out. Went onto Traigh Mor, a large beach of about 3km in length. As I went along, a hailshower came by. Fantastic beach, great rockformations at its southern end. Climbed off the beach along a stream, then into the fields beyond. Found 2 dead sheep lying side by side, and mentioned it to the farmer whom I met up the field. He had a general moan about the landowner, the weather, everything. Returned to Stornoway on a bus which went along all the backroads, so it took 60 minutes instead of the usual 40. Had dinner in the Crown Hotel.