Friday 29/07/05

Today, we have the West Side show over in Barvas. The day is windy and grey, mid-morning even sees some drops of rain on the wind. The sun makes a valiant effort, but on the way across the moor, there is more drizzle. Alight at the showground, a mile outside the village. On the approach, the lady traffic warden is stopping northbound traffic, as there is a line of cars heading south. A lot of cars are parked along the road. You can't park in the verge - that's way too soft. The show is very busy. From south to north, there is the arena for the heavy events, throwing the weight and the high jump are the only ones I witness. The bar for the high jump gets bent when one of the competitors falls right on top of it. Next are the animal pens, containing cattle and some very handsome sheep. Pure black, and one with 4 horns (yep, four). Sorry, didn't bring my camera. Cheviot, blackface, tups, ewes and lambs. A melodeon competition takes place, with youngsters doing a fair job on it. A tent contains home produce, bakery and knitting products, not for eating but to be judged. There is a tent which sells all sorts of things, including the Isles FM CD "B2B" [Butt to Barra], knitwear, you name it. SNH have a useful stand about moorland flora and fauna. There is a beertent, which I give a miss. The fire-, ambulance and coastguard services all have a vehicle in attendance. The little boys are having a whale of a time sounding the sirens. Apart from a non-alcoholic refreshment stand, there is also a make-belief shieling hut. Lesley Riddoch, famous Scottish journalist, opened the show and is now available for discussion. She attracts a lot of folk. I leave the show after an hour, in time for the 3.15 pm bus. It's actually very cold out there, with a stiff breeze and only 15C. When the sun does come out, it warms up nicely, but it doesn't last. Return to SY at 3.35. On leaving for the show, I recognised the Belgian car, belonging to the couple who left for Skye, only to reappear today. In the B&B we now have a young Canadian couple from Montreal for 2 days, and an older couple who come on the early evening ferry. They live in Glasgow, but originate in Hungary. John and Yvette left that country in 1956, following the abortive uprising against the Soviet occupation. Advise them on sights to see.