Friday notes

Cloudy day with occasional pale glimpses of the sun, and a very meagre 7C / 45F. The wind doesn't help. Two people just called at the door, looking for a room. One was to spare, so they were happy. A few days ago, another couple called round who were arguing over rates. The chap got very narky, probably the wind under his kilt (he was not Scottish, but was wearing one), and mrs B asked him if he wanted the room - well, in that case, no. It is rare to get such fusspots, although not unheard of. Most people are glad to get anything - you'd be surprised how busy Stornoway can get in April.

This is also the season when the Barra-to-Butt cyclists appear on our roads. These are the intrepid pushbike riders who cycle from Barra to the Butt of Lewis, a distance of about 130 miles. By the law of averages, the wind is in their backs, but in spring, northeasterly winds are quite common. Quite a few of them have a dream of a time whizzing up the level road the length of Uist, then cross over to Harris. Things get a wee bit hilly beyond Leverburgh, but the real blow comes 4 miles out of Tarbert - when the giants of the Clisham range loom up ahead.

The Clisham is our tallest mountain, 799 metres, or well over 2,600 feet. The road reaches 190 metres / 630 feet. The average incline is 1 in 10. Very steep on a bike. This image shows the hill from the top.

Apart from underestimating the distance (the Western Isles usually occupy that small box on the upper left hand corner of the map of the UK), the Clisham is the mountain from hell. On the other side, the road plunges down to sealevel through an area frequented by a flock of sheep. Try going downhill at 30 mph and more, and dodging sheep.