Today was a lazy day. There were plans to do so much, but today was the last chance for me to relax and unwind, before startin
g again tomorrow. I had washing to finish, kit to prepare and pack, and plans to make for the next stage (Ullapool – Fort William). I had considered going from Harris to Skye and then riding the island bridge back onto the mainland and then down to Fort William, but when I tried to book the ferry the only one available was at 4:30pm so I wouldn’t actually set off (the other side) until 6pm. The only way to do it is from Ullapool.
I sorted the washing and had a lazy morning. Nick and I had talked about doing some surfing whilst I was up here and we hadn’t managed to fit it in, so as I had breakfast, Nick went to see a friend and picked up the board and checked the forecast.
I have never surfed before and what a laugh. I can confirm that I cannot surf, but I really enjoyed trying. We were in a quiet bay on the north east side of the island and it wa
s quite sheltered. The waves were 6-8ft and I was nervous. We donned our wet-suits and made for the sea – Nick at a rate of knots, running down the beach...
I tried. I really did. I managed to master the idea of body boarding and after 2 hours even managed to get onto my knees on a good number of occasions, but only twice did I make it all the way up and that left Nick in fits of laughter as I tumbled down the other side of the board. That said, Nick was very complimentary about my surfing (everyone else on the beach just seemed to think we were completely mad). I struggled on... It was a wonderful afternoon, relaxed and full of laughter; it was as the day should have been. The sun beating down, a gentle breeze across the cliff-tops and plenty of waves to keep us busy.
In the evening we had been invited to the local Thai restaurant to celebrate Quentin’s birthday. Quentin is Nick's family's next door neighbour on the island and a truly wonderful m
an). I had never met any of these people before, and yet all have made me so welcome. The meal was wonderful and full of laughter, the perfect way to end the stay in Stornoway. I was asked about the trip, the charity I was riding for and the route I was following. We talked of our families, holiday destinations and work, with Nick being the newest member to join academia and Donny (Quentin and Margaret’s friend) about to retire. Then with a whiskey nightcap to finish my stay in the Western Isles, we were done.
From this point on everything leads home. Tomorrow brings a ferry crossing in rough waters, and a long ride south along the Lochs. But ultimately I’m now heading home.
g again tomorrow. I had washing to finish, kit to prepare and pack, and plans to make for the next stage (Ullapool – Fort William). I had considered going from Harris to Skye and then riding the island bridge back onto the mainland and then down to Fort William, but when I tried to book the ferry the only one available was at 4:30pm so I wouldn’t actually set off (the other side) until 6pm. The only way to do it is from Ullapool.I sorted the washing and had a lazy morning. Nick and I had talked about doing some surfing whilst I was up here and we hadn’t managed to fit it in, so as I had breakfast, Nick went to see a friend and picked up the board and checked the forecast.
I have never surfed before and what a laugh. I can confirm that I cannot surf, but I really enjoyed trying. We were in a quiet bay on the north east side of the island and it wa
s quite sheltered. The waves were 6-8ft and I was nervous. We donned our wet-suits and made for the sea – Nick at a rate of knots, running down the beach...I tried. I really did. I managed to master the idea of body boarding and after 2 hours even managed to get onto my knees on a good number of occasions, but only twice did I make it all the way up and that left Nick in fits of laughter as I tumbled down the other side of the board. That said, Nick was very complimentary about my surfing (everyone else on the beach just seemed to think we were completely mad). I struggled on... It was a wonderful afternoon, relaxed and full of laughter; it was as the day should have been. The sun beating down, a gentle breeze across the cliff-tops and plenty of waves to keep us busy.
In the evening we had been invited to the local Thai restaurant to celebrate Quentin’s birthday. Quentin is Nick's family's next door neighbour on the island and a truly wonderful m
an). I had never met any of these people before, and yet all have made me so welcome. The meal was wonderful and full of laughter, the perfect way to end the stay in Stornoway. I was asked about the trip, the charity I was riding for and the route I was following. We talked of our families, holiday destinations and work, with Nick being the newest member to join academia and Donny (Quentin and Margaret’s friend) about to retire. Then with a whiskey nightcap to finish my stay in the Western Isles, we were done.From this point on everything leads home. Tomorrow brings a ferry crossing in rough waters, and a long ride south along the Lochs. But ultimately I’m now heading home.
surfs up dude!!!!!
ReplyDeleteeveryone looks v friendly!
xxxxxx