Thurs - Over the sea to Skye

Well last night was alright. Didn't start well, there was a fair across the street and the thump, thump bass lines of its music certainly permeated the van. But it stopped almost dead on 9pm. And despite being close to the train line the first train we heard was after 7 this morning. So a good night's sleep - well, as good as us both having colds would allow anyway.

Earlish start this morning to very nearby Morrisons for breakfast. Possibly too early, our waitress hadn't woken up, she only brought my breakfast initially and then when Liz's arrived we noticed neither had bacon. Actually we won on that one as, after bacon has been produced, Liz discovered her original rasher hidden neath toast and egg!

Only about 70 miles or so to the Kyle Of Lochalsh and bridge over to Skye. Stunning scenery all the way (I was driving, we didn't stop, so you will have to take my word for it). Well, we did realise that breakfast out had meant we had forgotten our daily geriatric meds, so I pulled over on the outskirts of Fort William to allow us to do so and snapped a couple of snaps

probably one of them there hills is Ben Nevis

Another day of following vehicles going just a bit slower than I would made driving frustrating. But after a couple of hours we got a tantalising glimpse of the bridge (still at least 3 miles away). BTW today's photo is a stock image not one I took! Shortly afterwards found ourselves on the island. We drive up to Broadford for coffee and look at the tourist tat and craft shops and discuss the always interesting question, "where are we going to spend the night". There are two options, a campsite here in Broadford where we can walk to two pubs, or over to Carbost and stay on the pier. Carbost is the preferred option not because it is the cheaper (£10 v £26) but because the local pub had live traditional music tonight.

Carbost also boasts

We bought nothing mind; I see no reason to increase Diageo's profits, although a do like a bargain and this seemed a really good reduction

if you can't read the small print it was originally £4,500

Anyway, Liz's quite nasty cold is not helping her comfort levels with camping out in the slightly more wild, so back to the campsite it is. No traditional music but there's still a couple of pubs. 

Driving again, but I did stop for a couple of snaps 

(the waterfall looked much better in real life!)

Ruddy fool Brian, remember, remember, always check either What Pub or the Good Beer Guide - neither of the local pubs sell any cask ale! Oh what a calamity! There is a fish restaurant a mile or so away that apparently has handpumps for Skye beers on. Waiting now for the rain to pass.

Well, we did get a bit damp walking to the pub/restaurant but given its good reviews we decided to eat. Good choice! Excellent fish meals washed down with draught Skye. To finish we decided a wee dram would top the evening off. The local Torabaigh and Ramsay whiskies seemed appropriate Suffice it to say we hope to be travelling back with a bottle of each!

Still raining on the way home but remember the words of that great modern philosopher, Dollie Parton:

"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain"

A couple of other quick phone snaps from that walk back

Well my GPX logging program failed so it will have to be the less accurate Google Timeline for today's bimbles