Day 6 - Homeward Bound
Well today we have a ferry booked for a 4pm departure. The wind and rain last night was in epic proportions and the ‘check the ferry status app’ says that the route we are on is subject to disruption and sudden cancellation. We will have to keep our fingers crossed that the weather abates slightly by this afternoon.
On a more positive note, after breakfast we spy a Sea Eagle, through the telescope, across the other side of the Loch. Excellent.
Eric decides it’s quite a long journey ahead so he needs a bit of a nap.
After a lazy morning around the cottage, lunch and a tidy up, we set off for the ferry.
A last look at the view before we go.
We have had a text message from CalMac to say not to turn up before 2pm as there are big lorries doing port renovations, and the entrance will be blocked. Pootle down towards Tarbert (or Tairbeart in Gaelic).
Have been meaning to put in a photo of one of these all week - see below. These are bus stops, with a place to stand out of the wind and rain no matter which direction it is coming from. We did wonder how you would see the bus coming if you were sheltering around the back. Some of them on the peninsula to the east of Stornoway had little Perspex portholes in each ‘Wall’ to achieve this, but in most places they were like the one below.
We spy a glass art, embroidery and gifts shop along the way, and it’s open. Deciding to go and have a look at what’s on offer as we are about ten minutes ahead of schedule for the ferry. Park up and put our masks on. Walking up to the gallery it felt as though we were bank robbers about to do a heist. Hand sanitiser at the door and 2m distancing in operation we browse the goodies on offer, which are multiple and very desirable. Emerge from shop fifteen minutes later with multiple packages and, metaphorically if not literally, a lighter wallet.
Turning into Tairbeart, there is already a queue for the ferry stretching along what appears to be the main road into the town. Another text from CalMac; due to volume of traffic at Loch Maddy the ferry is delayed (again), but at least it appears that it is running, which is a relief. Directed into queuing lanes, looks like we are going to be on the mezzanine deck again. Nearly an hour later we are on board.
Eric has joined us on the observation deck -
which way up is this boat? I thought that boats go on the water not up into the sky.
The ferry manages to leave port in just under the ninety minute window where you can claim compensation. Weather conditions are rather windy today, so crossing The Minch is a little rougher than before.
No Dolphin or Whale today, that we can see anyway. Still plenty of gannet about.
Departing the boat at seven-thirty in the evening, NavMi gives us an estimated arrival time at Fort William of 9:45, not too bad. Only managed to drive as far as Borve on Skye before the heavens open and biblical proportions of rain fell. Between that, the darkness that has now fallen, very bendy bits of road, and an extremely cautious driver in front (understandable in the circumstances), plus the odd deer leaping out into the road; we did not arrive at our B&B until just after 10:30pm. Luckily we had let them know we would be late and our kind hosts left the door open for us and told us which room we were in. Had booked a late breakfast slot earlier in the day.