We pack to leave
the Isle of Skye – towards Fort William.
Hamish our host tells us that the weather is improving – it is something that he tells each time he sees us but the reality is that the weather is still the Scottish weather of our last seven days – windy – light rain – it would be like the Irish weather that we are familiar with save for the reality that this weather has a nasty, cold, chilling, streak to it – each time we venture out it seems to scream – “bloody antipodeans – ye think ye tough – huv a go this fur size” - it is weather born of a severe winter that simply doesn’t want to cede ground to the climate skeptics and is intent on hanging around – the locals keep promising change – the change never arrives – the Scots and their European hikers friends simply bow their heads, turn away from the wind and tramp on – their only acknowledgement of the realities of the weather is their apparent decision to place any inclination to smile on hold until their tramp is completed and they are ensconced in an drinking establishment.
A few last photos of Skye – we talk about its scenery – we agree it is startling – we agree any tendency to be underwhelmed by it is borne of the scenic vista overload caused by our preceding northern Scotland travels.
We cross the bridge and depart the Isle.
Along Loch Duich – we are looking for coffee – we find a castle instead.
We follow
the road along Loch Cluanie – we concede that we are indeed suffering scenic
vista overload syndrome – we find ourselves wandering along – we stop – we
photograph the terrain in part as therapy for our case of SVOS. We look at the
result – we acknowledge that stopping and photographing is an appropriate
therapy.
Past the
wall that dams Loch Cluine – turn continue on the A87 – we past Loch Loyne then
pass Loch Garry before coffee is finally discovered at Invergarry – delightful hotel!
Along Loch Lochy
– we look at the inclement weather – we note the wind and the waves on the Loch
– we admire the stoic Scots – out in rows boats in weather like this!
Skirt under
Ben Nevis – into Fort William
We wander the town – into a bar – Bernie fronts the barperson – “Give me two whiskeys – one smokey – one not!” says she.
We decide to brave the weather - we plan to dine at the nearby Browns Restaurant at the Ben Nevis Inn - close-by but we have no trust in the weather - we decide we will take the Mokka - we emerge from the Guesthouse - no sign of rain! - no sign of sunshine either still we decide to challenge the weather gods and walk.
The food? - too good! - the wine? - too good! - we emerge - the weather gods just want us to know they are capable of delivering spring if they are so inclined - the sun is shining! - we wonder if it will last!
