The cruise ship leaving gairloch this afternoon,
destination? perhaps Ullapool next.
About to leave the loch & enter the minch
where she stops & a couple of her "RIB's" go for a play.
After a night moored outside the harbour, the Europa leaves Gairloch this afternoon.
A couple of blasts of her foghorn & she's off.
Slowly passing behind Fraoch-eilean
Dwarfing the local boat which appeared to be scuttling out of the way.
Jamilla's breath can be seen on this autumnal morning.
Yacht at anchor in the loch, enjoying the sunshine. Unfortunately, a couple of hours later it clouded over & the rain returned.
Just before 9am, best morning for ages.
12 hours later & it's been the best day this summer.
Lovely ending, pity the nights are closing in so rapidly.
On Saturday Andy helped to Marshall a checkpoint on the Wilderness Challenge event. It started with a rough drive up tracks and then a 2 mile walk into the real wilderness.
Here are some of the walkers finally reaching us after their 18 mile trek, just 7 more to go
A competitor slipped just after leaving us and broke her ankle, we had 3 mountain rescue Marshall's with us and they called in the helicopter to assist. We kept the area clear until it took off again
A quick way home for some treatment. We had to walk out later once the last competitor had left our area. A very windy day, not good for runners but it kept the midges away for us.
The trees are starting to turn.......
Max posing for camera.
Nibs can't keep still.
Jamilla's not in the mood for having her pic taken.
Summer at last? Sunday was lovely & warm but as the midges are so bad at present, we decided the best place to be was on the water.
This is a freshwater loch between Gairloch & Poolewe.
Andy disappearing into the sunset.
Visitor in the greenhouse a couple of days ago.
Across loch Tollaidh this evening
Close up of the same. The midges are horrendous at the present as there's no breeze at all, having to vacuum the window sills twice a day! Yuk.
Our friends from Perthshire came to stay in Gairloch the other week and the weather was like summer for a change, so it was watersports and plenty of days out. Andy joined mum, dad the three boys and their dog for a big walk up Beinn Eighe, it was a hard 12 miles with 2 summits over 3000 ft (munros).
The way to the first summit
A scramble to reach the first top before lunch. However during our lunch break the mist came down we did not get any more views,
The way down from the second summit started with a steep scree slope, then a series of large steps each with waterfalls running down them. it was like being in the lost land of the dinosaurs.
Finally back to the road and a view of our big mountain, well done to everybody for such a long walk and for not getting lost in the mist.
Plant very near the summit. Anyone identify it? Rock rose?
Loch Maree on the left, Loch Kernsary in the centre & Loch Ewe on the right. Beyond, the Minch & Western isles.
Tea stop. Where we left the bikes.
Margot & Anna finally made it at the third attempt today. Anna can see the hill from home & called to say it was clear so off we went. Cycled in from Poolewe towards Ardlair (missed the path off as we were too busy chatting! Retraced our tyre tracks & got back on course. Left the bikes where the proper track finished & began the ascent.
A happy Anna on the way down - Queen of the Hill today.
Beinn Ariagh Charr which we had hoped to ascend today has remained hidden in mist so we opted for a walk at Inverewe pinewoods.
Tolly having a rare pause.
Scarecrow in one of the flower meadows.
