Obelix would have a fit

It was a calm Lewis morning, so I set off on the bike into the mere force 6 gale. Just a short loop round to Mangurstadh before justifying taking the CX bike rather than a pure road bike, by finding a track over the hill separating me from Carnish. Glorious way to start the day, but sadly little in the way of wildlife - a trend which continued as we visited the RSPB's Loch na Muilne, with some distant Lapwings and a curious Meadow Pipit about the most interesting sights.

Still, Stornoway for some provisions was diverting, before making for the most northern point at the Butt of Lewis (yes, the most northern point is named after the bottom). The lighthouse here, a Stevenson family creation, was one of the last in Scotland to be automated, and overlooks cliffs crammed with Fulmars and fighting Herring Gulls. Shags and Gannets wheeled away offshore, and sat in the sun, the only people there, we could have stayed there all day.

But we wanted to see Callanish in the sunshine - on our last visit (June last year) the grey skies made for a moody light, that's for sure, but the chance to see the shadows falling from he stone was too good.

Oh, and the run of seeing a Golden Eagle every day of the trip has been continued, with one being harassed by crows in a hill across the bay from the cottage (you'll have to squint).

Callanish on Blue
Sandy Heart
Wine and Sun