Unexpected

Last night, we arrived in fog. This morning, we woke up to fog and a forecast of black cloud all day.

Rich took CJ for a walk on the beach first thing and met a couple of locals who thought it might turn out OK.  There were a few glimpses of brightness but we weren't entirely hopeful. 

We started our walk along the most beautiful white beach and aquamarine sea; colours from tropical islands not the skirts of Scotland, surely? I'd seen photos but expected on a foggy day that the sea would be as grey and brown as Bridlington. 

We spotted a surfer heading into the waves who I could see through my camera was taking a selfie in the surf... One of the finest selfies around, I reckoned! (You can just seem him in the pic along with the second fogbow of the trip.)

We continued our walk and the fog did in fact lift... And descend... And move through in vast blankets. This place has serious atmosphere and incredible beauty. We stopped a huge amount of times to take it all in. On the homeward stretch we were in a large patch of glorious sunshine still with sea mist billowing around, we spotted some seals basking on a rock just off the shore. They sat there while we had a snack and then slid in and watched us until we moved on.

We met the selfie surfer and his girlfriend on their bikes where our van was. He was carrying a trailer, tents, wetsuits and snorkelling gear, oh, and a surf board! 

We had a good chat and had plenty in common. They seemed a little chilled so we made them hot drinks while he fixed a puncture.

This afternoon, we've had a tour of the eastern and northern side of this vast, six mile long island, passed the tidal beach airport, visited a tiny church and stopped for cups of tea and more staring at the stunning scenery in the most spectacular of weather. Finally, we have stopped at a fabulous location on the west coast, walked along another beautiful beach and taken photos as the sun went down. The fog is still moving in and out but we've had sunshine all evening.

I wonder what a white cloud forecast will bring? Bed now. Find out tomorrow.