The Big Clear Out

It feels a little disrespectful to enjoy a walk which has, as two key points of interest, villages that were cleared of people in the mid-1800s, to make way for more profitable sheep. And while taking in the views, as the sun made an appearance halfway round our meander, there was certainly a thought went back to those who had endured such a hard life, an acknowledgement that a good view makes up in no way for a hand to mouth existence, and that if you think things can never get worse... well they probably will.

I am in no way going to draw any modern day parallels with the Tory party.

Not gonna happen.

An active day, with an hour out on the bike first thing (re-learning that Belgians are probably Europe's worst drivers); before the 11 mile saunter taking in Suisnish and Boreraig (the shot above in Boreraig). 

Sitting on the shoreline a jet-black Mink darted underneath a rock in front of us, providing a good ten minutes of hide and seek entertainment before he decided he was better off elsewhere. Not exactly a great thing to see, invasive wee mite that he is, but still cute. Another example of the folly of man.

Sitting out on 'our' veranda, enjoying a drink and nibbles before dinner, we look out on the Talitha superyacht, moored off Soay in the near-distance. Prices start from $430,000 for a week to charter her. Beautiful ship, owned by (ten years ago and presumably still) the Gettys. But we're all looking out on the same view.