Black Isle brewery sign, by Munlochy.

Have been living here for nigh-on thirteen years now, and still haven't been along for a visit. Have sampled their wares, and they are good. Just haven't made it there yet. Likewise when I lived in North Berwick decades ago, it was some visitors that finally dragged my family out on a boat trip to the Bass Rock, after some ten years of being there. Heck, I was in my mid-twenties before some other visitors persuaded me to finally go to Edinburgh Castle (a big disappointment), and up until then, I lived and worked quite close to that for all of my life.

Despite the sciatica, I've been able to keep up with cycling and swimming. Though the first mile and a bit on the bike in the morning is, er... "not any fun." This morning, when I reached the Kessock Bridge, the tide was out, and the Beauly Firth was flat calm. Spotted a pair of large rings in the water, and knew immediately it was either caused by seals, or dolphins. I didn't have to wait long for the answer, as a pair of dolphins jumped clean out of the water. Stopped to watch them for a short while, and they eventually made their way up in to the harbour part of the River Ness. Such beautiful creatures, and I think that's the first time I've seen them from the bridge this year. They are always easier to spot when it is calm, as are any seals, and otters.