Corn bunting (and another beautiful beach)

We returned to the Balranald nature reserve this morning for a sunny guided walk across the croft land, the machair, and the beach (extra).

We were a jolly group with two RSPB rangers, a couple younger than us (one of the two a painter and expert on botanicals), an older couple (he obsessed with moths), and a family of four with a girl aged about eight and her brother about six. As well as (re)learning about crofting and the support of wildlife in the Outer Hebrides, we enjoyed the camaraderie of walking with a group.

Along the way we saw: various types of bee, butterfly and moth; a hen harrier, oyster catchers, twite, meadow pipits, lapwing, starlings, swallows, cormorants, house sparrows, eider ducks, and corn bunting (blipped); and a range of machair flowers and crops. We also tasted various leaves and seeds picked for us by the guides. The walk was only meant to last an hour and a half, but we were all having so much fun in the sunshine that we were together for over an hour longer than advertised.

After the walk, Mr hazelh and I cycled to the local shop at Bayhead to pick up provisions for a picnic lunch on the beach nearest to our bed and breakfast. For most of the time that we were there - first eating, then sunbathing - we were the only people on the kilometre-long stretch of sand.

The Waterford Inn was open for bar meals again this evening, so we cycled up there for supper. We loved our chicken and orzo dish, known to be popular with the locals. We were somewhat surprised when the couple at the next table told the waitress that they found it 'vinegary and inedible' and wanted their money back!  Their wish granted, they then shuffled out the building. This whole episode was most bizarre given that everyone else eating the same food found it delicious.

I have managed another Scrabble win in my bid to level the series. I am now one behind Mr hazelh, with our score at 7-6.

Exercise today: cycling (17 miles); walking (9471 steps).