youth hostel types are up and at it early. so despite the late night, we were too.

mr skaterg1rl likes to eat a hostel style fry up to get in the mood for hanging out. i think it's the sound of all those people milling about in fleece and goretex that makes him think he likes mountain walking.

we toured the delights of kyleakin, then went to see that lovely eilean donan castle which is pretty spectacular. carpetbiter2 managed not to touch too much as a result of being reminded every 10 seconds to keep his hands to himself. i gave an educational talk about the portcullis and then had to lead carpetbiter1 around by a piece of rope that we'd found on the beach while she pretended to be blind.

went to plockton - home to yachties and home-from-home for some of glasgow's great and good. kids chatted to a man and his dog then sat in the car eating ice cream and listening to the new cd of peter pan (again) while i prowled around, trying to pursuade them to come on walk. ice cream/car combo won

found a tiny wee beach which we got to by crossing a railway line and opening the gates. both carpetbiters glowed with achievement at opening the gates on their own.

back at the hostel they found pals. carpetbiter2 makes friends anywhere and everywhere, carpetbiter1 finds it a bit harder but there's something about youth hostels which works really well for her. she even ended up swopping addresses with one girl who lives near us.