Sammy o da Smallie

A fine morning, but overcast.  The sun soon came out, and a beautiful sunny, warm and calm afternoon.  A breeze picked up this evening. 

Up early, and headed out for a hike after breakfast.  On the way back, we bumped into Jim Ratter.  We chatted for over an hour, a loads of old Foula stories and tales.  Packed up the tent, and Lynn picked us up and took us down to the harbour.  A 3½ boat journey home, no dolphins this time.  Madeline had tea ready for us on our return.  A quiet evening at home, and an early night.  Sammy is more like himself today, and glad to be home again, snuggled on the sofa.

The cooler overcast morning was perfect for a gentle hike with Sammy, and one he's done a couple of times now.  A big odds on the hike this time was a lack of Bonxies (Great Skua).  Their numbers have dropped dramatically after avian bird flu last year.  Sheila Gear said she's counted 300 breeding pairs on the island, but that's down from thousands.  The up side of the terrible flu, other smaller birds, such as puffins, will have a better chance if survival and growing numbers.  We crossed the Daal and made our destination, the Sneck o da Smallie.  A 6ft gap in the rock after the cliff slide away, with a 200ft drop inside.  Fine dry climbing conditions, but thought it was best not to with Sammy.  Sammy perched on the entrance of Sneck o da Smallie, Foula.