Loch Achilty

What was supposed to be a group swim in Loch Achilty collapsed a little bit. We'd originally thought of swimming the length of Loch Achilty, which is about one mile, but then A and I dipped out of that because we didn't have sufficient time for a long swim if we still wanted to be able to enjoy some wine and pizza with our respective partners later on.

However, the rest of the group never made it, as L and L were involved in a road traffic accident in Invergordon, which luckily they escaped unscathed (but other parties did not). I don't know the extent of the car damage as yet and I've not spoken directly to the parties. L (LU) was involved in a very serious car accident in her youth, so might also be quite upset. M and her husband T headed back to see if there was anything they could do to help (there was: they got LU and her car back to Tain safely). By the time we saw the messages, we were already at Loch Achilty and there was nothing we could do, so we went ahead with our planned swim. This was a triangular course, up the loch and round the back of the crannog (seen to the right of the blip), across the loch to the slipway and then back to the car park. It should be around a kilometre. It took 52 minutes, and I was swimming pretty much as fast as I could (although I got considerably left behind by A at the end). Lovely water and a great sense of freedom when you are out in the loch on your own. Compared to how I felt when I started this lark eighteen months ago, I am much less scared of being out in open water. Swimming the length of Loch Achilty remains a goal to come back to - probably realistically next summer.

It was fairly quiet in the car park, but not so when we got back. Lots of families doing water sports, playing in the shallows, having barbecues, etc. And the car park was much busier. I've added an extra of the evening light over the loch. Quite a few midges for the second night running! This is what comes from going further west (and inland). As it was so busy and we felt quite far from home, I was glad that I had put the car keys into a dry bag and put them inside my tow float (which doubles as a dry bag itself). However, my tow float is deflating rather quickly at the moment, so it might need replacing before next weekend.

I dropped A at home and headed home, to find Mr A and N in the kitchen drinking beer, chatting and Mr A was preparing pizzas. A quick shower later, we were ready for our pizzas when A arrived. A lovely quiet lazy evening, eating and drinking with friends, and just chatting about stuff....with the curtains closed against the night for the first time in months, making it a very cosy space.

They didn't stay late (unlike the last time we were round at theirs....), and I was glad to fall in to my bed.

Just to note that my "digging break" today comprised a trip to a local supermarket at lunchtime, where I detoured to the garden centre next door, and was tempted by a dark pink anemone for the new bed. Adding a bit of colour and brightness (along with a cheapo chrysanthemum I picked up from the supermarket). They went in the garden. However, no more progress was made on the actual digging. That will have to be for the weekend.