Sat eating breakfast with hardly a breath of wind outside but by the time I left at the back of 8 a fair breeze had got up. And going the wrong way. Was heading down by Uig when the rain started. Can't complain as I'd asked for all condition for this trial run. And it got cold. Reached the stage my fingers had difficulty moving the gear levers. Pressed on, passing Portree and on to Sligachan with its super view up to Sgurr nan Gillean. Had stopped raining by this time and things just got better all the way down Sleat. The 3.30 ferry was just pulling away as I reached the pier at Armadale. Normally I'd have cursed but as it was warm and the sun out, this was the perfect place to wait. Had a bite to eat and gave the bike some TLC.
Caught the next sailing at 5.15 although I was temped to wait longer and go at 6.40. And at £4.05, what a worthwhile fare. Couldn't say the same about the chips I bought in Mallaig. Once I'd choked them down, I followed the old road from Morar to Arisaig. The new by-pass takes most of the vehicles, leaving the old road perfect for cycling. Stopped and took a photo of Prince Charlie's cairn before finding a wild camping spot looking out onto Loch nan Uamh.
There's a little plaque on the Loch nan Uamh railway viaduct here correcting the legend of builder Robert McAlpine's horse and cart falling down inside a pier of nearby Glenfinnan viaduct in c1899. Radar imaging in 2001 proved the event actaully occurred here in the centre pier at Loch nan Uamh. Wonder if that's where the Mafia got the idea?
Wildlife: Almost nothing today. Had hoped to see a golden eagle or sea eagle somewhere on Skye but it wasn't to be. Same with whales and dolphins etc on the ferry sailing. They weren't obliging.
Despite the wind, rain and cold, another super day.
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