Leaving Lewis

Well, this is the last blog posting from the Isle of Lewis and the last posting for a couple of days as Lill and I are leaving tomorrow morning on the "0h-dark-thirty" ferry to the mainland. The hospitality and generous spirit of the Hebrideans is legendary and deservedly so. We have been treated with such kindness and respect everywhere we have been on the islands. So many Lewis people have Canadian roots and friends that conversation is always engaging and interesting.

At this time of year, the landscape changes constantly. The heather is just beginning to add hues of purple and deeper shades of green to the hills and moors. The deep peaty brown streams and the grey mist that rolls through at their own pace makes the pallet complete.... (hmmmm - inner voice - deep peaty brown, rich smelling, inviting, thirst quenching.... ok, it has got to be time for a Lagavulin) So grateful to have been here!

The route we are planning to take from Ullapool to Wick is most northerly route in mainland Scotland and goes up through Thruso and John O'Groats. My sanity has been questioned (this is not a new phenomenon for me) as much of the road is single passage with lay-bys for approaching cars. (read=SLOW) The weather is closing in a bit in the north so this may not be the best plan of action. I have an alternate route planned which will take us through the Loch Shin area of the Highlands and up the east coast road to Wick. Will make a last minute decision once we hit the mainland and gauge the conditions.

So, our last day in Lewis is predicably chaotic. Lots of loose ends to tidy up, motorcycle to pack and prepare for the road and final farewell to the folks who have been so good to us here. No matter how well you prepare, it always seems to come down to a frantic last minute push and a lingering doubt that you have forgotten something REALLY important...but what??? Gets worst with age! Going to have a ceilidh at my cousin ChrisAnna and Donald's tonight so will be good to see our friends and relatives. Then off to bed for an 0430 rise and shine and off across the moor to Stornoway. Always seem to have a curious blend of emotions leaving Lewis - one of nostalgic regret mixed with the excitement of a new page turning. I am sure many of our ancestors felt the same thing as they reached for foreign shores. OK, now I'm getting too deep - time for another Lagavulin?

Ciao

D