Weather: Light winds and overcast, becoming misty and a little cooler than yesterday.

We have taken to buying eggs from a roadside stop-off near Sollas. The chickens are at the front of the house. The eggs that they produce are all different shapes and colours but all have a wonderful flavour, elevating this basic food to something special.

Baleshare beach had been recommended to us as a place with especially fine and hard sand. We wanted to get an idea of it as it is intended that Nicola will be working here with the Fine Art (Sculpture) students from the University of the Highlands and Islands Few students can have such unique resources at their disposal. The cries of the Oyster Catchers conjure an elemental quality to this environment and the stripped down remains of what is probably a Second World War landing craft adds mystery to this landscape.

We later travelled up the coast to CLaddadh Kirkibost Centre. Where there is a pleasant café at the rear. We chose the ubiquitous soup and an excellent sandwich (hot smoked salmon and salad). Suitably (slightly over) fortified we travelled down to the South of Benbecula to fill the car with petrol, do some shopping and then proceeded to the Sports Centre at Lionacleit, which is situated within the school.

I swim regularly at Jesmond pool in Newcastle and although Nicola is keen for us to swim in the sea I was much relieved to find this warmer less challenging alternative. We had a great swim. It was a special ending to the day. The only complication was finding the exit because the signage is (understandably) in Gaelic..

We had a remarkably peaceful night as the cats have settled into a routine for coming and going that enables us to have a decent night’s sleep.