Force 10 to Harris...

After a stormy night in our Pod, Pat's alarm awoke us at 0530. Rain was pelting our walls and the wind, from the SW was blowing a hoolie. Dawn had not yet broken and our plan to catch the 1030 ferry across to Harris was looking decidedly doddgy. As it got lighter the rain eased and at 0700 we rolled out (about 1 hour later than planned) to tackle the 22 miles to the ferry at Berneray. The wind was due to back around to the north and increase to 40mph about 1000. We were soaked within 5 minutes of starting and getting blown all over the road. However the rain eased and we gradually started to head north - we started to make good progress. 5 miles from the ferry - bang - the wind hit us with a vengence - 40 mph on the nose. Single track road with cars trying to get to the ferry pushing past, severe bufetting from the gale pushing us back up the hills - stuff of nightmares for a cyclist. However when the going gets tough - yep you got it - the tough get going. We made some hard yards and got to the ferry with 10 minuets to spare.

The passage between the islands to Harris is dangerous waters with rocky shallows and narrow passages. Interesting in the high winds but the ferry arrived in good order. We had already decided to call it a day and had booked a hostel just by the ferry terminal.

We deserved a good lunch thus a a couple of pints and some fish and chips hit the spot. The forecast for tomorrow is not the best, slacker winds but from the NW, it will means head winds for the first 10 miles or so before we head east across the Island.

We have booked accommodation for the next few days - it will be much more hiily and thus we will have shorter days. We arestill on track to complete the route.

              Our Pod in the evening sunshine

                        View from the Pod

                      Harris here we come

                        We have landed