Oilskins donned to North Uist.....

0530 alarm and a pre dawn departure to catch the first ferry to Eriskay. A fast 4 miles to the teminal and met up with 20 other cyclists who had been stranded yeterday. Weather was considerably eased and a smooth 50 minute crossing  - the Jordies, who were on a mission, set off never to be seen again wanting to catch the 1130 ferry to Berneray 60 miles away,. The remainder were left wallowing in their dust and us oldies brought up the rear. We stopped for bacon butties at the first cafe only to see that no other cyclist had stopped - they must all be on a mission.

These southern islands are flat on the coast and hilly in the middle - our route follows the coast. Unfortunately it was not long until the weather closed in - full wet weather gear but with a following wind. The roads are single track with passing places and some of the locals ignor these wider bits and squeeze past you pasing too close and too fast. Mind you some cyclists are not too considerate - we had stopped to allow a car to proceed towards us only to be overtaken by a lady cyclist who just said Hi as she passed and held up the car

We had 2 cycle quest things, the first was Flora Macdonald to whom there is a monument, she helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape to Skye, he landed from France at the beach by the ferry landing on Eriskay. The second was a grand war memorial in the middle of Benbecular where the rain stopped and we had lunch.

40 miles is about right for us so we booked a pod on South Uist and the rain returned about 15 minutes before we got there and soaked us. We are by the sea and if the rain stops and we could see out I am sure it would be a terrific view across the small iselets we crossed on our way here. There are a couple of other of our cohort of cyclist who arrived just after us. We have heard on the grapevine that some have given up and headed for Skye as the forcaste for tomorrow is not good at all. We will probably make a pre dawn start and dash for the ferry 22 miles away before the 40 knots northerly wind hits us.

We are in pretty good shape - 'tis just a shame about the weather. Distance 42.5 mls. Our Odo to date reads 259mls.

Ferry Eriskay and Bonnie Prince Charles beach

              Flora Macdonald's Memorial

                            War Memorial