Stormbound in Barra...

Oban was a vibrant, colourful fishing and ferry port. Lots going on and friendly. We caught our ferry to Castlebay on Barra, at the southern end of the Outer Hebrides, early afternoon and arrived after an OK crossing just after 6pm. We dumped our bags at our hostel and rode the 5 miles south onto Vatersay and the start of the Hebridean Way. The forecast was for rain to come in, we ate our lunchtime sandwiches (having eaten on the ferry) and started back at dusk. There were about 12 to 15 other cyclists all doing the same thing. A couple of Geordie lads bombed down there, they were on their way back when we met them "someone has nicked the sign and we went miles past the start' they said - us, more sedate travellers, stopped at the sign. These lads are planning to cycle the route in less than 3 days - they will see nothing! We got back just as the rain was starting in the dark. We shared a double bunked room with a couple of ladies who seemed to tolerate a couple of old fuddy duddies in the bunks opposite.

Today we set off to catch the 0930 ferry from Barra to Eriskay - driving wind and rain but warmish maybe 15degC. With 40 knots of wind assisting we made good time to the ferry only to find it was cancelled with a review at 1400 with a possibility of a 1600 ferry. Not much use to us as we would end up over the ferry but with no lodgings there as we are a bit reluctant to errect tents in these conditions. The lady in the cafe at the terminal gave out the number of the Comunity Shop in Castlebay and they do a 'booking service' for stranded folk for a fiver. Pat gave them a ring and we are safely ensconced in a fab holiday/hostel thingy. Better then last night and a twin room not a comunal bunkroom.

Our distance so far on the route is 25.6mls. We have had a couple of hills but nothing we could not manage. (on was a 1:11 - we spit on such measly slope now!!)

We have just heard that all ferries have been cancelled and on yellow alert for tomorrow ( those folk who were hanging on will now be stuck for accommodation - glad we made our decision early. Yeah! The Geordie lads were going to cycle back to the hostel in Castelbay - 14 miles into a 40knot wind - good luck to them!