Isle of Skye to Waldringfield
0600 I had a solid nights sleep. There was quite heavy rain at one stage but it’s just breezy with patchy cloud now. Cold though, 12 degrees. The last part of my sleep involved some very weird and disconnected dreams. Now I’m awake I still feel half in that alternative reality. Odd. I start with some coffee to try and ground myself. No time to waste this morning.
By starting my repack from scratch I think I’ve done a better job than when leaving London.
0745 Breakfast is done and most of the packing is finished. I’ve done a first clean up. Going well.
0930 The suitcase is packed well but still expanded. Hoping I can un-expand after Wales. All of the tidying is done plus some photo editing for the next blog post. Time to relax a bit before hitting the road.
1020 I’ve filled up the car and recycled my glass. I have a sandwich on the shore front. The taxi will pick me up in half an hour.
1100 Taxi arrives on time. The driver is chatty but lovely.
1120 Arrive Kyle of Lochalsh station. There is left luggage here though the taxi driver said I’d have no problem just leaving my bags on the platform! Not going to try that. And I’m happy to wait here anyway. Gives me encouragement that there will be decent luggage facilities in Inverness.
1140 I’ve boarded the train. Good luggage storage.
1208 Depart. Train about 1/3 full at this stage. Lots of people with luggage too.
1441 Arrive. It’s 18 with patchy cloud. The left luggage is easy to find. I get a ticket and an attendant helps me with a locker. That’s so handy.
1500 I pop into Costa for a snack and that coffee.
1533 I head to Ness Islands. They are a series of small islands in the Ness river connected by foot bridges. Lots of trees and lovely paths.
1708 I’m quite exhausted, so I decide to head back to the station to get a drink and wait for the lounge to open. I spend some time editing photos and text for the next blog entry.
1830 I get my luggage and head to the lounge. It’s nice and comfortable. I do some more work on my blog. One problem I’ve been experiencing is that when my transition lens glasses (which I haven’t had before) go dark outside, it’s harder to judge whether a shot exposure was right when looking on the camera screen. I find myself tending to think I have underexposed and then retake the photo with greater exposure, when the first shot ends up being about right. I guess I’ll need to learn to compensate for the glasses.
2000 Boarded. Room identical but mirror and toilet on outside. Works better with my suitcase. This time I decide to have the room service breakfast. The options are lighter but, unlike the last trip, I’ll have a proper lunch time tomorrow. I get settled in and spend some time taking pics of the scenery.
2130 I get into my PJs and sit in bed watching more scenery go by. We’re in the Cairngorms National Park.
2200 Time to try and sleep. This train seems bumpier than the last. Let’s see how it goes.
