Friday 05/05/06

Nice sunny start to the day after the overnight downpour. In Arisaig, south of Mallaig, lightning hit a telephone pole. This fried computers and any electronic equipment linked to the phoneline. After lunch, I accompany mrs B to Sandwick Cemetery, where she wants to visit the grave of her husband, who died 13 years to the day. He suffered a heart attack at the age of 60. She planted some ivy shoots round the headstone. It's a brilliantly sunny afternoon, with great views over the Minch. The houses in Lower Sandwick are basking in the afternoon sunshine, and the sea rolls over the pebbles on the nearby beach. Mrs B tells me of some of the families whose ancestors lie buried here. It shows that in the early 20th century, merchants ruled the roost in Stornoway. Nowadays, it's hauliers. We leave at 3.30. As on the way in, we are greeted by friendly cats along the way. Return to Newton on time to show a video of Wednesday's gale on the webcam - with nobody watching. Go to Somerfields to do the weekend shop. No guests expected in the days to come. Sunset at 9.25, preceded by some very strange cloud formations. It's still light in the north at 11.15, and even at midnight the light still lingers. Maximum temperatures today at 15C.