Wednesday 24/05/06

Little change in terms of weather. Hailshowers in the distance (is this late May??) and a cold wind. Temperatures a little better than yesterday's miserable 8C; we're up to 11 C by lunchtime. The Canadian couple are at breakfast at 8.30. They head for Inverness on the 1.45 ferry, with an onward journey to the Clyde in the next few days. I am told interesting stories about life in Nunavik, the northernmost settlement in Canada. He helped to build the road to Alaska (the Mackenzie Highway). Nunavik is a fair-sized town of about 3,500. Temperatures in winter go down to minus 60C. The road had to be built on permafrost. They head into Stornoway for an hour or so before going on the ferry. A dredger moves about the Glumag after lunchtime.When I get my (useless) lottery tickets and the papers, it chucks it down. Mrs B's brother-in-law calls in to invite me for a trip in his wee boat tomorrow, after he puts it in the water for the summer. The boat is 36 ft long, provided with all mod cons. A lady comes to stay who talks to community trusts (like the Erisort Trust and the North Harris Trust) about forestry projects. She is not a forester, but mrs B's son-in-law is one, and he's happy to see the prospect of some work. Aline Forest in Kinloch is a mangy bunch of trees, as is the plantation near Gearraidh na h-Aibhne. The evening is punctuated by scattered showers and nice sunshine. A few yachts call into port.