Contd Bishops Isles, Hebrides

 One of the best walks we did in spite of the weather. The sheep in the above photo were being farmed but the one below was a wild sheep.

 When you maybe don't have a glazier handy this is the best option to fill in the window for protection.

 The isolated farmhouse where we came ashore. Isolated houses are quite familiar around the islands but its not aways what it seems looking from the sea and there is often a good network of roads in behind somewhere, along with a town or village.

 Looking back at Kyles Morar and the track up over the saddle where we had walked.

Storm clouds below with just a hint of a rainbow.

Autumn tonings where just stating to make an appearance

 Our sail along Staffa Island was spectacular. This photo is taken by one of the expedition photographers on a previous trip. The lighting shows off the numerous Basalt columns which were very impressive. A very interesting island complete with a green grassy cap and numerous sea caves.

 Staffa Island from a safe distance on a very wet and dull day.

 The beautiful town of Tobermory with its brightly painted buildings.

I wish we could have had more time here.

 Receptacles at the Tobermory Whiskey Distillery. The smell of whiskey oozed from every wall and crevice in the building!

 The whiskey tasting at the end of the tour was enough to blow your top off but certainly warmed us all up.

And so it was goodbye to Tobermory and the Islands.  It has been a great experience to sail through the stormy seas. The windy wet weather has been a challenge and we will be very happy to get back to warmer temperatures and a little more civilisation again.

Orkneys, Bishops Isles.

 The entrance to Skaill House. Some old mansions around the islands are in bad need of maintenance which of course comes at huge cost and sadly many are just left to deteriorate. This one on the whole was in pretty good order.

 The sunken stone walled garden was the first I had ever seen. Very impressive.

 The main lounge and other rooms in the house have been left exactly the same as they were when the last residents left. The tiger rug on the floor was pretty horrific.

 The lighthouse at Balfour. Orkney Isles.

 Our clamber from the zodiac up to the jetty was an undignified arrival in Poolewe, as the tide was well out and therefore it was a huge step up to the landing and we were literally hauled up by our arms. The colours of the seaweed was really pretty once I recovered enough to look back. When we left three hours later it was a much easier transfer with the tide having come back in enough to make an easy step onto the zodiac.

 The award winning Gardens and Estate of Inverewe were beautiful even though it was the end of the summer season and most flowers had past their  best. The trees were magnificent and there were many rare species of plants and trees. The wider estate is home to red deer, red squirrels, otters, seals and golden eagles.

 We have have had more than our share of stormy weather since we have been in the Isles but every now and again you get a snip of the beauty it can create.

 My favourite snap. These red mushrooms (or toad stalls ) are so beautiful. Different to the flat top reds we get in NZ.

 These were taken from our indoor screen.  While we were were nestled indoors in the warm and dry, one  of the expedition photographers was out snapping during the wild weather on the pool deck.

 On the Bishops Isles in the Hebrides we were taken ashore to Kyles Morar where we had a beautiful walk up over the saddle from one loch to another. The weather again was showery but the scenery was stunning.

 A break in the weather so time for a break but no one arrived with hot chocolate or soup.!!!!