Hebrides 6: Horizontal Rain

The forecast was for heavy rain all day, and we weren't disappointed.  The rain was pretty well horizontal for most of the time, in fact, so we went from place to place attempting to shelter from it.  We started at the Tourist Information centre in Lochboisdale, followed by the Post-Office-cum-Cafe (pink!) which at least was warm and had a reliable Internet connection.  We then moved on to the Kildonan Museum, which sported an eclectic mix of artefacts donated over the years - presumably as a result of people clearing rubbish from their homes.  The most interesting part showed reconstructions of rooms in Hebridean houses, including a 1960s Tea Leaf Dispenser" which instantly took me back to my childhood.

Lunch comprised a "Haggis & Cheese Toastie" at Barbara's Cafe, and very good it was too.  We then went South to Polochar to visit a shop which sold (very expensive) Hebridean wool.  Eventually we accepted the inevitable and went back to the cottage until the weather abated, eventually heading to the Polochar Inn for dinner.  It was still blowing like crazy, although - thankfully - it had finally stopped raining by the time we'd finished dinner.

In an attempt to alleviate cabin fever, we went across the causeway to Eriskay to explore for a while.  It was very different to South Uist: less bleak, and rather attractive in its own way.  Fingers crossed for a better day tomorrow (which, according to the weather forecast, is likely).

New Brighton Rocks?

I am currently staying in New Brighton (The Wirral) as tomorrow sees the PAGB Print Championships at Connah's Quay where Cambridge Camera Club are competing.  Being on a photographic outing, we decided to brave the weather and do some night shots along the promenade.  All I can say is that my new super-duper Storm Jacket "professional" camera cover - a recent birthday present - was well and truly inaugurated, as the rain decided to dampen our endeavours.  In fact, the camera stayed significantly drier than I did!  Anyhow, here are a few of the pictures I managed to take before we all decided that enough was enough and headed for a bite to eat.

The rather shady looking characters in the shot below were fellow members of CCC who were not in possession of the aforementioned "Storm Jacket pro..." (or simply had more sense).