Day 12
8th September

Quite a day. After a rainy, windy, night we packed up in the rain and then sheltered on the site as the very heavy rain came down. We eventually had to set off and became soaked quite soon. The rain was so heavy that it was senseless going on so we stopped again under a tree for it to ease off. Once on our way again we were surprised to find we were crossing heather moorland, a complete contrast to the green areas around the coast.
We eventually arrived in Kyle of Lochalsh rather wet and had some tea and toast in a snack bar before setting off for the ferry. The ferry trip did not last long but before we reached Kyleakin the brain was pelting down again so heavily that we stood in a bus shelter for ages. The rain eventually eased and we started, only for the rain to come down even heavier so that we were absolutely soaked by the time we reached the camp site at Breakish. We camped at 2.30 pm and tried to get dried out ending up asleep in our bags with the rain still pelting down. When we awoke at 4.30 pm the rain had stopped, the sun was out and the clouds had gone! Here was a chance to see some scenery at last.
Leaving the tent and gear we sped off for Elgol to view The Cuillins. The road was quite lovely and the first sight of Blaven was spectacular, a superb jagged ridge. The road was tough, much tougher that we had thought, but the scenery made it worthwhile. When we finally reached Elgol the view across the bay was absolutely staggering. Much better than photographs I had seen. It has to be one of the finest views in the whole country. We chatted to two local children on the way back from the beach and then road back to Broadford in the ever increasing darkness until, at Broadford, it was pitch dark. We were able to buy pizza and chips for our supper and then fumbled into the tent in the dark.
The wind had now changed direction and blew and blew all night - a wind similar to that in the Lake District one time that almost blew me off my feet. Impossible to sleep, the tent must surely come down.