A Cycle round Barra

A soft grey day on Barra, the clouds low on the hills but no rain. David and I decided to cycle round the island, our first cycle since we have been here. We set off clockwise towards the north of the island and made good speed until disaster struck and my chain came off as I cycled up a small hill in a low gear. I footered around with it unsuccessfully and then asked two workmen from Scottish and Southern Electricity to help me, they happened to be working nearby. They were really kind and fixed my bike, although they said to avoid very high or low gears until I get it adjusted. I thanked them very much. By this time I had lost sight of Davie, who didn't realise what had happened. Luckily he waited for me further on and we arrived in Castlebay together where we had drinks sitting outside the Kisimul Cafe, today is the first day it has been open. There were gorgeous smells of curry, how excellent that Barra has an Indian Restaurant. We decided to come back for a takeaway later and in my excitement I booked a table for eight for next Friday evening! Castlebay was unusually bustling because the inhabitants were waiting for the papers to arrive and were milling about in anticipation, asking each other about the papers in a mixture of English and Gaelic. There was also a bit of excitement about the flag at Kisimul Castle flying at half mast, as the old gentleman sitting beside us said, "Someone on Barra must have conked out!" but nobody knew who. As David and I cycled out of Castlebay on our way back to the cottage a stream of cars went past us, which I presume meant that the papers had at last arrived - Davie said that he was surprised that they weren't waving the papers out of the windows of their cars! Back to the cottage for cakes and coffee.