Whilst the rest of the UK was wearing waterproofs and carrying brollies, F+F and I went to Skye for our summer holiday in August.

It's a bloody long way to go in a car [468 miles / 11 hours with stops] but well worth it. From the moment we went over the Bridge and made our way around the coast to Staffin on the NE of the isle, the views were stunning.

The place we rented was once a stone barn, recently converted to a fabulous modern home. With a peat burning stove. I like that. John MacKenzie the owner, was wonderful company, giving us fresh mackerel, peat for the stove, lifts to the nearby hills, and entertaining us with his gentle humour whilst sharing a wee dram.

From The Bothy [for that is what it is called] we could look out at Staffin Bay, with The Quiraing behind us, and it was great.
I took Freddy for a bimble up to Fingals Fingers and along the Quiraing, we went to Talisker Bay and I swam in me undies in the sea. Port Neist was stunning with the islands in the mist on the horizon which we will visit next time. Duntulm and Flodigarry promise a sea voyage, and the Cuillins beckon. Francie took me to the Three Chimneys Restaurant for lunch on my birthday [reassuringly...]

I only went out in my kayak a couple of times; up Loch Dunvegan to see the seals and around the coast to Staffin Island  and Flodigarry cliffs. Next time I'll book onto a guided tour with Skayak. I want to look UP at Kilt Rock not down.

We only had a week there but Skye is  a great place. We'll be back. And we'll go on the ferry from Mallaig. And go to the Outer Hebrides. And bring back more Skye Brewery ale. But we won't buy malt whisky from the Talisker Distillery at their prices.

PS we stopped at Kinlochleven on the way back for the night. It is, as my mate Frank described it "Midge Breeding Central"

Tuesday 3pm... Brian calls 'Fancy a quick un with Steve tonight?'..........."Oooh er...' I thought.

He meant a quick trip up the Mersey from Crosby Baths. High water was at 6-27 at the Albert Dock so we got a move on and were on the water for 5 with the flood whisking us up river. We dodged a Container ship leaving Seaforth, passed the heap of shredded scrap destined for Poland [which is recycled there and then we buy the steel back. That makes sense doesn't it Mr Brown?]

The Mersey Mammoth Crane was making its way home and as the sun glinted off one of the new office towers, a cruise ship left the 'Liverpool International Cruise Terminal' which is basically a posh pontoon and a subject of much debate. The Sea Cat Ferry left on the tide and we kept an eye out for its wake.

We nearly made the Liver Buildings but had to turn round to catch the ebb, finally landing back at Crosby at 8pm hoping an iron man wouldn't bash our hulls in the gloom. A grand night out.