The magic of Calanais...

It was a slow start to the day as my back is still sore. No idea what I've done to it but it felt a little better after a warm shower and some co-codamol.

We've holidayed in Lewis four times now and not yet managed to visit the little island of Great Bernera off the west coast of Lewis, so today was the day.  

On our way the weather was as it has been all week, sunny one minute then torrential rain the next.  Fabulous clouds :-)  As we drove through the little valley heading out of Uig rainwater was falling over the ledges of the rocks and through the heather.  So pretty (in extras) 

The drive to Bernera was lovely with hills, lochans, abandoned croft houses and sheep :-)  First stop was the Community Cafe at Bernera Community Centre for lunch.  A warm welcome and good food awaited us.  Perfect!

From there we drove to Bosta beach.  So beautiful and once again a lovely little cemetery close by.  There's also an Iron Age house beside the beach but the path was too challenging for my wheels.

On our way back from Bosta we passed a very strange sight. There are many Honesty Boxes on Harris and Lewis, some selling handmade gifts, home-baking, souvenirs, delicious mustards and even, like the one we stumbled upon at Reef Beach, original art! But I have no idea what was for sale at the honesty boxes shown in extras!!  

We only stopped long enough to take the photos! The “thing” in front is holding a sign that says “free range eggs” I have no idea where or who they’ve harvested the eggs from but I felt very relieved that I had my ovaries removed earlier this year!! Hahahahaha!

Next stop was at the stunning and magical Calanais stones. Impossible to come to Lewis and not visit them. The site was very quiet today. Just a couple of others milling about. I was so happy our visit coincided with good cloud cover and no rain.  

On our way to the stones we passed a house with a large sign outside saying SHAME ON YOU, DONALD JOHN (in extras) There were lots of signatures on the banner. Trump's mother is from Lewis and he likes to tout his Scottish heritage but this small island wants nothing to do with him. I believe there a few similar banners around the island.

From there we made a brief stop at Dal Beg beach, then on to Bragar to see our friend Mairi's grandparent's house that's for now for sale. Mairi and her brother are the only two left in the family and the house now belongs to them. Like the majority of that generation, her grandparents lived very simply and the house needs a lot of work to bring it up to modern standards. A great opportunity for locals or anyone wishing to relocate here.

Then it was back to the wee cottage.

There's a rumour that the northern lights may make an appearance so waiting up for another half an hour in the hope this is true. Keep everything crossed :D