Up early and out this morning to another superb day. We were off at 9.00 to catch the 10.45 ferry across to the tiny island of Bernary at the tip of North Uist from which it is separated by a causeway. In a way the main objective of the day was the ferry crossing itself and it was amazing. The deepwater channel does not follow a direct line and so the ferry twists and turns through myriad islands, islets and shoals set in inky-blue waters leaving a creamy jade-green wake. Birds were plentiful on the crossing; highlights were the large flotillas of eider, a trio of great northern diver, black guillemots, terns and arctic and great skuas. Seals lazed on the islets and shoals following our progress with interest.
Once landed we walked the short distance to the harbour and excellent visitor centre and then over to west beach via the machair. This was alive with birds: oystercatchers, redshank, dunlin, lapwing, common gull and arctic terns. The sound of displaying birds defending territory and trying to attract mates was incredible. The machair was studded with numerous beautiful flowers: daisies, clover, trefoils and orchids. It was early for many flowers and it will be ablaze with them in another month.
When we arrived at West Beach it was like nothing I have seen before; turquoise waters lapping onto a 3 mile stretch of gleaming white sand backed by towering sand dunes. It is so impressive that the Thai Tourist Board have used images of it to advertise their own beaches. The icing on the cake was to spot a little tern fishing just off shore, a bird I have not seen for many a year.
Back in the village we enjoyed a pot of tea and a Magnum before wandering back to catch the ferry. Another enjoyable aspect of the day was swapping tales with other travellers including plenty of 'Silver Surfers' like ourselves.
What a fantastic day - time for some rehydration, a nightcap and bed.
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