Chris Across Atlantic
June 24, 2006

Isle of Rhum (Rum), Scotland.

Well, the first week in Scotland is a mixed bag. I arrived into the Isle of Mull on Saturday the 17th. The first two days didn’t have much wind, so I launched the Mtn bike and went touring. Green mountains, waterfalls, sheep, Land Rovers, single lane roads, and of oh yea, rain! It’s rained every day since I’ve been here. I’ve put the socks on a service schedule, two pairs drying (trying to!) and one pair for the day.

On the third day the weather forecasts sounded grim, with winds forecast to reach force 8. For the next three days the wind blew- up to Force 10 was forecast, I haven’t any wind instruments so I cannot say what the wind really was. Apparently the wind was strong enough to put seaweed on the deck though! As the winds mellowed on the last day I launched the road bike and really toured the island. Mull is much larger than it looks! I ended up cycling 78 miles and boy did I feel the last 5 miles. Not in that kind of shape. Amazing place, really, a highly indented coastline, mountains to 1000 meter, loads of wildlife. I took a loop circuit of Mull and saw the eastern half of the island, where the sound of Mull separates the island from mainland Scotland. Very cool.

Right, besides the rain, there are midges here and boy do they bite (and suck!) I’m still trying to find the ultimate midge solution, right now it seems to cover every inch of skin is the only way.

Yesterday I sailed for Rhum, sometimes spelled Rum. Rum is one of the “small isles” off the south coast of the Isle of Skye. There are four small isles, and rum has a sum total of 30 inhabitants.

26 June 2006
Barra, outer Hebridies.
Sun is shining, so I’m signing off!