Beachcombing

For the last few days the weather has returned to normal Kilchoan winter service, with the wind firmly in the west or southwest and gusting up to 78kph, force 8. This morning it dropped and began to swing more to the north, bringing colder air and some heavy showers between intervals of sunshine.

Setting off after a sharp hail shower, we wandered along the Ormsaigbeg beach while, as the sun began to set, another cloud was building over Tobermory, reflected in the still waters of the Sound.

We put up a heron who'd been peacefully sitting on a rock watching a group of ducks, probably widgeon, swimming in the sea. They too took off, flying away towards Glas Eilean.

The beach had the usual scattering of flotsam brought in by a good westerly, including this fishing buoy torn from the end of a line of creels, but most of it was the usual unpleasant collection of plastic, particularly lemonade, water and milk containers; and there was plenty of rotting kelp along the high tide marks. Usually we pick up a few useful items but today we were less lucky, finding only one small length of wood.

By the time we turned for home the sun was setting behind Maol Buidhe, silhouetting the croft house at Coilum against the clouds. There wasn't a sound except the slow wash of the waves, but as we turned up the field towards the house the rain returned, a vicious little shower that chased us indoors.