9.30am, 10* continuous rain.

ABs v Sth Africa and its frustrating reading aloud the live updates to Kevin as he drives, the signal keeps dropping off. We eventually found out 10mins after the game had finished, who had won, Sth Africa.

On the way we climbed up and over big barren hills and waterfalls once again, then peaked at the top between Loch Garry & Loch Oich to 9*, and beautiful sunshine, and views.

Winding, down, down down to Invergarry, stunning green woodsy scenery, peaceful Loch Oich on my left joining with the Caledonian canal leading to Fort William. The other end of Loch Oich connects by the Caledonian Canal to Loch Ness at St Augusta,

We turned on to the A82 and everything changed, the house styles, the greenness, the clean freshness, and the traffic was non stop. Very picturesque, it reminded us of Switzerland, more autumn colours too.

Only an hour and a half drive over to Lochaber Rural complex, Ben Nevis Cattle auction mart, Torlundy, Fort William. - quite the address.

The auction mart was what we expected, much the same as ours at home, but the complex is owned by the community and rented/leased to the agents. Seemed to have a community hall attached? and various rural businesses rented space?

We were talking to a Mr Lawrence McEwan who came from Isle of Muck, we’d been told by two brothers we were sitting by that there was a book about him. Knew all about dairying in NZ, You have Filipinos working your farms, we have Poles on ours. 

This is the story of Muck told through the eyes of Lawrence MacEwen, working farmer and much-loved laird. Polly Pullar tells the fascinating tale of one of the Hebrides unique thriving small communities through the colourful anecdotes of Lawrence MacEwen, whose family have owned the island since 1896. A wonderfully benevolent, and eccentric character, his passion and love for the island and its continuing success, has always been of the utmost importance. He has kept diaries all his life and delves deep into them, unveiling a uniquely human story, punctuated with liberal amounts of humour, as well as heart-rending tragedy, always dominated by the vagaries of the sea. Filled with fascinating and extraordinary tales and priceless observations, this is not only a highly entertaining read but is also an important part of Scottish social history. Beginning with the amusing debut of Lawrence as a new baby when his mother returned from the hospital on the mainland, on through his colourful island childhood, and up to present day. Here are tales of coal puffers and livestock transportation on steamers and small boats, extraordinary chance meetings and adventures that eventually led him to finding his wife Jenny, on the island of Soay. It's a book about the small hard-grafting community of 30 souls on this fertile island of just 1500 acres. Residents work closely with the MacEwen family, in business interests: the thriving farm, market garden, a modern school, a busy tearoom, craft shop, and a winter shoot. A new village hall was opened in 2012, and a guesthouse in May 2013. Until March 2013, Muck depended on an unreliable generator for electricity that only came on twice daily, but now has finally been electrified with solar panels and wind turbines. It was one of the last places in the UK to receive 24-hour power.

Arriving at our rental round 3pm, Itvwas quite an uneventful day, interesting but quiet, - until we had visitors for tea!!! Colleen & Bob are 8miles away from us, for the next two nights.

It was nice to see someone from home.

A Numpty, is what you call someone who you think is an idiot, a dear little and I mean little, Scottish lady told us.