Monday 13th August 2012

I walked from Laid to Tongue.  This was a particularly memorable day as, when I started walking up the east side of Loch Eriboll, I decided to stop for my lunch on the shoreline.  I plonked myself down on the grass with the rocks and shore in front of me and as I was tucking into my ham and cheese sandwich I noticed two small heads weaving though the water towards the rocks.  Instinctively I hid behind ‘Big Bertha’ (my rucksack).  To my amazement, two otters came out of the water, one with a small flatfish in its mouth.  The otter with the fish chomped and chewed its way through lunch whilst the other one rolled around in the seaweed and then moved behind a rock – all less than 20 metres from where I was gawping.  I am sure that the other one knew I was there as we caught each other’s eye, but he seemed completely relaxed.  After he had finished eating, he slipped back into the water, I presume to continue hunting for food.  By this time the other one was probably asleep behind the rock, but I couldn’t see him/her.  What an honour and such a special thing to see.  I don’t know what it is about otters, but they are so enchanting to watch.  Later that day I crossed the ‘Kyle of Tongue’ and stumbled into the ‘Ben Loyal Hotel’ for the start of a few days with Philippa.  She was coming up to join me for a few days, and was bringing a car with her so we could explore the area, including inland!

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