So at last, yesterday, together one of my earliest school friends and I, ventured off to try out our "entitlement cards" or bus passes. A day trip from Stornoway to Tarbert, never minding the wind and rain, "Statler" and "Waldorf" were intent on having a fun time. Public transport is a great means of having a relaxing time free from the responsibilities of where to park one's own private transport. Sitting back and delegating the driving to a professional is something many more of us ought to do. We were the only two on that first journey of the day, there is a very good service with five from each place each day except Sunday. The journey lasts an hour, and it travels through the most awesome and majestic of the Hebridean landscapes. Being on a luxurious coach, passengers are comfortably mounted at a much higher vantage than those in cars and the spectacular views can be seen to best effect, even with the wind and rain. The fact that the steep, up and over, An Cliseam road takes the traveler from one side to the other of this great oceanic rock, goes almost unnoticed. We arrived in Ard Asaig, West Loch Tarbert just less than an hour after leaving Stornoway and the in next few minutes entered the main drag of Tarbert. Currently the whole place is undergoing a transformation with a total reconstructed the Ferry Terminal. I approve very much of such developments, and look forward to seeing it all progress. I also hope that existing features of this unique and ancient landfall can be conserved and retained. My favourite being the Tarbert Sores, which have a wonderfully Viking air about them. In past visits I would make a special pilgrimage to this characterful emporium to purchase an item of chandlery or hardware. (Now, for further explaination, this is Tarbert's equivelent of Glasgow, West End's old GLR Stores, that once thrived at Caledonian Mansions, Great Western Road). Though sadly the tall timber store in Tarbert is closed at the moment and looking very sad and vulnerable. I hope it will be back!
We disembarked into the wet Tarbert morning, and were soon making our route to The Isle Harris Distillery, via the activity of the ferry traffic. Just inside the entrance to the distillery a welcoming log fire is burning. I make one or two purchases, advance Christmas presents. But their cafe is still closed, a victim of the Covid restrictions. Back out into the rain, along to the Tarbert hub, and to the former First Fruits, now Waterside Cafe. A welcome late breakfast, followed by a visit to a Craft FaIr, in the Community Hall. We hadn't known about this and I made more purchases here. Including a splendid Harris Tweed waistcoat, which was made in Lewis of a patch work of bright colours and designs. It put me in mind of the large painting, of one of my favourite beaches I have just finished. Then we went to The Hotel Hebrides, in the hope of lunch and a libation, but we could only get the latter, the kitchen only doing dinners from 5.30pm. After a time watching Tarbert Central pass bye, we took advantage of a brief break in the deluge. Up along Main Street, to the War Memorial, then on to my favourite Hebridean hostelry The Harris Hotel. Many years ago this was the ultimate destination of our family day trips, a place of great traditional style and fine food. Yesterday, my friend and I arrived rather drenched and hoping for a warming lunch. We were not disappointed, and though lunches had just finished, we were offered fine bowls of soup, and we both opted for the Cullen Skink. A welcome warm place to hang our soggy jackets was provided. I resolved that a return visit here and possibly a weekend stay in this lovely old hotel may do much to recharge me, at the other end of the winter.
Now, Statler and Waldorf did not re-embark aboard the bus back to Stornoway. One of the friends, (not used to the marvels of public transport), got fearful that the bus was either running late or not running at all! Imagine being stuck. Anyway a kind offer of a lift was gratefully accepted and back to Stornoway, we all went. So, in conclusion of a day out, and away from the usual, that was not in honour of any celebration, we decided to go to The Crown Hotel's, Harbour View, for our evening meal, and excellent it was.
We had made the most of the last day of September and indeed got a flavour of the enjoyment to be had as Sixty Year Olds, utilizing the gift of our Entitlement Cards.
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