The best day since last summer and a most exciting outing;
we had eight explorers, Alexander, Fern, Frederik, Isabella,
JJ, Jonathan, Robbie and Rowan. Also seven adults, Adam, Christoph,
David, John B, John Dove, Mairi and Sharon, plus Ellie as
the expedition dog.
Once again the attractions of the pre-expedition mud wallow
resulted in an explorer getting fresh clothes before the day
had even begun, but we all assembled at Samalaman Beach with
no loss of time.
Getting the team off the beach in the sunshine took a few
minutes but we were soon away down the coastal path with everyone
in good form. The path was still rather wet and there were
a few fallen trees to negotiate as we moved along. Almost
everyone stopped at the stone seat and waited for me to catch
up, and the breakaways were soon brought back for the diversion
through the trees and down to the caves.
Many of the explorers came equipped with torches and they
quickly moved into the dark cave. One emerged to say there
was a human skeleton at the back of the cave, and there might
have been, but it was a sheep skull that was brought out later.
I was not up to crawling through the tight passage to check
it myself.
When everyone had exhausted the possibilities of the cave
and associated shelters we climbed back to the road and continued
down the path. There was another stop at Aird an Iasgaidh
(the fishing point) where the explorers were able to see the
little harbour at low tide and I explained where the guide
lights might have been placed for night operations.
I was not yet up to a rock climb and we fortunately found
an easy route round the hill to a sunny spot near the sea
where the Tunnock's wafers were handed round. Before we left
I pointed out the glacial scratches on the exposed rock surface.
The next section was a bit tricky with a very wet stile crossing
and a lot of treacherous beach cobbles to cross but finally
we arrived at the old houses at Poll Beag, which were the
furthest point of the expedition.
Returning to the Blue Parrot, several of the explorers drew
the rock shelter with its little windows facing the sea. I
have picked out Rowan's view of the rock shelter with explorers
looking out and me shining a torch into the cave.John Dye
|
|