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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Original PaulE" data-source="post: 3079016" data-attributes="member: 20992">Long Journey Home <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite3" alt=":(" title="Frown    :(" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":(" />Saturday September 20thFerry back today boo! Had another quick drive up the Tosta road before the ferry , Golden Plovers,Lapwing, a Snipe and a mystery wader that turned out to be a Dunlin in the Commonwealth Cemetry viewed from outside, A quick seawatch more Gannets,Bonxies Shags etc  Down to Stornoway, walk around the shops,joy<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite3" alt=":(" title="Frown    :(" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":(" /> although did manage a choccy covered Flapjack from a cafe <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> Then on to the ferry not the birdfest of the trip over but the big flock of Manxies were just outside the harbour some flying about, then in quick succession 3 Sooty Shearwaters flew past the boat,the rest of the journey was Gannets,Bonxies,Fulmars  Kittiwakes and Guillimots but numbers very much down maybe because it was later in the day or possibily because I was the only one looking didn’t have my expert guides this trip<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite3" alt=":(" title="Frown    :(" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":(" />, the choppy sea made it harder to spot dolphins but a couple of small pods were seen and as we neared Ullapool there were a couple of Harbour Porpoises, but the highlight of the journey were 2 White tail Sea Eagles that flew along a headland then soared up together viewed until the ferry took us out of sight a fitting end to our trip.the drive down to Edinburgh was uneventful except a Black Grouse standing on the side of the A9 I’ve seen them there on the three previous occasions I’ve been past, just south of the Dalwhinnie distillery.Sunday September 21thAfter a fairly unpleasant stay at the Travelodge near Edinburgh involving a fire alarm in the middle of the night and a very tatty room we headed back to Brighton via a quick visit to see me Brother in Morpeth very nice fry up in the Heighly hill garden centre, probably my last one til next year’s holiday,the journey was long only things of note were a Red Kite in Lincolnshire, a Marsh harrier being mobbed in Cambridgeshire and a few Buzzards along the way, and some Chocolate Tiffin from Costa at Dartford I’m very much on the cake wagon now!So home now reflecting on a great holidayThe highlights for me was seeing the Storm Petrel a bird I’ve always wanted to see the few seconds between it being called and me getting on it seemed a panic stricken eternity! The Eagles were magnificent which unfortunately doesn't really come across in the pics,Bonxies everywhere,The huge pod of Dolphins on the trip out and Hooded Crows gotta love the Hoodies!! And of course the magnificent Scottish Scenery .2214 miles done ,not including ferries, 110 bird species seen.4 lifers and I broke my year list record on the trip as well and we’re only in September! Many thanks to our landladies. Trish at Balciun B&B <a href="http://nethybandb.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://nethybandb.co.uk/</a> in Nethy Bridge and Marian at Taigh Chailean <a href="http://www.lewisbedbreakfast.co.uk" target="_blank">http://www.lewisbedbreakfast.co.uk</a> B&B at Laxay providers of delicious breakfasts and comfy beds highly recommend both for anyone visiting, very high standard and good value for money.Thanks as well to Margie, with her “eyes on the road” catchphrase, for putting up with my rubbish jokes ,castle avoidance tactics, being dragged all over the place looking at birds, horrendous midge bites and my "just five more minutes" catchphrase wouldn’t have been anywhere near as much fun on my own, Thanks as well to the mighty Toj, transport, bird hide, rubbish bin, who took the potholes, single track roads, single track tracks, maniac Scottish drivers, mountain drops and miles of Motorways  in his stride!Now where next year? Wonder if Toj will make Shetland!!!Final pics here <a href="https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=6356FB2BA7828F28&id=6356FB2BA7828F28%211256" target="_blank">https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=6356FB2BA7828F28&id=6356FB2BA7828F28!1256</a></blockquote>

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