19th December, John's birthday

We woke to a fine red sky, and the promise of a cold, crisp day. Birthday presents opened and breakfast eaten, we set off to explore the village. We were fortified by several layers of winter clothing, including or thermal underwear and a hip flask filled with Drambuie. The bay was frozen and stretched out towards views across to the islands of Eigg and Rum.

As it was nearly lunchtime we popped into the Rhu Cafe for a bite to eat and to check out opening times over the coming few days. We had visited the cafe several years previously and it was just as we had remembered - cosy, good food, friendly service, and with hints of South Africa in the decor and the wine menu. John recommends the special recipe square sausage in a roll, followed by a warm doughnut. It turned out we were there only a few hours before they closed for their Christmas break, and as the famous Old Library restaurant was closed for the winter, taking John out for a birthday meal was off the menu!!

After our early lunch, we decided to take a walk along the road out of the village signposted for Rhu (3 1/2 miles). The first distraction was a couple of ponies in a snowy paddock.

 Once the white pony had had enough of posing for his photo we continued our walk. More views opened up across Loch nan Ceall to Eigg and Rum.

The shores of the Loch were icebound.

After Morroch, the road takes a sharp bend to the left, and along the shores of  the bay, Camus an t-Salainn, nestle a cluster of houses. We carried on walking for another hour before deciding against completing the walk that day, because we want to be back at the cottage before dark. On the way back we stopped to listen to the ice cracking in one of the icy inlets, an amazing sound in the freezing stillness of the fading winter's day.

 When we got back to the bay of Camus an t-Salainn, the houses were reflected in the cold, clear water; a fabulous photo opportunity.

Arriving back at Morroch, we had fine views across the water to Arisaig, and Daisy played on a rope swing, closely observed by a robin - John couldn't be tempted!

A little boat was moored in the bay providing Daisy with her first real opportunity to photograph a boat - Daisy is partial to taking photos of boats, as will become apparent!!

As we rounded the corner on the last leg of the road home, we caught a glimpse, between the trees, of the full moon rising - our photography skills don't do the moment justice.