Over the sea to Skye

During the week after Easter weekend I took another holiday to the Isle of Skye with my daughter.
A drive of 9 hours including a couple of stops, one at The Real Food Cafe to devour a delicious lentil burger with chips.
Yes it's a long journey but we're not talking busy motorways! Once we are on our way the holiday has started.
So we arrived at the best possible B&B...The Old Croft House with its vegetarian and vegan fayre for breakfast and home made vegan baking to return to at the end of the day.
We were determined to try and go wild swimming but other than that we had no plans.
So each day after breakfast with many choices, we let it settle and set off never really sure of our destination! This was after waking to peace and quiet, the birds tweeting and eating at the feeders; the pet hens clucking; the sheep wandering close by and the hares frolicking; we didn't see any deer this time; no sea eagles either although the possibility of one in the distance!
We knew there were still plenty of places to explore that we hadn't managed to see the last two years we had been there.

So we set off to find the walk to go over to Oronsay Island. Although the whole of the island is beautiful there are secret places tucked away but a walk is necessary.
We parked up and walked through some rough terrain until we came upon a gate, through that, downwards through a narrow gap and onto the shores with its strip of land, water rippling at either side, welcoming us to walk across onto a deserted island bar a few sheep. Yes an island to ourselves and it was magical and the sun was beating down while twitter had told me that morning that it was still snowing in England; 16 degrees there!
So as we took photos and wandered the island we heard something in the distance and looked across  the water to see a quad bike heading down the narrow gap and coming towards us, it was a young farmer and he toured the island checking his sheep and at times coming very close to dropping into the sea...that island was certainly not flat!
He headed towards us to explain the tide would be up in about an hour unless we fancied spending longer there....three hours if we waited for low tide again, this was very tempting but we had no provisions. He told us his sheep were ready to lamb.
So we sauntered around watching the sea birds and jumping at the screech of a jet fighter whizzing over our heads and awaiting the second but none came....when I lived in North Yorkshire they always flew in pairs!
We headed back looking at the shells and stones and there are some amazing ones.

Each day we drove around a few places stopping for photo shoots and taking walks so went back exhausted. We had taken some food so ate back in the room most nights.

Another place we visited was Elgol in the south of the island that we hadn't previously explored. We could park close to the beach there. Now don't be thinking white washed sandy beaches, there are some like that hidden away; Coral Beach that we've visited before but here we were on a beach of stones and rocks. We walked down to the sea edge but waited to put our feet in later after sitting under a huge hole-pitted, overhanging rock, on a ledge. Over more stones and rocks to sit and put our feet into the crystal clear water. There were three photographers close to the water's edge taking photos of the sea rolling in...no two days the same.
We took many photos ourselves, many I've posted on Twitter. On this particular day some were 'posed' ...we never stopped laughing!
Afterwards we drove along Sleat, the southern part of the island where it is greener and not as rugged. It is still beautiful but not as interesting in my opinion although down a winding road we came across some wild looking horses and fed them.

Another day we revisited the Fairy Pools nestling under the snow covered Cuillin Hills. This is one of the few places where you come across other humans but never many and for us the most we saw were as we left. Here you can walk for as long or as little as you like with the river meandering along the side and pools at various intervals. This is also rough terrain as is most of the island but the air is so fresh and that day was another very warm one. We were looking at which pool we should go wild swimming in; Sam at the B&B had warned us they had been covered in ice recently. There were still thick chunks along the sides but that could never deter us!
So we went down to a pool that looked deep enough and stripped, this time wearing swimming costumes and a tee shirt, as if that would keep us warm!
We stepped onto the stones at the edge and slowly walked in and it was freezing...I went deeper and leant forward to swim and although by now I was wet up to my neck it just took my breath away so that is as far as I could go! But it was fun and invigorating! During this time a few people went past, some just smiling and others making comments. A Scottish family went past and told us we must be very brave but mad! So we sat a while in the sun  then dried and dressed. We walked further along sussing out the rest of the pools for next time! As we headed back the same family were ahead of us and seeing us coming the dad and son removed socks and shoes and ventured in but not for long. The dad questioned how we had gone in so deep when his feet were freezing...as he left rather quickly! Then the long trek back to the car but amongst such beauty it wasn't a chore.

We started one day with our regular shopping trip in Portree to get supplies of soy candles of varying aromas and hand made soap with varying fragrances, all made locally on the island. Then to the Batik shop where I purchased a skirt and throw last year but this year a bandana. A tray of the very tasty chips from the local chippy and afterwards feeding the scraps to the seagulls who swooped and greedily took from my hand. Then toTalisker Bay again tucked away with a long worthwhile walk. Again amongst sheep and no humans. This beach has a mixture of sand and stones and the amazing patterns the sea leaves. No two ever the same and washed away to leave the next batch. Here the sea came rolling in very quickly and we actually didn't dip our feet; unusual.     

One evening we were looking forward to an Italian meal at a restaurant we had visited before but unfortunately found it closed. Sam later explained they just hadn't opened for the year yet...Easter on Skye isn't exactly busy so another portion of chips to tide us over then the last of the food back at the B&B! We would have gone to Ariba cafe but they now stop serving at 6.00pm so we saved that for another night. Well worth a visit...Jamaican Stew for me...yum!
The only other place we went to were the WeeTea Room for hot chocolate and home made banana cake and lemon drizzle cake...delicious! Then the Blue Shed Cafe for soup and a sandwich!

On our final evening we went to Edinbane Inn not for a wee dram of whiskey but a warming rum and coke whilst listening to the locals on fiddles, flute, guitar and accordion. A brilliant way to end the holiday.

Our journey back home was just as amazing. It started to snow very lightly as we left then into the highlands and as we drove higher the snow got thicker. Eventually the only non white area was the road. We knew that the road gets closed at times so were grateful to those who kept it open. Then as if by magic as we drove further and dropped down the snow eventually disappeared and the sun shone again! Then slowly back to reality until another year. Knowing a trip to the highlands is on the cards for later in the year is helping.

Tapas Review...San Lucas Leeds

I was recently asked to attend an evening at San Lucas Tapas Restaurant in Leeds to write a blog review.
I went with a carnivore friend who tasted a number of dishes including the lamb which she stated was delicious but I went to check out the vegetarian choices.
Tortilla Espanola,  Bruschetta di Pomodoro, Caprese Salad, Patatas Bravos and Olives; bread while we waited. Four or five tapas is sufficient and all were around £4 or £4.50. It was what I expected of tapas, good choices, good value and tasty. It had only been open two weeks when I went but is finding its feet. Its not right in the centre but close to Millennium Square so easy to access and on an evening there is on street free parking. I would recommend a visit.

Mild bondage (Over 18s only & if not easily offended!))

Well it's been a while but here goes!

Jenny had been taken to many heights but was looking for something a bit different. She had known someone for well over a year but only through social networking and texting. Their exchanges had been general conversation and work. Then one day Jenny saw that James had a liking for BDSM. Now many people would fear this but Jenny was aware that this can be as severe or gentle as is wished and there is always a safe word.
They started to discuss their likes and dislikes in a private forum.
Jenny didn't mind mild bondage and teasing, both giving and receiving.
So they started exchanging the sorts of sexual encounters they would enjoy on meeting.
They could fantasise about what lay ahead as well as satisfy each other's fantasies without committment to being involved when physically together.
So they arranged to meet. This wasn't about a relationship but pure raw sex.
They met at dusk in a wooded area, isolated at that time.
Jenny knew exactly what she wanted being armed with a long, silk scarf.
They wandered deep into the woods, turning every so often to kiss each other and explore each other's bodies with their hands.
Jenny kissed James on the lips and neck, gently sliding her tongue in his mouth seeing his member erect and hard.
James kissed her back with tongues entwined whilst carressing her breasts under her blouse making her nipples erect.
Then she saw it, the tall, narrow, straight tree that she had hoped for.
James peeled away Jenny's blouse and let it drop to the floor as she unbuttoned his shirt. He removed her bra moving his mouth first to one then the other nipple and feeling their hardness with the tip of his tongue.
Jenny loosened his jeans and they dropped to the floor revealing his erectness as James removed her skirt and pants.
He wanted her in that moment but she made him wait demanding he move towards the tree and place his back against it. She grasped both hands and tied them together lightly then raised them above his head and tied the ends of the scarf arround the tree, he was so exposed. Time for Jenny to explore with her tongue.
Lightly kissing his lips thrusting her tongue in his mouth while exploring his body with her hands.
Letting her hands slide down his body and over his nipples then just as James thinks she is about to get hold of his shaft she let go.
She then followed where her hands explored with her tongue until after some hesitation that James cannot stand any longer she opened her mouth to take his long, hard, throbbing member into her mouth. First she holds it gently as she circles the tip with her tongue and feels him shudder and get harder.
Jenny then closes her mouth sucking harder and harder.
Suddenly they hear a noise, a branch cracking nearby, so she stops to look. No nothing, maybe an animal scurrying away or maybe a voyeaur!
She can hold out no longer as she moves nearer and places him gently inside her and wanting to feel his arms caress her she reaches up to untie him.
Immediately he thrusts further and harder as she clenches tightly feeling every inch inside her.
He wraps his arms around her spinning her so she has her back against the tree.
They kiss passionately as they move together as James slides in and out and Jenny feels so wet.
He holds her tightly as she wraps her legs around him and she feels him touching places with his member that arouse her to great heights. Just as she starts to scream in ecstasy he unloads deep inside her. They both encounter the aftershocks and drop to the ground to hold on to the pleasure for longer.
The next day they continue their long distant sex talk in readiness for their next encounter!