Margaret and Geoffrey assure us the view from their lounge window includes Skye Eigg and Rum. We believe them because our sister, like us, has been brought up to be truthful – and our brother-in-law is a clergyman – but it’s hard to credit when all that can be seen is mist rolling in.
We spend a wonderfully lazy morning recovering from our long drive and being fed and watered by Geoffrey before joining Margaret for a trip around Mallaig: strolling along the pier, trying to take artistic pictures of black backed gulls before they get bored and fly away; browsing the gift shop where we are asked whether we think the prices are too high (Mr Sainsbury please take note); and partaking of tea and cake in the Fishermans’ Mission.
Often on my travels, people have said to me “you must taste our chocolate / beef / fish – it’s the best in the world” and I’ve nodded politely and not really believed them, but the haddock and chips from Jaffey’s in Mallaig harbour really are the best I have ever eaten.
We finish the day in a sisterly Scrabble tournament and will draw a veil over the way in which the writer in the family was beaten – twice – by her impudent younger siblings!
