09:45:00 Having stayed in Mallaig Sunday night, we thought somewhat naively that the task of getting to Arisaig in the morning would be a trivial one. Taxis, buses and trains all failed us, so here we are hitching a lift.

11:15:35 Thankfully a very kind (and interesting) Scotsman gave us a lift to Arisaig, and we were on our way. Just after the boat left Arisaig harbour, we got a good view of some seals busy sunbathing.

11:16:18 This year I had a camera with a zoom finally, so for once I could take pictures of seals where you could actually identify them as such (although this picture is a bit blurry).

11:17:25 Chie on the boat. We were more or less the last people to get on, but we got great seats, right at the front.

11:21:20 Me on the boat, with that "rushed out of the B&B to try and catch a bus" look.

11:27:22 Eigg, in the distance, as seen through some distinctly maritime trappings.

11:50:02 A bona fide whale! The image is really small as the only way I could make sure I'd get a shot of it was to take a video instead, so this is just a still from the video.

11:50:02 You can see the full video here. I think this is a minky. This is the first time I've really had a good sighting of a whale in the wild, and it was fantastic.

12:04:37 Out towards Eigg once more.

12:05:26 The crew had opened up the hatch at the front here to give us a better view of the whale... However, once we got moving again, it got a bit wet as a result.

13:13:14 On the island now, in our room for the week. Curiously I neglected to take any pictures of the harbour or anything. Still, this was my third visit to the island, and I couldn't help but think I was just taking the same pictures as last year!

16:40:22 Some sheep near the Glebe (our accomodation for the week).

16:40:32 We'd decided to go for a short walk down to Kildonnan bay before dinner.

16:50:03 Chie, with the top of the Sgurr just visible in the background.

17:04:53 Down at Kildonnan bay, Chie looks at the jellyfish graveyard the beach seems to have become.

17:06:21 All those little circles there are expired jellyfish.

17:06:42 Here's one upclose. Poor little fella.

17:07:48 I'm sure Chie isn't laughing at the Jellyfish's misfortune here, but I can't remember what was so funny...

17:11:21 Me standing in one of the barrows. I very probably took a similar picture last year. And the year before that. Still, I like the barrows, so that ought to make it OK.

17:12:11 I for some reason thought if I crouched it would give you an idea of the size better. Hmmmm...

17:13:10 A flock of seagulls taking off. I also got a video of this.

17:21:29 I'd wanted to take a picture of this sailing ship with Chie's head in the foreground, I think maybe I'd seen a similar picture in a gallery... But it was really hard to get it right...

17:22:09 A "let's take a picture of you for a change, John" picture.

17:22:45 The seagull flock gliding across the sea.

17:22:57 I liked this shot - the birds don't look a lot different to the way kids draw them.

17:24:28 Chie and Kildonnan farm (I think).

17:29:20 I was very intrigued by this ship obviously... Particularly as it seemed to be coming closer to shore.

17:33:05 ...maybe about as close as it got...

17:35:29 Another attempt to get the picture of Chie and the ship. Better this time, but still not the photographic masterpiece I'd been hoping for!

19:25:48 Must be dinnertime. Dad had decided on a Celtic theme for this week, so we were eating a meal from a different Celtic country each night. Chie and I had missed the Isle of Mann and Wales. Tonight was Northern Spain (Golizia - not too sure how to spell that?).

19:26:05 The other end of the table enjoying the Golizian feast.

20:36:15 Luke's bosses' daughter (I think) had inexplicably but very generously provided us with some Sake to enjoy during our stay (we saved this for Friday).

20:37:59 Chie had decided to shun the digital era this holiday, and instead spent the week armed with infeasibly cheap disposable cameras from Japan (I think they worked out about three pounds each).

20:39:16 Not really sure why I took this picture. Still, it looks oddly suspicious, which is quite pleasing.