Another gloriously sunny day, the warmest so far.

The day started very well with a superb breakfast served up by Jo at Ardmore House. She makes her own bread, compote, and marmalade, all served up with a fabulous choice of food.

Then it was off to another spectacular beach, Achmelvick Bay, 10 minutes from Ardmore House. It was like being in the Bahamas: pure white sand stretching round in an arc and crystal clear turquoise blue water. So peaceful and beautiful.

A quick cup of coffee at the An Cala Cafe in Lochinver, then out on a 90-minute wildlife boat tour with North Coast Sea Tours. We did not see much wildlife, some sea birds, and seals on the rocks enjoying the sunshine, but it was delightful.

We had lunch at Lochinver Larder, which is famous for its wide range of meat pies, which it sends all over the world. Highly recommended, it can’t be booked, and at peak times, you may have to queue.

We then returned to Ardmore House to conduct a hand-fasting ceremony, during which couples re-commit themselves to each other. We sat on a bench in Jos’s garden, bound our hands with ribbon to symbolise our commitment, and read statements indicating our love for one another. 

In marriage, you often reach a point where you take each other for granted, love each other but don’t show it, presuming your partner will always be there. But when one goes, the one who is left then realises what the person they have lost meant to them. Often regretting that they did not show it more when they were together. Hopefully, our small handfasting ceremony today will remind Sue and me how important we are to each other and how we must make the most of the days we have left together and never forget to show our love for one another.

For our evening meal, we had a superb fresh crab salad that we had bought from the An Cala Cafe after our boat ride, and Jo had kindly put in her fridge for us. We ate it at Ardmore House together with Jos’s bread, which Jo had just got out of the oven, and butter. There is nothing like fresh seafood.