A Trip to the Doctor and Heilan Coos at Sconcer 20th Jan 2020

Since the pain in my sinuses, ear and jaw are getting worse it was off to Portree to try to get a Dr's appointment. Since they were closed yesterday we were unable to book and appointment in advance so Vince had us up - you guessed it - at 6.00am - NOT A HAPPY CAMPER - Mrs Grumpy Bum!!!! To top it off none of my videos (Vlogs) had down loaded they all crashed!

But leaving by 7.00 meant we would be there for them opening in Portree at 8.00am with the hope of getting fitted in. It paid off and I was given an appointment for 10.15am with the Nurse Practitioner. With time to kill we grabbed a sausage roll and drink from McKenzies bakery then went for a look around town, and called in at a craft store called Over the Rainbow. We had a lovely chat with the owner, and discussed the possibilities of doing a cross stitch project, but in the end it proved all a bit too complicated and we left it.

Back at Portree Medical Centre I saw Gill, who prescribed some stronger pain killers, anti inflamatories and a steroid nasal spray. She also prescribed a laxative to counteract the effects of the codine in the pain killers. At this point she thinks there's no need for antibiotics but we'll see how things go.

We popped into the co-op for some water to take my tablets and we headed off to Broadford, on the way we stopped to photograph the Sconcer Fold of Heilan Coos, and there were some calves as well. It was all great fun, and then a tour bus arrived with food for them and they call came down close to be fed. After the tourists had left, one girl had freaked out and dropped her portion of the feed on the wrong side of the fence and the poor cow was trying to get it through the wire. So I collected it up and fed it! It was the highlight of my day - not only did I get to pat them but I got to feed them too - such a privileged experience. There was a donation box so we put some money into it.

Then it was on to Broadford where we went to the Jewellery shop called The Love of Skye, and Vince bought me a silver pendant in the shape of the Isle of Skye and some silver earrings in a feather design. Total was GBP and the lady (Fiona) gave us a tax receipt to get stamped and return when we get to the airport to have the VAT refunded. They were also running a competition for the month with an entry for every 20 pounds you spend to win 100 GBP voucher. I said to Fiona that if I'm lucky enough to win it I will come back and buy the otter choker I was admiring for 195GBP

Vince was starving and we again couldn't find anything open, we checked a the Fish and Chip shop that advertises open 7 days but again we were shooed away despite lights being on and the appearance of being opened. We called in at the Broadford Hotel which advertised Lunch from 12.00 Dinner from 6.30 only to be told that they are only open for dinner.

We headed North in the hope of finding something along the way, but from our previous attempts we didn't hold much hope. As we passed the Sconcer cows again they were all having a "Coo Nap" - hey it could be a THING - you've heard of cat naps, why not coo naps!

I quickly grabbed a few more shots before we headed off to Portree.

We ended up having to go back to Portree to the Aros centre for a basic meal - total 25 GBP without any drinks. Its like you pay what we would expect to pay in $ but in GBP instead - and given the exchange its nearly double for us. So $50 for a very basic lunch is very expensive.

Driving through Portree we stopped at the Bank St Co op to grab some tins of soup and bread rolls as we plan to be out all day tomorrow and want a cheap and reliable meal.

We had come down the Western Road in the morning as it's easier to navigate and drive in the dark, but we returned via the Eastern Road. Vince made a couple of stops to take photos near the Old Man of Storr and Lealt Falls Lookout. But I only stayed out very briefly due to the gale force winds. As I sat in the car waiting for him the car was buffeted from side to side.

A quick stop at the Staffin store for some liquorice and a bottle of cheap wine and we were homeward bound. At Willie McLeod's my Body Shop parcel had arrived to replace some moisturiser I'm nearly out of. We set about unpacking our gear and shopping and getting the fire on.

We are both feeling exhausted and plan on an early night - although I did manage to get five of the Vlogs up (Vince still has 2 to process) - so we are getting there slowly.