11th September 1982 was a rainy day. I know that because none of our wedding photographs were taken outside. Stevan and I were married at the Wynberg Corps of the Salvation Army in Cape Town on that day. That was 25 years ago. And yes, I clearly do remember my father saying to me, as we drove towards the church, that it still wasn't too late to change my mind!


Wedding

To celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, we decided to take a short trip to the Isle of Barra. It's somewhere I've wanted to go to for a long time, and Stevan suggested we go there for our anniversary. So Monday morning found us at Glasgow airport, looking out at a tiny plane we nicknamed Scampy.

Scampy Glasgow

It looked so small, especially alongside all the huge planes that were travelling to distant and exotic lands. For some reason or other there was no actual call for the flight, and it was only when we saw other passengers walking to the plane that we thought perhaps we'd better hurry. We made it, and before long we were ensconsed inside the tiny plane.

Inside Scampy

And about 75 minutes later our pilot made the gentlest landing I've ever had on the cockleshell beach on Barra.

Scampy on Beach

After a short bus ride to the western side of the island, we arrived at our hotel for the next couple of days. The Isle of Barra Hotel has recently been taken over by new owners, and while very comfortable it will benefit from the upgrade that the new owners are planning. But you don't go to the hotel for the decor, but rather for the fantastic views that you get from the hotel.

More travelling tales tomorrow .....