Something We Can Agree On

 It looks like being a nice day today and Cindy has managed to get the day off, which is very rare, so so Cindy, Ivan, Sheena and myself are going for a visit to the beach. Which is only around fifteen miles away but because of that stupid track will take us two hours to get there.

On leaving I said goodbye to grandfather who completely ignored me, but that's okay as I get some sort of bizarre satisfaction from exposing his ignorance, and even more from knowing it will be killing him that I'm out of his control for the day and so maybe getting subjected to untold pleasures.

We arrived in Durness at just before eleven, where we stopped at the shop for an ice cream and some biscuits and something to drink. Cindy and I had made sandwiches but we needed something as a treat for afterwards.

From this point the main road travels east along the north coast. There is a beach at Durness but it's pretty much north facing so we went to one just a couple of miles west at a place called Balnakeil. It's a narrow road as most are in this part of the world, especially as this one doesn't really go anywhere in particular. It does seem to get a lot of tourist traffic though, mainly because of the beach and walk to the lighthouse I think.

We passed the hippy camp, which is open to the public to go and buy their wares, which is mainly craft orientated. Once we got to the beach we parked up, with difficulty as there isn't much parking space. Opposite was a big house standing alone and looking a bit foreboding. Behind us was a small derelict church and a cemetery.

Old church, beach and house.

We walked along the beach to a small headland which when the tide gets to a certain point, effectively cuts the beach in to two beaches. At this headland are some rocks which we chose as ours for the day as it was nice and sheltered and quite a sun trap. We didn't strip off or anything, I never find that a wise thing to do as you either become a target for the midge's or a victim of hyperthermia. But I really enjoyed lying on the rocks with the sun kissing my body, and knowing that for a few hours at least I wasn't going to be harassed by anyone. It's funny how you can kid yourself in to thinking you're leading a normal life until you get a day off from it, then everything gets put into perspective.

Later in the afternoon the cloud started to build, no doubt dispatched somehow by grandfather, and it went a bit chilly, so we decided to take a walk along the road that leads through the dunes to the lighthouse. We didn't go as far as the lighthouse as the cloud was building all the time so we didn't want to end the day getting soaked.

Before going home we called in at the restaurant bar type place in Durness where I had a burger and chips and a Pepsi. It was nearly eight before we left there, by which time the rain had come on so the journey home was pretty wet. It made me think of my first time driving down that track. Apparently grandfather was told that day to pick me up in the truck that we were traveling in but he ignored everyone and came in that stupid Land Rover of his. It's still rough in the truck but it's more comfortable than the Land Rover, it also has a heater that warms you up plus windscreen wipers and lights that enable you to see where you are going. It just goes to show what grandfather is like.

As does his comment when we returned, "You picked a right day to go away" he said in reference to the rain, "I'm glad I didn't go." he added with great glee in his voice

I thought to myself, at last, we've finally found something that we can agree on!

Out For Delivery. (EXPLICIT).

 WARNING: This contains some naughty bits so don't read if you think you maybe offended. I've kept them as small as I can and still tell the story.

This morning after passing my usual inspection with flying colours, which tends to be the norm these days thankfully, I was instructed to change in to something more suitable for going out on the bike. There are two deliveries to the cabins needed quite urgently and grand father had other business to attend to.

“You will need bread, milk and eggs for 'Quinag' and just milk for 'Canisp'.” Miss Oliver informed me before I left the room.

I went up to my room and was feeling quite pleased, but not overly so as past experiences, of which there had been many, taught me better than to go getting all excited about anything. After  all there was still the possibility of this being another random act of disappointment. Before doing anything I got my note book and wrote down what I had been told while it was still clear in my mind. Having not long being back to doing bike jobs I didn't want to mess up again, not that I messed up the last time. I just got blamed for it.

It was a pleasant sunny day with some breeze, so it looked to be good as far as there being no midge's, things could change though so I decided in the end to ditch the shorts and put on light trousers instead. I remembered to take my head net but didn't end up using it, it's always best to have it with you though. My gloves were with my helmet, I always wear both when on the bike. So I would be as midge proof as is possible which is always the main concern when going anywhere here at this time of the year.

I picked up the box of items from the kitchen, checked them off against my list and then checked my list with Miss Oliver before placing them on the bike. Before setting off I gave the bike a check round as I'm continually being instructed to do so by the man with half his Land Rover piled up on the seat beside him rather than in their proper operating positions.

I took a steady drive up the glen, mindful that I had eggs on board, also I was in no hurry. I was enjoying the day so there was no need to rush to end it, which is always a bonus around these parts.

I went up to 'Quinag' first and dropped off the bread, milk and eggs, checking them off in my notebook as I did. The man and lady there had a chat with me, they only just came in yesterday so needed to know a few things which I helped them with where I was able. They gave me £5 for my trouble, which I tried to refuse. You can only refuse so much before it can start to appear offensive so in the end I just took it as I definitely didn't want to risk offending anyone. I'd be in right trouble when I got back

Next was 'Canisp' which was up the glen a bit further, before then heading up the opposite hillside. Apparently the person here had only moved in on Saturday so I was expecting maybe more questions. I worry a bit about this as I don't know everything and so am in fear of disappointing them or incurring the wrath of grand father. Anyway, I arrived there without issue, took off my helmet and gloves which I put down on the seat before taking out the loaf of bread. I was instructed not to disturb the resident and to leave any items to one side of the door, preferably out of the sun. I was just in the possess of following these instructions as there was no one around. I put the loaf down and was just trying to hide it from the sun behind a big log when suddenly the door opened so I looked up to find myself staring at a big pair of dangling bollocks and a good sized matching accessory, and more to the point, absolutely nothing else! Not that I'm an expert,  only ever having previously seen the one to compare it to, and I certainly wasn't going to be hanging around doing measurements or anything just so as to give you all a more accurate account of my findings!

I jumped back quicker than a startled rabbit and further than a kangaroo on super fast rewind. Only turning back to take another look when I was half way back to my bike, and even then it was only to check that I was seeing what I thought I was seeing because it all felt quite unreal. It was definitely the truth and what's more the guy wasn't doing anything to hide the truth either. In fact he was now shouting after me so I quickly continued to my bike and got the hell out of there as they say. 

To be truthful he wasn't shouting angry or anything, it was just things like “hey, it's okay, it's alright, I'm sorry to surprise you” things like that. At the bottom of the hill I stopped to recover and think about that happened and what to do about it. I wasn't that bothered about that which I saw, and as surprises go it only really had the same effect as any other surprise, of which I've had a few. I think it was the thought of what he might have had planned for me if anything. It maybe just a simple flash, I've never been subjected to one before. We used to call the guys at school a flasher if they didn't do up their zips properly but this old guy was on a completely different level to that.

I put on my helmet and gloves, which in my haste to leave, I had simply thrown in to the box on my bike in order to aid a speedy escape. I considered what my next actions were to be all the way home but came up with none. It's not something that's easy to bring up, especially with anyone here, and besides, do I really want to go down a rabbit hole like that. I've decided to just forget about it, the incident that is, it's not so easy to forget about the other! There was no real harm done after all and it's unlikely that I will ever see him again. I have more than enough problems without making more for myself.

Beyond The Forbidden Door

 10th July 2024

Tonight we have had a BBQ at Dougies and Sheena's as England are playing someone or other. I have no interest in football. I do like a BBQ though.

This afternoon I had to go for some packages that had been left at the lodge. I say that I had too but in reality I volunteered as I was already out that way on other business. The main reason though was that none of the guys wanted to miss the start of the game. There were three parcels in all so it was a bit of a struggle getting them all on the back of the bike but luckily I had a spare bit of rope which I picked up by the loch a while back.

After arriving home I went to get changed for the BBQ. On passing the forbidden door though, I noticed that it was not shut right too. Normally I would just have pushed it to and carried on my way but with no one being around I thought I could get away with being a bit ore adventurous today. I placed my ear to the crack in the opening but could hear nothing. So I carefully opened the door a little more and listened some more, all I could hear was a clock ticking, it put me in mind of one of those big grandfather clocks. I then opened it more, just enough to get my head through the gap and have a quick look. The door opens out in to a corridor, to the left blocking off the corridor was another door. In front was a wall and to my right was an archway through which I could see some banisters. One of the buttresses to the arch was mostly blocking my view so could see little else. So after listening some more I decided it was safe to step out in to the corridor so that I could get a better look. All was quiet except for the clock and my pounding heart. I crept forward through the arch and found myself on a huge landing area. To my left was the banister and beyond that was a very impressive staircase. In front of me, at the far end of the landing were two closes doors. To my right was a big window which overlooked the front of the house. I could also see that just after the head of the staircase a corridor led way to the left. I wanted to take a look but I didn't dare risk anymore so instead I took a look over the banister. I couldn't see much but what I could see gave the impression that the layout downstairs was much the same as that upstairs.

I took a last look round and had another listen but all seemed well so I turned my attention to the door across the corridor. At the time it felt quite safe to open it but afterwards when I had time to think about it I frightened myself a little as in reality there could have been anything behind the door. However it was much as I suspected so I guess I was simply trusting what my senses were telling me at the time.

As soon as I could see through the door it was obvious this part of the house had not been used for a long time other than for storage. The corridor stretch out before me, there were no windows although there was light coming from somewhere at the far end. There were items of furniture, magazines, bookcases full of books and even a bicycle. There was a door on the right about five meters long the corridor. I opened to find more stored items. I'm being kind when I call them stored items as a lot of the stuff looked like junk. I couldn't imagine anyone ever using them again. There were several broken down beds plus other items of furniture, some with covers over so perhaps they were the better pieces. Feeling the pressure of time, I moved on after a quick look round.

The next room, again on the right of he corridor had lots of clothes hanging from rails, all of which had a cover over them. Everything in the whole place was covered in a layer of dust. I looked at a few of the rails and from what I could see everything was old.

At the end of the corridor was a door behind which was a bathroom. It had a bath plus and toilet and wash basin, all filthy. It was at this point that the corridor took a sharp left turn and ran along to a further two doors plus a window at the end which is where the light was entering.

I was a bit hesitant to go any further as I was conscious of how long I'd already been, I never intended to be this long. Also I just expected much the same as I'd already seen. However I thought I might never get another chance so would have a quick look. The two doors in this corridor were right at the end and opposite each other. I took the door on the right first and found another room full of junk. This was all small items such as cases, old electrical equipment, toys, games, boots and shoes in boxes, just general crap basically. I would have liked a root though this room but didn't. I crossed the corridor and entered the last room and was surprised to find this one empty of rubbish. Apart from the standard layer of dust this room could be lived in. Under the window was a desk against the far wall was a small fireplace, against the left hand wall there was a wardrobe and matching chest of draws. Behind the door was a bed with a mattress but no bedding. At the far side of this was a bedside cabinet. The last piece of furniture was a small armchair. Beyond the bed and bedside cabinet, in the corner of the left hand wall was a door which on closer inspection led to a bathroom in which there was a bath, toilet and wash basin plus a cupboard at the far end between the bath and the end wall. It was small and dark, no windows, just an electric light.

Working my back through all the junk in the passage I could help but wonder why the one room was free of rubbish. It was probably just a hassle getting to it with it being so far away and all this other stuff to get past as the corridor was only narrow anyway, unless it just looks that way because of all the clutter stored in it.

It wasn't until I got to the door that I realised that this door was going to be tricky as it opened in full view of the landing area. I could be spotted before I even knew if anyone was there. There wasn't much I could do as I needed to get out so I chanced my luck, although I did open it slowly and listened intently.

I got changed and went off to the BBQ, no one questioned me or anything, which I wouldn't really expect them too. It was just my guilt that I was feeling.