We were quite glad to have a legitimate reason to travel into town and on a Sunday at that (unusual on the Isle of Lewis). We decided that we would need sustenance and exercise, so on the way back we stopped at Dalbeg. The name Dalbeg literally translates to valley (dail) small (beag) in Gaelic, and although it is only a little beach, it is big on drama, in terms of crashing waves and imposing headlands. We were really glad of the change of scene in these locked down times and could have imagined ourselves in the Caribbean, if it wasn't for the biting cold. In the bright light, the sea was a deep jade and the rocks glowed in ochres and deep orange.

I took a walk to the next little cove, which was in shadow, so I carried on past the ruins of abandoned houses, down to the shore of the loch. The loch was bordered by plates of ice calving off into the water like mini ice bergs. Water was lapping under the ice and the two processes, with the help of the wind it made this symphony of tinkling sounds. It was absolutely magical. I didn't notice until rather too late, that my hands were so frozen, they were hurting. This is often the danger I face when surrounded by scenes so mesmerising!

Went for regular 2 mile walk yesterday, which I never tire of because there's always something different to see. Its lucky that living here in the Outer Hebrides, there's only usually a few sheep to socially distance from.

Yesterday I decided to explore the loch which was partially frozen and looking very beautiful. Strong winds were rippling the dark indigo waters and there were gold reflections from the hillside and turquoise in the ice.

Leaving the road and walking to the water's edge and looking closely , I saw there were one or two frozen waterlily pads glinting lime green under the ice. They were trapped giving them an ethereal ghostly look, like something unexpectedly come back to life. I was standing on the ice trying to get close. My hands were becoming numb but there was much to look at and no question of giving up and going home just yet. Bubbles under the ice were like polka dots in some places and like something from the washing up bowl in others. Got some reasonable photographs of the Lilly pads which you can also see on Instagram @hemhebartist. Must go now, for today's walk.