An email I received in response to my Skye blow-by-blow.
Something that shows why, beneath all its superficiality and insincerity and problems, the internet can be incredible.

” Hi Christiane,

I’ve just been reading your blog which is quite fascinating. There are a couple of real coincidences which I just could not ignore without mentioning to you.

Firstly my mother is from a village right next to Achill Island (called Shraigh – nearest town is Belmullet). Indeed I was only recently there as my uncle was knocked off his bike and unfortunately passed away. Secondly you mentioned Dennis Briggs. I haven’t heard from Dennis Briggs for the best part of 35 years. He used to live close to my family in Birmingham.

I knew he had moved to Skye and tried to make contact a few times but the gaps between attempts got longer and longer and I was never sure what I would find or even if Dennis ever wanted to hear from us again. He was a bit like a dad to my sister, my two brothers and me when we were young. I always wanted to tell him that we appreciated all he did for us (although at the time I think we were all horrible teenagers!) but never really got the opportunity as we moved away and then Dennis moved to Skye and we
lost touch.

I won’t take any of your time up but I was so pleased to see his picture (it was my younger brother who just saw it as he was researching Achill on the internet and read on through the rest of your blog.) I know it’s a bit strange having a letter out of the blue like this – I’m not asking for anything – but I just wanted to say that your blog has cheered me up today so a big Thanks!

My brother is printing the pages off to show to my Mum who will be really happy to see Dennis is still going strong.
Anyway, thanks for making my day a happy one,

Warmest regards,
Jim “

It’s a small world. And incredible little things make me happy enough to tolerate the big bad things.