Rally - BBC on Mull

Breakfast was an entirely civilised affair this morning. It was a pensioner-free zone and the car park was tour-bus-less this morning. The coffee was also weaker this morning, pouring easily from the pot. Yesterday it had to climb out fearful of being greeted by toothless gums or clacking gnashers. The chatter was also much more bearable, wheelnuts across the porridge and flat over jumps and bacon.

Having said that, there were some doubters out there who thought my Friday morning tale rather far fetched. But it was entirely true. Just ask Hamish Kinloch and his crew, they are staying here too and when they read this entirely true account of my breakfasting adventures yesterday they recognised the establishment instantly without me revealing the name!

As for Hamish, this is his first Mull as a driver, and all he could say at breakfast this morning was: "Phew, I'm glad I got through that last night." And this from a man who has serviced for various folk for years up here but is 'doing' the rally for the first time, so he should have been aware of the challenge. He lies 47th o/a after Leg 1.

There was however an incident last night on the Grubun stage (SS8) when the Honda Civic of Neil Redford and Lorna Weir left the road just before the chicane. Hidden in the dark outer limits of the headlamp illuminescence was a rather deep ditch. Turns out it was bigger than a Honda.  It was a nasty one and Lorna had to be taken to the hospital at Salen where a broken collarbone was diagnosed, otherwise she's fine. Neil was OK and the Honda is looking rather sorry for itself.

Andy Horne was spectating last night and provided some supervisory counselling in the Ronaldson camp at service where Steven was replacing the Metro's rear anti-roll bar. Even with his 'notional' time in the second stage, the valiant Metro pilot is still 16th o/a. That's one up for old technology, eh.

There was another guest staying in our hotel this weekend. A certain Mike Dilger, BBC TV's wildlife expert. Apparently he's putting it about that he's up here on sea eagle watch but this is a smokescreen. He is really here to try and catch sight of  'ralliaticus metallica automotive' an endangered species which is mostly nocturnal in these parts. This afternoon he is hoping to catch a glimpse of these creatures at their annual ritual of competitive mating. This ritual has been seen by few folk over the years, but Mike remains ever hopeful.

So if you see him out and about point him in the right direction.

Honest, would I lie to you, it really is him and he really is here. Crikey what's going on? BBC Landward is still on the island too.