Monday 12 February: Driving into Uig around lunchtime, we looked to the sea. “The ferry’s coming in”. Doesn’t usually arrive just now – usually gets in around 1.30. It’s a funny shape too – rather squat and low in the water… The binoculars make it clear – it’s catamaran Alfred belonging to Pentland Ferries. A little later, an internet check solved the puzzle. It’s on hire to Calmac from today, while the Hebrides goes in for scheduled overhaul. It should soon be replaced by Calmac’s Clansman, fresh from its own overhaul. Will we see it? Three different vessels in a week?