Monday 3 July 2017

Weekend Escapades

Saturday, the day started overcast and dreary so it was obvious that no outside work was going to get done.  Painting the exterior of this cottage is turning out to be a mammoth task, not least because of the weather conditions.  We decided a break was the order of the day and so off we went into Stornoway for a stroll around the charity shops and lunch out at An Lanntair.

We certainly got lucky with some bits for the children in preparation for them visiting, it is always nice to have a few new things for them to enjoy as well as the familiar.

 
Mannequin dolls  to dress and design clothes for.
 
I came home and made a little storage bag to keep them in.
 

 
A jigsaw puzzle still in its wrapper for £2.  With the release of the new Minion film I thought this was perfect for them.
 
 
I also managed to pick up 2 Lego sets, that are complete for £1 each.  Lego is so expensive and rare to see in a charity shop so these are a wonderful addition.
 
 
I also picked up a couple of patterns for my collection for 10p each.  I have had to be quite firm with myself and limit the amount that I buy there are so many patterns available.
 

 
There was a wonderful art exhibition at An Lanntair which I will share with you on another post.  The views from the restaurant are a delight you can see across the harbour and watch the comings and goings of the little boats.  The ferry was just coming in so there was also a lot of fun people watching as they arrived onto the Island.
 





 
 
The highlight of our day was to catch the Lewis Pipe Band around the town, they really are an amazing sight and play so well.  I took some photos but with hindsight should have taken a video so that you could have heard them.
 


 
All in all a wonderful day out and not the dreary day we had anticipated.  There was still a lot of people out cutting peat and the shearing has started in earnest, so a busy time for Crofters around the Island.




In rows drying out ready to be taken back to the croft for stacking.  We have peat rights apparently but sadly we have neither the skill or the strength to cut them.  On cooler days it is a joy to walk around the village and see the smoke coming out of the chimneys with the beautiful smell of the peat burning.  I don't think I will ever tire of the beauty that enhances my senses on this amazing Island.

We have started work indoors on the doors for the outbuildings, repairing them and staining them.  Hard work but it will all be worth it in the end.





Finally, a little friend popped his head through the fence to say hello...


Hope you had a wonderful weekend and that the weather was good for you.  Back to the grindstone, I have washing that needs hanging out and a paintbrush with my name on it.  I will catch up with you all later.

See you soon.

32 comments:

  1. There always seems to be something going on, the pipers looked so smart in their kilts. You seem to have done so much already, looks like they're a few doors there, but as you say, it'll be worth it xx

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  2. Lovely to see the pipers, it is a busy place there always plenty to see and it is all very interesting to hear about.x

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  3. Oh just seeing the pipers gave me goosebumps....hearing them would have made me even goosebumpier and as long as they don't play Amazing Grace which I dislike intensely...I could listen to them all day long.

    Brilliant finds for the littlies-x-

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  4. I of course knew that you would one day achieve your dream of moving to your wonderful new home, but I never thought about how much fun it would be for us to get to see all of the great new places you are going and exploring! I am really enjoying seeing a new part of the world through your eyes as you share your posts. Thank you so much! I am so pleased that you are so happy and enjoying things so much.

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  5. Such a lot going on!

    The Lego is an amazing find, especially at that price, wow!

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  6. Well it sounds like you made the most of your day. Shopping is always a good way to unwind.
    xx Beca

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  7. I love a peat fire, can you hire someone to cut yours for you?

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  8. The children will enjoy the items you found and bought at bargain prices when they visit. The Lewis Pipe Band was a good sight and I can imagine how they sounded.

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  9. So many things happening! And I enjoyed this tour very much, and the sheep at the end is perfect!

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  10. Sounds just right to me for your weekend tour. Good finds, good food, good music all with a view.

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  11. Great finds for the grands! I would have loved to hear the music...next time. (I can't catch a chance to paint either...it's crazy!

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  12. How wonderful that the grandchildren will be visiting :0) and the pipes must have been wonderful to hear. We have them here in the mountains...a group that originated in Scotland and most of the ancestors settled here...so much fun to hear them. And peat burning in fireplaces...that most be a very special scent indeed :D have a blessed weekend :) mari

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  13. I totally enjoyed this post! I loved seeing the pipe band so I googled them and got to see and hear them perform on YouTube! Wow.. they are great and I loved seeing that there are women also in the group. I'm sure enjoying seeing how much fun you're having there! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  14. I like seeing a pipe band - there is just something special about men in kilts ...... but I don't like to hear bagpipes!! What wonderful bargains with the Lego!

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  15. You did well at the charity shop.
    How wonderful to see the pipe band. I never used to be a fan of them but I love them now. It won't be long before I'll be on one of those ferries myself. X

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  16. How fantastic! I bet the ground shakes as the Pipe Band marches along. I keep thinking of you when the weather forecast comes on and Stornaway is shown. 😊

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  17. Can you swap peat cutting rights for some cut and dried peat?? My Mother lived in Nova Scotia and swapped the right for a lobster fisherman to go through her property to set his pots for some lobsters...

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  18. Your delight in your new surroundings is evident in your words and photos. You are showing me a part of the world I know very little about, and I find it fascinating.

    Great finds at the charity shops. Your grandchildren will enjoy all of it.

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  19. I enjoyed this lovely post very much. How wonderful you found more goodies for the grands. The pipe band is lovely and I'm sure a feast for the senses. The door that you have stained is quite lovely and will be quite handsome when you hang it. ♥

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  20. It is a treat to visit you here, Lorraine. Thanks for taking the time to show us around. Did I already tell you that my two daughters and my husband learned to play bagpipes and once long ago got to march with their pipe band in the NY City St. Patrick's Day Parade? I am so happy for you for finding the fun bargains for your grands at the shop! And it is nice seeing your Woolie Friend saying hello. I hope you are able to trade for some peat so that you can enjoy it burning in your home, too. Maybe when your family is visiting they can help you harvest a little peat, too. xx

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  21. A delightful post. I love the way you have described you day at the new art gallery on the quayside and also about the traditional things like the peat cutting and stacking and the sheep shearing. I also love your description of the aroma of the peat burning from the smoking chimneys:)

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  22. You're doing really well with the bargains you're picking up for the children, they'll be very spoilt when they come to visit, they won't know what to play with first. How lovely to stumble upon the pipe band, they look very smart and must be very popular on the island.

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  23. I would love to have heard the bagpipes and seen the band. They give me goosebumps. Your posts always amaze me...I really want to move there where you are! :) It's beautiful!

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  24. delightful! you guys are in long sleeves again! What is your average temperature in July? We are in the mid 80s. We try to walk before lunch while it's cool outside. Lovely outing and I wish I was there :)

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  25. I love to hear the sound of bagpipes. Beautiful there.
    I do like those wooden doors and thank you so much for such good info. and great pictures. Love seeing where you live.
    betsy

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  26. Busy and always curious about everything !
    Love the pictures !
    Have a shinny day ! We have 32ºc today !
    Anna

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  27. Your grandkids will be very happy with what you have bought for them. There is so much to be done. Your little friend is cute and curious. Lol!

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  28. Thanks Lorraine for a post that might have started off with a dreary forecast for no painting, but as it turned out you had a terrific day. I too enjoy getting bargains at thrift stores here, and your finds for your grandchildren's upcoming visit were great. Also seeing that bagpipe band in the town would have made my day.

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  29. What a fun day out for you. The restaurant sounds like a nice place to visit. We've had warm weather here lately. Hopefully I'm too sunburned from being out a bit. Happy week!

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  30. It did sound like a fun-filled day for sure. I guess just getting out from behind the paint brush was a good day no matter where you were! It sure does look like a beautiful place to call home!

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  31. You have truly made a wonderful move! It is so same-same here in our towns now. I can't even imagine the fun and satisfaction of cutting your own peat and providing your own heat that way. Our Environmental Protection Administration would surely lock us up if we were to do something for ourselves like that! I wish for some of the freedom you both have recently found. In the meantime, I'll be following long with you.

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  32. Love those Highlanders. Never could resist a man in a kilt.

    What is the white around the peat piles? Is it Queen Anne's Lace?

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