Monday 16 April 2018

Weekend

Saturday was the third annual Harris Tweed bike ride here on the Island so we did catch glimpses of  it as we ran our errands around Stornoway.



All the riders wore Harris Tweed outfits or accessories and it certainly was a feast for the eyes.  I loved the bright colours and the amazing cycle with the trailer was such fun.





It must have been a great relief for the organisers to wake to such a fine day.  The weather certainly makes a big difference to some of the events.  Seeing the sun shining and casting its shadows is a joy to behold and enhances even the most menial of tasks.  A start had been made on painting the tyres that I want to use as planters.  They are going to be painted red with black spots, a ladybird in the making.




I have bought several bags of compost but intend to mix a little peat and sand together for the base to save on the expense, they will certainly take some filling.

The daffodils are growing in clumps around the cottage, a sure sign that Spring is finally making an appearance.




Seeing the lambs was also such a treat reinforcing the feeling that the seasons have now changed and giving us hope that better weather is on the way.  The marking on the ewes show how many lambs they are carrying when they are scanned, one stripe = single, two stripes = twins.  Each ewe usually has a mark which denotes their croft so if they go to common grazing on the machair each crofter knows their own sheep.  Hope that helps.





Not sure what the purple was on the lamb in the previous post but will check with my neighbour next time I see them.  What a difference a change in the weather makes, we have a renewed energy and have started to make plans once again.  Gerard's rehabilitation thankfully is been done on the Island but it does mean driving backwards and forwards to town, taking about 40 minutes each way.  A minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things.  The sun setting over the croft is always a joy to behold and gives us renewed strength for another day.



As always thank you so much for all your lovely comments and a very warm welcome to a new follower, I hope you enjoy our little adventures through life.

See you soon.

37 comments:

  1. What a fabulous cycling event. It must be wonderful to see everyone dressed up like that and the decorated trailer.
    It's good to see Spring is finally arriving on your part of the world. The lambs are adorable and that sunset....stunning! X

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  2. It must have been such a fun day - and the weather looks amazing. I am very envious of your flowers and sunshine as we are just emerging from a massive ice storm this past weekend which will continue to impact us for the next few days. We;re beginning to think that Spring is never going to arrive!
    I have a Harris Tweed wallet that friends bought me on their last trip - it is always a conversation starter (I love it). So glad to hear that your husband can be treated on the island and even though it is a bit of a drive - at least it's not another trip to the mainland. Enjoy a lovely week in your garden.

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  3. Oh I love that wee little blackfaced lamb...so adorable. I have thought about using tires to corral a garden before. Had a friend decades ago who stacked three (to waist high) in two rows of three...butted up together. In that way, she created the first raised bed that I had ever heard of. She was still harvesting vegetables well into November. We all thought it was kind of magical.

    So good that Gerard can do his therapy on the island. I had wondered about such things.

    Harris Tweed is such a warm, preppy look. I like it!

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  4. What a fun event, I'm so pleased the weather was fine for it, as you say, it can make such a difference. Those lambs are so cute, it must be wonderful to look out of your window at the moment with signs of new life all around.

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  5. Sunshine, daffodils and lambs - bliss!!

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  6. It looks as though it was a lovely day for the biking event. I would have loved to have been there to see all of those amazing bicycles and their riders. That trailer is something to behold! What sweet little lambs. Thank you for the exclamation of the stripes, I was wondering too. I think your tire planters are going to be perfect. You have the imagination I wish I had! Ha ha! I’m glad Gerard is able to get his therapy on the island. Even with the drive, it will make it easier for you than having to travel on the ferry each time. Happy Spring! I sure hope it arrives here soon.
    Blessings, Betsy

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  7. You have fun events in your area. I love your idea to paint "ladybugs" for the planters.

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  8. That sounds great fun, so pleased the sun shone on the day.

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  9. What a beautiful day for the Harris Tweed bike ride! Such a colorful event! The little lambs are so adorable. Thank you for showing and telling us more about them!
    Your daffodils are really going to be lovely. Our's are just about gone as we had temps in the 80's for a few days. Now it's back to the 50's that is more seasonable. Happy Spring! ♥

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  10. Lovely spring post today and glad to hear Gerald is recovering well. I was smiling at you “running errands” as a native Scot talks about “going the messages” . It’s really confusing to people outwith Scotland so now I try and remember to say “I’m doing the shopping” when furth of my natuve soil. Lol Lovely photos too.

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  11. Sunshine brightens up our lives no matter what we're doing. I'm really looking forward to a few days of it. I find I'm more enthusiastic about life when the sun shines.
    Thanks for explaining the paint on the ewes. I did wonder about the significance.

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  12. Thank you for the explanation of the spray paint on the sheep. I'm glad Gerard's medical care is located on your island as it would be REALLY inconvenient for you to have to take a ferry every day. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  13. The Harris Tweed bike ride looks like it's lots of fun, and such a beautiful day. Lovely to see all the lambs, daffodils and nice green grass. We, on the other hand, had another 11cm of snow this morning!!!

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  14. Beautiful weather.. and the baby lambs are so cute!

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  15. I too appreciated the explanation on the lamb painting marks, Lorraine. That cycling event looks like it was fun for the spectators. The red ladybug tires will certainly be a colorful addition to your yard.

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  16. The bike ride looks like so much fun! I just looked up where you live as I have never heard of it...I see the Isle of Lewis is steeped in history and culture. What a wonderful place to live. It looks beautiful. I have so enjoyed finding your blog and just became your 223rd follower. Thank you for stopping over my way too - I hope you will be back and perhaps choose to follow as well. I am looking forward to finding our more about you and the wonderful isle you live on. ♥

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  17. Fun event held on a sunny day is a plus for sure. Glad you were able to see the bike ride. Lovely daffodils! Ours are over now....earlier spring here than there. Glad it's warming up for you and Gerard is feeling better with his rehab. Sorry for the drive but hopefully it's not a bad drive with lots of traffic! Take care and blessings and prayers!

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  18. Lambs and Harris Tweed... What a wonderful post. Now, I am wanting to learn more. Forever so long I have had "From the Land Comes the Cloth: A Journey to the Heart of the Hebrides by Ian Lawson, on my book to read list. Are you familiar with it?

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  19. Is the purple potassium permanganate? It's used as an antiseptic/fungicide and appears to be around the umbilical cord.

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  20. looks so fun! really cute lambs! anyway, just dropping by to say hello all the way from southeast asia! i hope you can drop by my blog too and follow if you like. have a nice day! :)

    xoxo, rae
    http://www.raellarina.net

    INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

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  21. Very interesting about the sheep marking. The bike ride must have been so fun to see. Hope Gerald continues to improve with therapy.

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  22. Love Harris Tweed. There is a shop in Williamsburg Virginia called Scotland House, LTD... The cutest pair of tweed flats there I would love to have.
    Looks like Spring just may be at the Island for sure with the daffodils ready to open.
    Wishing all the best to Gerard.
    Betsy

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  23. Those tyres look amazing painted red. Can't wait to see them with their flowers in.
    Lovely signs of spring daffodils and lambs. They do cheer you up don't they.
    Hugs-x-

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  24. How funny to see all the bikes ! The sheep look so cute even striped. As long as they don't paint them like a zebra !! Since today spring has moved in too !

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  25. What a great day for the bike ride. Celebrating Harris Tweed like this is fun and unique. I'm glad spring is arriving on your island with the daffodils and those adorable little lambs.

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  26. What interesting posts you publish. Loved the bicycles....very interesting pieces people ride!
    The little lambs are so sweet! I used to raise pigmy goats, so I really enjoyed this post!! The photo of the sunset was beautiful!
    Have a wonderful week!
    Debbie
    xo

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  27. Harris Tweed bike ride, I bet that was a lot of fun. I love your red tyres and your sheep and lamb photos are adorable. Good to see Gerard looking well in your previous post.

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  28. Beautiful weather for a lovely day . The little lambs are my favourite.

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  29. I love that bike trailer too, how unusual and beautiful it is. What cute lambs, especially the one with the black face and legs.

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  30. Snow greeted us this morning, so it is wonderful to know that daffodils are blooming somewhere! And those lambs are delightful! Yes Spring is in the air in your corner of the world, with bike riding and planting flowers. I will have to look at some of your previous posts; I've missed so many this past month I've been AWOL in blogland! xo Deborah

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  31. Ok, I had to scroll back a bit to see what was going on with your husband. What a scary thing to happen! So glad you got quick and good care and that he's on the mend. And Happy Birthday to you, too!

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  32. A Harris Tweed bike ride. Now that seems like a civilized event! I remember a time when every aspiring gentleman wanted to wear a Harris Tweed suit. Now most of us don’t even own a suit!

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  33. my husband would LOVE a bike ride such as that, what fun! I would just watch the festivities :)

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  34. Fun event and beautiful weather. Lovely sunset!

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  35. Such fun! I love bicycles, and there are so many different ones. I think ladybug tires are a great idea! You daffodils looks wonderful! So cheerful after a dull winter.
    I'm glad that you are able to take such good care of your husband, and the drive is better than having to go to the mainland.
    Praying you have a splendid day!

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  37. Like I said later, as I'm reading backwards, thank you for bringing me up to speed on Harris Tweed.

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