What a wonderful week we have had, even the weather was amazing. Weather conditions were perfect for our adventures around our little Island. It was a joy to see our daughter and her little family. We were quite taken aback how much those boys had grown. Every moment they were here, we filled with fun and laughter, creating so many memories for us all to treasure until we see each other again.
The excitement started long before they arrived with me in the kitchen preparing for there arrival with food.
Carrot cake and lemon drizzle cake. The beds were made up and all our favourite games were laid ready for us to play.
Our first adventure was to the cove behind our cottage.
I am not sure what the cove is officially called, but we found a dead bird amongst the rocks so it very quickly became dead bird cove. It is a beautiful cove and a great place for the boys to run around and enjoy the great space, as we were the only ones there. It is a mixture of rocks and sand making it a haven for a mixture of birds, we were careful to keep our distance and not disturb them.
You cannot visit the Island and not visit the Callanish Stones. It is one of the boys favourite places to visit. It was a lovely drive over to the Westside, taking in all the beauty and some great sights, a shieling and the famous whale bone arch. The blackhouse at Arnol was shut, I am not sure if this was due to Covid or not as we were at level 1 and going into 0 this weekend. Visitors to the Island are asked to take a test prior to visiting but I am not sure this is policed or even how it could be. It is such a good feeling to have a semblance of normality back and the greatest joy of all to see family that are so important to us.
We didn't park in the visitors car park as Gerard was not up to walking up the hill so we drove through the village and entered from the other end. This does mean that the visitors centre cannot be visited or indeed the restaurant but it was not open anyway.
The surrounding views and loch is also a joy to see so well worth a visit. We made a stop at the fudge stall in the village, which was delicious and then followed our tracks back to the beach.
I will close for now but rest assured I will be back with some more of our adventures soon. Hope all is well with you, I would be most interested to know about the Covid restrictions in your area. Take care.
See you soon.
How lovely to have a visit from family again, it seems such a long time since things have felt so normal and we've been able to do normal things. I'm so pleased that the weather behaved itself for you so that you were able to spend time outdoors having adventures. Those boys are definitely growing up.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as though you al had a wonderful time together. The weather played its part for you too!
ReplyDeleteI can see you all had a fabulous time togehter (envy you the Stones of Callanish on your doorstep).
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful baking. Everything looks wonderful. I have abandoned baking here as the elderly cooker that came with this house cooks about 20 deg. too hot and I can't guess the temperature for cakes and things.
Sounds (and looks) like an absolutely idyllic time was had by all. Lovely bakes and makes. Here in southern England some restrictions have been lifted, eg we're now allowed to go into pubs and restaurants, with table service at socially distanced tables - not that we've been as yet. We're also now allowed to meet up with more people. 'Freedom day' as the media is calling it, when many more restrictions are due to be lifted, is supposedly on the 21 June - whether this actually happens remains to be seen, in view of the increasing incidence of the new Covid variant.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful time you had - you sound so happy! I'm sure all your wonderful cooking & baking was also much appreciated - they must have been very hungry boys after all those outdoor adventures.
ReplyDeleteHere in Ontario we have just come out of a "Stay at Home" order. The only difference to me is that we are allowed to move between regions (my friend and I celebrated by driving from Toronto to Oakville for a day trip). - but - not much to do except walk in a new location. June 14 patios are supposed to open at restaurants but only 4 people per table. Non essential shops will be able to open with strict restrictions on how many can enter at one time. Outdoor pools will open and some more sports will be allowed. But this is just stage 1 and then we have to wait 3 weeks before stage 2 when I can finally get a hair cut!!! All of this depends upon the number of people vaccinated and how many are in ICU's - no big Summer events at all and the US/Canadian border is still closed so it will be rather quiet for a few more months yet.
Looking forward to more posts about all your adventures.
That cove looks lovely and even better having it all to yourselves. It slowly feels like we are getting back to normal, being able to meet up with family and friends, and travel a bit further afield. We spent last week down in Cornwall and it was a truly lovely break with lots of precious family time.
ReplyDeleteOh Lorraine, it sounds as though you had a lovely visit with your family. The boys have certainly grown since I last saw photos of them. They look like such happy and cheerful boys. I'm so glad you had a lovely day to explore.
ReplyDeleteThings seem to be heading back to "normal" here. You are even allowed to shop without masks unless the shop requires one, which isn't many in my experience. Of course it's an honor code vaccinations. If you're not vaccinated they ask that you mask up.
We'll be flying to London at the end of July for our son's registrar wedding. We're hoping for a big party next spring when hopefully things will be better. We're hoping for an end to the 10 day quarantine for vacinated people so we can get out for the wedding and other things too. Tara wants to take me to tea and we have other favorite places in London to visit. Please give Gerard our love and we pray he will be feeling better very soon.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
Quality time with family ! And lovely pictures !
ReplyDeleteHave a shinny weekend !
Anna
That looks like perfect time together. So happy for you.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Precious times indeed. And it looks like your family were very well fed during their stay. It all looks delicious. X
ReplyDeletelovely photos - so glad you have been able to have your family to be with you at last. Our son and his family came down last weekend and spent Sunday afternoon with us and our daughter and her family - had a BBQ in her back garden. They also visited some friends and his wife's brother whose wife had another baby in March. Did enjoy seeing them again after more than 1 year.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely group of memories you made with your family. Children love playing by the water so much.
ReplyDeleteHere in British Columbia schools have been open other than for the first couple of months. Stores remained open since last summer. Restaurants can now seat 6 people at a table and they don't have to be from one household. We can have one other household indoors and up to 10 people outdoors, without masks. Masks are still needed for indoor spaces like stores and libraries. Our numbers are dropping rapidly and the vaccine rate is over 70% in our province (first dose), so they hope to open things up more on the 15th of June. I would like to take a ferry and visit my parents when they open up traveling a bit more. For now we are supposed to stay in our health regions, which for us is the Island.
I am just amazed at the wonderful foods you prepare! I always leave here hungry. Your boys are so handsome. I know they will always remember these wonderful visits to Granny's Island.
ReplyDeleteNo real restrictions here in Missouri. Some people still wearing masks but everything is open. Regular school is over for the year but summer school starts Monday and they are keeping to smaller class sizes , separate times for recess and having lunch in classrooms rather than in the cafeteria. Just wish more people would vaccinate. It can be gotten at grocery stores, pharmacies and so on but I see very few people lining up for one!!
ReplyDeleteIt all looks like such a good visit and those boys have grown so much! Oh they do grow up too fast. All those delicious looking foods! It would be worth a trip there just for the food! :) As for the restrictions, things are pretty much open here too. Still have to wear a mask in the doctor's office, dentist, vet, but Walmart and grocery stores are wide open...if you've had both vaccines.
ReplyDeleteYou sound so happy with your family visit, love each and every photo.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had fun with your daughter and grandsons. They are adorable. Looks like a nice to visit. The food you made looks delicious. I think I should make something when my sister and husband comes down to get wood early July. Megan said she wanted some chocolate cake. Sometimes one feels you need it, so I will make brownies soon. I appreciate your prayers for Megan. She is feeling better even after a wierd email she got from a friend late afternoon on friend. No fun to read and it made her upset and cry. Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteEverything looks wonderful. The food looks delicious. The boys' legs have become so long!! Everyone looks happy and well.
ReplyDeleteLorrie has written about restrictions here in B.C. so I won't repeat it. We're happy to be going back to normal.
Oh those grandsons are so handsome and how wonderful that they play well together.
ReplyDeleteAs regards your question... Suddenly, one day last week, no one was wearing a mask and there were no greeters to wash down carts or police customers on mask wearing. There are no limits on indoor dining or church going. Things are slowly coming around.
It looks like you've had a fantastic time with the family, the cove is the perfect place for them. We are more or less back to normal apart from social distancing and masks although cases are beginning to go up again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful time you all had and what memories your two grandsons will have of their visit. Here we still wear masks in shops and other inside places like libraries. We still have to have timed bookings to local attractions and one way systems there too:)
ReplyDeleteHow nice you finally could spent some time with your family ! It's terrible how children grow in a couple of month ! The landscape is so wild and beautiful ! We still have the pleasure to have a lockdown, restaurants still closed but terraces open ! Apparently from June 9th on it will get better. I am still in the same situation, I don't know if he ever will be able to come home !
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to finally be able to visit ith your daughter and grandsons! Here in New York, USA there are very little restrictions any more. Hubby and I still wear our masks in stores, but it is no longer required.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to be with your family and enjoying the beautiful outdoors together. Steak and vegetable pie looks so delicious! We never ourselves stopped doing things and going places. Places and businesses were very limited early on but we kept up on the move. Very little restrictions here now. Never did wear the mask much and now not at all. Never understood why people wore them in the restrooms and came back out into the stores with them on. Did never seem too sanitary to me.
ReplyDeleteNow that looks as if it has been a fabulous family visit Lorraine. I am sure that reuniting with the family must be very emotive too. I can see you are all having so much fun ...its wonderful. Thoroughly enjoyed the views of the island and the family all enjoying themselves. Fudge at the end of the day too seems just right. Amanda x
ReplyDeleteSo happy that you got to have some family time. You all look as if you had a blast. Wow, did you ever cook!!!
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
So pleased you were able to have a wonderful time with the family. You've shared some fabulous photographs.
ReplyDeleteFun and laughter and special memories to cherish.
All the best Jan
I am so happy for you, being able to enjoy a family visit. Your trips to the cove look so much fun. Have a lovely week x
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful time. Beautiful photos. The restrictions have been lifted in our state and all restaurants and businesses are back to normal. Campgrounds are booked almost everywhere and travel is back again.
ReplyDeleteHow nice you saw your family!! it's been too long! Lovely photos and what a fabulous place you live in.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful that your family members get to visit you. Wow, so much yummy food that you have prepared for them and I am sure the boys enjoyed every minute and every mouthful of the food. Looks like it was a wonderful time spent at the cove. Looking forward to your next post.
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They look so cute. All of that food that you prepared looks fabulous! I'm not certain of our latest Covid restrictions here in California. I still wear a mask and socially distance. People keep wanting to come close to me and talk, though. I still play it safe.
ReplyDeleteYou are a wonder. How you accomplish as much as you do amazes me. All the food looks scrumptious, and your grandchildren are adorable. Gerard looks as if he's enjoying the outdoors. A lovely blog post.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you grandchildren were counting the days before their holiday with you both and then they enjoyed your delicious homemade food you had prepared as well as outings to favourite spots. The sunshine and fresh air must have done you all good. I was pleased to catch up with your news and thank you for sharing your adventures.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a wonderful and very happy family visit, Lorraine, and so glad you were able to see each other after so long. Gerard and the grandsons looked to be enjoying the outdoors. And, as always, the food looked and sounded delicious!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos! Glad you had a wonderful visit. Must be so nice to be able to spend time with them.
ReplyDeletegreat photo's and looks like you had lots of fun with the family. Very impressed with your baking !
ReplyDeleteYum
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you all had a grand time! Yummy food, and good company make for a wonderful visit. The boys sure have lots to do on the island....how great for them, and you!!I love all of the photos of interesting things you get to see, and are so gracious to share with us. We still have some restrictions set by our governor due to covid....but little by little they are being lifted. Some of the mandates seem to be more of a "control" nature, and not so much for our safety. That is just my observation, and opinion. I am just happy to be returning to a more normal way of living, for now. xxoo
ReplyDeleteOh wow! 😮 what a beautiful island! I love this place. Ang all these yummy foods. Glad you had a wonderful adventure with your family.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a happy week! Beautiful nature and lovely grandchildren! It must have been so good to see them after so long time. We look forward to have our sons home in July. They were home for Christmas, but at Easter it was too much covid cases to travel. It is opening up more and more here too now. Our Christian women's group was able to meet for the end of season meeting. But that was the first meeting since before Christmas.
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