Another Look At The Stones

This last week saw Lucy and her little family arrive on our Island paradise.  Whilst the weather was not amazing it didn't stop us getting out and about and enjoying some special moments together.   The girls loved the noughts and crosses that I had made for them.  I loved giving them some tips so that they could beat Grandad, he was such a good sport losing every game.

As you can see I did manage to get the grass down before their arrival but there was a lot of weeds around.  The grass is in dire need of cutting again, not for the faint hearted the size of the garden.

We had a lovely stroll around the Butt of Lewis which encompasses the lighthouse, sea on three sides which is an amazing sight.  Even the weather did not detract from its beauty.

Lily and Daisy had a ball searching the seas for signs of life and looking at every crag in the rocks for birds.  

Every time we go there is a shifting landscape, even the cloud formations and the light changes are a thing of beauty.  I don't think I will ever tire of watching the crashing waves in our search for wildlife.

As you can imagine the girls loved the sheep, giving them all names.  We also had a fun tour of the stones at Callanish and loved climbing the rocks to get some stunning views of the Loch.

Of course there was a visit to the Centre for tea and cake, it would be rude not to.  The surrounding area can be seen and enjoyed from there too so an added delight.

There is beauty all around us and a photo to be taken at every step, so I can only apologise for the overload of pictures.  We have been to the stones several times since our move here and many times when visiting and yet each time we go there is a different light, cloud formation or change to the picture and yet the standing stones remain the same.  The times of day affects the shadows which gives another completely different picture.

Magical moments from a magical Island.  We have certainly found our inner peace and love showing our family around, the Island seems to have worked its magic over them and they too are looking forward to returning.  There were so many more tours and glimpses of the Island we now call home but I will save them for another post.  Back to reality and the mountain of laundry that has accumulated over the past week, as well as the cleaning and the garden the list is endless.  What have you got planned for today?  Hopefully something that you enjoy...

See you soon.

One Little Adventure At A Time

The sun was shining and we needed a break so we decided to set out on our first real adventure out and have a tour of the Island.  There was a lot of families out and about cutting peat, an unenviable task and from what I can gather requires strength and skill.  It has a certain charm to see the smoke coming from the chimneys and the beautiful smell of burning peat.

 

From my very limited knowledge I believe it is then laid out on the moor to dry a little before being transported back to crofts.

 

 

The peat is then piled into a beautiful mound and left to dry out throughout the summer.  It is quite a lengthy process but so worthwhile and a vital resource for some.

 

 

It was a delight to be out and about albeit in the car to see the wonderful weaving sheds where the Harris Tweed is woven.  Harris Tweed is  hand spun, hand woven and dyed by the crofters and cottars in their own homes throughout the Outer Hebrides.

 

 

We drove around the Westside district of the Island, discovering some amazing views, stopping at places of interest and enjoyed chatting to both locals and tourists.  We discovered a little furniture store and had a lengthy chat with the owner and then carried on to see the amazing Callanish stones.  We enjoyed a nice lunch at the Callanish Visitor Centre and then took a stroll up to the stones.  Well worth the walk.  It was a little blustery I certainly had to hold onto my hat...

 

 

It was an amazing sight to see the collection of standing stones arranged in a cruciform pattern, my photographs do not do it justice.

 

 

It was a little nerve racking at times with sheep wandering the roads.  I also had to hold my breath at times when I saw them climbing the mountainous terrain.

 

 

We now have a renewed energy, we are going to enjoy a nice meal together and catch up with some of our hobbies.  Tomorrow is another day...

 

 

Maybe not, I think that should say I will be catching up with my hobbies.  The boys have had a hard day!  We did carry on into Stornoway but I will save that for another post.

 

See you soon.