Summer Pastimes

 I have been missing in action once again and for that I do apologise.  It is a busy time of year with the garden and cottage.  We have been trying to get as many outside jobs done as possible before the weather changes and we once again are confined inside.  We have also had a trip to the mainland for a few days to trade in our old car and pick up a new one.  We drove up to Inverness and enjoyed a wonderful city break staying at The Royal Highland next to the station.  It is a Victorian building, with quite the grand entrance.  The rooms are a little tired these days but the service was exceptional.  The breakfast was mediocre but the afternoon tea and evening meal were a delight.  We booked a package which also included a free cocktail, so that was quite the treat sat in the lounge prior to our dinner.  I managed to get most of the shopping that I needed which we both really enjoyed, it has been a long time since we did any real shopping.  I must admit it was quite sad to see so many empty shops and a real gap now that Debenhams has gone.

In other news, my nieces children are now recovered from Covid and are doing well.  Thankfully it did not spread through the family.  They have been vigilant with the hand washing and testing.  I thank you for all your well wishes, they were appreciated.

I continue to dry herbs in readiness for the Winter months.  I have done extra this year so that I can include some in my little hampers.  There is a lovely smell of mint in the kitchen which I am loving.

I am always amazed how much is needed to fill a small jar, copious amounts are required.  I am thankful for the very large plant which is spreading rapidly and needs to be curtailed.  We are still enjoying rhubarb and also have loads in the freezer.  Lettuce/spring onions/rocket have been amazing and are regulars on our plates.

I have finally finished a shawl that I have been working on.  The final row seemed to take an age but was worth the effort as it cools down some of the bright colours.

These lazy hazy days of Summer are just flying by and a joyful reminder of why we moved here.  Each view/ landscape/seascape etched into my mind so that I can enjoy them time and time again.  The moorland is alight with colour and so my adventures with dying wool will begin.  I am eager to try some of the traditional methods.  Time will tell, but I am hopeful.

I am also enjoying getting back into the swing of mixing with neighbours and friends.  It has been a delight to once again chat and enjoy each others company, after the long separation of Covid restrictions.

I am going to close for now as I must get ready for my aerobics class, another step in the recovery to normality.  I will catch up with you all on my return.

See you soon.

Weekend Bliss

Mt goodness how time is flying by!  The days are already starting to shorten and each day it is getting a little earlier for darkness to descend.  In fairness we are still enjoying the balmy days of Summer and the bounty from growing crops and of course mutton or lamb from the freezer in preparation for the next slaughter and sale of lambs.  Already the sheep have been sheared and the fleeces sold.  I do think it is sad how much the crofters do get for the fleeces, when you consider all the hard work.  I am still working on my fleece and enjoying the process.

Sunday we enjoyed some roast lamb given to us by a neighbour, the generosity never ceases to amaze us.  A long slow roast with a garlic and rosemary marinade and it fell apart.  It really was tasty and enjoyed with some fresh mint and spring onion from our little garden.  We have grown three varieties of potatoes so these were also served whilst we gave each variety a taste test.  We enjoyed the process.

Cauliflower cheese, carrots and green beans served as side dishes making for a very tasty traditional Sunday lunch.

Desert was a fresh strawberry sherry trifle which did taste as delicious as it looked, a real treat for the week.

A sprinkling of chopped nuts adding to the texture and giving it a lift.  A strawberry cake made and shared with neighbours for afternoon tea.  It was so much fun to visit and catch up with our neighbours adventures who have been enjoying a tour of the art galleries around the Island.

Yes, I did enjoy a small slice but did work hard in my aerobics class to work it off.

Work continues outside in small bursts and then I come inside and work a few rows of my crochet project.  I am kept busy and for that I am thankful.

A quiet and reflective weekend enjoyed with friends.

See you soon.

Summer Arrives

What a beautiful day here on my Island paradise, the sun is shining brightly and the temperatures have risen.  What more could I ask for...there are a lot of flies around but thankfully as we have a slight breeze the midges are NOT out and for that I am thankful.  I have been to my aerobics class, cut the lawn at the back and hung out the washing.  I have delivered some eggs to my neighbour and stayed for a yarn or two and now it is my intention to go upstairs and sort out the chaos I created over the weekend.

To cut a very long story short I made a start on culling my stash of craft materials or at the very least storing it better.  There were times when I wished that I had never started but there was also a lot of joy as I remembered some previous projects.  There was fabric from when each of the grandchildren were born, flowers from weddings and christenings the list goes on.  It was like opening the boxes of Christmas decor and remembering the places and people around each piece.  I remember now why this particular cull didn't take place prior to our move.  So once again it is staying. 

The drawers and cupboard are now complete, they have been waxed and are now ready to be moved from the barn upstairs.  But this means the train diorama  must come down so we need help to get it all into position.  I am thankful we have good neighbours.

I did find some unfinished projects that need work and those will now take priority.  Honeys blanket has slowed down considerably of late.

A second shawl has been started and never finished.

The same for a knitted cowl, a second was started and never finished.

A baby blanket and baby bootees were a surprise, I don't remember who I started them for...who knows!

I prepared the meat for dinner this evening early this morning it is all ready to be popped into the oven with some vegetables.  Pork fillet wrapped in bacon stuffed with apricot and ginger stuffing, a firm favourite of ours using the Hairy Bikers recipe.

It will work well cold tomorrow with salad.

Well onwards and upwards I have sat for a short break so will get on with the front lawn and do some weeding.  The weeds are prolific in the pots and tyres, all this rain helps their growth.  I will catch up with you later, I am back outside to enjoy the Summer which took its time to arrive.  Almost forgot there's chocolate cake with strawberries if you want to join  me for afternoon tea.

See you soon.

Time And Tide

The days seem to be passing me by so quickly, time and tide waits for no man as the saying goes.  I feel busy and certainly fill my days so easily and yet I sit down in the evening and question what I have done all day.  The lambs around the crofts are growing and crofters are now thinking about getting the peats dug in readiness for next winter.  The next task always there to be done in an ever moving cycle.

I have managed to do a little crafting sat each evening, a few rows here and there on a shawl.  I have started another one this time in a shade of green which was easy to carry with me.  It is now too large to take with me so will be finished a few rows at a time.

My grab and go bag now holds a knitting project, I am knitting a few snoods in readiness for gifts.  One completed another started.

I have never worked with this type of yarn before but was amazed how quickly it knits up and how soft it is.  The perfect accessory for the cold and windy months we have on this Island. 

I feel this time of year races by so much to do and so many places to go...do you feel the same?  I have started to take more notice of my surroundings so that I can appreciate each season better.  The glorious colours on the moor and the striking colours of the sea meeting in harmony and reflecting what is the Hebrides as we go through each day.  I have taken so many photos since living here, many in the same place and yet each photo different.  Each time we drive over the moor to town a different view as the living earth changes continuously the ebb and flow of each tide different from the last.  A place of beauty giving an inner peace.  An artists paradise...if only I dare to try. 

See you soon.
 

My Week

What a busy few days we have had.  We can certainly fill our days so easily.  The weather has been so beautiful that we have been working outside, one sheet of corrugated rust at a time.  We have been working together, moving three sheets of corrugated tin painting the wood underneath to give it some longevity and then replacing a couple of sheets with corrugated polycarbonate.  It will be worth all the hard work once we have our indoor garden established.

A few sheets a day and we are happy.  We are blessed that we have a little helper...not sure if Mickey is a help or a hindrance but he is quite happy basking in the sun guarding the rusty sheets.

I have been working in the kitchen replacing some of the pickles we are so fond of.  Today, red cabbage and beetroot.  I like to spice my own vinegar using Coriander, Mustard, Allspice, Peppercorns, Cloves, Chilli and Ginger.  Not sure if that is cost effective but it works for us.  I always bring malt and white vinegar back from the Lidl when we visit the mainland.

Once boiled for a few moments, I leave to cool overnight and then strain it back into the original bottles and relabel.

I like to give them a fancy fabric topper, they look so nice lined up in the cupboard and also make a nice hostess gift.

In the evenings I am still working here and there on a craft project.  At the moment I am working on a crochet shawl  and enjoying the soothing rhythm of the pattern.

It is a pattern that I found in old copy of Mollie Makes, I am so glad that I kept it.

We have had a trip to Stornoway for a food shop but it always nice to have a stroll around the small town and take in the views around the port/harbour.  The boats are always a joy to sit and watch both the ones for pleasure and the working boats.  There is an area that is designated for the necessary equipment needed on the fishing boats, that I find quite fascinating.  So many stories to tell if only it could talk.

The shadows in the water enhancing some of the already spectacular views.

A real delight to have a stroll and enjoy the calmness of the sea which we know can change in a heartbeat and cause havoc to the brave sailors/fisherman who battle the elements for us.

A very warm welcome to new followers I do hope you enjoy my little adventures through life.  I do thank you for your visit here and your uplifting comments.  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

See you soon.

Sorry forgot to add that the sand was been dug out of the harbour at the Port of Ness as there was a build up.  Apparently, this is done every 3/4 years to enable boats to be able to get in.  The sand is dug up and put the other side of the wall.