Dancing With Shadows

 What a difference to our mood now that the sun is shining and we were able to get out of our cosy cottage for some fresh air and a stroll.  It also helps that Gerard whilst is still in a flare it is now starting to calm down a little as he is now on a course of oral steroids.  They have made a huge difference and he is able to cope once again.  Good news also he has also received his appointment for his MRI scan which is a week Wednesday, we just need to organize flights which we will be able to do on Monday.  Our prayers have been answered.  We appreciate all your well wishes and prayers, they were uplifting when we were a little down.

This afternoon we took a little drive to the Butt of Lewis, to the lighthouse, which is recently been painted and further works have been done to make a small car park and picnic area.  There is a large bus parking area where buses can now turn which will make it easier.  It is a single track road which has a lot of tourist traffic during the Summer months.

The sun was shining but there was still a little breeze, so 'don your hat and coat and let me spread a little happiness with some great views.  I must warn you that this is a picture heavy post but I am hoping you will immerse yourself in the beauty and enjoy them.

The gulls are nesting and are a sight to behold.  There screeching and screaming reaching a crescendo if anyone walked too close to the cliff edge.  We stayed well back so not to disturb them and were rewarded with some amazing views.

The sea was a glorious colour and beat its way to the cliff bottom, hitting the rocks before frothing and recoiling.

It was a joy to be out and about and see the dancing shadows as the sun moved across the sky.  Some areas on the cliff swathed in bursts of sunlight whilst other parts were in darkness.

A real joy to be dancing with shadows and back to our Island adventures.  A warm welcome to new followers I do hope you enjoy our little adventures through life.  As always I thank you for your support, comments and prayers.  Take care and stay safe.

See you soon.

Missing In Action

 My goodness how time is flying by.  I can't believe how long it is since I have been on or near the computer.  I would like to make some sweeping statement or give you an explanation but in truth I have none.  The weather here this past week or so has been atrocious, making it hard to leave the cottage.  RAIN, rain and more rain has been the order of the day.  Thankfully today we seem to be faring a little better and the breeze is helping to dry the sodden ground.  The skies are starting to lighten a little and there are  wisps of cloud forming.  Each day the light is lasting a few seconds longer, the days are getting longer.  I think I preferred the freezing temperatures and the snow but whatever the weather front, it is not making it conducive to walking across the moor or the beach.  I am looking forward to getting out and about once again.  It seems to have been a long Winter and lockdown has not made it any easier.

I continue to create little doorstep gifts for the church project and have started to look at books for some Easter projects  for the Grandchildren.   I have yet to be inspired but I am sure a little perseverance and I will be rewarded.  The dolls house continues to be a slow work in progress, a few minutes here and there.  The jigsaw we finally finished and have decided not to get another one out as yet.  Maybe we should try something different.  I am eagerly awaiting news of the route map out of lockdown, I am sure it will make an interesting read.  England reveals the route map later today, Scotland tomorrow.  For my three daughters sanity I do hope there will be a return to school.  Although our youngest daughter who is a maths teacher at a senior school is a little worried about the safety for herself and her pupils.

Gerard has had a flare up of RA and is finding it hard to come out of.  The usual course of action when it is this severe is a steroid injection but due to Covid this is been difficult.  It is awful watching your loved one in so much pain knowing there is nothing you can do to help.  His last blood test showed quite a jump in the PSA levels (he has been monitored for a few years for prostrate cancer) so he is waiting for an appointment for an MRI scan and it was suggested that he should now consider a biopsy.  It is quite the ordeal constantly waiting for appointments.

On the whole we have a lot to be thankful for and are filling our days.  I can only apologise for my lack of visits to your blogs, I will try to visit over the next few days. I also intend to try and get out for a walk with the camera, a great way of lifting spirits is to see the beauty that surrounds us.  Hope all is well with you and that you are coping with the restrictions/regulations that we live with.  Take care dear friends and stay safe,

See you soon.

Things That Brightened My Day

 I am not bored, I have far too many projects on the go to ever become bored.  But, why is there always a BUT?  I am starting to feel a little restless, the days are starting to merge into each other and I do feel a little fed up.  I know how blessed I am and have a lot to be thankful for here comes that BUT again...But it would be nice to get out and about a little instead of been cooped up in our little cottage.  I have lost count how many times we have had to cancel breaks away and trips to meet up with family.  We don't bother making plans anymore.  It saddens me that the last years for my parents are been spent in isolation.  Our own retirement plans dampened by this deadly virus, life is not easy at the moment.  Alexa to the rescue playing all our favourite tunes...What a difference music and a boogie makes!  It has lifted our spirits and normality is resumed.

We have had a sprinkling of snow.  Nothing like the huge amount that we are seeing on the mainland but enough to bring the children out and make us smile.

As you can see the chickens have had to be moved.  There is avian flu in the UK so all poultry need to be locked up.  We made them a large run and covered it with wire so they have plenty of room for roaming.  Not free range but at least they are safe.

There was a lot of activity on the surrounding crofts as the sheep were scanned yesterday to see what they were carrying . Animals are not aware of social distancing...I am guessing there was some fun moments that will be recalled when the crofters get together.

Work continues on the dolls house, a little at a time.  I am also still working on little gifts for the church  doorstep blessings project.  Thank you for your suggestions.  This week I have made some shabby chic style mixing spoons.  I must admit I did enjoy doing these.

It was a fun make.  It took me back to when the girls were small and we decoupaged jewellery boxes, such a nice memory.

How are you all doing?  I am genuinely interested to know.  We all seem to be coping in different ways.  Hope all is well with you.  Take care and stay safe.

See you soon.

Vaccine

 We are just back from town.  We have had a trip over the moor to Stornoway so that Gerard was able to get the Covid vaccine.  We received a phone call earlier in the week inviting him to attend this morning, it would have been churlish to refuse.  I am thrilled that he has had it, a step closer to him feeling safe once more.  Due to drugs/injections that he has to take he has a compromised immune system making him vulnerable.  My parents have both had there's and our daughter who also has a compromised immune system had hers last Sunday.

We did carry on to the supermarket so that I could do a top up shop but sadly not a lot was available.  Ferries have either been disrupted or cancelled over the last few days with more disruptions/cancellations predicted over the weekend.  Weather conditions has been cited as the problem.  Snow and road blockages on the mainland have been an issue for HGV vehicles getting up to the port.  We are blessed that we have a big store cupboard so it isn't an issue for us.  Toilet paper was once again sadly lacking on the shelves, that always makes me smile for some reason.

I have put the little bit of shopping away, had some lunch and lit the stove.  It is my intention now to take things easy this afternoon and browse a few books for some inspiration for little gifts for the doorstep blessings project.  I would appreciate any ideas that you may have.

It is blowing a gale outside, so hopefully better weather conditions wherever you may be.  Take care and stay safe.

See you soon.

Weekend

 A quiet weekend, where we continue to enjoy a jigsaw that seems to be never ending.  It remains on the dining table and as we pass it do a few pieces here and there.  We have a new book of crosswords that we are also enjoying.  Crafting still remains a major part of my day, this time cards.  I have made a few for the card box which I can add the sentiment to if I need a card in a rush.

The snippets of card/paper stock not wasted I went on to make some fridge magnets for the 'doorstep blessings'.

Sunday, I walked down to the outbuilding to refill the peat bucket and check on the chickens.  It was bitterly cold and the ground solid as it had frozen overnight.  As I looked around it was quite amazing that not a soul could be seen.  There was the odd rustling as a sheep moved through the longer grass that was not frozen and a sigh from the wind hitting a rugged fence or building.  It was a joy to be outside and enjoy the deafening silence and the stunning beauty. You could see the wisps of smoke coming from the chimneys  and the smell of burning peat permeating around the village. I may be in lockdown but I can still enjoy the never ending beauty that surrounds me.

I set up a cosy corner for us to enjoy afternoon tea together, using the roses that Gerard had bought for me as a focal point.  It was nice to reminisce about some of the places we have had afternoon tea and compare some of the amazing treats we have eaten over the years.  This I must admit was a lot of leftovers but we enjoyed it none the less.

There was sausage rolls and mincepies from the freezer, leftovers from Christmas.  There was also a small plate of sandwiches using the pork leftover from Sunday lunch.  Along with coleslaw leftover from our Saturday meal.  No scones but a sweet treat of mandarin trifle which I must admit was very tasty.  A pot of tea was also added.  A little extravagent but it felt quite decadent and indeed the treat that it was meant to be.  Are you adding little treats to your day?

I thank all those that left comments and well wishes on my last post, it was greatly appreciated.  Take acre and stay safe wherever you are in the World.

See you soon.