Weekend Escapades

Saturday, the day started overcast and dreary so it was obvious that no outside work was going to get done.  Painting the exterior of this cottage is turning out to be a mammoth task, not least because of the weather conditions.  We decided a break was the order of the day and so off we went into Stornoway for a stroll around the charity shops and lunch out at An Lanntair.

We certainly got lucky with some bits for the children in preparation for them visiting, it is always nice to have a few new things for them to enjoy as well as the familiar.

 

Mannequin dolls  to dress and design clothes for.

 

I came home and made a little storage bag to keep them in.

 

 

A jigsaw puzzle still in its wrapper for £2.  With the release of the new Minion film I thought this was perfect for them.

 

 

I also managed to pick up 2 Lego sets, that are complete for £1 each.  Lego is so expensive and rare to see in a charity shop so these are a wonderful addition.

 

 

I also picked up a couple of patterns for my collection for 10p each.  I have had to be quite firm with myself and limit the amount that I buy there are so many patterns available.

 

 

There was a wonderful art exhibition at An Lanntair which I will share with you on another post.  The views from the restaurant are a delight you can see across the harbour and watch the comings and goings of the little boats.  The ferry was just coming in so there was also a lot of fun people watching as they arrived onto the Island.

 

 

 

The highlight of our day was to catch the Lewis Pipe Band around the town, they really are an amazing sight and play so well.  I took some photos but with hindsight should have taken a video so that you could have heard them.

 

 

All in all a wonderful day out and not the dreary day we had anticipated.  There was still a lot of people out cutting peat and the shearing has started in earnest, so a busy time for Crofters around the Island.

In rows drying out ready to be taken back to the croft for stacking.  We have peat rights apparently but sadly we have neither the skill or the strength to cut them.  On cooler days it is a joy to walk around the village and see the smoke coming out of the chimneys with the beautiful smell of the peat burning.  I don't think I will ever tire of the beauty that enhances my senses on this amazing Island.

We have started work indoors on the doors for the outbuildings, repairing them and staining them.  Hard work but it will all be worth it in the end.

Finally, a little friend popped his head through the fence to say hello...

Hope you had a wonderful weekend and that the weather was good for you.  Back to the grindstone, I have washing that needs hanging out and a paintbrush with my name on it.  I will catch up with you all later.

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.