Autumn colours and friend leaves….
Hi from Gravir Towers, hope all is well with you and yours.
Autumn colours are prevalent and when the low sun creeps through the evergreens we have some lovely pics.
walk in Lews Castle grounds
I had taken myself off for a walk in sunshine as had just spent last afternoon packing/loading van for my 73 yr old neighbour and friend. up at 4am to catch early ferry and wish bon voyage, I found myself reflecting on her move. Although very mobile and active,the sheer brutality of the weather here sometimes and increasing sense of isolation had caused my friend to make the final choice of moving back to mainland to be nearer family support and more activity choices whilst able to enjoy. All that said, in my first year on this strange but wonderful Island retreat, she had been a very charismatic,charming and generous friend. Always missing me when I went off Island to visit family and then always ready for a chat over a cuppa (often a glass of wine) when I was around, I found myself dreading her leaving (whilst fully supportive of reasoning) and then when time arrived I was gutted/choked and sad….however, during my reflective walk, I realised that beauty is so very much in the eye of the beholder. Young people leaving here in droves and elderly folk just getting through last days with as much dignity as they can retain whilst the Island argues amongst itself as to what is best for one and all. A wonderful first year but huge learning curve as to what is attractive/valuable/viable in this environment. Nice people make Life a bit easier and bigots,ego-maniacs and profiteers are not good company…!!
So I guess that is that for now….local folk did well at the Mod…Autumn is about to give way to Winter and Life goes on. We are on a fabulous journey;what we find/do/learn and who we meet are the bits that make it all worthwhile..Peace and Love, RJG
55 not out
I am in Somerset today to celebrate my 55th birthday…..no big deal, just another notch. However, whilst in reflective mode, I thought of my old Mum (Thelma to you) who, 55yrs ago ,would have been anxiously waiting for her first baby to be born. her husband (my dad/John) had already abandonded her (back to his parents) following Xmas row so things would have been looking/feeling pretty grim/scary……..A lifetime later, with my own children (34/32/15/8) and grand-children (18/3/1) all coming along in their own unique wonderful ways, I would just like to dedicate today to my Mum…..who had it hard,made a few mistakes along the way, but still as feisty as ever….To my Mum,Thelma from No1 Son RJG born 16th September 1954 (Hackney Hospital)….cheers
Reggie’s Homecoming…..
Well, return from 3 weeks on Mainland anyway!!
Kids Mum just had major 3 hr op on back (3 wks ago) but all is well and I can pop home (Gravir) to check the post and re-establish self in situ for 3 days…..Kids hols so different Mainland/Lewis as kids down south are off until 1st week of Sept anf kids on Lewis been back since 1 st week August.
Will my 2.45pm eta Easy Jet to Inverness land on/in time for me to get rapido cab to Inverness Bus Stn in time for 3pm coach to Ullapool…and near 3 hr Minch crossing?
I suspect my garden has turned to wilderness so may leave gate open for sheep again!!!
Anybody got or know of old rowing-type boat going spare..?….as intend making feature in front garden around grounded boat
Hope hols good for you….very busy for me, even started new Allotment for Somerset crew……rains then pours!!!!
regards
RJG
Windy or what!!!!
So the reputation for being wet and windy is TRUE…..eek
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20090729/tuk-twister-tears-across-island-dba1618.html
Sunday Sailing is to be launched..!!!
Sunday 19th July will be launch of new Calmac ferry service from Stornoway,Lewis to Ullapool. Lots of heated and at times,vitriolic debate has preceeded this decision which has surprised many. Not so much the decision/outcome but in fact, the speed and bravado that has been used. Some folk here are very crest-fallen and others just plain furious that a sabbath-breaking Sunday sailing but there are others,lots,like me who are delighted to see the fundamental issue of CHOICE be the ultimate decision. I absolutely support (even vaguely admire) any Sabbath held view (although too much thought should not be spent on vagueries of which day is Sabbath/Holy/Lord’s etc) and can see lots of appeal in maintaining status quo of museum mentality for the Island but 21st Century appears to be well on its ways to Lewis. We nearly have usable broadband, we have Sky to replace terrestrial (unviewable )tv , we have Tesco and Co-op doing very well, we have very healthy tourist influx (really difficult getting car slot on Monday ferries and others!!!) and we will always have these blasted midges!!!!!
Hebrides in Sail is on in background this week and concludes on Saturday…..hope to post some pics after the weekend.
Captain Pugwash big Adventure…
Yet another first for intrepid thrill seeker…..
Local neighbour rang to invite for gentle meander down the Minch.
I had dropped a hint that I might like to try out for crew on his Krill/Prawn gatherer. Boat had been having bottom-scrubbed at Marvaig and was due back at Lemreway asap. Enter Captain Pugwash,your poster!!!
Having never set foot on fishing boat before,I was kindly rowed from the shore-line to a raft where we embarked…me very gingerly!!
Then all set……off on the high seas (well a slight swell) and down a misty grey coast line and turning after a couple of hours into Lemreway after clamber back into row-boat, back onto dry land.
I have video for posterity and attach link for pics…..
http://s293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/rjgvip/CaptainPugwashAdventure/
I have to say HUGE thank-you to neighbour known as Smiler……was a big deal for land-loving city boy!!
Zoe,Ellie,Skip also hi and nice to meet you (no Rosie this time)……
kind regards
Captain Pugwash/aka GravirLife
RJG
Cutting,turning Peat….eek
Hi from very tired/weary bloke who has just tasted first real experience of Peat cutting and turning.
I have been fortunate to meet a local chap (a Crofter from Calbost) who would appreciate some manual labour/help on his Peat cut. In exchange for help turning and stacking and bagging his cuttings, he has kindly given me a small strip to play with…….you may know the cutting traditionally commences 1st May and then any available dry days are good to get cutting as the whole routine is very lengthy and time consuming (yes Pat, my back is aching big time). Cutting is hard work (especially for a Southern Softie like moi) and then first drying 1 side and then 2/3 weeks later turning and drying the other and then 2/3 weeks later stacking in mini-hillocks before bagging maybe another week or two later…..needs kids doing easy turning work whilst ma/pa or friends get down and dirty with the Peat. As coal is now £7.50 a 25kg bag which last 2 days? the benefit of using this free/renewable fuel source is obvious and admirable…however, very labour intensive and achingly hard work (quite weather reliant) and as the day wore on I was thinking delivered coal was looking cheaper by the minute (lol).
I am determined (even now obligated) to seeing out this 1st Season as I arrived here last Sept and was behind the pace and not informed/engaged with local practice. I am deeply indebted to several local folk recently who haveshown kindness and encouragement for this well-intentioned (but tradition ignorant new boy) and although they are safely anonymous, Patrick from Calbost and Irene from Gravir….very many thanks….RJG
Callanish standing stones by Philip Coppens
Fabulous, well researched,thought provoking article from Philip Coppens
I would like to share with you and hope you find it of interest.
http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=112418503059&h=Ok9_u&u=BiC-_&ref=nf
Photo updates and recollections……
Hi Bloggers/Readers
Wow what a wonderful last few days of sunshine here on the Western Isles.
I have been very lucky and had family come and stay from Somerset……both kids (8/14) loved being in such beautiful,peaceful and open surroundings.We set out from Gravir on Sat/6.15am with local Community Association coach trip to North/South Uist and although the journey was pretty long with very few stops we managed to get an overall impression of both N/S Uist as being very well worth more time to view at leisure/detail.
Please see LINK to pics… http://s293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/rjgvip/Lews%20Castle%20Grounds/Uists%20Beach%20and%20Art/
Finger still in tact and beach as good as it gets on Eriskay….well worth time spent.
Also had time together for very leisurely stroll around Lews Castle grounds on Sunday. Hope you like some of the pics (will attached link later to fuller albums on Photobucket) and can appreciate the area either in person or by some of these shared pics.
More pics of flowers/castle/grounds… http://s293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/rjgvip/Lews%20Castle%20Grounds/?start=0
Hope all is well with you and yours…………RJG
Back from Island Blogging…..but hope it changes over there?
Hi to any who might ever have read my posts or seen my pics on Island Blogging. I only left because the level of personal abuse and vile behaviour was just too much. This Blog will be moderated only to the point of serious swearing and no flaming as we can all do that via direct email without showing off on open Blog….agreed.
I hope some people from IB will correspond/post here as I have really enjoyed living/being on Western isles and hope to share with you and hear from you about stuff….not the dreaded Tcosy please as not my cuppa humour….Peace and Love……….RJG
