Gravir Life

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

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

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

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