Gravir Life

Saga of burst pipes and missed trips….Happy Birthday Sacha

gravirlife — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 11:46:51 +0000

Returned from Xmas mainland break to find frozen,burst pipes in loft had made a mess!!!!! House flooded and unihabitable so what now/next. Insurers advise short stay BB/Hotel (yuk!!) and I take few days to find rented house in nearby village. Insurers send Loss Adjusters and we all start working out exactly what is ruined or not. Inventory of household items does not reflect sad feeling of gut-wrenching concern about what it will take to restore house and replace items. Insurers will pay for 3 month short-term stay in Orinsay (pics to follow) which both beautiful and convenient. 6 weeks later am still in negotiations with Insurers over specific items (have you got receipts for all items over £250?) but we are getting there. House should be ready again by 1st week April so busy sourcing carpets and goodies for house to be restored (I was going to decorate anyway!!!) but some things will take longer than others.

I had booked(Jan/Feb) 1st trip to Girona and 1st trip to Bezier on cheapie airline (sorry Carol,lunch another day) but lost out on both as admin/Life took priority but still sulking about that at least.

Met the interesting Soaplady whilst guiding kids around West Coast on very yukky day…..feedback so far on soaps is YUM ….!!!

35 years ago today, I became a Dad for the very first time. My beautiful,precious,weanie,vulnerable little girl was born. From the moment I held her in my arms and felt/smelt baby, I knew it was going to be a new Chapter in my Life and this little person would make a difference in mine and many others Lives………All grown up and fully independant (with Husband plus Daughter) but still so very precious. Much love from miles away from Dad/PapaG/RJG

Filed under: Island life

Beauly to Denny line approved….

gravirlife — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:23:41 +0000

Well, the stakes are high and big money is involved. Major players in the Renewable Energy game are rubbing their Corporate hands together. Line of pylons from Beauly to Denny for onward transmission of Electricity to the South has been approved by Government. I wonder now what the next moves are?

http://www.hebridesnews.co.uk/beauly_denny_approval_6110.html

As SHETL/SSE have more pressing interests in Irish project and down-rated the spend priority for Western Isles projects, we can only guess how plans for local Projects will develop?….tbc..

Posted in Island life

Autumn colours and friend leaves….

gravirlife — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:05:34 +0000

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

Posted in Island life

55 not out

gravirlife — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:27:51 +0000

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

Posted in Island life

Reggie’s Homecoming…..

gravirlife — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:09:14 +0000

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

Posted in Island life

Windy or what!!!!

gravirlife — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:07:31 +0000

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

Posted in Island life

Sunday Sailing is to be launched..!!!

gravirlife — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:43:07 +0000

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.

Posted in Island life

Captain Pugwash big Adventure…

gravirlife — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:35:02 +0000

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

Posted in Island life

Cutting,turning Peat….eek

gravirlife — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:29:28 +0000

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

Posted in Island life

Callanish standing stones by Philip Coppens

gravirlife — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:16:42 +0000

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

Posted in Island life