There was not a lot to blog about since we came back from holidays, with an alcohol free and dieting month in front of us the continuing low pressures just added to the depression. So it was head down and get on with it. With no great forecasts on the horizon we were very surprised to wake up this morning with a slightly brighter picture. The forecast the previous evening was pretty vague but the dawn came and there were very few clouds. Here it is at 5pm this evening with the promise of a little bit of better weather tomorrow.

The Best Day Of The Winter Yet

A few banks of cloud came late on but it was a very good day and we managed to get lots done. It was just great to get around the place without oilskins and the head firmly down, although we have had the luxury of the jeep this winter which has been a Godsend.

Hungry

Although very wet there were a few glimpses of sun during the past week, but every day has been wet and some days it never stopped. The sheep are all surviving but there are a bigger percentage waiting every day for breakfast. It was so wet one morning that wherever we walked on grass we left muddy footprints with just one pass.

The Odeon

Saturday midday I finally managed to get our screen and digital projector up to the cabin. We had a lot of fun ‘going to the pictures’ on Saturday night. We got a popcorn maker from my oldest at Xmas, a miniature one. But it works well and it was a bit strange but a very enjoyable night. Looking forward to next weekends matinee!!!!

Work Dragging On

The holiday cottage work is dragging a bit but we are getting there, it is difficult to get it done quickly because you may be sure we will run out of something. So the job becomes very disjointed but there is light at the end of the tunnel. This week we put in the sink out in the new utility room and made some units but could not find the ply’ and ran out of timber. L was getting on with the painting. So tomorrow (Wednesday) it is off to Portree for a shop.

Same Old

Coming over the hill on Friday night the wall of rain and wind hit us, quite scary getting buffeted about in the jeep. It was a pretty windy night and it really poured down all night.

Even Better

On Saturday on our way home from DH it was a bit better but very cold, the red rim round the cloud promised some sun.

Almost There

Same again on Sunday, a full day at the kitchen and rain most of the day, the wind was still really strong, so much for the red sky the night before. The next day it was brighter, so you get the feeling that nature is trying very hard to give us some better days buy the low’s are winning. The cold night had the stock waiting patiently and I hadn’t started to put out the sheep nuts when I felt something behind me and here was Julie pushing in for a feed of the sheep’s breakfast.

Where’s My Breakfast

On the way over to Dry Harbour Monday it was plain to see just how cold it had been, the Torridon hills were white and clearing. It is always a fantastic sight the hills of Wester Ross, whatever time of the year.

Cold Change

A final push on Monday saw a late night there and we tidied up just as the sun was going down. It was a pleasant night and a lovely view, a few fishing boats had been out and the fish farm boats are still going back and fore to the outer Isles. We had gone as far as we could go with Skyescape and needed supplies so a tidy up and a stock check finished the days work.

Last Thing At Skyescape

To-day, the list of jobs we ticked off is very long. It was so good to have all the doors open and sun going through the house. A breath of fresh air for sure. The jeep had some kangaroo petrol the previous evening but it was probably low on petrol. It had been parked on a slope, so I checked the oil and water (for the first time) and fueled it, then I ran it to the bonfire to empty all the rubbish from DH. It ran well and it was good to leave all the doors open to dry it out. Then disaster, the mobile generator I had left out for Mike and Lorraine had finally succumbed to the elements and would not generate. So I fetched the smaller Honda and managed to get the job I wanted done. I need to paint the post box and replace the lock.

Ticking Off The Jobs

I had to cut off the bolt that was holding it on as it was seized. The weather has been very hard on everything here this winter. The way that the moisture finds its way into everything, even our bones is quite annoying but there is nothing we can do about it. Fortunately the Makita electric saw was ok and cut through the bolt like it was butter.

So it is off to Portree tomorrow, Kevin’s laid up with a sore back and Pam is off South so it is back to Dan’s MV Stardust tomorrow.

Fingers crossed!!