The end of another week (at Last)

Walking the Dog

Ian Edwards had been in with Yacht Eynhallows and his dog (Rona) for his annual bottle of whisky. The weather was windy when he got here and since then it has got progressively worse. Everything is so wet and trying to finish the earthworks has been a bit of a trial. BUT it just makes us realise how lucky we were to get away with the work we did earlier this month. Roll on the sun.

Service Repair on the Welder

Last Saturday we had no changeover so for a change we decided to get away from the diggers and concentrate on the servicing, repairs and maintenance. With two engineers on the Island it was good to get major jobs out of the way.

Mobile Welder

The weather of course went from pleasantly dry to heavy rain around lunchtime, just when we were going to weld up the pontoon!!

Parked Up

We did have visitors but they were arriving on their wee Dory. We do get visitors to the cottages who want to take boats but we are always keen to point out the exposed nature of Rona, this week was no exception. However a sunny calm week with a boat can make for just the best time.

Back to the harbour and Hugh was welding in the pouring rain, much to my surprise.

Making the impossible possible

Monday dawned a better day and we were on the home straight joining up the new path East of the house. The first load was a bit of a disaster the ground being so wet and me stepping off the Terram.

Ditched

We abandoned the tractor and used the heavier dumper but took the stone out by the machine. Which meant a lot of tracking but it helped flatten the track.

Taking Shape

It was the best day of the week it turned out but by night the mist had started to come in and out of it came the Portree lifeboat on exercise. They declined my radio call invite for tea as they had ‘visitors’ on board, maybe next time.

Monday Training

Seems they were looking for a man overboard and had thrown a dummy out in the Sound, just to make it interesting they came and practiced anchoring in Big Harbour while the MOB floated away. Hope they found it.

Change in the Weather

Next day as Broadford basked in sunshine we had very cold wet fog, all day. Very atmospheric but frustrating

Getting Ready For The Off

All to soon we were down at the house with all the plant and the landing craft was organised for Thursday. The tidy stuff was hampered by the rain of course but we battled on concious that we were running out of time.

The Final

Tuesday after dinner we looked at the forecast, did not like the look of Wednesday/Thursday so decided to get Hugh off to Arinish in MV Rona. The trip was bouncy but no problem.

Having A Go

Difficult to take pictures when you are holding on with one hand, taking photos and crashing into waves

The Finished Article

Wednesday the tidy up was on, the wind had picked up and it was gusting too strong for boating so thank goodness we got Hugh away. It did not look good for the landing craft next day but the weather does not seem to bother Greg Milligan.

Strapping Down The Plant

Thursday I called Greg to say there was a huge lift and waves coming from the North, Jamie his son was skippering so a message was sent suggesting travelling up the Inner Sound. Which turned out to be quite bouncy but better than the West side. Once he had loaded he chained down everything and headed off. He had a look down the Sound but the sea was still very high so back the way he came was the best option.

First thing Thursday morning before we got going we spotted a new lamb in the field, it was the coldest, wettest start for the lamb so I put it inside. I spotted a lamb limping and when everything was sorted with the landing craft I caught the ‘limper’ and was sorry to see a pretty big abcess on its leg. The lamb was obviously distressed so I lanced it, not a pretty sight before dinner, then gave it some antibiotics. I happy to say it is running around here on Saturday morning.

Just For A Change

Kevin is on his way, a wee bit later than usual, we were waiting a bit longer to-day to make sure the sea had calmed and so it has. Although I do still see the occasional big white splash as he heads to Rona. I hear on the radio Yacht Destiny is heading this way too. It has been quiet with yachts but one or two have appeared this week, one had a bite out of a rock at the mouth of the harbour (Name unknown)but the tide was lifting, I guess he was lucky. The weather is still a bit changeable for sailing I guess.

So who knows what next week will bring, with a full house in the cottages I guess we will be busy and with lots of leftovers from Hugh’s visit we will not have to look too far for things to do.