Saturday changeover day was an improving picture and here we are Tuesday in 20 plus degree heat, not a cloud in the sky and very warm. Last fortnight has been a trial and we were so sorry for our visitors having to put up with the change in weather. But that is not what Rona is about, there are plenty other things on even in the rain.

Peters Coming

Peter Umber, an old German hunter I met many years ago was coming to Rona, with his dog. So even more pressure to get a kennel built to keep the dog out of the way. As it turned out Peter’s dog was very well behaved off the lead  and looked at both the sheep and hens with disdain whilst the hens inspected him.

Stuart and Family Mucking in.

Even in the rain there is always plenty to do and when Stuart came over for their daily outing I pulled them into service, very willing helpers too.

Easy Does it.

Quite strange writing the blog (Wednesday) after another  day of 20 degree sun and looking back at last week.  It was not all bad though, we went a walk a week ago to get walking sticks as my favourite hazel sticks had all but disappeared (broken probably). Over to the woods and there were plenty to choose from.

Summer Forest Growth.

The growth is phenomenal this year and we took time to check the regen’. Despite the deer it is thriving but the wind is more of a hindrance. This patch of pine will not come to much I think, but there is plenty of it.

Regeneration at its best.

The deer are about and there is a family living around the house and they regularly come to graze. Nothing seems to bother them, they simply step off the road into the forest. Often they are hanging about first thing.

New Calves.

I’ve been out stalking with Peter, my German visitor this week and am happy to see many new calves, after what I thought was a poor season it seems that it was a good year for breeding.

Thursday last week we took off to Inverness, clinics, dentists, doctors and shopping all in a day and a half. We left Calum in charge and headed down to Strathpeffer with a couple of Lobsters for tea. The Lobsters are plentiful this year and last week Craig who was in the ‘Escape’ house with his family, caught one.

Exported Lobster

We had a bit of a rush and as we had offered the bunkhouse to this weeks guest on Friday night, (there was no accommodation available on Skye!!) we had to get our skates on and head back for 6ish. it was a fine night but pretty bouncy on the way out.

Bouncy!!!!!!!

Saturday we still had the changeover and the weather was still from the North and by midday it cleared.

August Returns

We had a bit of a catch up tidying up loose ends and stocking up the firewood after a cold spell.

Stocking up.

We got everyone sorted out and by late afternoon it was wine o’clock and we retired to MV Kestrel for a drink that went on a wee bit until late!! Sunday morning Calum and Irene went off on tour and I headed South with Peter to check out the stags. That’s when Peter discovered the Rona terrain and after a couple of hours walking I had to go for the jeep to collect him.

Rescue

Next morning was serious stalking and i headed over to the cottages early, only to find Peter holding his arm. It had seized up overnight, an old injury had become inflamed. He was out of the game so I decided to go myself, just as we were talking these 5 military jets flew over, high in the sky.

Whats That About

I found a young stag and reported back to Peter. He requested a day off which I was happy to do. I came over in the afternoon and found him enjoying the sun outside. The Escape guests were swimming and having a great time in the water which they said was cool enough.

Too Sunny For The Photo

It is getting late I’m up early with Peter he is wanting to go out for a prowl. More of the last couple of days events plus the swimming stags in the next blog. In the meantime here is the days venison cuts after a lesson from Peter who was a butcher once upon a time.

Venison Pack.