We are off to Portree to-day, just for a few hours but needs must. The ferry is coming first thing with a surveyor who is going to survey the site and surrounding area where the new house is going. It is a grey start but there is a promise of a better day. Fingers crossed.

Sunny days

Been good this last week, most of it. There has been plenty sunshine but come last weekend it became business as usual as rain and wind came back in. The colours are changing slowly but it is like everything else a little bit late this year.

Sausage Days

We started last week with a mega venison sausage day. We had so much mince we thought we would try out a new sausage recipe and I can report they are very tasty.

The Left Overs

Clive and Ali were over from last Tuesday to help out for a week and first day as it was calm we had an afternoon out on the boat. Their dogs were very keen on the bones from the deer we had just butchered!!

Planning Day

On their ferry last Tuesday Graham the Council Planning officer gave us a visit he was interested to see the site and discuss our plans, fingers crossed for a good result when we eventually apply for planning permission.

On The Spot repairs

The first job was to carry out an on the spot (temporary) repair to the jeep. We had hoped to replace it when the landing craft came but we could not find anything suitable. As it always happens when the landing craft left the jeep started to give some mechanical problems.

Back To The Landing Craft

With the weather during the week being settled it was a pleasure to get going tidying up outside.

Fuel Days

The fuel tanks are all full, first time for a very long time.

More Repairs

More breakdowns at the end of the week, Mr Honda sells wonderful quad bikes but their big failing is their starter motor brushes and as you can see we have had a few. I can change them in my sleep now, must write to Honda and complain.

The Poly Tunnel At last

Clive and Ali were here a couple of years ago in February and enjoyed fantastic weather, they did not expect sunshine after following the blog all summer but you never know. At last we got the poly tunnel cleaned up, it has been a bit of an eyesore this year since the plastic blew off. But with Ali and Clive’s gardeners expertise we have it ready for next season, great.

Breakdowns (yet Again)

Saturday morning I went up to get the bike all ready with the starter repaired. pressed it into gear and the gear lever snapped, what next. That was a time consuming repair, welding it back up but I got there ‘eventually’.

Changeover Days

It did not affect the changeover and our new visitors arrived, Dave and Sharon left, very happy after their relaxing week enjoying the best week of weather for a while.

Hubsan Helo’

Saturday afternoon was very sunny, we had visitors from Applecross and Badachro. Andrew and Lyndsey were coming down on their RIB for an evening with us. We were looking forward to seeing them and catching up, Andrew is one of the SAR pilots in Stornoway so we often see the helo’ passing. They had given us a small remote controlled drone/helicopter that was beyond my understanding (the instructions were in Chinese) but in the evening Andrew got it going after it had been looking at me for months. We had a lot of fun flying it round the house. Unfortunately the blades are all bent now so back to the drawing board.

Helicopter Days

Last time they were here with friends they were expecting their first child so we were keen to give their daughter Robyn her first toy box which she seems to like very much, Andrew is threatening to turn it into a box cart!!

Robyn

Sunday was a down day, a wee walk in the afternoon over in the forest looking for chantrelles was the only exercise, but it seems we were too late and found just a few.

Forest Days

Monday, yesterday was a good day. Again the jeep needed attention but this time a bit more serious. The door pillar was rotten and needed the hinge welded on, just as well I had Clive to hold onto and help me fit the awkward door.

More and More repairs

That done we got on with the strimming and some firewood. A long day and then two yachts came in just on dark. It seems a bit late but there is still time for a few more.

The wind is blowing out of the NW but not too strong, so hopefully the journey to Portree will not be too bumpy this morning.