Just Passing

We have a Pal, he was passing the other day but had no time to drop in, maybe some other day!!!!! It was clear pretty much most of that day to the North of us but a bit of cloud came up from the South in the afternoon, which made for some stunning light.

I can’t believe it is ten days since the last blog, where does the time go? Well, we did not get off on that Monday 11th, the forecast was very wrong and it was Wednesday before Dan could get over in Stardust to take us back to Portree, even then there was a big sea. But it almost went flat as we left Rona by the time we got to a few miles North of Portree harbour it was pretty calm, then it was into the car for 5 hours and on route to Edinburgh.

Flat Calm Ferry, last Wednesday.

Of course the ferries we have to-day are much bigger and more sea worthy compared to the old days. But the wind has been difficult this last while.

Good Return Trip

After a good three days enjoying Edinburgh hospitality and not really doing anything (drinking and eating) it was back to Rona and straight out onto the hill to try and complete the deer cull. I saw plenty deer but not the right ones until I was almost back to Dry Harbour, I had walked up the West side then cut back into the wind. With the two deer in the chill it was time to concentrate in catching up on outside work. The East wind had made the Island dryish so it was a good chance to get some JCB work done.

A New Route, Up The West Side, Looking Back.

The road got washed away a few weeks ago so there was work there plus ditching. I was working away until the JCB mysteriously slowed down, I was perplexed and was thinking it was all sorts of problems, I even phoned Hugh. He diagnosed dirty hydraulic filters. But in the morning as I switched on the engine I spotted a switch with a tortoise on it, DOH. I had switched it onto slow running and did not even know that I had such a switch.

A Couple of Stags

In a good way it was probably better to be doing the ditching slowly, the JCB jerks a lot (user error perhaps). At this time of year everything very quickly turns into a mess when working outside so it is knowing when to stop and move on, but I was pleased to get this job done. An added bonus was the three stags looking down on me less than one hundred yards away with the Sea Eagle circling above their heads. The Sea Eagle has taken to roosting in the forest across the harbour occasionally. Must keep an eye on him.

The Turtle Ditch

I was only back a few hours and the power failed, Calum had been here and I wondered if he had been working on the generator, but no it was the age old problem of the Modex controller which is getting a bit of vibration off the genny and every so often the contacts get dirty and it fails. Just a thump to the box usually does it but we could do with a new one. L would not have found this fault for sure if I was away. Anyone got one…………

Genny Woes

I was writing this yesterday (Wednesday) but other issues arose. But yesterday afternoon there was the most beautiful light. I had to check the mink traps at Dry Harbour so I grabbed the big camera and headed up the hill, this was the view.

The Sunset Tonight

It just got better and better and makes living here all the more enjoyable when you get a view like this.

Close Up

It was a good end to the day and looking over to Torridon it was throwing a lovely light onto the snow topped mountains.

On The Way Over

The Old Man of Storr was peaking out of the clouds and the sun started to paint the hills red.

The Old Man Of Storr Sticking Up Through The Cloud

On the way back over every corner there was another completely different scene.

On The Way Back

And finally the Sound had changed completely in a matter of minutes.

Last Gasp Sun, Disappearing Fast

I got home and got a bit of computer stuff up to date, one job was to order up three of these books. We have hundreds of books and quite a few cook books but this is the best one I have seen. Worth a look, I bought it for my Christmas and read it very quickly, the recipes are pretty good, a good selection. (More on the Deer Page). Then I went upstairs, round about tennish…………

The Best Venison Book Yet

I think it is a common thing for folk who live out in the remoter areas, to have a wee look outside, does it tell you what the day is going to do tomorrow? is it curiosity on a dark night? I do not know but it is something I have done for a long time. Last night when I looked out the window the moon was very bright out the South window, out the North there was a tell tale glow. So I decided to take a run up to the top of the hill to see if the Northern Lights were making an appearance. After our New Year experience we are keen to see more and where better to see it than Rona.

Looking North

I took a picture from Dry Harbour, it was much more colourful and shafts of green light but I was only trying the camera out and it was hand held. So, it was pretty blurred but it was much better image than above (honest) I should have stayed where I was. I fancied that from the top of the hill it would be a better sight and it was still worth heading up there at ten thirty  the moon was so bright behind me and the snow on the hills was quite bright with it.

Looking North East from Meal.

Next Time, I’ll pay a bit more attention!!

To-day the wind has gone right round to the South West, it is grey, wet and breezy, gales coming. Same old but plenty to do inside.