Never mind the grumpy digger driver, it is my turn at the moment!!!

The Right To Roam

These guys, three of them were wandering around the house, cabin and house site in the late evening, last week. When asked why they were wandering about around our house when the signs clearly say we are closed at 7pm, they replied just having a look. Well, after 13 years of just having a look I get a bit fed up of people prowling round the house looking in the windows, so I ask them to respect our privacy and place and just go-away!!!! To which they replied,  ” We have the right to roam, we can go where we want”.  They were none too happy to be asked to leave and have the “Outdoor Access Code”, quoted to them. It just so happened that we had read up on it the day before after a similar incident. Maybe I’m missing something here but if I went into red jacket guys garden in Derby where he said he lives at 8.30pm of an evening  ‘just having a look’ I don’t think he would be too happy……………when asked what he would do in a similar situation, he did say he would call the police …….

Okay, that’s my summer moan out of the way.

Moving on……….I’m a bit confused about this blog because I think I may have done this already but I cannot find the post so maybe not? Where was I? Last time I posted it was the 7th of the 7th, so here we are with another ‘quick’ update.

Stunning Night

Seems like weeks ago myself and French visitor Thierry were out on MV Rona fishing for the next days dinner. I have not been out much this season what with weather and being tooooooo busy.

Looking to Staffin and Harris

Thierry was off his Yacht up at the house to buy some venison and when I asked would he like to crew MV Rona he jumped at the chance. He is I think he said and Astro Physicist, he was very good at fishing though, turns out his brother is a fisherman.

Same Time

We had gone out because Dave and Helen our holiday cottage visitors were hoping to go out on the boat then back to the house to cook what we could catch the next day. The forecast was grim so I went out the night before just as a back up. The bay was full of yachts, good to see one with a sense of humour!

Happy Boat

It was a calm night with great views and the catch was pretty good too, for a change.

Back To Base

Out on the boat we had some good sightings of deer on Rona with a few good stags at the South end.

Kyle Rona Stags

In the morning despite the grim forecast the day was clear and crisp. I got up early and headed South to get a few pictures of the Bay.

Early Morning Prowl

I think there was 10 in that night not the most as we have had twelve one night this month.

Checking the pot

Coming back from the photos I spotted the fox gloves that had come on big time since Hugh dug up and shaped the path a few years ago. Just goes to show what can happen with a bit of ground disturbance.

Fox Gloves

We went out around 9.30am, the sun quickly disappeared and a chop arrived on the sea, but my new crew were happy to get a sail and catch some seafood.

The Catch

When we came back in a couple of kayakers rocked up and had a bit of shelter to have a brew. We have not seen many this year, I think the weather has been a bit difficult for them and the calm weather a bit early when it was quiter. But the season is still young, so maybe we will see a lot more.

Not Many This Year

Back to the kitchen and the guys were quickly pressed into service making mayonnaise. Cracking open the prawns and mixing up a sauce for the squatties.

Lemon Squeeze

Making The Mayo’

A couple of hours (and bottles of wine later) we were finished and it was time for home.

Squatties Ready to Go

After commenting on not seeing many kayakers I was surprised to see another two making their way North later that day. Spotted paddling along the shore.

Spot The Kayakers (Little)

The week has shot past, I went to Portree to pick up a new freezer and Hugh. One of the many Liners visiting Skye this year was anchored in the mouth of Portree harbour, I could see that it was pretty busy at the pier.

…….and Large

I picked up some parts to repair the ever increasing list of things to be sorted. Never have I seen a time for breakdowns on Rona. Hugh was quickly pressed into service to fit the rear spring on the jeep.

Man Down

With the new jeep out of action it was imperative to get the old one going what with more rain forecast for changeover Saturday. As it happened again it was a sunny night and it felt like it would be good on Saturday.

Calm Night

Looking Back

Saturday came and MV Aspire arrived in the dry which was good with a new paint job on the wheelhouse underway.

Paint Job Underway

The rain had come on so rather than make a mess digging up phase two of our project we decided to work on the jeep, which needed a tow up the hill.

Long Tow

Next day, yet another breakdown, this time in the Escape House. The thermo coupler on the oven had broken and the oven would not stay on, what next?

More Breakdowns

Our new arrivals, Jo, Jen, Nick and Derek are keen tennis followers attend Wimbledon regularly, living in Essex its not a problem for a visit to the tennis. So, since they were 600 miles North on finals weekend, we suggested they may like to watch Andy Murray on the big screen. We couldn’t, too busy, but we were happy that they enjoyed their wet and windy day snug in the cabin watching the tennis.

Andy Murray…………..

There had been a request for Nick to go stalking, Derek had already been out a few years ago and enjoyed the day. It was the calmest, wettest morning of the month I think. The only thing missing was the midgies, we saw quite a few deer but they saw us first.

Nick and Derek Spying

Back to the day job and the building material needed shifting, Hugh carried on with the road.

Shifting Pipes

Lorraine’s brother and sister in law were over for a week from Canada and very keen for a days fishing, it was a bit of a jabble that day but the fishing was pretty good.

Dave’s Here

Lots of Yachts last week and from all corners, this Dutch couple, Jan and Renee were very keen to try the Rona whisky, they were good fun and came up with a bottle of their local liqueur to give us a taste of their local brew, we had  good crack and enjoyed their company, fine friendly yacht visitors.

Our Dutch Cousins

Mid week last week we had another good day and as we were running out of firewood we spent an hour or two filling up the boxes, this summer has had such a wide range of temperatures, the fire has been on quite a bit which is quite unusual. The boxes were almost empty so it was good to get ahead a bit.

Reducing the Pile

Meanwhile back at the shore Hugh had been shaping up a new slip, we had so much hassle unloading last time from the  landing craft ‘Spanish John’, Hugh felt that a straightforward slip on the shore which can be used in most tides would help a lot.

The New Slip

Mid Week we decided to lay the cables and drain the back of the  Lodge, we closed the road and got ready to go as soon as Calum arrived.

Roadworks

Calum came in about 10.30am Wednesday, it was all go from that moment.

Calum’s Back

Waterpipes and power cables were laid together without too much trouble.

Cable ans Pipe Works

We even got the road leveled out as a bonus after the ditch was back filled . Good to get rid of some of the stone sticking out.

Cable Laying

On Wednesday night we headed South looking for a young stag, we cannot keep up with venison sales which are going well with a big demand from the yacht visitors. We had a successful stalk and then back to the larder.

Stalking Late

No rest after a late night it was up early and into the replacement of the drains around the house.

Rain’s Coming

Always going to be a mess, the Lodge drainage was a race against time as the forecast was not too good, Earlier this year (or was it last) the road fell away and the waste pipe was damaged, so first job was to replace a burst rodding eye. That done it was time to work out the plan for laying the pipes. The Lodge has been consistently damp for years and we are keen to improve on that.

Inventive Corner

With no corner pieces we had to be a wee bit inventive with our cutting and joining.

Should Stop The Damp Bits

After a while it started to come together and it was time to fill in the hole, unfortunately after deciding the existing pipe could not cope with the outfall before the road up to the new house, we had to dig it up again, cables and all, to go below with a bigger pipe.

Letting The Water Go

Eventually after getting it open we released the water that had backed up, even in the hour we had held it back there was a considerable flood. In the past when this was not getting away the road was never drying out. Hopefully this will give us a major improvement.

Trying Our Best To Tidy Up

With the rain starting to fall, all that Hugh could do was level off and hope for the best. The ground was so soft we decided to close the road and direct the visitors up our alternative path. The next three days of, off and on torrential rain have been interesting but yesterday (Tuesday) I got the Irish drain in and a relief ditch dug, last night it was sheet lightening and thunderstorms and looking out this morning it is not pretty but at least it has worked.

Changeover

Saturday last came and went, the guests and Hugh went away, fortunately the rain held off but returned big time for the rest of Saturday later in the day.

The Bat

Sunday, Jo and Derek were coming over for a half day butchering the deer we got earlier in the week. They were keen to see how we do it and that they could apply that at home with and deer that Derek gets. Just before I set out the larder for the butchering I was going to clean the UV fly trap, I spotted a bat lurking in the corner, he was none too pleased to be evicted from his free feed.

Having a Butchers

It was a good day for it, wet, miserable, cold and grey, almost February. After a full morning and part of the afternoon the freezers are filling up getting us ahead of the game with the venison stock.

To-day, Wednesday after a night of sheet lightening, torrential rain it is a calm (midgie) morning. Lots to do as usual but to-day it is a paperwork morning then up to the garage to clear up. 8 Yachts in the bay, I guess we will have a busy morning with them  calling at the house.