At last we are getting a wee break from Rona, much needed and looking forward to it very much. Off on a magical mystery tour round the country, nothing too exotic but hopefully very relaxed.  The past few days have been manic and it will be with a big sigh that we will board MV Aspire tomorrow (last Friday). In the meantime a quick update of the past few weeks activities. The rut I posted about a week ago, so plenty there under the Red Deer page. But normal work does carry on regardless of all the extra bits and pieces.

Regular Visitor

It is a great time to be out on the hills, great views and light, no winter storms yet so plenty boats about.

Fladda Autumn

Looking down to Fladda and sorry that John and Arlet are away home now for the winter, our closest neighbours, as the crow flies. Hopefully I’ll get down there next year for a visit.

Water Woes

It has been all about the water this last week or so, the 6 monthly clean out of the system was too late to stop the filters clogging up nd the filtration was very slow, we did not run out of water but we had to turn on the emergency tank. That then galvanised me into trying to get a much faster solution, especially with a new house on the horizon needing more supply.

Detailed Drawing

Hugh “Scoraig Wind”   was very helpful with his suggestions and looking to the future with rainwater harvesting, I sent him a Bill Cowie!!! detailed drawing. By the time we left the back up tank was finally filling up, all good though and we are now looking forward to implementing some of the changes.

The Work Goes On

One thing we don’t lack is the rain to fill the reservoir and tanks, the damp atmosphere is pretty hard on the timber and requires constant maintenance.

Winter Coming

With the low light just now even the rain showers are pretty spectacular.

Last Lift Of Creels

Lots of jobs to get out of the way and it is always a sad day to be taking up the last fleet of creels, although this fleet have had their day and need replaced. But it is a long winter without some fresh crab or a lobster for tea. Maybe I’ll ambush Yogi.

Storr Standing Out

Back and fore to Dry Harbour quite a lot just now as the jobs mount up but the views are always good to look at.

No Wonder We Run Out Of Water

After all the guests the washings were backing up, we like to use the wash machine when it is windy cutting down on genny use but sometimes we just have to go for it.One week in October Lorraine had 22 washes to deal with and then we wonder why our water is running out!!

Another Late Visitor

We think we have seen the last of the yachties but there is no surprise on sunny days when a late visitor comes into the bay, in fact half an hour before we left on Friday we had another.

Good Friends

The animals are doing well, no lambs sold this year, we had too many ewe lambs which is good for us. This ‘wild’ Greylag goose has fairly taken to the garden, it has no fear. Left by its family or maybe it chose to stay, it hangs about getting the best grass, chasing the lambs and the hens if they get too close.

On Their Way

Early Morning Start

A fortnight ago to-day I took off to Portree for the last time, it was a beautiful morning very calm and yet another stunning sunrise.

Portree Monday Morning

A Fine Morning

Flat Calm, Fast Run Down

It was a chance to get all the rubbish off Rona (empty bottles, Lots!!!!), shopping and other necessary jobs, bank, post office. Then after fish and chips with a pint from Donald’s Pier Hotel it was a quick trip back in glorious sunshine.

Equally Fast Trip Home

End Of A Lovely Day

In fact the day ended as it started with clear skies and no wind, like a summers day.

Nature By The Window

By the window where we keep the phones the wildlife is very entertaining, there is a wren who feeds all the time on the flies that this spider catches in its web, I’ll catch a photo of the wren one of these days but the spider is usually pretty quick, however the wren is quicker sometimes.

Pressures On

Back to the day job and the new compost toilet took shape despite the builders phone springing a leak and covering everything with the gunge, best just to leave it alone until it hardens.

Still Rutting

I got up in the morning mid week to find stag ‘Torn Ear’ still riutting with hinds, no roaring now and a he looked a very tired stag.

Oops!

Off down to the shed to carry on with the compost loo to find the foam had hardened, a few cuts with the knife and we were in business, not such a disaster after all.

Bewicks Passing

The geese had been passing all of October, I think the first ones in September,I saw the Barnacles one day going South from the boat and here were the Bewick swans, heading to Bedford I guess.

Steve’s Week.

Our last guests of Summer season left on Saturday Steve and his family were back for a visit and we had some good fun with them.

Scratching My Head

With time running out there was lots to do before the holidays, sometimes things just click but I was having a problem with the compost vent and I’m none to comfortable on ladders at the moment.

Almost Finished

But I got it all done and that was another job ticked off

Missing Buoy

Out on the boat for the last time, the mooring buoy pick up rope had severed and the mooring lost, the rope does float but it is heavy with weed so I spent some time searching for it, then spotted it lurking below the water. The Bewick Swan was obviously a straggler, and reluctantly left when I got too close.

Straggler

With the tides going back I just managed to get a high enough tide to pull the boat out and a morning later the MV Rona was up on the hard stand for the winter

Winter Quarters

One more job down.

Struggling

It rained a lot that night and I was disappointed to see a leak in the roof, the only thing I could find was a porous coping, on Iain our joiners advice I put a temporary lead cover on it and hopefully this will sit there for a while or until I get back.

Temporary Fix

With time running out the last job was to sort out the sheep and put the ewes to the very frustrated Tup who was on the other side of the fence. That done, the list of jobs for Ali and Clive was growing longer as we prepared to go for our annual holiday.

Sheep Work, Separation

We are now in Crew heading South in one hour, it is Monday the 7th, we have been in Perth for the night, Lake Windermere the next night and now with our pals Brian and Gill in their new house in Crewe. Much excitement as we head to Hungerford to pick up our Canal Barge which will be home for the next week. No internet and peaceful cruising, can’t wait. I’m getting grief for doing the blog just now so I’m not checking it for typo’s I’ll just let it take its chance……….