Here’s us looking back over the last months and cannot believe we have had the longest day the other day and it is all downhill from here. April pictures will give you an idea of the pace over  here this last while.

All About The Sheep

We were a little later this year with the lambs, Mr Tup was delivered in mid to late November last year and what a lucky break to miss the ‘Beast from the East.

Possibly M V Aspire’s Last trip

After many years of loyal service to Rona, Kevin and Pam retired having put MV Aspire up for sale and a buyer was found. I’m sure they are missing the sea but not the Saturday morning dash to Rona with huge amounts of luggage!!

Kenny’s Last trip.

Kenny was in too on MV Seaflower as it too was going on the market and despite buying lots of Lotto tickets we couldn’t get the cash together to make an offer.

Kenny on Seaflowers Last Trip

Again, I’m sure Kenny and Gemma are missing their Rona trips but they will be back.

Pontoon Repair

With all these boats on the move it reminded me it was time for a look at the mooring and pontoon.

Wear and Tear

After 15 years of weather and boats tying up it was plain to see that the chains should be replaced. New ones are on order but we are waiting until we make new mooring blocks, then we will do it all together.

Pontoon and Mooring Repair

Three new moorings applied for and coming soon.

First Yacht

I finished the annual check and within a few days our first yacht of the year came in, we are now at over 100 visiting yachts by the 26th of June.

Firewood

Taking advantage of the calm weather and good tides I managed a few loads of firewood out of the forest. Looking forward to getting more cut later this year.

Stardust Standing In

In between ferries Dan was standing in as he does but with Sea Eagle season on the horizon it was looking like a difficult time to fit us in.

The Joys of Shepherding

Waiting for the lambs to come and not a lot of forage about is always a stressful time and it is always worth a look around each morning. If you get complacent then you get hit, here we have one of our gimmers stuck in the bog which had a fence round it but the deer flattened it. It was not much of a fence I have to say.

4 Yachts Leaving

Calum was out helping with the house and we thought we had an early season burst with 4 yachts in just after Easter but it went quiet as it normally does.

Surprise Lamb

The Gimmer that was stuck in the bog was rescued, dried, put in a space blanket and given the usual boosters. We put her in the shed overnight and were not hopeful of her surviving but in the morning she was still alive but very weak.

Cheeky Wee Thing

Day two she was on her feet and later that day she had her first lamb, a tiny we ewe lamb. Both doing well.

Portree Trips

Last year and this Spring we have been over to Portree a lot, the weather has been kind and we have had all sorts on board. Looking forward to the end of the house build and treating the boat to new engines.

Another Load From Portree

We have handled the building material so many times, I know it all personally.

Calm Spring

But it will all be worth it in the end, we are getting there and looking forward to moving in before the start of winter.

Back to the Spring and the lambs came thick and fast.

Gambollers

Always good to see the lambs coming on and being ‘Blackies’ they are pretty tough.

Storm Clouds

Although we have had a pretty good Spring we did have odd stormy days but compared to past years this years weather has been very good.

After the storm and flat calm days, good to see the sun this year.

Great Spring Weather

We’ve been lucky with the sailings too and as the month progressed the cottages were busy and Dan was kept going.

Office Day

With all the work that is going on it was good to take a seat in the garden and make calls, sort out the logistics of getting building material and finishings here. Oh, reading the paper and having the tea!!

MV Spindrift Passing Through

I treated myself to a new long lens and took a run down the South end one Sunday, here was our old ferry boat, MV Spindrift, passing through the ‘Blind Sound’.

Portree Days

Unloading Rona Style.

Back to reality,  Monday morning over to Portree to pick up the Heating and ventilation system.

Unloading Rona Style

When the tide is turning at low water it is either a wait for 4/6 hours to unload or get wet feet.

A Challenging Load

But we have a system, climbing over the front bucket. After many loads like this it usually works out. Plenty more to come.

And that was April!!