Christmas day was as we like it, quiet. We had a lazy morning then a swim before Christmas dinner in the late afternoon, the weather was very fine for a while then the usual grey day. My son and three grandchildren arrived on Boxing day just in time for the ‘Bothy Binge’.

The kids got into the spirit of things right away, we got the fire pit going, food on the table, then the Boxing Day swim.

The swim was good, the water a balmy 8 degrees. Especially on one of the better days of the festive fortnight. Our cottage guests were over, wet suits were pulled out of the store and half the party went in for a refreshing dook. After that a relaxing drink with a late lunch.

Then the real fun started as the Christmas drinks flowed. In September we had made a bet with Mel and Lee of Purple/Blue Beard fame. We are pretty sure Lee has always had his beard (and hair) dyed on Rona but will have to check. (After the second visit, he did not want to scare us)!! So it is part and parcel of their visit. During their wedding celebrations we had said that we could grow our beards no problem and be ready for dye during their Christmas visit.

Grant and I had a wee competition to see how our beards would grow and I think we were just about even, a bit of getting used to but good fun anyway. So the day arrived.

Lots of fun, for the life of me I cannot understand the folk I see sitting in the hairdressers breathing in ammonia, silver decorations in their hair!! That was the worst bit. But soon it was time for the blue and a trim, good fun. But sadly it is not lasting and by the time I go to Portree this Monday I think it will be back to normal. Maybe just as well.

Finally at a reasonable hour we headed home with the kids and left the rest of the gang to enjoy the Bothy Binge which they did to a late hour, lots of hangovers the next day, but great fun.

Thought I would tag the next photo on as I received it that day. This is from Wayne at Braemore Estate on the Ullapool road. A stunning picture of a herd of mostly hinds that they have on their Estate. It is a very evocative picture because as I read of yet another Deer Consultation where the Scottish Government are trying to basically point the finger at Sporting Estates for our so called nature depleted country. I hate that term and I think those that promote it need to get out more, see what is actually on our world famous ‘bare ‘hills. Blaming our iconic Red Deer for all the ills of the countryside and in the same breath releasing Beavers. The madness continues as they now push for wild cows, horsers, bison, where will it end. More on this subject coming in future blogs.