Well, here we are at the end of 2024, the Blog has been sporadic, such is the pressure of keeping Rona together. We are time poor, it has been a strange year as we move to the retirement stage. Some say we will never leave, others wonder, what would we do, how can you replace this. BUT the thing is no one and I mean no one really knows what goes on here. They see what they see they assume a lot and they think theyknow but there is so much that happens behind the scenes all year round that makes it all work, so much of it by, I have to say by Lorraine and myself, I think we sometimes make it look easy. But there is nothing that can compare to the joy of living here in this fantastic house on this Island, far from perfect but perfect for us for the last 23 years

Let us start with the Eagle, lovely to see the Male? back again after the last post (excuse the camera dates, technology and me, argh)

The stalking with guests was over, time for holidays. visits to see friends, things we want to do, time to do it.

It was off to Padstow in November, Mike and Lorraine stood in for us and did all the jobs on the list and more, fed old George our cat of 18 years, the most important. We had a full itinery of visits South, stopping at Edinburgh, Darlington, Harrogate (nice), Crewe, London (madness), Farnborough then Padstow. Padstow was great very relaxing, only managed one swim but many walks, looking forward to going back, perhaps St Ives next time, it was beautiful and really friendy folk.

Then a second visit to Ediunburgh to see our dear friends Jennie and Laurie, we like Edinburgh and had too short a stay, looking forward to retirement and more Edinburgh visits. The highlight of the visit was an overnight in Leith, which is under development and a fascinating new area. The flats by the sea look expensive and so they are, but why do people trash places like this. Dog crap left in bags, is there really any need for people to think this is acceptable, unbelievable.

Back up the road ion snow, the tyres of the Skodfa more or less useless, it was a long drive. Back to Rona and Christmas Venison orders were piling in, so some stalking and a lot of butchering

In the meantime trying to do that and everything else things happen. The generator started doing weird things one night, pulsing. I could not understand it and switched it off only to find I had run out of fuel. That was a surprise but not really, I knew we were running the genny a lot and was checking fuel. But the sight tube had dirt in it and the level was stuck, no wonder I thought it was looking good.

So when we went off to Edinburgh we dropped drums on Dan’s old boat, MV Stardust, Tommy took them ashore on our return from Edinburgh and we managed to get deisel in Portree and over to Rona, a get out of jail one. Since then 1000 litres have been delivered and now we await Kerosene from Dan. Interestingly the batteries despite very little wind lasted for our whole Edinburgh trip but they were on their knees by the time we got home and immediately put on the petrol generator.

We have new CCTV cameras, Reolink, excellent so we can head off for a few days and leave the Island unattended. The quality is really good and it records everything, but it was the first time I had to lock everything for so long, it was a real job finding keys, but all sorted and all secure.

The other sad news is that Our cat George passed away so there is no need for cover just to feed George, we miss him and the house is empty without his presence. RIP George.

The weather has really been tough this winter but there has been the very odd days.

I even managed a few swims but having had this dreadful cold I am not getting the enthusiasm for the Winter Chilly Challenge just yet. Once the sun comes back look out.

Back to the day job, the tasks are varied and getting to be a bit too much for me, so to that end we are stepping back and a decision will be made in January about the future, those with Christmas cards will know our plans but we will wait until then to make an annoucement. Meanwhile the work goes on.

Wishing all my blog followers a great New Year and best wishes, good luck and good health for 2025, I think it is going to be an interesting year ahead.