isleofronalog

Too Much……………….Part Two

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Bill Cowie

Part Two of the blog from the other day, yesterday was full on, with the first ‘Cook What You Catch’ trip so I missed my spot for putting up this post, but looking back to the previous week.

Last Saturday our guests went away, Hugh stayed, the lazer level arrived and we sorted out the house site, taking levels was good fun to do and pretty easy with Hugh’s directions.

The weather of course was not helping with the first real rain arriving. The job was done (for the moment) and we are moving onto drainage around Rona Lodge next week when Hugh comes back.

Site Works

We had a new surveyors tape, 50 metres long which made the tape/rope redundant but it did its job because when we did the triangulation and levels again proper, they were pretty much spot on with our mid week attempt.

In the middle of it all late on Saturday night the power went off, we had run out of fuel. We had 250 litres left from Hugh’s IBC so that went into the genny tank first thing in the morning.

I got that sorted and asked Hugh to level around the cabin, I went up late to rake off the stones around to find the lambs hiding underneath away from the midgies.I mentioned we had been out fishing at the end of last week, we found the spot for the Pollock but had a few Wrasse too.

Fishing

This colourfull fellow was happy to be thrown back. There is quite a bit of Wrasse fishing around the Island at the moment, they are caught and put into the Salmon pens where they feed on the parasites that the Salmon carry, a pretty good solution to that problem.

Finishing Up

All too soon Hugh was away mid-week. The road was flattened off, the roadsides battered down and the machine work was looking pretty impressive, in not much time either, well done.

Grading Off

We thought we would have to run in loads of stone but Hugh found sufficient material roadside to make the job, for the moment workable.

More Repairs

Back to the garage on a wet day and the old ATV motorbike starter went again, yet another repair. This is the 10th set of brushes I have replaced, you would think a corporation such as Honda would have a better quality starter but I understand that this is quite common, what a total waste of time and money.

Emergency Fuel Arrives

Wednesday last Kevin brought over 50 gallons of diesel which went into the tank too, we are now ok until the Spanish John arrives.

Ian Gordon Pressed Into Service

I took a day up at the garage and had a thought to do some preparation for the new plastic on the polytunnel. Ian Gordon off Yacht ‘November Lady’ was pressed into service to help cut the battens for holding the plastic down, always good to get a hand.

Spotted a Strawberry

Working away I spotted a strawberry growing away without the plastic cover, on closer inspection I found enough for the dinner that night, nice and sweet they were. We are looking forward very much to growing stuff again in the tunnel. Been too long.

BANG, So that was what the noise was

Friday we headed over to Escape cottage to sort out the bedding and preparation for the guests arriving on Saturday. The Diahatsu has been making a banging noise for months around the back end, but could we find out what was causing it. But on Friday we did. The spring had been almost broken for some time as the crack was rusty and worn once I stripped it. Obviously it had lost its spring and the body was just bouncing about. A new one is on the way.

New Spring Required

Saturday came, the new guests arrived, another honeymoon couple for Escape, Chris and Lucy who were here at New Year were married in Ireland the previous Saturday and were here to Escape the summer tourists.

Dave and Mae On The Mooring

Mike and Lorraine were out for a trip and it was a nice surprise to see them, all too short a visit but we may see them sometime soon. We had a couple from Sunderland on the mooring for three days, Dave let me know he was an engineer when he came up to pay the mooring so I pressed him into service helping me with the new jeep as it would not start. It turned out it was a duff glow plug, now stuck in the cylinder head!!! I swapped Dave a shot of the TV for his mechanical input so that he could watch the Grand Prix on Sunday, a good deal I thought.

The Bloom Continues To Impress

The sea still has the turquoise glow and when the sun is shining on it the colour really sticks out, pretty weird. I hear from Kenny Shieldaig that it is a plankton bloom, after the month of sun it was not unexpected.

Mega Strim This Week.

This week we are catching up around the Lodge, it has been busy but we have managed to get the field strimmed and fertilised. Lots more to do but that is me up to date with the blog for a little while

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Too Much To Do and No Time To Do It

Posted on July 4, 2016 by Bill Cowie

It is what it is here, the busy season and the fact that we have started the house building project just adds to the workload. Here’s a load of pictures of what we have been up to this last three weeks, short explanation provided but no long story, I’m playing catch up.

Matt and Helen

Seems like ages ago Matt and Helen who were over from Greenland, were here!!! On honeymoon but keen to get out on the water, the weather was soooooo good then.

Great Growth This Year

The growth this year is phenomenal. Even George the Cat was feeling the heat.

George Flakers

Matt offered to lend a hand, I’m always on the look out for volunteers.

Pressed Into Service

The shed was coming together but all to soon it was time for Matt and Helen to leave and of course the weather blew up, so nothing for it but the bumpy ride over to Big Harbour for the kayaks they had with them.

Too Rough to Paddle

Our guests left on Saturday 18th of June and Hugh, Ian and Nicky arrived then. Hugh back to the grind and Ian here for some joiner work/holiday!!

House Site

The weather was great for the first half of the week, so it made for a clean job.

Timber

Some old timers had to come down, but needs must.

Getting There

The site at last started to take on some meaning. We could just about imagine the house.

Anchor Dragging

But in the middle of it all the wind blew and some of our visiting yachts struggled to hold, this one ended up alongside the pontoon, not by design I may add.

Safer If I’m Off The Roof

After I fell off this roof on the Sunday Ian got on with it and I watched, sore!!

Repairs

Hugh had burst the wind screen of the digger a stone had shot through it, one of the first breakages, more to follow.

First of The Season

A wee bit of rain and chantrelle mushrooms were mentioned, we had a look and the first of the season were in the pan, they were delicious.

Shifting the Socket

Ian brought over some wet wall board for the venison cutting area, so I had to shift a socket, a simple job but it grew arms and legs but we got there.

Ingenuity

We wanted to mark out the corners of the house but the tape was not long enough, simple, we just measured 10 metres of rope and taped it on to the end of the surveyors tape.

Strangulation

Ian’s attention to detail was, well, a bit over the top!!!!

I Meant “Triangulation”

After a fashion we got there but the lazer level was still on Raasay, it would appear on the following Saturday.

The Level

We wanted to see the ‘proposed’ finished floor level so we put up a measure on top of the Datum point, looked scarily high.

The Totem Pole From a Distance

It looks a bit more exaggerated than it really is, honest.

Going For It

Hugh was lucky to find sufficient rock on site which helped immensely.

Finished For The Day

All in all a good week so far and finishing up on the Wednesday the 22nd of June on a lovely night.

Shifting 6 m Pipes

Sun still shining but the forecast was for rain, the pressure was on, get as much done before the monsoon.

Back Bearing in bits

In the meantime in between Hugh pecking away and Ian joinering we put new bearings into the old bike.

At Last The Front Door

We had had new door posts for the front door and seals for a couple of years lying in the shed, so it was good to get them fitted at last, good job Ian.

Door Emergency Repairs

Ian may be particular with his door fitting but myself and Hugh are a bit more relaxed. We could not get into the hinge so? Simple, just cut a hole in the wing. We quickly welded up the hinge for the second time and hey, ho away we go. Door fixed.

Been There Done That

Meanwhile, back to the bike swinging arm and as we had done this on many occasions it did not take too long although the remains of the bearing were stubborn to move.

Then There Was The Ceiling

It was all go and the last job for Ian before we would go fishing was the ceiling in the Lodge living room which had sprung a leak earlier in the year.

But What About The Plankton Bloom

More about the fishing tomorrow but the views and colours just now are pretty bright with the odd shower clearing the air plus the bloom on the sea giving a fantastic turquoise colour.

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Other Stuff From the last Week Or So.

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Bill Cowie

It was all about Hugh yesterday, now the rest of it!!

Loz and the Gang

We had a kayak invasion, I’ve just checked the date, it was the 30th of May, how time flies. Loz and Sarah, kayaking visitors from way back to Rona called in for a stock of Rona venison sausages and the crack. They were bothying down at Raasay. Our bothy was occupied by Hugh but too expensive for these guys, they can’t have both, bothy or venison? No contest!!

Kayak Invasion

Stocked up they left en mass for the Raasay bothy then home.

Drascombe?

They were not the only small craft on Rona that day, this wee Drascombe snuck in and had a calm night on anchor, coming ashore for a shower first thing. Well the skipper did.

Hot Daze

The weather has been phenomenal, clear days, very hot, just the tonic after the last few ‘summers’.

The Sheep Shed/Bothy

In between labouring to our happy digger driver, I got on with the roof of the ruin. We are making a sheep shed and store. But the more it takes shape it feels like an MBA project, any thoughts?

THe Mooring Check

Kevin mentioned the chain was needing attention on the mooring, he had picked it up earlier in the year. So lowish tides and calm weather was the ideal time to lift it without a diver and check the top end. I found that the chain (main) had a wee bit more wear in it but the back up was as good as, so no worries this season. Just top of the list for next spring.

Grey Skies Over Torridon

It wasn’t all sunshine but when the clouds did come in they were pretty impressive. Torridon was well lit up in an overcast sky.

Removing Strainers, the easy way.

I got some new stock strainers on the landing craft, so much to do but this was a handy job. One thing I hate about stock and fields are gates that do not swing. So at last, new strainers and gates ordered. So no problems in my old age lifting gates.

Looking Good

The old strainers have done well almost 20 years, but as I was at it I just replaced them all on this corner.

Lowest tide For a While.

In the middle of it all Kenny was over from Shieldaig twice that last week. His customers enjoying Mediterranean sun. We were a wee bit concerned that the tide was going to go further but no, it stopped here and Kenny still had plenty depth.

Swamped With The Yachting Fraternity

I’m not saying too much about the yachting fraternity to-day as I have the next blog totally devoted to them, watch this space, Tuesday!!!! But suffice to say we have had a big increase in visitors, all enjoying the sunshine as last year was desperate. Grey cold, wet and windy. The bay has had many in every night for days and days.

The First Fishing Expedition

We finally got going with the boat but even with wall to wall sunshine it was cold in the North wind out at sea. I bet they guys here were glad to get ashore, fish won that day.

Greylags

The sunshine certainly has brought the birds on. Lots are nesting around the harbour, don’t know if it is the weather or the fact we trapped 8 or so mink this winter. I’d like to think it is because the mink are few and far between

SandPipers

Over at Dry Harbour there are a couple of pairs of Sand Pipers? with young. Whereas the Big Harbour Sand Pipers are still sitting. But they get pretty annoyed when visitors come past their nest.

Well Hidden

In among it all the fridge freezer packed in, disaster, on the hottest day. Hugh had fitted them before so knew a bit about them and between us we had a look but it looked grim. But after ordering a new one as it was pointless getting an engineer out (cost!!!) I looked on the internet and here was a video on ‘You Tube’ How To Troubleshoot Your LG Fridge Freezer”. 10 minutes later we were looking good and next day we were back in business. BUT, we still have the new freezer coming because it brought home just how important this appliance is to us. We have no alternative and were in danger of loosing our food, so with the possibility no fresh food it was not going to be a good week or so until the new one arrived. But this is the board that controls our fridge, it is more like a motherboard from a PC!!!

That’s a Fridge? Ouch.

End of the week the fog was threatening.

Foggy Days Approaching.

But Surprise, Surprise it came to nothing, possibly because the North windflow was still present. So, it was not that warm all round but in the shelter it certainly was.

With sun beating down it is difficult to sit down inside and do the paperwork but earlier in the week we had to do just that as our Rona Red Deer stamp was launched on the first of June, by mid week the orders were coming in thick and fast.

The 2016 Rona Stamp Issue.

During the week, the families of Grey Lags have been increasing in the fields around the Lodge and by the end of this week we had 5 families feeding on our sheep’s grass. The sheep are intrigued by them and one of our visitors has video footage of a Red Deer Stag getting bombed by a Goose at Dry Harbour, the stag then stamped on one of the Goslings, quite bizarre and I’m awaiting a link to that footage.

Plagued

At last the rain came and then it was a rush to get the roof on the sheep shed/bothy.

Almost There

I got very wet doing this but it was pretty soft rain, nothing like the SW gales we can get at this time. It was a full day on the roof and dark, damp and overcast by early evening. The fields were crying out for rain though so no complaints here.

Looking Good In The Rain

Tomorrow, it is the Yachting Week…………………….

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A Lot Has Happened Since You last Looked……..

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Bill Cowie

A Lot Has Happened Since You last Looked……..well that is what Facebook keep telling me. Rona has been just like that, in fact I’m going to do a few posts and post one a day for the next few days, we will see. In the meantime I guess the last week was all about the weather and Hugh. The weather first, well it did reach 30 degrees down here round the Lodge, the grass is burnt, the ditches are dry and the yachts have been pouring in (rather than rain at this time of year).

Hugh has started the road into the site and we have got on incredibly well.

Day 1

Hugh has had a wee issue with one of his tendons!!!!! Hence the crutch!!

Day 1 Good Progress.

All was going very well, the last couple of visits here Hugh has had no problems and has had clear runs. So it was good to see him progress and the rock to break up quickly.

Some reinforcing for The Road

I lent a hand and got some old metal creels plus old fencing into the sub base, a great place to put it.

Going Well.

First day and Hugh was romping ahead.

Day 2 at the corner

Although this photo is from days ahead this is where Hugh reached on day 1, then disaster. A stone chip came through the window and the glass did not stop it. The windscreen shattered. Pecking with a breaker without the glass is quite a noisy job and we could not just get a windscreen quickly. Although one did turn up, in Bristol. Next, it was the quick hitch. It makes for a quick changeover of the buckets and with Hugh’s leg in plaster, pretty essential.

The Bent Hooks

That was the first time.

The Damage(second time around)

We set to and stripped the hitch, welded the hooks and put it all back together. It was getting worn but there is no knowing when these things will happen.

Joint Effort

With a little ingenuity we got it set up and for the next 4 hours it worked fine. Lunch time Hugh arrived down the road and this time it had totally disintegrated, time to find a new one. Hugh found one in Inverness which was quickly despatched to Skye. In the meantime it was back to changing buckets the old way.

Deep Peat

We thought we would need to bring in loads of stone from the rapidly disappearing quarry on the road to Dry Harbour, rotten rock is a premium on Rona. But Hugh had managed to break up quite a bit of big rocks for the sub base then found a seam of rotten rock to go on top. That made the job a bit easier despite the breakdowns.

Almost at the Site

So all in all a good week. Good progress and great dry warm weather. We heard it was in the thirties this last week and for sure on two occasions it was too hot for work.

Sun Shelter

Even the ewes were taking what cool shelter they could.

Taking The Long Road Back

Hugh had broken through at the top corner but the hole he made taking the peat out was so deep he decided to come back on the roundabout route. Very scenic.

2/3 metres of peat

We were very fortunate that we had no rain. If this lot had rain on it we would have had a slurry lake, very difficult to handle.

Disaster

Everything happens in threes they say! So here hopefully is the last of three stoppages. Just onto the site the machine threw a track, always a pleasure for the driver. But after a lot of coming and going, huffing and puffing Hugh got it on. Which was just as well as the engineer was coming the next day to check on levels and locations.

Fencing, Hugh Style.

Whilst we were waiting for the boat to come with the engineer we got the fencing started up at the top gate, we have some pines up there the deer are fond of. So to get them away we are putting up a deer fence around just over an acre. In ten years time we will dismantle it and do the same again elsewhere. But as the trees are fertilized, the grass around them is pretty green and sweet. A magnet for the deer and for afters they have a nibble at our pines.

Easy Peasy

The ferry duly arrived, the sun was shining and the engineer got going.

Triangulation

First of all we had to identify just exactly where the house was going.

Deep Peat Two

Then four + pits were dug to find foundation level, in this case we found another hole of lovely dry black ground. It is right next to an old Black House Ruin. So we guessed this flat bit was worked at one time. We will have quite a supply for the poly tunnel when it eventually goes up.

Up on the Upper Level

Finally Hugh got up onto the shelf where the finished floor level is (about) and scraped the rock. All was positive and withing half an hour they were all away, Hugh too, but he will be back next week (we hope).

More tomorrow of the the normal day to day stuff during this time……………

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A Day In The Life of Rona……..

Posted on May 29, 2016 by Bill Cowie

To-day, after a week of 20+ degrees heat and sun it is another day at the coalface of Rona. 7am this morning it started: This is the way it was, more about last week later but here is a day in the life of us………At last the the landing craft, The Spanish John, was coming from Mallaig. The digger and building material was on board ready to make a start on the new road/house.

Saturday night only one yacht in, it was nice and quiet before the busy day ahead. A nice couple on the yacht,they came up to the house paid their mooring fee bought venison and headed off, Yacht Suzalah? Now on their way to Harris.

Getting Ready For the Landing Craft 1

Busy morning getting organised, first thing gathering together the bits and pieces for the landing craft.

Getting Ready For the Landing Craft Loading Old Fuel to empty the IBC

Getting Ready For the Landing Craft Loading Old Fuel hoping to empty the IBC

Had to empty the spare kerosene as we needed the IBCs for more fuel coming.

Filling The Lodge Fuel to make space

Just as well, the Lodge tank was almost empty when I had a quick check. I was aware that it needed a top up but we must have been burning a bit more than usual.

Down the pier with the third IBC

Two on the tractor and one by JCB down to the shore.

In Between Times, loading Creels

Kenny MV Seaflower was coming so I got some creels to the pontoon hoping he would put them together in between IBCs and tractors.

Changing Gas

When I was loading the fuel in to the tank behind the Lodge I had a check of the gas and one of the bottles was empty too, another job out of the way.

Sorting the Bothy For Hugh, the Digger Driver.

Sorted out the Bothy for Hugh coming, we had it set up for the ‘Crew Pot’ meals we are doing so it had to go back to accommodation. I had an idea the road pipes would be loose so I put posts up just in case they were.

Just In Case

12.30pm the Spanish John arrived, all of a sudden the harbour became very busy.

Here it Comes.

Kenny and Gemma’s passengers had had their lunch and headed off, we got on unloading the landing craft.

Spanish John Arrives rush to chase the tide.

It is always a rush to beat the tide but it all went quite smoothly and we got the cargo off in good time.

Ready to Unload.

Despite Hugh’s plastercast (he had done a bit of damage to his tendons) we quickly got the material up the shore, the landing craft was empty and heading off.

Half Way There

No worries, we have a good team.

The Fencing

We always try to load up the Spanish John. All the projects start coming together following a delivery.

Kenny Setting The Creels

Kenny was setting up my creel line all the while we were unloading which was a great help.

The Drainage for the new Road

The road pipes were well tied up so the posts I put in were redundant.

Kenny Gets Press ganged into Creeling, but happy at his work.

I had asked Kenny to have a look at repairing the creels but he very quickly put them together for a wee string of 6 for around the bay. Years of doing it makes for an easy task, whereas I would take forever and it would not be as tidy, for sure.

Spanish John Leaves the Island

All the excitement was over quickly and Jamie headed off with the landing craft for a calm sail back to Mallaig.

Visitors Heading to the Rona Shop.

In between distributing the load the visitors had asked about the shop, so a quick break from the JCB and I put on my shop assistant hat.

Hugh on his way to the Site, spot the crutch!!!!!!

Finally the digger got up to the front of the Lodge and was parked up ready for Monday morning.

The New Jeep, At Last.

I had gone to Portree a fortnight ago, on the way there I called Micky from M2 Motors and he pointed me in the direction of the Isuzu jeep. It was ideal for Rona and was very pleased to get such a good car. We were getting a wee bit tired of getting soaking in the winter and got the Diahatsu a few years ago but it has done very well and a replacement was really needed. Hopefully this one will be as good.

Fencing Loaded, ready for tomorrow.

Late on in the afternoon/early evening there was a few jobs left to do and a welcome beer at the end of it. The fencing had been loaded and it will go up top to fence off the Scots Pine that the deer like to eat.

Creels on the boat.

I finally got round at the end of the day to loading the creels and hope to get them out Monday afternoon.

Finally, Mowing the Lawn.

And finally let the sheep in to mow the lawn (saves fuel and energy) , just another day on the Island, PHEW.

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The Crew Pot

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Bill Cowie

It is Friday and where has the week gone, or where is the year going. It seems like the days pass too quick around here just now. The last while life keeps getting faster, it feels like we are chasing our tails a bit but at this time of the year it is always the same. After the long winter the slightest sign of good weather and it is all systems go. However, at this time we are as likely to get snow as glorious sunshine.

Deep Blue but Cold North Wind.

Spot the fish farm boat rockin’ and rollin’ (No G, yes I’m listening to Steve Wright). When the sun came out it was pretty clear and blue but all the while we had a North wind which was very cold in exposed places.

I was out last week looking for two escapee sheep. We had them in the gardens at Dry Harbour, trapped but we did not have time to catch them and take them home. Now they are on safari so they might end up in the freezer!!

The Tup nearly ended up there too, he got his horn caught in the fence and was there for quite a while before he got released. I did see him but was thinking he was having a long feed in the morning, but when I sat down to have lunch outside I noticed he was still there, a quick look with the bins’ and the dinner was put in the oven.

Stuck Fast

I had to cut the wires as he was a bit to unhelpful. The lunch did not suffer too much.

Grilled Crab Mayo on toast (A toast topper, remember them?)

It is water in the glass, honest. We have had a few boats in but the North wind was keeping them back for sure, ” Yacht Full Moon” arrived Thursday after a bounce up the Inner Sound, regular visitors and we will see them again for sure. Three yachts had been in the night before but they were all away in the morning.

Full Moon on the Mooring

I was on the digger that day, getting fill for the top of the walls of the ruin we are roofing just now.

Looking For BackFill

It was a good day for it and with the frost, rain over the winter and a bit of scraping on the day I got a few tonnes out of the quarry.

Filling in the gaps

Needed it all too. The ruin is taking shape and hopefully we will get the roof on soon. Finished that and next morning early I went over to Dry Harbour on my rounds, I found a kayaker wandering around the holiday cottages as you do. I guess it is that time of the year.

Prowling

Back to Base and it was a very good day (overcast) for catching up on the sheep work, long overdue as the tool for tailing and……………had broken.

Overcast, sheepwork day

The sheep in the pen is “Bonsai”, she was born very late, her Mother was deemed to be barren but three months after everything had lambed she came down the road with twins. Sadly 3 to 4 months later she died so the twins had to survive, survive they have and this year she has produced a good lamb and is a very good mother. We dosed the rest and with only two missing it was a good day to get it done, the sun came out just as we finished.

Seaflower Visit

After a quiet weekend it was all go Monday with a landing craft coming the following weekend I was keen to get to Inverness and buy a jeep to replace the old Sportstrack which had been here for over three years and was getting past its best.

Roof Arriving

Kevin came out with Calum his son as crew, we had the chance to take the roofing out on the MV Aspire for the ruin and had an hour getting that ashore but a quick shower and I was off to Portree then Inverness.

I made a few calls coming across the Sound and then called Mickey at M2 Motors in Portree. We have hired quite a few cars from Mickey in the past and he is very good at any time should you want a car. He pointed me in the direction of a jeep in Portree and it was just perfect, freeing me up for the next day or so in Inverness.

Two Customers

After a couple of half days rushing round Inverness I was glad to get back. There were no beds in our usual accommodation in Portree Tuesday night, Kevin offered me the boat to kip up in but we were just as well heading to Rona. We got in to the harbour at 8pm to find two yachts ithere but they did not come ashore. Such are the sailors at this time. They seem to spend a lot of time on their boats and it is more the next phase of yachts that come ashore and explore. Maybe they had seen the Great Northern Diver with a chick at the mouth of the harbour we passed on the way in!! It had been noted a month ago by Pam but until then I had not seen it. They are regular visitors around these parts, always a special sighting and this year with a chick, or at least that is what it looked like?

More Work

We had a lot of things to put away that night and to add to the workload I spotted the lead flashing had slipped from one of the upstairs windows, seems that 20 years on from the Lodge’s renovation a lot of issues are coming to the surface. More work!!!

Bunkhouse Makeover

The rest of the week we have been ploughing through the paperwork, oh and getting the landing craft re-organised as Hugh has done some serious damage to his achilles tendon. We are working on the best option for all of us but we do have a load of material waiting on Mallaig pier to come to Rona. Fingers crossed. Thursday we had a booking for our new project. “The Crew Pot” We are offering a dinner for 6 at the shore in the shoreside bunkhouse. Paul on a charter yacht had been emailing, he called and was on his way when his engine failed, by the time they got it fixed it was blowing 30 to 40 knots. So that was cancelled, most annoying after working towards it for a few days, transforming the bunkhouse into a pop up (rustic!!!!!!!!) dining.

We need 6 to make it worthwhile, menu to follow after our first try, hopefully soon.

We are keen to try out “The Crew Pot” and hoping to expand on what we can offer to the visitors in the coming years. There is too much work here for the two of us and contractors certainly help us out very well but there is and will be an opportunity for another couple coming soon. At the moment we envisage a summer help and this is what we are moving toward this year, watch this space.

Posted in Daily Doings, Kayaks, The Views and of course the weather, Yachties | 1 Comment

29 Degrees – No Kidding

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Bill Cowie

We have been busy, it is almost a month since the last post, so much has happened since then but as usual it is all about the weather. So the update briefly is that winter finished Friday afternoon last week, a wee blip on Saturday then sunshine, very warm and heat, lots of heat since.

Tea Break at the Office, Rona Lodge

So long since the last blog that Steve (a blog follower) and Fiona rocked up on Cat’ Orca to see what was happening.

Catamaran Orca, Morning Sun

They arrived midday, picked up the mooring and Steve was pressed into work when he stepped ashore.

Pressganged

Got the boat in at the weekend, no point in it being in any earlier as we were away for two weeks.

Full Blast

But as usual there were issues with the engines, just as well Steve rocked up because I had given up after a very hot day yesterday over the two engines. They are going well now, as well as two 10+ year old outboards with 1000 hours each on them can.

It was good to be back on the sea and am looking forward to a few more trips once we get the port engine running just a little bit better.

Sunday Night “Sula”

Friday night Shieldaig yacht “Sula” arrived with the 8 crew aboard, they had had a lively week and were out of wine, steak and burgers.

Shopping on Rona

We were happy to oblige and had our first major sale of the year.

22 Degrees at 8pm Top of The Hill ” Meal Acarseid “

To-day, I am reliably told it is 29 degrees down at sea level, I’m not surprised, seldom have we felt the heat as much in May. There are now a few yachts and kayakers appearing, we had a yacht in Sunday, two so far tonight and a few sails out in the two Sounds.

Work on Rona, lambing, getting ready for the season has all gone too fast and there are still things to do but we will get there. We were in Europe on a road trip up to Denmark over a couple of weeks and Ali and Clive held the fort very well in our absence. The list of work was more than completed. Even with the distraction of Leicester winning the cup (Clives a Fan, I think).Further Catch Up To Follow

Posted in Daily Doings, Kayaks, The Views and of course the weather, Yachties | 1 Comment

Spring Lambs

Posted on April 10, 2016 by Bill Cowie

It is all about the lambs just now, been flat out as soon as the first lamb appeared on the 30th March. Now we have 10 and a few still to appear but with very little grass and weather that would try you, days have been pretty fast in passing.

Stalking The Hens

The first lamb woke us up with his bawling outside Rona Lodge early on the 30th March then after that they came thick and fast.

No 1

A male of course, but a good lamb all the same. We got them into the garden which doubles as a pen so that we can keep an eye on them, they are there for 24 hours and then let out into the field in front of the house.

Day Care Centre

The week before had been busy with Spring work continuing, the cottages had visitors and the weather had been up and down. Rural Designs our architects wanted a report on the water supply so measurements were required to check on capacity.

The Water Supply

Then a report on the filtration, which is much better than the original three filters in the genny shed (to save them freezing), we will be putting together a newer system for the new house for sure. But with a peaty supply the system has its challenges.

Water Treatment!!

Mark, Nicola and Clive were coming on the Saturday so we had a little more furniture to get into the Skyescape house, the big Velux is getting a lot of use just now, it is as well that it is there otherwise everything we put upstairs would need to be dismantled.

Furniture Removal

More spring work back at Rona Lodge where we are getting all the Rona produce into one place for the summer season, it all takes time.

The Shop Takes Shape

Time is pretty short at this time and the last thing I needed was a large cut on the JCB rear tyre, if I went to Dry Harbour with it it would puncture for sure, so a patch was required and a patch in the road. I was not willing to chance it so nothing else for it but to resort to the wheelbarrow and spade, turned out I was probably quicker with this set up rather than the JCB. Half an hour was all I needed, the big stones in the road came away pretty easily.

Punctured

With all the properties on Rona there is always something breaking or getting worn, our house is always last to get things sorted, the tap in the kitchen was in danger of bursting the feed pipes it was so slack, nothing for it on Sunday morning but to get down to it, but surprisingly it went well and was quickly sorted out. Another tick in the list.

Leaky Tap

Our cottage guests were all returnees, Clive and Mark were going to give us a hand to count the deer mid week and were over to help with the sheep on the Monday.

Behind You

Always looking to take advantage of a helping hand I got the boys to hold up the new loft timbers in the shed outside, a long job became a very quick job and an answer to the problem of storage.

Above You

That night (Monday) we had Nick, Barbara and the kids who were in Escape over to celebrate their Silver wedding anniversary and our first, it was a really lovely night.

Nick and Barbara

Wednesday, Wayne Margo and Iain arrived and we took advantage of the boat to take us up to the North end to start walking the length of Rona, almost everyone came and we enjoyed good weather just until the late afternoon when a few showers dampened us down.

Deer Count

We totaled up the numbers on the Wednesday night and it was looking good, the forecast was good for the Thursday covering the South end from Dry Harbour.

Good Weather For It

It was ideal for walking and it was a long tiring walk that day, the deer were thin on the ground, Wayne found a hot spot of cast antlers but that was all the antlers we found. It was late afternoon before we finished, I was disappointed with the count and then on the last stretch we doubled our numbers when 25 deer were spotted all at once, amazing how they can hide.

Enjoying a welcome Drink

A beer at the end of the day was very welcome and we enjoyed a celebratory (anniversary) meal of Yogi’s seafood and Rona venison that night.

Anniversary Courtesay of Yogi

Day 2 Antler Find

Deer Report to follow.

Getting Tired, the Deer Counters

Friday, the wind got up, the rain poured and we had to get the smallest three lambs into the shed, the forecast was as predicted miserable and with a few very small lambs it was a good call to pen them up for 24 hours and next day we could let them out.

In The Weather Shelter

Of course three ewes and three lambs are not going to just walk into the shed so after an hours rodeo we finally managed to catch the last ewe and head home, wet, in fact soaked but relieved to have got the job done.

The Sheepdogs

Saturday was a much calmer day, everyone was heading off and the sun came out for their trip to Portree, we headed up to the Lodge to take stock after the boat sailed, we had a couple of hours reading the papers and checking the mail.

All Away-A Quiet Island Again

I had help with the JCB tyre taking the tube out and setting it up for repair before the guys left which was good, another tyre and tube had arrived in the mail so I thought I would fix the JCB rear and change the one that had just arrived. I then had a think and did as much as I could but thought best to leave the new patch for 24 hours just so it would give a good seal

Punctures

Back to the house and it was time to let the latest lambs out, a bit of sun makes all the difference to them.

The Creche

Over to Dry Harbour to sort out the cottages and admire Nicola’s flower arranging.

Nicola’s Art Project

There had been a really heavy cold shower when we were at Dry Harbour and when we got back one of the ewes had had a lamb which looked pretty weak, sure enough the mother had very little milk and the lamb was very wet and cold, quickly we got some milk into the lamb but I’m thinking it did not get much Colostrum from the mother. We have been feeding it since.

There is Always One Feeder(the hat is a bit odd!!!)

Next day the tyre was sorted and back of the JCB, the wheelbarrow was kitted out too.

Extreme Punctures

With no grass to speak of we had to let the ewes and lambs out of the field, the deer were coming in down by the shore which was annoying, seeing them eating the grass there and around the bunkhouse. The only problem was that there was no fence to stop the sheep heading over into the forest and I had not topped and tailed them yet, The fence I had been planning for years was quickly put up and by lunch it was done and dusted.

Emergency Fence

A long morning and the fence was there, the sheep were out and they quickly set about bit of grass along the shore.

Quickly Finished

L mentioned one of the ewes had been missing at the feed so in the afternoon we decided to go out behind Rona Lodge to have a look for it, as it may have been having difficulties lambing. As I was heading up with the fencing tools I spotted the missing ewe right at the top of the hill above where the new house site is, easy enough to get them in but disappointing to loose yet another pair of specs’!!

Missing Ewe and Lamb

For the rest of the day I was reliant on old specs’ as I did not want to loose my very new and expensive set I just bought in Inverness but that did not stop me getting the ‘shop’ (I use that term loosely) finished, I don’t think the stags head were too much off the level.

The Shop Almost There

Monday last week came, lots to do and much better to look at the forecast and see it had improved for the week. It was giving drier weather but out of the North, so cooler.

A Welcome Spring Morning

We had a visit from the Factor and James who did a lot of the building work years ago, we had a look at the house site and quite by chance I came across the missing specs’ just where I had captured the lamb a few days before. Good result, now I can see again.

The Visit

Hugh had come over too and we have a plan to start the road into the new site in May, so lots to do in the next few weeks in preparation. Lots of discussion.

Catching The Feeder

The days at the moment are very sheep orientated, even with the few we have here it is just as time consuming. We bought 6 gimmers/young ewes from Skye last year but unfortunately all they have done is gravitate to the cliffs and look over to Valtos from when they came. There is a bit of grass on the cliffs which no doubt attracts them, but sadly a few of them have ended up trapped and because it is very dangerous we have not managed to get them back and they have fallen into the sea, so sad but there is not a lot we can do. Even after getting one back a few weeks later it was back on the cliffs. But this week I managed to get two home and they are safely in the field where we hope they will thrive and stop acting like lemmings.

Spring Sun on a Wet Day

It is not all doom and gloom, the lambs are racing about and at this time of the year that is great fun to see.

Kennel Conversion

L’s hens have colonised the old kennel so a few alterations are required, the end of the week saw a new door with a window which totally confused them, they obviously don’t understand glass!!

Hurry Up With The New Door

In the meantime they are trying to get into the house at any opportunity, leaving their calling card wherever they go.

Room With a View

But by early next week we should have it finished and a new painted nesting box fitted.

Playtime

I’m writing this on Sunday afternoon and the sun is out, the lambs are bouncing about, the hens are lying in the sun, time for a look outside I think.

Let Me Out

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The Days Are Not Long Enough!!

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Bill Cowie

Here we are and it is Friday already, much achieved but much to do. The sun is shining again so this blog will be a quick one too, we have a full house coming tomorrow so it is a bit of a rush. Much better with some sun though

Sunny Days

Way back at the start of last week the weather continued to be calm and blue skies, what a week, the PDG helo’ had a fly past checking us out. I don’t know who the pilot is at the moment but probably John MacKenzie from Dingwall who also owns a distillery. A good guy to know. Glen Wyvis Distillery, great Gin.

Lesser Spotted Photographers

We had left the guests to settle in after Saturday’s pouring rain, it was a very wet arrival for these ‘Lesser Spotted Photographers’ and the honeymoon couple in Escape, but after the rain they had a week of calm sunshine, bliss.

Caretaking Duties

We took advantage of Brian and Gill (yet again) and took off for a day trip to Portree to see Doctors, Architects, Garages and shops for the day. It was an early start but a lovely sail over, calm and cold. Our 200 or so seals were enjoying the early morning sunshine as the tide dropped.

Early Morning Layabouts

There was not a lot of sea life as we crossed to Portree, just the odd Porpoise although we did see one lying on the surface which was unusual. Just outside Portree we caught the shepherds gathering in their sheep pre-lambing I guess. Always good to see the lines of white strung along the steep faces and the dogs working them home. Not for the faint hearted. Often we see the sheep very high up and some we know get blown off in gales. They are fond of the cliffs here too and sadly we do loose some of ours on the cliffs.

Gathering

Looking down to Raasay, the Cuillins were quite hazy, the fishing boats were well North this morning so it was a quiet ‘Sound’.

Morning Mist

It was good to get a day in Portree on MV aspire with no rush, usually if I go in our boat it is a mad dash before the weather gets up. It can change oh so quickly that after a few frights I’m always keen to get the shopping done and get back top Rona, prompt.

Late Home

We had been in touch with Donald for some new hens and five had arrived in a carboard box as usual, they had come on the morning boat. The redundant dogs kennel was pressed into use and is now the new hen run. The hens are very comfortable and with a little adjustment it will become a permanent hen shed, no eggs yet for Easter.

Donald’s Hens

As the week progressed the weather got steadily more settled and at one point temperatures were in the mid teens. JP was over for a weeks holiday and despite a horrible cold had come over from Dry Harbour to help L with IT problems, later on the rest of the guests arrived and we had a convivial evening at Rona Lodge, as we do.

IT work

Back to work and with Spring in the air Gill suggested emptying the Bothy of bedding to let it air as we tried to re-arrange the interior for our guests this year. The decking required a wee bit of work where I went through it taking the tractor onto it earlier this month, not a good idea.

Gill’s Idea

All too soon it was Saturday our honeymooners, JP, Wendy, Brian and Gill our visitors and assistants were away, they all had a better sail with calm dry weather which is always good.

Honeymoon Over

Once the weekend dust settled we were back to work, the seals were still hanging around, the Sea Eagle was upsetting the Herons and the Oystercatcher doing their usual noisy rounds of the Bay, we now have half a dozen. The wildlife had all come to life with the good weather.

Yet More Seals

Sunday I took a trip over to shut down the cottages, check the services and a quick look into the genny shed, here we go again. Another diesel leak, what was supposed to be a quiet day turned into a days work. The diesel return was siphoning back down the pipe through the protective sleeve, we were lucky (or unlucky enough) to see it happening. I could not believe it but it forced me into sorting it out properly.

Oh No Not Again

I put the return pipe back to where it originally ran. The reason I had shifted it many years ago was that the Highland Cattle used to catch the two pipes in their horns as they went round the shed and that could have been a disaster. Fingers crossed the thing will work now.

Sorted, Maybe.

We are not far away from lambing, the grass is in very short supply. We have lost a few sheep lately and sadly down to nothing else but the horrible winter weather they have had, certainly the survival of the fittest here.

Waiting Patiently

Julie has taken to sitting down on the job waiting for her fight with the sheep for the feed. It is not good to feed the wild animals as they become too dependent, but when she first arrived she showed no fear and has always come to the feed, the other deer that arrived with her remain wild and only occasionally come about the house.

Another Long Term Project

With lambing approaching I turned my attention to roofing the ruin in front of the house as a lambing shelter, store and to give the walls which we had rebuilt some protection.

Phase One

I had been waiting for a hand to square it off and our friendly joiner Brian did just that. Makes life easier having someone else making the decisions. As it happened I got on quite well and have phase one finished although it will not be used this year.

Changes

Back to the Bothy and we had nearly completed out renovation. A few things to do here and it will be good to go.

Yogi – Rock Hopping

It was sunny this morning but as I write this the clouds have come in and it is pretty grey now, just like the other day when Yogi was rock hopping around Dry Harbour. He certainly knows all the corners around here.

Tomorrow will be a big day, heavy rain forecast so it will be fun, must go lots of prep’ to do.

All for now

Posted in Daily Doings, The Views and of course the weather, Wildlife | Leave a comment

It’s All Go.

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Bill Cowie

A wee bit of good weather and we are off into the new season. The forecast this week is very good, after weeks of pretty poor weather it seems that we have a high pressure stuck over us and hopefully it will stay there. Yesterday was the best day this year, warm, blue skies and warm sunshine all day. Coming down from the cabin at ten o’clock last night and the sky was so bright and a glow to the North got us going. We got in the jeep and shot up the road.

Worth a trip up the hill

It was a fine night for the light show and it looked like it could only get better but after having a busy day we headed back home half an hour later and off to bed.

Yogi’s on the go

Monday started cold but very soon the sun was up and the day just got better. The birds were very noisy, especially the herons. Our guests over at the cottages had spotted two Sea Eagles across the bay on one of the headlands and were keeping an eye on them. Our first Kayaker appeared on cue at the mouth of the harbour, which was no surprise and Yogi was in dropping creels.

Winter is not Away yet

But last week there was plenty snow about so winter could easily return for sure.

Snow on her back

Julie is now about 16 years old, she is surviving well, must be the sheep feed she gets, she is not the biggest of hinds.

Snow Over Torridon

The weather had been up and down this last fortnight, Brian and Gill had arrived a week ago last Saturday, in a very poor sea, nothing to the MV Aspire but a bit rock and roll for the passengers!! They were up for a break but also to help us get the pre-season work up to date which was good. We had to get the Escape cottage up and running before they got here but I got stuck with the central heating.

Nightmare

It has got to be the worst heating system for Rona or even any holiday house. The plumbing defeats me and the control, it also guzzles fuel which we don’t need here. BUT at last I got my head round it. It helps to read the manual and actually spend some time on it, however I’m still not impressed.

Yet More Fuel.

The first job when Brian arrived was to top up the Escape fuel. They were in this house for the first week to try everything out and to get some sort of holiday. Recently retired they were quite happy to take it easy on their first week.

The Twin

Another job to sort out was one of the twins had had one of its horns broken by the tup, we think. It had been growing into its skull so a quick call to the Vet and under instruction we cut a bit off, its not pretty but better than the discomfort of the horn pressing against its face.

Underway

Brian’s week quickly got underway with a flooring job in the shed. We renovated the Lodge shed over twelve years ago and never got round to flooring it all, it always felt like work in progress.

Wine Spring Clean

Of course we had to clear the floor (and wine cellar) before we could get going , that was the biggest job. But a good job when it was grey, wet and cold outside.

Long Time in the Planning

It was a long time in the planning but with Brian’s joiner skills the job quickly got done then we moved onto next door.

The Shop

We sell our venison from the front freezer room and it has been half freezer/half storeroom forever. So we thought we would make the shed a bit dryer and warmer, separate the store from the sales but we needed a good shelf for all the goods before we could give it a paint.

Must be Spring

The girls were kept busy with the annual sign write up. We have varnished over the sign writing this year so hopefully they will last a bit longer.

Rona Removals

Last thing on Friday we were running about shifting stuff around trying to get the houses ready, this seat has been in most of the houses in its life, now upstairs in Skyescape, where I hope it will stay. It was quite an operation to get it there.

Marmalade Martini’s

All too soon Brian and Gill’s first week was over, it was Friday night, Lorraine had discovered a recipe for Marmalade Martini’s!!!! Well, that was Friday night then.

Oops!!

Saturday we had our first holiday visitors, a honeymoon couple and a couple who had been here a few years ago. The rain on Saturday was awful, with a good South west wind it was a miserable day. Easy to take the eye off the ball and miss the gap, although this is not what it seems, the wing was hanging off, the gate just gave it a helping hand.

At Last

After downing tools Saturday afternoon and watching the rugby it was Scotland’s turn on Sunday, well done them. A good end to the weekend which we followed with the film ‘The Big Lebowski’, been a while since we watched it, even better second time around.

At last The Engine Mount

Now with the jobs getting ticked off it feels good to be getting somewhere. A week of this weather and a help from Brian and Gill should see us getting through the list. Tomorrow it is the Bothy’s turn. Then Wednesday we are off to Portree and looking forward to catching up with the Architects. We would probably prefer to stay on Rona but needs must.

Been a great day