isleofronalog

Still on The Windy Side.

Posted on January 26, 2015 by Bill Cowie

Heading Off’ Calm Day’!!!

25th January and the gales keep coming. Dodging between the high winds we were able to get Mike and Lorraine out to Rona, 5 days late and we were able to get away for the first time since the 10th of December. The crew of MV Aspire were off to the Alps skiing so MV Stardust came out, sods law. It was flat calm (ish) in the big scheme of things!!! But yes a stable sailing which we were happy to enjoy. The colour was fantastic and after such dreich weather it was good to see the long views again (Briefly though).

Turning past the Fish Farm

We got into Portree around 11ish and set off down to Aviemore to meet Kenny from Shieldaig, we were off to Edinburgh to stay in our favourite hotel . The Howard. With dire warnings of closed roads, blowing snow and bad weather forecast it was , ‘here we go again”. With visions of being stuck somewhere and not getting to our destination the stress level was high. However we made good time and met Kenny on the Kessock Bridge then onto Aviemore in glorious sunshine. We left the car there as we were heading back there on Friday to meet up with my son and his family for a belated Xmas celebration. The sign coming out of Aviemore said ‘Road Closed’!! Oh Oh. But traffic was moving and we headed South regardless.

Drumochter

As it happened we made very good time and were in Edinburgh well before we expected. I am thinking the weather and speed cameras made everything move at around the same speed and with no accidents it was a free flowing drive. Four days later after our ‘Engagement’ party in Edinburgh and Xmas party in Aviemore, we were heading home.

Heading Home, Temperature Plummeting, -7

A beautiful drive and trip over to Skye found us at the Free Church Manse for a discussion with Donnie G at 4pm, our slot. 6 hours later!! We headed up to Calum and Irene’s for our bunks, so discussions went on until late there too. We enjoyed the visit to the ‘Manse’ and Portree is lucky to have such an enthusiastic and energetic minister. We look forward to his next visit to Rona later this year.

More Xmas Cheer

We were back in plenty time to shift Mike and Lorraine over to the holiday cottages, have a meal and a movie with them, opening our belated Xmas gift from them. As usual a basket of goodies that just goes on and on!!

Frosty’s Boat and Crew.

With all the excitement of coming home, we forgot that Tom Tindale from Shieldaig was coming over to have a look around as he felt that Rona would make a perfect destination for his plan to run outward bound courses. So it was a surprise to see three guys walking past the door the next day. The weather had been poor the day before but it had calmed enough for Frosty, a local fisherman, to take them over. They had a walk and a look. A warm up in the bothy and I look forward to hearing his proposals. I never saw Mike that day but next day he came over and was quickly pressed into service, the danger of coming to Rona on holiday. I had long overdue shutters to put on the cabin, the rain gets in. So it was good to get a lift with them, I’d left the hinges on the boat so it was only half a job.

Shutters at the ready.

After that it was up top to the BB mast (yet again) to change batteries, the new cable had arrived 4 hours after our ferry left which was a pity as Mike would have helped put it out, all 750 metres of it.

Mike enjoying the View.

We are managing , just, to keep the system going, but it will settle down once we get the mains power to it, hopefully later this week.

Nothing But Firewood.

In all the years on Rona I’ve never felt the house so cold, I think the combination of constant wet and then very cold East winds has had an effect on the temperature generally and it is almost a full time job cutting firewood and kindling, of course we could run the central heating but the cost of its delivery and cost of kerosene means that it would be silly not to use the birch forest we have in abundance. This year we will make a major effort to get a huge store of firewood and kindling for next winter. Mike and Lorraine new firewood tub came in very handy.

Breakdown, yet again

Friday night last the Applenet BB stopped yet again, we thought it was the battery but no, it was the Tough switch controller, it had ‘burnt out’. So yet again up we go to change batteries and fiddle with the switch gear. Thankfully I had another Tough switch and got it going again, but this morning as I type it is off again. The people in Diabeg etc will be getting very fed up but we are trying our best.

The View as Usual was Stunning.

It is always a good trip regardless of the weather and the gloomy view was quite atmospheric. Looking back to Portreee over a very dark Big Harbour.

Rona Sunday

Yesterday ‘Sunday’ was a belter, continuous rain, wind and dark. All you could do was let the hens out, feed the sheep, get the firewood and spend the rest of the day trying to keep warm. Which was not a bad thing as we both got a lovely cold in Edinburgh ( not from Linda who had one too during our stay in the Howard). Ours seems a different strain for sure. But to-day Monday it seems to be on the way out. Last night we were watching TV and we have two systems, one for recording and back up the other the Sky TV. The recording dish would not work in fact it has been troublesome for a while. A walk out in the now black, dry less windy night confirmed yet another bit of damage to add to the 123knt wind, the LMB was swinging around. Rust then blown off the dish. So I guess that is the next job, then up the hill to see what is what with the Applenet BB. Just another typical day on Rona.

Another Breakdown To Add To The List

123knts!

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Bill Cowie

We are up early to-day, Wednesday. Hoping Dan will make it over in the MV Stardust to pick us up. MV Aspire crew are off abroad skiing, given the forecast they could be skiing to the airport!!

Spoke to the guys up at the Base the other day, I was intrigued to hear what they had recorded on their anemometer, 123 knts late at night, but Mike said ‘It felt worse during the night’ but no one was up to check it. It was surprising just how little damage there was but we are still finding stuff.

Just Starting To Rip.

I found the bit of the bunkhouse roof up behind the Lodge here on the edge of the forest the other day. The sheets from the hen shelter are rolling about in the field, all to windy to pick up. I spotted the polytunnel had started to rip so yesterday’s job was to make some sort of repair.

Temporary Repair

We were talking about a new one to increase the veg’ production but in the middle of winter it seems so far away. We did think about going off yesterday morning but the Vodafone signal is still off so communications are pretty erratic and we missed our chance on Tuesday. However it was pretty breezy at times during the day and it would not have been good crossing to Portree.

I had to go up to the top of the hill to speak to anyone, we can get the Gairloch transmitter from there. It was calm the first time I went up but very quickly it came in. Snow showers, hail then rail.

When I was on the ‘phone a very colourful Stonechat arrived and started feeding around the jeep, nice to see such a colourful bird in the winter. The Sea Eagles have been around a lot lately, I think they are hanging about the midden a bit, but they have also been spending a lot of time in the Pines across the bay. Both white tails so mature birds, I wonder will they nest this year.

A Pretty Grey Picture.

The last job almost in the dark was the new tool shed roof, so for the third time I strapped on some plastic to see if that would save it for a while, there are two new sheets of sheeting for the Bothy roof and we may get a bit of that to cover it.

Another Roof Repair.

All that was left yesterday was to check all the services, put the genny in place and cut enough firewood for Mike and Lorraine from Perth, that were supposed to come over on Saturday. Who are now coming this morning to have a break but also look after the Lodge and stock. Good Luck to them.

We have a new computer and am still trying to get used to it, I was wondering where the snow photos had gone, just found them . So, they are not in order but here’s a taste of the wee bit of snow and other weather about Rona.

The Lambs

The lambs had taken to sleeping round the house for shelter, it is a hard time for all the stock. The broadband saga continues but the decision to run a cable for power up is the right one, so this week we walked the route, the view from the top is always worth it.

Snow heading to Shieldaig

And of course the Bay in front of our house.

Snow and Hail Arriving

Must go and get ready for off, the wind is still howling out there in the dark.

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The Morning After The Night Before.

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Bill Cowie

I was going to Blog mid week, the title was ‘Just Another Day’, but events overtook us and here we are, After The Storm. No phone, internet coming and going. Some of it gone completely and looking ahead it is pretty grim. A steady stream of gales for the whole of next week. Which is a pity as we were going to Edinburgh.

Forecast

Here it was coming in on the forecast maps!! I thought I would take a picture and then do the same at 9pm Thursday (to see the actual map) but by that time it had arrived and the lightening was all around so around 8.30pm we switched off the computers and disconnected everything, past experience with lightening has been expensive. We did not sleep to much, although Lorraine says I was snoring, must be used to it. When we woke it was still stormy but by first light it was calmer and dry. So I did the rounds and quite quickly got a list of damage that needed fixing. It is always easy to find the obvious stuff, but all day and since then you spot wee things that you miss. Such as a gate off its hinges, a post ripped out, trees down etc etc.

The Bunkhouse.

The pontoon was ok, a bit twisted, so far so good but when I looked at the sea side of the bothy the roofing sheets were ripped off, not bad in 15 years. A quick solution was to fit a few bits of ply’. I could not nip to Jewsons for onduline sheets.

Temporary Repair

George the cat was not far away with his input!

Second Helper

A lot of squawking later we moved on to the hen house. Although tied down it had had a hard time, the hens immediately took off to the woods when L let them out in the morning.

Hens upset/Shelter Sheets ripped off.

The sheep arrived back in dribs and drabs, they had been let out of their parks because of the wet state of them and the impending storm. They could find better shelter in the forest. They looked very well washed and blow dried. All accounted for I took off up the hill to check the Applenet (Applecross Community Broad Band) relay set up. As I approached it looked okay but festooned with blown grass. I thought the windmill was still turning pretty quickly I could not really see the blades. When I got there I saw that the whole set up had been thoroughly hammered. The stays were well slack, the anchor bolt on one side had snapped and the windmill was no more. THere were no blades. I don’t think it was because it was turning to quickly or anything like that. It looked to me like it had just been ripped apart. One of the blades I found which must be a foot and a half long was imbedded in the ground 10 yards away, I could not pull it out!!!!!

The Windmill Blade 90% in the ground.

I had just nipped up to see what had happened so I then shot over to Dry Harbour to check out there. Tiles, slates off of the ‘Escape’ house, stuff all over the place and trees down, but surprisingly not too serious damage.

Ridge Tiles Blown Off

Back to Rona Lodge and I gathered up some tools to dismantle the wind turbine. After a fashion I got it down and tightened up everything. As I was back and fore I changed the batteries for some fully charged ones, taking the originals down to get them charged. Next time I go up I’ll take these fully charged batteries up to try and keep the service going. At the moment the power is still off, so who knows when it will be back on line.

All ready to go

Back down for lunch, by this time it was 2pm and running out of time. I got Lorraine organised and we headed over to Dry Harbour with ladders to put a bit of temporary lead on the ridge, it was raining and blowing by this time so it would have been futile to try cementing the undamaged ridges back on.

Getting Dark

When I was up there I spotted another couple of loose tiles so it took a little longer than expected. By the time we finished it was dark.

Don’t Like This

So here we are on Saturday, still blowing ten gales, snowing occasionally, nothing for it but to work away inside to-day.

Posted in Daily Doings, The Views and of course the weather | 2 Comments

Happy New Year

Posted on January 1, 2015 by Bill Cowie

A Happy New Year to everyone, we wish you all the best from the wet, very windy and grey Rona.

12 o’clock on top of the Hill

Last night was a breezy one but we made it up to the top of the road and let off the usual ‘fireworks’. We have our Danish visitors for the first time and they can’t quite believe the Hogmany celebrations and the weather.

Toasting in the Bells

The rain stayed away for 1 hour, just enough for a brisk walk, pushed by the wind, to the top of the road.

Many Photos later…….

Liz (my sis’) went away on Saturday and new guests arrived, all the way from Paris (via Forres). Dorte and Arne were arriving on Tuesday so we had quite a bit to do before the New Year celebrations.

The Down Side of the Wind

Liz and Lorraine had tidied up on the Big Harbour beaches but a quick walk round Dry Harbour filled two bags, that is the down side of all this wind, too much rubbish in the sea. Pam and Kevin took it away and with the weather being so dry and clear it was good to get the end of season jobs done, plus a bit more fencing.

The View Only gets Better

There were reports of snow on Skye and for sure it did look beautiful on the clear days, I was still trying to get the internet link sorted and had been up and down like a yo yo. But with views like this to savour it is quite a pleasant task. Needless to say it did not last and heavy showers soon came through but there were still good dry spells.

Heading Back To Big Harbour

It never ceases to amaze me the difference in view or outlook from one part of the Island to another. Coming up the hill I stopped to take a pic’ of these interesting clouds but over the hill it was completely different.

Completely Different.

Back up the hill again to try something else on the broadband mast and the sea eagle was floating about, the views again very clear.

Non Plussed

The deer are getting quite used to me heading up and down but as our Danish visitors were just about in Skye I was keen to get the system up and running. No time for wildlife watching. At last the batteries that power the mast were up to enough power so we switched it on with help from Ian Bolas in Wales and Calum in Portree, great what you can do with the engineers on the end of the phone. So on Tuesday morning the Applenet system was restored and (fingers crossed) it is still running.

Tuesday afternoon, MV Aspire arrived with Dorte, Arne, Knud and Lula. They had spent the night at Kinloch Lodge and loved it, the sail was very comfortable so everyone was in good form.

Here We Go

It was not long before Arne was at his station in the kitchen and he had conjured up the evening meal, which is generally what happens. So the food/drink fest begins. Absolutely no complaints from L and myself.

Hogmany prep’

We had a few things to do on Hogmany but very quickly we were all in the kitchen doing something, Arne wanted two Venison loins and prepared them for later. We have a saying here that what we have ( is what we cook), because we cannot ‘nip’ to the shops. So dishes can be pretty inventive.

Next in line was the starters.

Smoked Salmon mixture

Then another starter:

Cauliflower Anchovie with Truffle oil

Then another starter:

White Crab Meat on Mousse/Black Pudding

All of the preparation was done and there was a request to see if I could get Danish TV on the internet and they could watch the Danish Queen giving her annual address. No problem with a bit of jiggling with the cables and a stroke of luck to have the internet link up and running in the cabin. So we saw the Danish Queen’s speech.

Queen Margrethe

Quite interesting to hear that an awful lot of Danes will watch her broadcast and that the Royal Family there are very popular. So not to be outdone we googled and found Queen Elizabeth’s Xmas speech which they found very interesting (and professional).

On the way up to the cabin we picked up a bottle or two for a wee drink!!!!

The Stock

Back down to the house and the Hogmany celebrations started.

The loins were cooked to perfection, the meal was pretty full on, but over a three hour sitting I think we did it justice. It was delicious.

Ready For The Hike

Before we knew it, the clock was at 11pm and it was time to head up the hill. We phoned Stornoway Coastgaurd to wish them a Happy New Year and to tell them not to send the helo’ when we put off our fireworks.

The rest was just a blur and to-day it is still a bit fuzzy!!!!!!!!!!!

Roll on 2015, we think it will be a very interesting year.

All the best.

Bill

Posted in Daily Doings, The Views and of course the weather, Wildlife | 4 Comments

We’re Nearly There.

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Bill Cowie

Christmas Eve, 4 pm and it has been a real poor day here. It is passing now as the light goes and the forecast for tomorrow is a bit better. Roll on tomorrow morning, looking forward to the pressies!!

Another Grey Day On The West Coast.

It was not all bad last week although it has been a bit of a blur. The connection to the Applecross Community broadband system failed again, this time one of the controllers.

Even in The Gale There Were Good Spells….

It was quite nice up there but I had to jam the bike against the box door otherwise the strong winds were in danger of sending it to Shieldaig.

Here We Go Again

I was back and forth a few times but with Ian Bolas the engineer from Rum’s help, we got it going again. However, almost next day it stopped again but this time the fault was on Raasay so, nothing I could do to help. Just as well we still have the satellite BB here. A pity for the Alligan, Fernamore and Diabeg communities though at this time.

Now How Does This Work

Unfortunately I don’t understand how this all works (well I do a bit) but with a bit of guidance it is amazing what you can achieve and as you are doing it, it starts to make sense.

What About The Wildlife.

Every time I was up at the mast the Sea Eagle was about, quite close too. So I put the remains of the hind up there to take the pressure off the lambs. Hoping to get a close up, but all I saw to-day were dozens of Ravens and gulls. Lately someone did ask ‘What About The Wildlife’ . I’ve just finished a book by Seton Gordon, A Highland Year. I thoroughly recommend it and am sorry it has taken so long to get to reading Seton Gordon’s work. Some of the writing could be applied to this time for sure, some issues were just the same in the 1940’s when it was written. Especially on conservation. He writes about Skye and Deeside in this tome and it made me think of how I observe wildlife. I guess because I’ve always been out and about as long as I can remember I just see it enjoy it and carry on. But mentally noting what I have seen. Perhaps mentioning to L when I come in from my jaunts around Rona. When I think about it there is a pretty diverse population of birds, animals and sea life here. So, maybe I might take a note next year, a real note of what is here. I think for me it is something that has always been part of my life and I don’t take it for granted but always wonder at what I see, whatever it is. From the Eagles to the wee House Sparrows stealing the grain from the shed.

The Sea Eagles have been about for quite a while, but this month we get Mergansers in the bay and quite a few ‘funny’ wee birds passing through whether by accident or as normal. I don’t know. The hawks are busy and Mr Sparrowhawk certainly dines well in the short days. The otters are quite elusive and of course the mink are always not far away. The wee birds are always flitting about in the birches, I guess keeping a low profile from the hawks.

Rona Wildlife

I heard a funny noise when I was chatting on the phone and thought it was L, but on closer inspection I found our four lambs stealing from a bag of feed left at the door. Next day they were in the room so the ‘Baby Gate’ was put up. Now it is ‘hopefully’ secure from marauding lambs.

The Wine Store

Having had a ‘wee’ delivery of wine I was keen that it did not get frosted/overheated. I’d been thinking about a wine store for quite some time and finally got round to it. It maintains the temperature at a range which it should protect the wine, although I hope it doesn’t stay too long in the cupboard!!

Sausages

Trying to get finished for Xmas we had rather a long day on Monday, we finished the butchering of the last hind/carcase of the year and then minced the cuttings. Sausages were getting short so we had a go at making a few, plus trying out a recipe on venison haggis. Both went well but I’m not too sure of the haggis. I think it needs a bit more ‘something’ added to it. But it is good to use up the bits that mostly go to the Sea Eagle or pet food.

Then Liz Came

Liz my sister arrived via MV Aspire yesterday, complete with fashion item (hand bag) obviously a necessity on Rona, I think my other two sisters will understand!! Merry Christmas.

Last Night Wasn’t So Bad

Almost finally, last night after a lovely day the sunsewt promised a good day BUT don’t believe any of that Red Sky at Night nonsense, well not out here, It was a lovely evening but to-day………….now that is another story.

Road Collapse

The rain over the last few weeks has been making the road very wet in places and we try our best to take action but the sooner H MacKay comes back the better. Second last job to-day was to dig out the ‘now mud’ and replace with stone. I did two loads but with the danger of the whole road disappearing down to Rona Lodge I packed in and hope to get back to it next dry day (but not tomorrow). I finished that just before lunch to-day and then definitely , finally I got on the roof just as the hail started to replace the second Chinese hat that had tilted in last weeks gale.

And Finally

Time for a dram.

All the best for tomorrow and we will be back.

Posted in Daily Doings, The Views and of course the weather, Wildlife | 6 Comments

Third Time Lucky

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Bill Cowie

The Applecross/Fearnamore broadband link broke down ‘again’ this week, the windmill used for charging went the same way as the first one, seized. The smaller turbines have not enjoyed much success on Rona but they should last a lot longer than these two have.

No Movement in a Force 4

It is a pest as the community on the mainland are now enjoying BB but when it stops it is a real hassle. Especially one week before Xmas. We still have our satellite so it is less of a problem for us.

Yesterday Ali and Sean arrived in the morning with the new turbine. The weather was good so a quick dash for the repair team before the next storm sorted the problem.

Back To The Drawing Board

I had cancelled my stalking on Tuesday as I decided to go to check the turbine first thing, then the day ran away from me. So I had to go out Wednesday and as our own ferry was coming I was keen to get some venison for Xmas. As it happened I drew a blank but was back just in time for Kevin and Pam approaching the harbour.

Xmas Pressies

Unfortunately I was not around to help the repair team but they were not long, even although it was a long carry with the now defunct wind turbine.Let us hope after two breakdown it is third time lucky!!!!

The forecast was grim so we brought the ferry forward to Wednesday to get mail/venison away and to get some more bits and pieces over for Xmas and various projects. The bikes we put to Joan Corrigal who does a lot for the charity ‘Helping Hands’ to see if she could find a Xmas home for them, we hope so. They have been in the shed for years and unused. Maybe they will find a place.

Last Week: I’ve just looked and I did not realise it was a week since the last post!! Time flies when you are trying to get things ‘finished’ before the end of the year, nothing like a deadline to get you going. After the storms it was mixed and the days have improved so we have been getting out, looking for sheep and doing a bit of wee projects here and there. The big excitement was on Saturday when the new stove for the cabin arrived.

Saturday Ferry.

It is good to get ferries on a regular basis this winter, last winter was pretty grim with wind and rain and hardly a ferry in December. But with a calm day and a good boat we can get stuff over. Mail as usual and at last our Xmas card from ‘Vistaprint’, good price and good quality. Some Seletex for the new wine store (more later) and of course the stove.

Delivered

I got it up to the cabin no problem despite its weight although small size. Next job installation.

First Real Snow

With a dusting of snow outside it was good to be inside putting the stove together. Next day it was better and a new Chinese Hat was to be fitted.

Watch that Ladder

In between times I started the wine cooler, a delivery of wine from Denmark had filled the store but with frosts coming I though, ‘Better get something sorted’ . I’d toyed with an insulated box before but never got round to it. Finally I got the stuff over on the Saturday boat and it is almost there, tomorrow’s job.

Flat Pack Wine Cool Box

Monday night we had a call from Hamish Corrigal in Portree. He had suggested the lifeboat go to Rona for an evening excercise, just as well he phoned we would have been quite surprised to get a knock on the door on a Black Dark Monday night. As it was Donnie Nic’ and his mate arrived with our lifeboat charity boxes. It was good to see them.

Night Excercises

Back to normal on a lovely Tuesday morning and up early not even first light to get the feed ready for the lambs and Julie was down like a shot.

Very First Thing

She has started bullying the lambs away from their feed.

Plan B

What I do now is put about 8 wee piles of sheep feed out so they all get a bite. Julie is unbelievable. The least rustle of a sheep feed bag and she is there!!!

Patiently Waiting

She has also taken to looking in the window if she does not get fed first thing.

With lots of wee jobs to get sorted I was up and down to the cabin a lot, checking on the internet and trying my best to instal the stove properly. Of course it started raining when I opened the roof and before you could cough it was dark but, last night (Wednesday) we fired it up (for the second time) and had a movie warmed up by the stove. Instead of the usual wrapped in blankets watching the film scene we were sweating as the stove, with the wind outside drew well and the temperature gauge went to 29 degrees. A big difference and very cosy. Definitely the way forward.

Installed and Toast.

So that was this last week, I did get a deer Wednesday afternoon, so butchering on Saturday. Wine store tomorrow I think and waiting for Santa after that.

I’ll Leave you with the picture we used for the Xmas Card this year. Taken from the South Road on the telephoto lens, a few years ago but a real strange light.

Merry Xmas

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Weather Bombs.

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Bill Cowie

Back on Rona after 4 days in Inverness shopping, great!! The trip away was fine, shops not too busy and the weather was good. It all helps to get into the Xmas spirit. But once home there was a lot to do, especially with the forecasts looking grim for this week and so it is.

Storm Has Arrived

This pic’ just about sums it up, from the upstairs window and it was with hesitation we went out to feed sheep and hens on Tuesday morning.

Friday morning started pretty much settled but the big banks of cloud were scudding through with a promise of wild weather. The odd bursts of sun gave the harbour an autumnal feel. The deer are coming down when I shout the sheep and the lambs are having a real hard time feeding when Julie arrives.

Out Of My Box

She very quickly evicts the two lambs that are feeding so a diversionary regime is in place. We were having dinner that day and Julie was hanging about, Lorraine spotted the Great Tit feeding on her ‘beasties’. Irene got a cracking picture of her with the Great tit on her nose. But we’ve only seen it feeding on other parts of her anatomy. Julie seems to freeze when the bird is at work, I guess it is getting ticks and the odd ked, but it is quite strange to see Julie frozen to the spot when this happens.

Having a feed

On the subject of deer, when we were away we visited Stuart Jeffries up at Strathconon. Stuart is preparing ‘Eric’s’ antlers and head for us to mount him up at the cabin. It was a nostalgic run up the glen as I had not been there for years and it was interesting to see the changes, it seems the properties are in good order with a busy looking school, amazing.

Stuart’s Workshop.

Back to work:

A Good End to the Week

The weather had been building since the weekend with quite a few hail showers about but still , in between the showers it was still ok to work away outside.

Over the Hill

The sun was shining last weekend so I took advantage and concreted three strainer posts into the peat then put out the line wire to try and finish the fence from West to East.

Fencing Technology

Last thing, I drilled three holes into the Rona rock (very hard long slow process) for the wires on the sea end of the new fence. Running out of time I had to dash over to Dry Harbour to check the houses before the wind arrived and pick up a paving slab for the new cabin stove.

On The Way Back…..

On the way back more showers were appearing and I could see it would not be long before the ‘weather bomb’ arrived. The isobar chart was certainly a very depressed sight, it looked like the whole country was going to get their share, not just us, as usual. So before we got blown away we thought we should have a movie and having bought a few in Inverness we had a choice, Captain Phillips won and a riveting film it was. Tom Hanks at his best. Quite scary and we will have to watch now for pirates on our trips to Portree!!!!!!

Captain Phillips

Lorraine wanted to give 12 years a slave a miss, too depressing she said. We’ll keep it for after Xmas when we are properly depressed.

It Works

Calum and Irene painted the utility room when we were away and I hung up the barometer. It fell off the wall many years ago and because it was a present we just hung it up but did not pay much attention to it. I was telling Lorraine that it hardly ever seems to go above rain, I said it must be broken. But the other day I noticed it does actually move, it is possibly just because it always seems to be raining when I look at it. It is certainly true to form to-day.

Yesterday……..

When you are in the house and it is shaking with the thunder above us, the lightning flashing, you certainly feel for the animals. They have no comprehension I guess of what is happening and very quickly they feel danger and they all group together and go into the middle of the field. Looking about for the wolf I think!! After the noise and flashes the heaviest of hail stone shower followed and even Julie who was in the sheep’s trough took off.

We have to be grateful that, out here, we have a substantial cosy house and ‘at the moment’ everything is working and behaving itself. Stuck indoors with the fire full blast, it is good to have a bit of time to experiment with the cooking. With a deep freeze full of summer produce we have had a few ideas and it is good not to be feeding the 5000 and rushing about. So on stormy days ‘The Covent Garden Soup Book’, an old one is out and it is soup time with some weird and wonderful combinations.

Lunch

Tip: the we bits of cheese in the soup are I think a ‘Port Salut’ type cheese from Lidl. It does not say ‘Port Salut, but looks the same and it tastes so much better, plus it is of course cheaper, try some. Saint Paulin cheese.

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

We’re Off Again!

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Bill Cowie

Monday morning and we are off to Inverness, Xmas shopping, nightmare.

It has been a quick fortnight (and a bit) but enjoyable due to the unseasonal weather. Not what we expect at this time, but good to see and it makes for a shorter winter. But to-day as I sit here waiting for the ferry it has turned into normal service, grey, wet and windy. Just the best time for a few days away.

Calm Evening

I guess we never tire of the view from behind the house, every sunset is different for sure and we have had many this week past. Every night was pretty good.

The two hinds I shot before Wallace arrived needed cutting up, Peter Umber the German guest who visited this summer showed me how ‘they’ boned out a front leg. It is great to learn something new. I used to just dice it.

Peter Umber!!

Instead of a few kilo’s of stew and mince we now have a rolled roast (slow cook). I’m intrigued to see how it cooks but it should be pretty good if left alone for a few hours in the cooker. We will see.

Now A Roast

Wallace arrived, weather fantastic. Same as October when he was over at the stags. The hinds were plentiful which made our job a lot easier ‘but’ they were much more wary than the stags so it was not all plain sailing. Hind shooting is a necessary evil, it is part of deer management and it is great to be out stalking for sure but there is always a tinge of regret when you do shoot them. However that is what we do and we end up with a managed forest/Island with a healthy population of very fine deer.

The Stalker’s Back

We had a look South because of the wind more than anything else and although the hind population is light it was good to find a couple for the larder. The stalk was late and it was dark when we got back but the night was beautiful, cool and crisp with no wind.

Late Stalk South

All too soon the ferry was on its way and the seven deer were on their way to Tarradale Game. Who is always pleased to see the quality carcases from the Isle of Rona.

A Busy Week

The tide was dropping after the ferry left so I left the timber on the pontoon until it was full tide the next day. Many years ago I had a pallet of plasterboard to lift off the pontoon, it had been dropped by landing craft I think, it was a bad forecast so I had to get it inside. I pushed(I think) 50 double sheets up the gangway from this level on to the trailer then to Dry Harbour. And I wonder why I’m knackered nowadays!!

Somebody has to do it

After getting tidied up and the larder clean, with good weather there was nothing inside grabbing my attention so I got onto the JCB and set about diverting the stream that had been running along the road. After a few massive boulders threatened to destroy the road I got it squared away and the ditch running. Good to do when it is dry. On the way back I thought I would get a bit of roadwork done and filled out a few potholes and peaty puddles.

Roadworks

The stone on Rona is so hard it is difficult to find fines but the small stuff we have does a reasonable job for a bit.

Pot Hole Repairs

The weather continued and at last had a bit of enthusiasm to head into the bog to try anbd finish the sheep fence. The idea is to keep them in during certain periods and so far with what we have done it seems to be working.

At Last the Sheep Fence gets going again.

Down to the shore to get the harbour sea-end underway and it was going very well until I dug up the sewer waste outfall pipe. Disaster! We tried to repair it by pushing it back in (Lorraine was involved much to her amusement) but that did not work. So more digging and a ‘Rona’repair later, the water was running. I finished up the first strainer and was very careful with the next one

I Don’t Need This!!

I had one fencing job to do and that was to hang an old gate up at the sheep outrun. The strainers are not good but for a temporary job I mounted the gate on the best one, to make access a wee bit easier. Next year I might persuade Hugh to track back up there and push in some new strainers, we will see.

And Finally

Nothing for it now but to clean the house and get ready for off. Back Thursday.

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

Normal Service Has Resumed

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Bill Cowie

Last week’s weather continued to get better with sunny days and warm temperatures. Most nights there was a bit of a sunset and every forecast was looking good.

Promising

With dry days it was good to get on with the pre-winter jobs. The JCB started for a change so it was straight into removing the boat engines. Calum had stripped them but I had to take them off and up to the shed for some major servicing.

Strip Down

The problem was that there was not enough light in the day and at 4/5ish the nightly sunset appeared, we nearly missed this one with yet another lamb stuck in the brambles.

And It Continues

Next day it was further North fixing the walkways across the bogs on the path to Church Cave. The old scaffold boards we use had had their day and I managed to source some from Hugh our digger driver.

Path Work

Back down to the boat to finish up the winterising and to my surprise a yacht appeared. Very late for this time but not really a surprise in such good days, in fact I did see a few pleasure boats heading up and down the sound. Probably heading to their winter berths

It was ‘Rub a Dub Dub, from Stein. A bit late to be leaving the boat out and having to come round the top of Skye. At this time of year I hear it is always a bit rough.

Hind stalking started this week and just in time Julie arrived looking for food, she is getting old and a bit thin but her calf is in tip top condition. Maybe if the hens stopped stealing her food she would get a bit fatter!

Feeding Time

Must Be The Last One

Mid week (Wednesday) The yacht left and I guess had a good leisurely sail down to Strollamus, no doubt next time I will see it it will be by the side of the road in the boat yard, right beside Calum’s boat, Kestrel.

Winter!!!!

It was good to get out with the rifle and assess the deer numbers, the weather was fine with good views out to the Outer Isles and back to the mainland. After years of monitoring the herd and holding back on the hind cull, I’m afraid numbers are at the higher end now and it is time to start. The rut and stag shooting in October is pretty exciting especially with all the action. But, the real stalking starts in the winter when the hind cull takes place. The hinds are very watchful and one false step and their off. I did see plenty and also quite a few stags which is encouraging. So a quick call to our stalker friend Wallace and he is organised to come over to-day (Monday 24th) to help.

At Last

Friday the weather did change and it got greyer and colder. I was out early with the rifle and had seen some hinds around the Applecross BB mast. But one mistake and they were off. But I did have the meters in my pocket so the walk was not wasted. I opened the cabinet but did not need to check anything as all the lights were on. The North coast had its broadband back, Sean and Ali will be relieved!!

A Grim Day From The Window Seat(2pm)

So much for our weather, on Saturday it was a grey damp start. Nothing for it but inside work. Sunday I had planned butchering the two hinds I shot during the week so with no encouragement to go out in the miserable weather it was easy to spend the day catching up on housework.

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

Back To The Sun!!

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Bill Cowie

Holidays expectations are of sunshine, unfortunately we choose the Autumn so there is a fair chance of rain. Oh how it rained abroad, and I see it continues. BUT on returning to Scotland and checking the forecast we saw it was giving clear, sun and calm. A very unusual combination for the North West. And so it was, Saturday morning last as we set off on the new Rona ferry, the MV Aspire.

Negotiating the Departure

With the able assistance of Dan we left Portree slip mid morning for a suinny calm sail up to Rona.

The changeover

Calum and Irene were waiting for us and after a brief exchange they set of (excited) for a return sail equally as pleasant as ours was out the way.

Could be Summer.

Since then it has been head down sorting out travelling bags, washing and getting back to normal. The weather helps for sure and it is a bit mad to be sitting here ‘doing the blog’ on another sunny day. However I am multi tasking and doing other things because the internet is so slow, you could paint a room the time it is taking to upload. Talking about paint it was very refreshing to come back to a freshly painted downstairs in Rona Lodge. A job I particularly don’t like but Calum and Irene are a good team and with the poor weather when we were away they got stuck in and got the list completed.

Seems the Applecross broadband has packed up and the engineers were over ably helped by Calum. Our BB is satellite and it still works, slowly!! The sheep are all sorted but you cannot take your eye off them for a minute, L found a lamb caught up in brambles last night. The deer are about but once I start culling hinds they will surely disappear.

Back to the holiday, if we wanted weather we could have tried Africa I guess but a road trip across Europe sounded a good idea and despite the heavy rain (some days) it was a great success. We reached our destination without any trouble the trains were fine Europecar were not. The car we were given was not good and a letter will be sent!!! The road trip to Italy was wet but the scenery was just as stunning.

Our First Overnight Annency/France

The view from our hotel above was incredible and thank goodness for Booking.com, this was a 4/5 star hotel with dozens of rooms and we were the only ones in it, great! It was off season so the area was quiet which gave us trouble free roads, I cannot imagine what it must be like in summer. Moderno was the same, very quiet and after taking the first wrong turning we arrived late to meet Vibeke who was waiting for us.

Destination Toscalano/Moderno

The house in Moderno is fab’ and it was good to get in and settled.

Next Day, Waiting for the rain to stop

Just as well there were umbrellas, but unlike Scottish rain it is not accompanied by gale force winds so it was easy to get about and the brollies were soon down.

Crossing Lake Garda

We did all the tourist stuff but very leisurely, we drove into the mountains, crossed the Lake, ate too much and enjoyed the end of season feeling.

Italian Coffee Shop at its Best

We drank too many coffes and ate too many croissants but hey, that is holidays.

Drying Corn up in the Mountains

All too soon it was time to say goodbye and off we went on the next part of the adventure. Without any thought to accommodation you really don’t know what is next and it is always great to find that Booking.com has done it again. After driving through grey wet Italy it was a surprise to come out of the Mont Blanc tunnel into sunshine, we headed up to Chamonix then climbed up the mountains to Clusaz. The hotel was just superb and quiet. We were told that there was ‘maybe’ 1000 people here off season but if the snow came there would be 20, 000 in a fortnight. Oh how lucky we are to live in the NW of Scotland!

Clusaz in the morning

We headed off to Lyon but had plenty time so we enjoyed French hospitality at its best on route. The views from the car were amazing as we sped through the countryside.

Car Tourism

We stopped in a small town for lunch and found a market which was music to the ladies ears and the ‘last minute’ shopping was satisfied in full. Faverge was full of surprises and we couldn’t get over the Morris shooting brake passing us in tip top order.

Lost?

We are looking forward to getting back there.

The rest of the journey was trouble free and it is always a relief to see a forecast that is kind to us. Here we are back at the coal face and the list of jobs is getting longer and longer.

I must head outside and get the most of the day, I see the wind has dropped so the wind turbine recently replaced on the broadband mast will not be charging so the mainland area we beam the signal too will be off for a wee bit longer.

Posted in The Views and of course the weather | 1 Comment

isleofronalog

Still on The Windy Side.

123knts!

The Morning After The Night Before.

Happy New Year

We’re Nearly There.

Third Time Lucky

Weather Bombs.

We’re Off Again!

Normal Service Has Resumed

Back To The Sun!!

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