Happy New
Year!! And Lang may yer lum reek.
Where have I
been! I hear you ask. The answer is at the very edge and beyond...And I am
probably still there!!!
I could say I
have been inordinately busy and that would be very near to the truth. What with
the launch of the new website, keeping up with demand designing and marketing
products and looking after the sheep, this has left very little time to spare.
Plus, being very, very windswept and less interesting than of late, especially
as I am up against all the elements including 100 mph winds and horizontal
hailstones, the like I have never seen before. But, and this is a big but, I
love it... The weather is just spectacular here during the winter months.
Kapitein and
I have braved these elements to pursue one of his favourite pastimes of
beachcombing, especially in 80 mph winds. I had visions of acquiring a new
skill, being flown as a kite at the height of Kapiteins shoulder, but without
strings this wasn’t a very good idea. It was all worthwhile; he claimed a
couple more buoys for the collection. I especially like the pink ones. (I know,
just a bit ‘girly’ but one has to try).
Wolfie, who
is bred for this type of weather, enjoys every moment especially when a washing
up bowl size of hailstones accumulated near the back door of the homestead. He
promptly rolled in the white-stuff and ran around with glee, much to the
amusement of Samster. Wolfie was grossly disappointed the following day when he
found it had all melted. Fingers crossed, we get a good covering of snow, even
just to satiate the needs of Wolfie.
We have had
an inordinate amount of power cuts here, 10 were counted in just one day, and
the final one sounded the gong for our being without electricity for over 30
hours. Only, that isn’t strictly true. Kapitein is a master of forward thinking
and had Captain Flack’s son install a generator last November. What a blessing
for Kapitein as he does need power in his inner sanctum, else he just couldn’t
function! The piece de resistance was we even managed to watch the telly!!
Amazing what can be done with a UPS, length of extension lead and a wee bit of
imagination... We did have a few hours discussing the why and wherefores of
life by candlelight just to take advantage of the ambiance.
One worrying
fact is that when the electric goes off here for several hours, so does the
land line. I ponder, what would happen if there were a real emergency!!!
I remember
reading of some inhabitants living on a small island in Northumberland who were
running out of beer! It took a ‘mercy’ dash and re-supply of their ‘emergency’
stocks (beer of course) by the local search and rescue helicopter.
We were
unable to communicate with the outside world for several hours, so couldn’t
have called in any emergency services, let alone a helicopter! Rumour has it
when one of our scheduled ferries returned to Oban, staff from Calmac informed
the ‘powers that be’ on the mainland that our wee island was totally cut off.
Me thinks a
satellite phone would be rather good, based at the service point; maybe something
our beloved LDO’s could source funding for? This would ensure our emergency
supplies were guaranteed, plus, if there were any medical emergencies, and they
do happen, or unlawful activities -whereby we needed to handcuff criminals at
the pier is all well and good (should anyone commit a criminal act – fairly unlikely,
but they have happened recently) but, to leave them there for in excess of 24
hours, maybe wouldn’t sit well in the court of human rights. It’s all worth
thinking about...
Then...
I was sitting
knitting, when I heard a helicopter buzzing around the houses. I later found
out that it landed in the Pantry car park. A rather dapper pilot (you know you
are old when pilots look far too young to fly) explained that he brought over
the Scottish Electric engineers. I know they were working continuously for
several days to reconnect everyone, so fantastic job guys and a big thank you.
Also,
throughout all of the power cuts, Orange didn’t fair too well again until, a
technician, accompanied by his granny, flew in with Hebridean Air Services and immediately
repaired the damage so now all is well. I believe ‘granny’ had a wonderful
visit to the island too.
So what else
has happened...
Eskie and I
took advantage of the new Saturday ferry service before Christmas. She and I
sailed on the day return Saturday service maiden voyage to seek goodies from
the mainland. We had precisely one hour and forty minutes to gather our fayre
from Tesco (there are other supermarkets equally good in Oban). Gavalus was on
hand to help as we were faced with the slowest check out assistant I have ever
seen! Bless, probably thinking about holidays in Lanzerote (where Gavalus was
flying to later that week). We said our goodbye’s to Gavalus in Tesco’s car
park, making it back to the terminal with minutes to spare with a very laden
vehicle and a very, very stressed Eskie (she obviously didn’t fancy a night or
two in Oban out on the lash...) Back at the homestead Kapitein didn’t know what
to eat first, he was even eying up the green veg with glee (a rarity here)
before I could even cook them. So with over 5 hours travelling for a trolley
dash on the mainland, some would say “you're mad” but it does beat the
Metrocentre anyday.
Fabby,
fantastic, wonderful news...
Little Miss
No No and The Mechanic are to be married!!!
Following the
obligatory asking me for her hand in marriage, Little Miss No No and The
Mechanic have set a date for their wedding, 4th November 2012. I am
delighted my wee one is to be betrothed. So now begins the run up to the big
day with dress fittings and venues to be confirmed amongst the myriad of other
responsibilities. I am absolutely delighted and to coin an age old phrase, I am
gaining a son and not losing a daughter. Many, many congratulations to you
both...
And then...
Whilst
Gavalus Gavalar was gallivanting in warmer climes he entrusted it his beloved
Pantry to Kapitein and I – for the Friday night quiz. A very strange state of
affairs is to be on the other side of the bar at the Pantry!. From 7pm till
1.00pm we served drinks and as Kapitein has always wanted to hear the ringing
of money going into a till (this must go way back into his childhood) his wish
was granted. But fear not Gavalus, your Pantry was in safe hands, although, I
am not sure if he would ask again!!
Gavalus has
also, single-handedly, been keeping Oban Airport staff going with Doughnuts, 24
were sent as a wee Christmas thank you for all of the help and support they
have given us last year. It’s amazing what folk will do for a doughnut! I have
a sneaking suspicion that there is a doughnut hoarder somewhere within the
confines of the Airport, as early reports state that not everyone received one.
It just goes to show that the temptation of May’s Sugary Wonders brings out the
mischief in people. They are well worth a try when you visit Colonsay. And guys
and gals at the Airport, if you are all very, very good then more may wing
their way to you in the very near future!
A rather
peculiar thing happened...
It has been
widely publicised we had a rather unusual, not native, but somewhat dead,
visitor to the island – a fox!
It was found
in the vicinity of the shop and seemingly appeared from nowhere! Some say it
came on the bin wagon, others that it was brought to the island as a joke
(strange sense of humour for someone to see that as funny) and yet others say
there is a hidden message deep within the confines of the perpetrator’s mind!
Initial
indications were it had been knocked over (whilst on the island) yet no-one
reported hitting a fox with their vehicle. Another suggestion was it had been
shot, others hinted that the fox met its demise (either shot or knocked over)
on the mainland prior to its arrival here on the island. I think we need John
Nettles of Midsummer Murders to solve this mystery especially as, someone
somewhere knows all about it. A real whodunit!
Politics...
There has
been an excessive amount of ‘politics’ going on here of late. I suggest that
everyone who is interested should read a copy of the Crofter and the Laird as
it is really strange how history keeps repeating itself!
Oh dear, the
‘Big Fella’
All of this
stormy weather saw an unprecedented amount of wind and rain. Checking the sheep
one day I found the ‘Big Fella’ entangled in brambles and just about taking his
last breath. I carried him up to the gate as Kapitein helped me get Big Fella
into the vehicle. Back to the homestead, we put him in the shed surrounded by
old fleeces and began the slow process of nursing him back to health. I spoke
to Tristan our local vet in Oban who gave sound advice and over the next few
days it was very touch and go. This even saw me getting up through the night to
nurse this 8 month old lamb. We nearly lost him a couple of times, one evening
in particular resigning to the fact that, he may die, but at least he was warm
and comfortable. Then low and behold, the very next morning he tried to get up
after greeting us with a wee bleat. It took two and a half weeks and he has
pulled through. A greater sight I have never seen is when he was put back into
his field with the others. He did have company during the latter days of his
stay with us, as ‘Wee Girly’ took to the doldrums too, she was very, very
bedraggled and looking quite weak, so Kapitein decided to bring her in too. It
was lovely to see them together munching away and enjoying their 5 star sheep
hotel. Both are doing very well especially as we are now enjoying a brief break
in the weather with the ‘old current bun’ reappearing.
Christmas...
Many, many thanks
to all our customers who supported the business in the run up to Christmas. I
hope to meet several of you whilst holidaying in Colonsay during the coming
year.
Christmas day
was a very quiet affair for Kapitein and I. Danger Mouse the Lonely Shepherd
joined us for Christmas lunch and we all sat and watched the obligatory Christmas
movie, Avatar. Nice...
Hogmanay...
I have always
celebrated Hogmanay. I like the idea of three days (or several more) of
bringing in the New Year. Last year Kapitein made it, just, to the third day (I
still had energy to spare) but this year was a little different. We had supper
with some dear friends, then off to the Ceilidh hosted by the newly engaged
Donald McAllister and Hannah Johnson (huge congratulations to both of you and
your respective families). A fantastic evening of dancing to superb music by
Donald on the accordion and Jim on the boran prior to the Twelve o’clock countdown
as Lewis piped in 2012. The party continued into the wee small hours. New Years
day we had wonderful bacon sandwiches at the Pantry, thank you Gavalus... out
of this world.
New
Horizons...
A new year
and a new start as commissions for knitwear as far away as Australia are
flooding in. New designs are in production including shooting socks, for which
the first pair will be winging their way to the mainland this week. But what of
the new year and my own new horizons? I’ll keep you posted!!
