Wavey Davey noticed there was a 'black sheep' amidst his flock the other day and without further ado beckoned the beast over to him - he was duly recognised by the beast as he was there when it slipped out from beneath Reginald Sigmund Peacock Brodie. As it sidled up beside him, he reached out, grabbed it and duly marched back it to its normal domicile. Well done Wavey Davey, there is a medal out there with your name on it... Our prize begonias are safe, well at least from the munching of a beast at least, I am not sure about the winds though.
However, it has come to my attention that the beast has been captured by another medium - no not someone who reads a crystal ball, but our very own Lady Penelope. She has completed a wonderful picture of said beast, the likeness is astonishing, I'm sure you will agree.
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| Courtesy of Lady Penelope - original water colour |
So what else has been happening of late?
We have had some very, very special visitors to the Homestead, namely Agent Nuno and his very, very Secret Agent counterpart.
Under the cover of nearly darkness, they arrived on LOTI having driven for several hundred miles from their current base, at Lancaster University - which acts as an appropriate front as they didn't want to pay the congestion charges to access their main office in Millbank London, plus very, very Secret Agent is renowned for diverting to the Tait Gallery amongst other 'haunts' down in the smoke. Their task, was to unearth the Heath Robinson Wind Machine. After several attempts to locate the device (which isn't small) it was found in a residents garden at Scalasaig, camouflaged by several meters of undergrowth, so under the cover of even nearer darkness, they hacked and chopped away to free the device.
But what to do with it? They tried to communicate with S (M has retired) only to find S had gone out for a curry. Kapitein and I were more than happy to help, so after a jaunt up to Balnahard - yes, in the dark so as the 'Agents' wouldn't be spotted, we hatched a plan.
The following morning the 'wind machine' was brought here to the Homestead and duly erected in the garden. We wait with bated breath to see if it will survive our wonderful winter winds.
S decided to communicate with me - all top secret and very, very undercover, and I was informed that there are several of these machines dotted about the landscape from as far afield as South Devon, right up to the Arctic! In actual fact, they are for recording Air quality - these are for looking at air quality and airborne debris that can find it's way to the four corners of the world. Interesting stuff... If you wish to track this information, you can find out more information on the Stockholm Convention page.
Agent Nuno and very, very Secret Agent, left our island, as secretly as they had arrived (with moments to spare) on LOTI. All I know is they were heading even further North to check out more wind! Good luck to both of them and we hope to see them again very soon. Mind you, I suspect they will use a different mode of transport the next time, we don't want them to blow their cover. Parachute folding was discussed, so if you see flares near the homestead, no it mightn't be a Meteor shower as was seen a couple of weeks ago, it may be S's team arriving again.
Ceol Cholasa was a massive, huge success this year, by all accounts, 'family MacNeill' were the highlight of the whole event. Fantastic and well done to everyone who planned and participated in this spectacular event. Here's to next year.
There have been more comings and goings from the Homestead, D, aka Noney Bean, arrived via Hebridean Air Services, by all accounts it had been a wee bit of a bumpy ride, but in the very, very capable hands of Pilot 'Julie' everyone arrived safe and well. D, thought it was brilliant.
Wolfie,was especially delighted to see D, he hasn't seen her for a wee while, Sampster was equally impressed, neither left her side for the duration of her stay.
D thought our wee island was just wonderful (a compliment indeed, as she is a devout city girl these days). We saw some large Atlantic bull seals at Ardskenish, Wolfie did behave himself as he has a 'nose' for sniffing out seals, goodness knows what he thinks they are, but he sure would like to get up close and personal with them.
D even got the opportunity to taste some of 'May Sugary Wonders' she was very impressed.
She left on LOTI, but it won't be long till she's back, I think there may be plans afoot! She will be back with Dr. Farnham early next year, we can't wait...
It has been full steam ahead here at the Homestead, we said our goodbye's to some of our sheep as they went to market. This brought back fond memories for me, I used to help my Dad with transporting livestock all around the country. And yes, I can drive a 55' articulated lorry! However, it was interesting watching our 'sheep' driven onto the boat at sunrise.
Kapitein and I have been completing 'works' we began at the start of the season. We now have a very spic and span 'boudoir' and have painted our way through to the lounge. A wee bit more work is needed then we shall be able to retire at the end of our working day, into a very, very nice private space.
Amidst the deluge of everything 'paint' I have been very busy with commissions. Gansey's are hot off the blocking board and with another on the needles. The new 'Kiloran' is also ready. Inspired by the film, 'I Know where I'm Going' this sweater just oozes everything 'Colonsay'. We are going to get the photo's taken over the next week or two, so you can see for yourself.
Eskie has taken off - to the mainland for a few days, and has left Mary and I to man the Old Waiting Room Gallery & Information point. As this is the beginning of our 'Connect with Colonsay' fortnight, I have been selling tickets for the 'activities' on offer. There is a huge amount going on, so if you hadn't planned to visit Colonsay, I think a day or two over here would be just the job especially as 'Lovejoy' has succumbed and is making all things rise again during his bread-baking course, a not to be missed opportunity.
So have a look see and we hope to see you very soon.
You can get here by car or train and boat or plane for travelling to Colonsay see Calmac, Scotrail & Hebridean Air Services.
CONNECT with COLONSAY this AUTUMN
A fortnight of fabulous things with Colonsay’s finest……..
Mon 1st October
Bread baking
10.30 – 1pm £10
Meet Colonsay house garden entrance
Knitting Workshop
1.30 -4.30pm £20
Meet at the Pantry
Tues 2nd October
Island Bus Tour with Kevin 11.30 -1pm £7.50
Meet at the Hotel
Cake Baking
2.30 -4.30pm £10
Meet Colonsay house garden entrance
Cinema Club Film Showing in the Hall
8pm £4
Wed 3rd October
Brewery Tour
12.00 -1pm
Colonsay House Gardens & Café – open for teas & cakes 2- 5pm
BINGO night in the Hotel 8pm
Thurs 4th October
RSPB guided Walk to Oronsay
1 -5pm
£8
Creative Writing Workshop 1.30 -4.30pm £20
Meet at the Pantry
Quiz night in the Hotel
Fri 5th October
Farm Walk
10.30 -12.00
Meet at the Crossing
(no charge)
Colonsay House Gardens Tour
3 - 4pm £5
Pantry Theme night supper
See Pantry for details
Sat 6th October
Balnahard Walk with Kevin Byrne 10.30 - 4.30. £8
Meet at the Crossing.
Knitting Workshop
1.30 -4.30pm £20
Meet at the Pantry
Music in the pub 8pm onwards
Sun 7th October
Bow & Arrow Golf
10.30 -1pm £5
Meet at the Golf Course
Creative Writing Workshop
1.30 -4.30pm £20
Meet at the Pantry
Open Evening in the Old Waiting Room Gallery 6pm onwards
Mon 8th October
Bread baking
10.30 – 1pm £10
Meet Colonsay house garden entrance
Knitting Workshop
1.30 -4.30pm £20
Meet at the Pantry
Pantry Theme night supper
Tues 9th October
Island Bus Tour with Kevin 11.30 -1pm £7.50
Meet at the Hotel
Cake Baking
2.30 -4.30pm £10
Meet Colonsay house garden entrance
Cinema Club Film Showing in the Hall
8pm £4
Wed 10th October
Brewery Tour 12.00
Knitting Workshop
1.30 -4.30pm £20
Meet at the Pantry
Colonsay House Gardens & Café – open for teas & cakes 2- 5pm
BINGO night in the Hotel 8pm
Thur 11th October
Walk to see the baby seals
11 am -1pm £5
Creative Writing Workshop
1.30 - 4.30pm £20
Meet at the Pantry
Quiz night in the Hotel
Fri 12th October
Farm Walk
10.30 -12.00
Meet at the Crossing
(no charge)
Colonsay House Gardens Tour
3 - 4pm £5
Pantry Theme night supper
See Pantry for details
Sat 13th October
Beach clean/comb with local beach litter artist. 2 - 5pm
Meet at the Crossing.
(no charge)
Music in the pub 8pm onwards
Sun 14th October
Bow & Arrow Golf
10.30 -1pm £5
Meet at the Golf Course
Open Evening in the Old Waiting Room Gallery 6pm onwards
A Scavenger Hunt (suitable for both adults & children) will run during both weeks. Entry forms & details available from the Shop & the Old Waiting Room
Further information on all the activities will be available for the old Waiting Room. Bookings & payments can be made there, or alternatively just turn up and pay the course leader. Please note: Knitting, Bread & Cake baking, Creative writing & the Bus tour will be number restricted.
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