Glorious weekend...

What a wonderful weekend off!
Yes, Kapitein finally came out of the inner sanctum and we have had some well deserved time off.
Friday evening was lovely and still,  so we decided to head to Balnahard to have a BBQ supper. Kapitein set out the chairs and lit the BBQ when to our surprise we were joined by several million uninvited guests - Midgies! 
Avon Skin-so-Soft worked for a few moments, but to no avail. Kapitein found the best plan of action was to sit over the smoking BBQ as our sausages and meat cooked to keep the little darlings away! It worked! 
We watched as the Friday evening ferry - LOTI - sailed in and out of Scalasaig Harbour and mused about the 'holidays' beginning and ending with this wonderful journey for folk arriving to and departing from our wonderful island - thankful that we don't need to make these journeys. 

LOTI coming into Scalasaig

LOTI leaving Scalasaig

View towards something called the mainland!

We endured our uninvited 'guests' for a couple of hours but even Sampster and Wolfie were tired of the wee blighters trying to nest in their eyeballs!
Reports on Saturday morning were that the whole island was awash with Midgies, even the Old Waiting Room, at Scalasaig was engulfed with plumes of hungry Midgies.

Saturday was a 'domestics' day, catching up on jobs around the house.

Sunday morning, we were up early, packed some nice things to eat and off we headed to Oransay. What a glorious day. Light winds (and no midgies)  
We crossed the Strand and headed for the East side of Oransay through Poll Gorm towards Rubha Bàn. I think the pictures speak for themselves.

We continued towards Port Dhūn a' Gharaidh as a visiting Yacht arrived.

We were very aware of the tides so we headed off inland beside the Mesolithic Shell Mound to rejoin the track at Eilean Fhionnalaidh.
By this time Sampster and Wolfie were beginning to get a bit tired! A wee rest was in order to eat our snacks and enjoy the views, on second glance, Sampster had fallen asleep!!! Ah bless him...

We arrived back at the car, after a thoroughly enjoyable few hours.

On our way back to the Homestead on the Colonsay ring road, we passed Colonsay International Airport. There appeared to be some activity, unusual for a Sunday. We found out later that the Coast Guard were on exercise. The Coast Guard helicopter was picking up personnel, circling around the Homestead then winching them back down to the Airstrip. What a treat that would have been. I did later suggest if they ever needed a 'victim' (casualty) I would be happy to oblige! Not wanting to tempt fate though, I don't want a real injury!!

If you would like to sample our island delights, come and see us sometime! Especially as our Bed & Breakfast is open all the year round! During the winter months, the Calmac ferry timetable changes, but with the introduction of Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) it is reported that there will be a 35% reduction in fares from October. But, you mustn't forget, you can always make a flying visit with Hebridean Air Services, a must for any discerning traveller.
Hope to see you very soon...

A busy day in paradise

Up with the starlings and out with Sampster and Wolfie. The daily commute along the bay is far better than mainland traffic jams and road rage.
Rush hour here is when the cattle decide to visit the capital and ewes with lambs at foot decide to have a morning jaunt along the island ring road to watch the boats coming and going.

Then it was off to do a stint at the Craft Fair to sell an array of locally produced arts and crafts and an opportunity to do a wee spot of knitting. Folk came and went, especially when the ferry came in. 

It was nice to chat to customers. Many have been regular visitors to the island for years because our Island at the Edge has such allure.
It is amazing to see how hats suit some folk and not others! And what does attract a man to try on one of Maggie's pink fluff trimmed hats? He looked quite good in it... Sorry, we don't have pictures, we have to protect his anonymity...


Eskie bounced in full of Tigger energy. Living on the north of the island, we do think she doesn't get out that much, as when she does visit the island capital, Scalasaig, all the pent up energy gets released before she heads back up the hill and through the pass. 
She brought news about a meeting of the Tourism & Marketing Group later in the day. They are drumming up support for an island website to advertise accommodation availability and events. Went along to have a look-see and partake of a nice glass of wine. Eskie and the team are also involved in lots of new initiatives linked to the new website to promote our island, it will be going live at the turn of the year. For those readers not familiar with this little corner of paradise click on these links to find out more: community website the events website and the music festival - a real must for all you traditional Scottish music buffs out there.

Back to the homestead to find that Kapitein had been checking the sheep. Big Fella, Wee Girly and the Wee Man are all well. Kapitein has singled out 10 wedders for the next trip to Islay, so more fresh meat on our table soon, and on those of our growing band of loyal customers on the mainland.