2015 a Year in Review...

2015 a year in review!

Happy New Year!! We wish you a healthy, happy, safe and prosperous 2016.

A second year has passed since the devastating fire, our time we feel to reflect on what has been happening here on the croft! I think we progress more than we think we do, especially when we look at the photographs! 

January 2015 saw an inundation of water and our first New Year on the croft saw us digging drainage ditches to direct the water away from the fields. Kapitein dug nearly 40 metres, my small offering (although the ditch I was digging was much wider) achieved 2.5 metres, but every little helps so they say. With high winds and more rain forecast I suspect I could be digging some more in the next day or two.

We also celebrated Burns Night in traditional style with Haggis, neeps and tatties (turnip and potatoes) washed down with wonderful 16 year old Jura Whisky, yummy...

Our own wee waterfall

Haggis Neeps and Tatties

     






February saw completion of the foundations for my work shed and shop, Kapitein managed to lay breeze blocks all through January and early February to give a sound frame for the concrete to be poured.

Ross pouring concrete - it even snowed!    

     

Raking the concrete.

The Shed duly arrived (albeit 5 days earlier than expected) and building commenced that very day. It took just a few hours to get the main frame of the shed constructed - a bit like putting together some over-sized jigsaw. 

 Mid construction - windows in and doors to be installed and the roof of course!       When the shed was fully constructed, we changed the roof - just to make sure there wasn't any leakage! Then we sprayed the wood to protect it as far as possible from the inclement weather. It is a super place to work and we have even had one lovely visitor who came on a knitting course stated on her next visit she is going to bring her sleeping bag!! Rae, you will be more than welcome and you will be nice and snug amongst the wool too...

Initially access was via steps, but a short while later we were able to install a more 'user friendly' access which works a treat.

Easter and the shop was open for business stocked with many different hand knitted items I had made during the winter months. I was also assisted by several local hand knitters who have worked tirelessly to help me rebuild my stock levels. And this year for the first time, we produced our very own home grown and Skye woven tweed. 

This has proved hugely popular with handbags, hip flasks and waistcoats sent worldwide. All thanks to our wonderful flock of Hebridean sheep!

All stocked and ready to go and with a knitting area too.

Also during April and lambing was in full flow, the Hebrideans and Black Cheviots producing some wonderful lambs – with proud fathers watching on, we could not have wished for anything better. Albeit we did have bleary eyes! Up before the larks and still checking the girl’s way past midnight – all in a day’s work for us.We had an extra special girly this year, here she is with the hens who I am sure believe they are indeed sheep! 

May and the weather did improve! If only for a few days but a welcome break none the less.

This gave the opportunity for the 'boys' to be out and about on the bunds where there was grass in abundance. The 'Big Fella' is always up for a photograph. He is such a handsome chap.

This is 'Big Laddy' The Black Cheviot tup and 'Skyefall (our pedigree Hebridean tup) both lambs are still the best of friends and follow each other everywhere. And get into great mischief whereever they can. They became the best escapologists of all... But always happy to go back with the others, especially when encouraged with food!!

June, July and August and we were busy, busy busy in the workshop. We have had some delightful visitors here to the croft from all corners of the globe. Everyone has been delighted in being able to get up close to our sheep as ultimately everything I make comes from their fleeces. The wool, the knitted products and of course the tweed. You can’t get better provenance than this, especially when you can touch next year’s wool as it grows on the back of the sheep.We have met some wonderful people, one lady who visited with her husband and who has been following the blog. She asked if the Electricity supply was sorted! I realised then I hadn't been updating the blog! So we took the time to show her our progress. I was thrilled to meet her and hope to welcome her and many, many others back again this year too. 

In-between working in my shop, knitting, sewing and designing knitwear both Kapitein and I have been working at Dunvegan Castle. Kapitein – as a fully qualified commercial Skipper worked on the seal boats, taking visitors out to view in excess of 300 native common seals. Whilst I worked within Dunvegan Castle as a tour guide. This was a welcome break from all things sheep and I had the privilege of working within a superb team and of course I met some fantastic visitors here on Skye.

  

Late summer is the show season for most of Scotland which for us started with Dunvegan show closely followed by Portree Agricultural show. My flock of sheep received a very warm welcome and won first prizes in both shows. I am especially proud of my Hebrideans which won reserve champion at Portree. I was privileged and honoured to be awarded a plaque which is on display in my shop. I am permitted to keep the trophy for one year – until the Portree Agricultural Show in August 2016. Who knows who will win it this time, we will have to wait and see.

Here I am for the very first time in a show ring at Dunvegan show with these my two wonderful Black Cheviot Shearlings Harry Hotspur and Ralph Percy (pronounced Raaf Porcy) Ive got Harry and the wonderful gentleman in front of me is handling Ralph. I am especially grateful to everyone who helped and supported me that day. Especially to Magnus (sheep handler extraordinaire) and Kenna (official photographer) the guys in and around the show ring and the huge support from my colleagues at Dunvegan Castle, this was a very, very special day indeed - thank you to one and all.

And there is more… Whilst Kapiten and I were working we had the Bernisdale Boys back. DJ arrived with the even bigger digger and set too building the much needed sea defences down on the shore.

 One balmy summer evening, I was taking in the remaining view just before sunset when a sheep came to the garden gate. I had to let him in!!

How could I resist!! He has become so popular, a very special artist, Linda Foster has painted a wonderful portrait of the Big Fella, she has really captured the likeness and her style of painting is just wonderful. The print is available on our website on the page listed 'Big Fella'. Watch this space for more 'Big Fella' merchandise this coming spring.

Autumn & Winter DJ also dug out the foundations for our Agricultural Shed – a must have before the winter set in. Progress has been ongoing and as I write, the last stages are underway with the preparation for the concrete flooring which should be poured on this Thursday. Fingers crossed. x

The very beginning of the shed build we were once again helped by a fantastic band of folk. Stephen (my son-in-law) aka the Mechanic (little miss no no gladly kept everyone going with teas and coffees!!) General 'Dogs Body', I am sure you will get to know more of him as time goes on! Brian, Salty - not quite a 'sea dog' as he's in training, John the very, very professional Bernisdale Boy, Andrew, Gerry and of course Kapitein. I am immensely proud of all of them and hey voila we have a shed!

If you ever see any of the above team and especially John - the Bernisdale Boy, just don't mention the roller shutter door! If you do, ask him where the digger was!!

John went out on a high, as he has since changed jobs (no I don't think that it was the building of the shed that 'finished him'!!) He has moved on to pastures new and we wish him every success with his new endeavours. He has been with us since the start here on the croft and without him, we know we would not be as far forward with our plans as we are, a truly great guy - 'Kettle's always on John'!! 

But he has left us in very capable hands and in the photo is Ali from Sconsor with the sub base going down in preparation for the shuttering (its all technical stuff - or so they tell me).

Just in time for the last day on the Seal boats Kapitein’s kilt arrived all the way from Edinburgh. A hand-sewn kilt made by GordonNicolson Kiltmakers especially for Trevor from our own Tattersall tweed. He is also wearing his traditionally hand knitted, (and designed and knitted by me) in our Hebridean yarn, Colonsay Gansey and matching Hebridean Kilt socks. I think he looks fantastic…

Watch this space for further collaborative work with Gordon in the future here on the croft!

The kilt is just amazing to see - we have sufficient material to make just 2 more so if you're interested, do get in touch with us or pop along to the croft to see the orginial for your self.

We celebrated our second Christmas here in the caravan. We had the obligatory storm just prior to Christmas Eve, including snow – it didn’t stay, but on the day it was calm and we even saw the sunshine too. 

It’s that time of the year where we wait to see a wee bit of the 'white stuff' and we found some on our journey travelling to Fort William over the hill at Glengarry saw more than a light covering of snow – truly lovely…

I have hardly touched on the immense 'goings on' down on the croft. But for more catch-ups we had a dedicated Facebook page where you can find out news, offers, courses and this is where we upload our video's too.

And last, but by no means least, we would just like to say a huge thank you to all of you who have supported our endeavours, either by working with us, just visiting, shopping with us, participating in courses and the ' In Stitches' ladies who just make life worth living, it has been truly amazing to meet everyone.  

Happy knitting and 'woolly crafting' wherever you are. Until next time...

One Year On - A Year in Review...

Just over a year has passed since we lost everything in the fire. We worked as usual on the first anniversary, on our croft and remembered how very, very lucky we are to be alive and well. Since our arrival here on the Isle of Skye, we have been overwhelmed with the genuine kindness that has been shown to us. This is a wonderful island with folk that are sincere and have shown that indeed when you are down on your uppers, that honest help is available. Thank you – you know who you all are…

Such a huge amount has been happening but the main thing was that we found it! Our new abode - for the next few years.

With a a lot of searching - the whole of the UK to be exact, we found a suitably sized caravan. We were contacted about a rather ‘individual’ second hand static caravan for sale. The only problem is the 35 feet x 12 feet mobile home was situated in Dumfries and Galloway, the southern tip in the west of mainland Scotland. But the young chap, affectionately known as JJ, said he could organise the transportation of our new abode. Little did we know at this point that the delivery wagon would require an ‘escort’ due to the width and length of the load, but that wasn’t a problem for JJ.

K.Lee Plant, the owner John who is the dab hand with a digger arrived to excavate a suitable, flat area to site the caravan  with an even bigger digger and this time he brought along his sidekick – Wullie. What these boys can’t do with a digger, isn’t worth knowing about!

Wullie with the even bigger digger

Once again we also needed to enlist the help of Magnus. When he isn’t fencing, he will help with any kind of ‘land’ work, we can add strimming and cutting down trees to his portfolio of skills.

In the meantime, I had been pining! Yes fretting for my 3 boys – No, not some ‘hunky human’ chaps, but my 3 handsome Tups who were still on Colonsay!

So, how do you get 3 Tups from Colonsay to Skye?

It started with a flight with my favourite airline – Hebridean Air Services, the plane was piloted by Julie, it was fantastic to see everyone, especially Dixie, and had a good ‘natter’ on the fabulous flight over.

Our dear friend Annie collected me from Colonsay International Airport and we went to find the Tups. They remembered me (well ish) but they were running with another 3 tups who are renowned for being mischievous. They didn’t disappoint us, it took Graham, Joe (with his two dogs) and me to get the tups into a secure corner of the field so we could grab my 3 and put them into the trailer to take them to the pier.

Graham with my tups at the pier

Kapitein in the meantime had put our unaccompanied trailer onto my other favourite mode of transport, the Calmac ferry LOTI. The tups were safe and sound down at the pier which gave me a wee while to catch up with Annie and visit Gavalus Gavalar in the Pantry. ‘Nice coffee Gav’! Meanwhile, Kapitein was enjoying himself in Oban, he’s grand at shopping, he even bought me some presents! Some fabulous Jura whisky and a bottle of ‘dog’!

The ferry duly arrived and with the help of Phil on the Hill and Will, our trailer was hastily towed off the ferry, backed up to the holding pens, tups loaded and then re-loaded back onto the ferry. With fond farewells my tups and I sailed onward to Oban, all in a mornings work!

The Big Fella in the trailer on-board LOTI 

Kapitein collected me and the trailer and we headed home to Skye. We offloaded the tups safe and well in their new field all within the regulated time for transporting animals.

Meanwhile, Magnus had started with the chain saw and the strimmer to clear a path through the undergrowth, cutting down an abundance of Bog Myrtle. He informed me there were Midgies in the Bog Myrtle bushes! I always thought Bog Myrtle was a remedy!

Following Magnus’s run in with the Midgey, the ‘Bernisdale Boys’ continued to excavate in preparation for the caravan, the area was covered with years and year’s growth of weeds and grass. Then, low and behold, on a balmy summer evening, we came to the croft and a ‘site’ had appeared!

Amidst all of these jobs, we have had little time to go out and explore Skye, but we had been blessed with several visitors to the croft - members of our families and friends from the Low Lands, Islands and the very North of Englandshire. Our friends from the lowlands arrived en-route to heading out over the Minch to Harris. They were due on the Friday evening,  travelling early the next day on the early morning Calmac ferry from Uig to Tarbert onward to their destination of Harris, their base for a spectacular trip to St. Kilda. We had a wonderful time catching up on all of our news.

The Hebrides arriving at Uig, Isle of Skye

I digress…

We finally got word from JJ, that our caravan could be delivered, complete with escort. Ironically, it would arrive exactly 6 months to the day after we had left Colonsay.

At exactly 11.15pm, the wagon and escort vehicle with JJ duly arrived with our new home.

The caravan being offloaded from the wagon.

At precisely midnight our caravan ‘touched down’ onto our land, a very significant and emotional moment – we had our new home, at last.

The following morning John (Bernisdale Boys) came to help Kapitein to site the caravan, quite a difficult task to get a 35ft long and 12ft wide caravan turned and positioned exactly where we needed it to be. But they both did a magnificent job, I was so proud of both of them.

With the aid of Kapitein’s landrover, the caravan was sited.

We had only seen photographs of the caravan, so we were very excited to see the inside! It was all JJ said it was – very purple, but in splendid condition, a much loved caravan indeed, we are so grateful to the previous owners who obviously took good care of it.

Samster & Wolfie enjoying home comforts.

Now then, the next thing on our list was to install services to the caravan, in-between preparing it for the winter. We installed a wood burning stove (our thanks go to Neil from Skye Finishing Touches – well done) anchors and chains – to stop it blowing away in the gales, skirting, to protect the chassis and add much needed insulation and thick carpets – courtesy of Harris Home Furnishings. Water was eventually connected, BT finally put a pole up and Kapitein and I trenched in over 200 metres of phone cable – it’s brilliant when communications are up and running, then Billy came to connect the gas for my new oven and hob! 

But, no electricity! SSE tried their utmost to get the wayleaves signed so mains electric could be brought into the site, but to no avail. So we had to re-think how we can live and work here without mains electricity. But aha! It’s solved… We are officially ‘off grid’. Kapitein and I are ‘eco-friendly’ with solar panels and a battery pack that would keep mobile devices going forever. It’s brilliant…

The Generator only runs an hour or two in the absence of sunshine, plus we have planted in excess of 800 trees on the croft, not bad for 'carbon offset'.

My Birthday during this year was a very special day indeed. Kapitein had a wonderful treat in store. I had the privilege of flying with Loch Lomand Seaplanes. What an exciting day, especially as it was their 'yellow' plane the same colour as Hebridean Air Services plane.

Loch Lomand 'Yellow' Seaplane - fabulous

Flying towards Loch Coruisk - amazing views

We flew over Portree, to the North of Skye - Staffin and the Quiraing then landed in the Sound of Raasay. I highly recommend this trip if you are ever visiting Skye, it is truly amazing.

We had also re-stocked with another breed of sheep – the Black Cheviot. Historically the black sheep were used to spot the white ones up on the Cheviot Hills when the snow fell. They have a wonderful fleece, close and of a lighter brown to the Hebrideans – I can hardly wait until shearing time next year to send the fleeces off for processing into wool.

Meet Harry Hotspur and Ralph Percy - New Black Cheviot tups

We also have some new Pedigree Hebridean ewes. They are delightful and run quite happily with the new Black Cheviot ewes. 

One of the new Hebridean ewes

Amidst all of the work, we put in planning permission for our new home, agricultural shed and business – which will be housed in a traditional Blackhouse – we were again very blessed and all planning was passed. Phew!!

Before we knew it the time had come for putting the tups in. It was quite funny when we went to collect the tups from their field. The 'wee man' (who sadly wasn't going to meet the girls) came right up to me, I think he is saying it all... 

The Wee Man "What about me? Am I not perfect!!

Sinterklass came to us again with a wonderful array of goodies. I didn't know where to start! But we have waded our way through as much as we could. Yum yum - delicious.

A package arrived in the post a year to the day since the fire on Colonsay. This was a copy of the book that Keiko Honda produced when she visited us on Colonsay. It was quite surreal to see the photographs. Also enclosed in the package were copies of the first 3 magazines which my articles about rebuilding our lives here on the Isle of Skye are featured. 

Keiko Honda's Book about my work and life on Colonsay.

Christmas was upon us and Kapitein and I had delighted in preparing for the festivities - purchasing gifts for our family and friends. Last year we were with our dear friend Annie on Colonsay, this year we were in our own home. We’ve even got a ‘caravan’ sized real Christmas tree.

Our 'real' Christmas Tree

In the meantime, I had sent off Hebridean fleeces to the mill for processing and have received the wool back, it is beautiful, so it’s back to designing and knitting – fantastic. Check it out on the Island at the Edge website. It is lovely and soft just perfect for your new creative projects.

Sitting nestled within fleece showing the shades within the wool

This year I will also be producing both Worsted and Wool fabric with the help of Andrea and Roger from Skye Weavers – I can hardly contain myself. They are busy with the first sample so you’ll have to keep a watchful eye both here and on the website for the new designs in the early spring. 

So here we are in 2015 amid huge storms – thankfully the caravan has stood firm in winds of over 100mph! There is something to be said for all of the hard work we have done in securing the caravan during the summer. Anchors and chains, skirting - to protect the chasis, guy wires to secure the chimney to mention just a few, but  I believe we are in for a few more storms, so fingers crossed all will be well.

And finally we have a new Facebook page Island at the Edge this is where we will keep you up to date with daily news.

It's time to go out and feed the sheep now I thought this photo may cheer us all up during this stormy weather it is the view out over the loch from our front window - happy days...

With more plans afoot I'll keep you posted... Be safe and well wherever you are.

Its all been going on...

I have been on one of my whistle stop tours of the mainland again, but this time with a very specific purpose!

I stayed with Captain Flack’s sister in law, the delectable Ishbell in the Sgeir Mhaol guest house in Oban. It’s a home from home atmosphere and Ishbell cooks a very, very good breakfast. She is such a welcoming hostess. So if you are on your way to or from Colonsay and find you need somewhere to stay, then this is the place. Ishbell explained how she took over the guest house around 3 years ago and is finally able to put her own stamp on things. She took me to a room she is in the process of ‘doing up’ and boy oh boy, it’s going to look fantastic. I wish you continued success Ishbell, you are a special lady who deserves a break in life, so onwards and upwards...

There are big changes happening at the Homestead, hence the trip to the mainland for supplies of ‘everything’ I could possibly think of and a bit more. For a shopaholic (not) this was no mean feat. This was made especially difficult as my car required attention from a mechanic. (Thank you everyone at Munros for a stirling job completed in a very, very timely manner) 

I strode from one end of Oban to the other no less than four times (I am sure the locals thought I was the latest resident bag lady) laden with goodies and nice things for... Yes you guessed, our new project (one of many during the forthcoming year)
Kapitein and I are set to open the Homestead as a B & B. Adding four more beds, (one twin and one double room, both en-suite – the double room having a bath that holds 2 people, and bidet) to the offer of much sought after quality accommodation here on our wee island. We are set to be ready for the beginning of April. I have sourced ‘quality’ for our guests (as only the very best will do) so, if you wish to stay in our wonderful Homestead, check out the website on www.island-at-the-edge.co.uk and follow the instructions. Then see for yourself this fantastic island and if you are especially good, you may even get to meet the Island at the Edge crew, including Sampster and Wolfie (a more delectable pair you wouldn’t wish to find)You may, if you don’t know them already, get to meet some of the colourful characters that live here on our island, and let’s just see if you can guess exactly who they are from their pseudonyms?  

And don’t forget, to get here, you can take a flight with Hebridean Air Services or sail the high seas with Caledonian Macbrayne, either way, we can pick you up and bring you to the Homestead. What awaits you is excellent accommodation with a superb breakfast and, as an addition, the option of a packed lunch and first-rate home cooked fayre for your evening meal. We can even offer you the use of a vehicle, but if you prefer Archie the Magnificent’s bike hire is just around the corner. What more could the discerning traveller need. We’ve got it all. So if island hopping is on your itinerary this year, why don’t you hop across and see us, where a warm welcome awaits.

We hope to see you very soon...

Aha! No, not the pop group for all of you 80’s music buffs, but aha, Madam Lone Ranger, usually seen with her faithful hound Tonto galloping across the Strand, has been on an epic journey to help out our neighbours on Jura. She is a Doctor (when not out and about on her trusty steed) and a very good Doctor she is too. Well, it took her hours and hours and hours and yet more hours to arrive in Jura to cover the Monday surgery. She set off on Saturday on the flight to Oban, stayed the night, then travelled to Kennecraig, caught the ferry to Port Askaig, then another ferry to Jura. I’ll bet her prospective patients were very appreciative (I know we are here on our wee island)

Well, Kapitein and I discussed this.

There isn’t a direct link neither by sea nor sky from our wee island to Jura, nor by sea to Islay, we only have 2 scheduled flights to Islay during the week, I can see how this posed a problem for Madam Lone Ranger.

I knew Kapitein had been very, very busy in his inner sanctum, sometimes you just don’t want to know what he gets up to in there, as you just never know what he will come up with next, but this is the best so far!

 I have mentioned we had a naval architect here on a couple of occasions. Well, boat plans, specifications and everything else is now ready. Kapitein has designed a vessel for the high seas and a more fantastic craft you couldn’t wish to see and just perfect for Colonsay. A dedicated fast, all-weather landing craft for ferrying passengers, freight, wildlife tours, diving trios and a scheduled service to and from our neighbouring islands. The list is endless as to the capabilities and versatility of this vessel. This will also offer full time employment opportunities, bring more people to our island and allow us more access to the near islands and beyond.

Following a recent meeting with Pedie Popped Out (who I suspect may have wished to pop out during the meeting) as part of his role as Local Development Officer (LDO) he has been tasked with sourcing the appropriate funding for the build. C’mon Pedie let’s make this happen! If nothing else, but in support of ‘our’ much needed vital links with the outside world. Had this boat been operational, then Madam Lone Ranger would have had only a short trip across the high seas to cover the surgery at a fraction of the cost! So let’s get to it!!

If you would like to see this Ferry in operation, then show your support by sending an email to: Hebrideanisles@aol.co.uk Kapitein is doing his bit and lobbying in the Capital (Edinburgh of course) for his fast and versatile Ferry to be included in the draft Ferry Review.

And finally, it is that time of year again when the Festival of Spring is nearly here. Come along and enjoy the myriad of activities on offer this year. From knitting courses, for beginners, intermediates and experts (yes, I have something up my sleeve for the expert knitters) to foraging, walks and even bread making with ‘Lovejoy’!

For those who sign up for the knitting course, there will be a bonus this year - our lambing should be in full flow. What a treat to see these wee small black bundles of fluff and a glimpse into the future – next year’s fleeces and wool!

The 2012 Colonsay Festival of Spring is the next big happening!

28th April to 18th May 2012

A fantastic array of events & activities are planned - from guided walks and foraging sessions to art classes, photography and craft workshops.

Go to www.colonsayevents.co.uk for a full timetable and more information.

Booking for activities & workshops are now being taken.  

Some will have restricted places available – so book now to avoid disappointment!  All contact details are on the website. www.colonsayevents.co.uk