A beautiful sunny day again today. The sun is melting the hard frost from yesterday, the snow is almost melted from the mountain tops, the primroses are starting to appear! but it’s not over yet – is it? I for one certainly have a feeling that the bulk of snow hasn’t arrived yet. We did have a fair amount in january that only hung around for a couple of days. I am personally hoping for snowfall in the last days of February (for my Birthday!). Hopefully warming up again before lambing.
Sun shining through the last of the ice today 12th February.
Sun through Ice
Sunrising at Talmine Harbour 30th January
sunrise at Talmine Harbour
The Little stone bridge and just a slight covering of snow left on Ben Hope in the background. Today 12th February.
Little stone bridge
I really like this photo and would love to have it printed on Canvas, If anyone would like a print please email us
The dog watching Steve taking the photo. Just because he likes to be a part of everything.
The dog watching Steve taking the photo.
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I was so pleased to be invited to help (with the fleeces) In the clipping shed. The sheep were very pleased to be unloading the weight.
The clipping shed
The clipping shed
The clipping shed
A short break at the clipping shed, Riona with her adorable Bo (Highland calf) and Bert (Bo’s very own pet lamb).
In the evenings I have been attempting to card and spin the wool. I have made a drop spindle and am at present getting the fleece to resemble thread! I learnt from youtube video’s and no 2 are the same so trial and much error! Time is the main factor.
We have had many visits from family and friends, sadly I have written the photos to our other hard drive and need to upload these before 7am (data allowance) So I will attempt another family and friends blog sooooooon!!
The terrible two. Our lovely friends black labrador over for a visit.
Relics
One of our favourite ruins
Our lovely new fence on the croft. Thank you Tommy,
On the beach at the bottom of the croft.
beach Ben Loyal and Ben Hope
Walking in the Highlands of Scotland
From the back bedroom window.
Dunrobin castle.
Seals on the sandbank
Devils bit scabious sowing it’s seeds
Walking in the Highlands of Scotland
local wildlife
fallen from the nest but mum still fed and looked after it.
from the front bedroom window
most nights this week from the back bedroom window. The Aurora Borealis.
A trip down the west coast
First snow of 2016
Walking in the Highlands of Scotland
Walking in the Highlands of Scotland
Currently we are working flat out on the croft. We are building drystone walls, repairing tracks, fencing, planting trees etc. The daylight hours are short so sun up to sundown there is no time to waste having a break, drink, rest take photo’s etc. Another subject for the next blog. We are currently creating a track down our croft , which anyone who has visited will be aware REALLY needed attention!
The June photo blog is a bit late, we are already halfway through July… Hey ho!
One of the best things that happened in June was the first visit from eldest daughter and grandchildren, and how they have grown up in the last couple of years, from children to young ladies.
Then:
Girlies
and now:
We spent a lovely week together, and hopefully now that they have conquered the journey once it will be less daunting next time.
Missing family and friends is the hardest cross to bear when you up sticks and move hundreds of miles away to partake in a new life journey.
Saffy enjoying day 1 of her Turmeric concoction to try to help with her sore leg.
Turmeric face
Field of view
The view from Saffy’s newly bedded out shelter, whether she uses it is yet to be seen. She has no problem coming in when we go in there. Not so sure that she will use it to shelter from the extreme weather though, only time will tell.
We took a day out in the sunshine to visit Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, an incredible castle near Wick.
and then on to see the puffins at Duncansby head
and Puffling
and of course see the Duncansby sea stacks, a favourite haunt of ours.
Cherries and Apples appearing on the new trees on the croft
One of our favourites, the beautiful Butterfly Orchid.
Bog cotton
Fragrant orchid and burnet moth
Not sure what this is so ID please?
Bruiser having a majestic moment out on the Moine
Our first ever sighting of Red throated divers, so a very special day for us, they were on Loch Loyal.
We had to go out because Bruiser had his jabs – it’s only 70 miles to the vet! So we dropped down to Tain and had a little walk that included going over a pedestrian suspension bridge.
Rainbows at the bottom of the garden.
Steves idea of a play on words…
Bruiser’s favourite tipple – a little drop of peat pool (a family favourite wine is Picpoul….. isn’t he funny?!)
A Few other June photo’s showing off the Kyle!
The Kyle of Tongue Hostel looking splendid.
Sea Haar rolling in
The sea haar later on, taken down on the beach.
Lovely furry little antlers
Being June we have also been chock-o-block with B&B guests – after the family left we only had 1 night off for the rest of the month – and we had to block that from the calendar so that it wasn’t booked out! Fantastic stuff!
We also received our 100th five star review, which we are incredibly proud of and can’t believe we have that many already!
Thanks to the Mackaays for the following – (can also be read here: airbnb.co.uk/reviews along with all of our Guest room reviews)
“This was the best of the 7 AirBnB’s we stayed during our five weeks’ trip! Steve and Lea are wonderful hosts and have created a fabulous place to stay in the most glorious scenery imaginable. Every detail in the house has been crafted and set up for a perfect stay. Photos of the house and of the scenery are absolutely true to life. Steve’s breakfasts are a wonder and his service is impeccable. Enjoy the music, all who venture here! The ‘crafting and crofting’ lifestyle Steve and Lea have created for themselves and for others to enjoy is a delight. They are hospitable and generous hosts of the first order.”
