Heron's Flight News

Home from our travels.

2012-01-19T21:46:00.000Z

Hello,

I last spoketo you just before Christmas, from Toowoomba, Queensland. Catriona,my granddaughter, and I had been there for two weeks. We were visiting my brother Ian and his wifeAlison and my niece Valerie, her husband Mark Chesterton, Laura (13) andWilliam (10) joined us from Sydney for Christmas week. Catriona, Laura and William had great funpiling more presents around the tree, playing boule and getting to know eachother. Both Laura and Catriona are keendancers and had plenty to talk about.

We all went to Queen’s Park, where theilluminations were simply unbelievable – what a show…… On Christmas Eve we and other residents inBlue Hills Drive made lanterns to glow up and down the roadsides. They were made with brown paper bags weightedwith sand and a tea light, bedded in the sand, flickered away for hours. That was very special…… I do not think such a decoration would last aminute in Plockton – I might try! Do youknow that tea lights with little on/off switches, can now be bought – they arewonderfully colourful and probably thought up for windy wet corners!

Christmas Day was marvellous with everyone roundthe lovely white-lighted tree, a beautiful Christmas dinner – yes, outside inthe shade, in shorts and T-shirts! –turkey roast, a big ham which lasted aweek, veges and roast potatoes, followed by Alison’s pavlova (made undersupervision by Catriona). Catriona and Ihad cooked a Xmas pudding, but it waited till we were next hungry! Later we phoned Moira and the family inEdinburgh – having a lovely Christmas morning, but in appalling weather whichlasted most of the near six weeks Catriona and I were abroad.

Alison andIan had bought a table tennis table and so everyone played a lot – outside onthe new patio, where the BBQ and outside dining table were. That was such a thoughtful thing to do. We had some lovely meals outside, where thenoise of the cicadas at dusk was quite amazing. Ian’s new gas BBQ was a big success!

In the weekthat the Chestertons were with us, Catriona enjoyed some family outings, themost memorable being to a “Wild Water “ themepark. At Dalby inland lake she alsolearned about catching “Yabbies” – in a container like a prawn creel with baitof prawns and soap - and did a littlekayaking. I am not quite sure what aYabbie is – I know it is black…..Alison , Ian and I went to Brisbane to visit Alison’sMum one of the days – lovely to see Marg. again.

On New Year’sday the Sydney family set off on their two day journey home. It had been very good to bring in the NewYear with them and our hosts, Alison and Ian. I had not been away from Plockton at New Year for more than forty years.

We had agreat day in the Bunya Mountains, in which the Bunya tree exclusively grows –an impressive very tall straight tree with almost candle/fern like symmetricalfoliage. Catriona’s day was made whenshe got close to two wallabies, each with a baby in her pouch! The ice cream coolers were very good too,Ian! While on the food subject, youwould really go for Alison’s pizzas – very special!

There is somuch that I could recount! One amazingthing is that the Toowoomba buses take you to your door, if asked! They will collect you too, if phoned. What this means is that buses meander throughmany streets, popping off happy passengers, when asked – what a service!

On January 7,having done our best daily to water the new lawn (there was only one heavyshower in our whole time in Australia), having done not enough gardening –sorry – having enjoyed every day of our stay in Australia, Catriona and I weredeposited at the International departure area in Brisbane by Ian and Alison – a sadfarewell……

We flew to Singaporeand had three nights there, while we saw the sights, visited Raffles Hotel, ChinaTown, went on a night safari and visited Alix Burrell and her daughter Heather,who is a Plockton friend of Catriona’s each summer! That was fun for the girls! By the time we boarded the plane for LondonCatriona had mastered chopsticks and had bought each of the family a pair!

Someseventeen hours later we were on the final lap, to Edinburgh, where Moira waswaiting. We were early to bed thatnight, as Catriona had school next day. I left for home the day after that and am feeling a bit lost still! It was wonderful having Catriona’s companyfor so long and being with Ian and Alison and their family too.

Catriona andI thank all the relatives and friends who made certain that we enjoyed theholiday of a lifetime…… we have the many photos to prove it! I’ll add some shortly.

Ann

At last - Australia!

2011-12-25T23:34:00.001Z

December 22,2011

Catriona andI left Edinburgh on December 6^th. We flew via Heathrow and Singapore to Melbourne, where we were met by mynephew David Hunter, his wife Caroline and their three children, Matilda andLouie, 4, and Archie, 2.

We stayed inMelbourne for three days and had a lovely time. Though I know David and Caroline well, from their days inEdinburgh, I had not seen them forseveral years , before the twins and Archie were born. Catriona met her first set of AustralianCousins!

From Melbournewe flew to Brisbane, where Ian and Alison were waiting. It was absolutely wonderful to see them againand to know that we were not flying elsewhere for a time!

5, BlueHills Drive has had a few alterations since I last visited in 1999. The latest is newly finished – a lovely sunroom and outdoor BBQ area, at the rear of the house. Tonight the Christmas tree lights aresparkling there and a heap of presents lies under the tree. It is strange to be sitting in shorts and Tshirt in the evenings! The days have notbeen too warm, though when we visited Townsville earlier this week it was over30C there. We visited friends inTownsville and went out to the Great Barrier Reef, where we snorkelled –amazing!

Tomorrow myniece Valerie, Mark and the children Laura and William arrive from Sydney. Catriona has not met cousins Laura andWilliam, 13 and 10. It’ll be lovely forher to have some younger company! I amvery much looking forward to the next few days too.

After NewYear we head to Singapore and we’ll visit friends there too, before headinghome on January 10^th. I’ll beback in touch after that.

I wish youall a very Happy Christmas and a Good New Year.

Ann

Catriona 22/12/12:

To my surprise I really enjoyed thelong flights with Singapore airlines! I loved Melbourne with Louie, Matilda andArchie. Archie is very cute and Louie and Matilda were great fun! We went tothe Eureka tower and (surprisingly!) I wasn’t scared of the height! From there we flew to Brisbane , where Ianand Alison met us.

We have been to the Darling downs zooand I LOVED seeing the Wallabies and Kangaroo’s!

Ian and Alison have had turf laid inthe garden and we have been watering that daily, but no matter what I do I ALWAYSend up wet!

Tomorrow Valerie, Mark, Laura andWilliam arrive and I’m looking forward to that!

We are heading into winter

2011-11-17T12:14:00.001Z

Here's Ruah beside a very confused early summer flowering poppy.

Thursday, 17 November 2011

Hello

We have had a very good spell of weather, withsun most days from dawn till dusk, while the east was often shrouded in thickmist. The forecast tonight isthreatening us with some wet weather – well, most of us have tidied up andpruned in the garden, even weeded, so we cannot grumble.

Last month I was thinking that I’d get a goodbit of cleaning done, with the last guests gone. Well, the linen is all washed, bleached,folded carefully and wrapped up, the duvets and pillows are all tucked away –and that’s it…… Not a huge achievementin nearly a month, but I have been busy!

I’ve been laying out the essentials for theforthcoming trip to Australia and, much more time consuming, getting all theChristmas presents into bundles – Plockton, Inverness, Edinburgh, New Zealandand of course Australia. There arelittle and large heaps everywhere!

Today I posted lots of little parcels and sohave one bit of carpet showing again! Today too I’m going to marzipan three small Christmas cakes and decoratethem – I shall not ice them – I do not think they will travel well that way. They are for Moira and friends down there.

Later on I may give myself either a very goodfeeling or the very opposite, when I try everything in the case andrucksack! I think Ian is beginning towonder what on earth I’m planning to bring – so am I, just at this point!

Catrona and I leave Edinburgh on Dec. 6 and gofirst to Melbourne, where David, my nephew, and his wife and three littlechildren live. That’ll be greatfun! We know David and Caroline but havenever met Matilda and Louie their four year old twins, or Archie, their youngerbrother.

On December 11 we head for Brisbane, where Ian will meetus. It is an hour and a half drive inlandto Toowoomba, where Alison will be home from the Uni. – what excitement!! Alison of course keeps the web site runningsmoothly. Just today she straightened meout – again. Thanks Alison.

I’ll write from Toowoomba and let you know whatwe have been doing – and our future plans. Till then, I hope you are all well.

Ann

The nights are creeping in........

2011-10-16T13:52:00.001Z

Sunday, October 16, 2011

The photos were taken today - two in glorious sunshine and a little disgruntled Ruah, bathed and clipped!

Bob and Cathy Shields, from Mildura, Victoria, Australia, will be dropping in this weekend and staying a couple of days. These are my last booked guests of 2011 and so next week, weather permitting, I’ll begin the annual house clean – good to get that out of the way long before Christmas.

Long before Christmas this year anyway, Catriona and I will not be here! We leave Edinburgh on December 6 and return on January 10, having visited relatives in Australia and stopped over in Singapore on the way home. I’ll tell you about it all in a later letter. We are vexed not to have enough time to visit the New Zealand relatives. Next time, I hope……

If you ask anyone what sort of weather we have had this summer, you’ll likely be told “shocking”. But I disagree as, when the family was here, off and on for weeks during July and the beginning of August, we did not have a jumper or raincoat on and the little boys wore long sleeved shirts, long trousers and hats – after being covered in suntan cream! They often went swimming – yes, in wetsuits! – in the evenings, just very near the house, though the coral beach was warm enough for the children to discard the wetsuits.

Before and after the summer months there was and has been really bad weather…… My double red hawthorn tree, nearly nineteen years old, was flattened in May. Stalwarts Ruari, Calum and Don winched it up and into a deep trench and, so far, it looks good – still erect, thanks to pulleys, ropes and stakes! Time will tell.

It is our October holiday for the schools. They have two weeks. A lot of the local people with children have taken the chance to get away for a few days.

Moira, Colin and the three younger children (Sam’s back at Uni.) are off to Alton Towers for a couple of days. As the Edinburgh schools have another week of holiday, perhaps the children may come here too. I hope so!

It’s very windy but sunny too. I hope the photos show that. That's Calum leaving the pontoon, on a seal trip.

Till next month

Ann

Autumn 2011

2011-09-26T19:09:00.001Z

As you see, Ruah and Amber are the best of friends.

My lost property cupboard now includes two pairs of trousers, navy and cream and a M&S top. Do they belong to you? And if you have arrived home with an extra electrical lead and you stayed in the East bedroom, then it comes from the radio beside the bed! Many guests use the bedside table on which the radio is to charge phones or plug in computers - so to unplug a wrong lead is the easiest thing in the world to do.

I’ll not order a new lead yet, as I’m sure mine will come home!

The weather since I wrote has been really poor and it has been a struggle to get much done in the garden. The late summer flowers have taken a bad battering, while the lawns and hedges have galloped onwards and upwards! The forecast for the next week or more is better, thank goodness.

It’s been a busy few weeks at home and in the village. As well as having guests most evenings, I had double glazed panes replaced in the front porch. The men have to come back with another big pane, for the east bedroom. A bird flew straight into the corner and cracked it. A sea bird, species unknown, was found two or three hundred yards away, with a broken neck – the culprit, we presume.

There has been a 25^th wedding celebration, with quite a lot of the Irish nation invading us! And last Saturday Calum (the Seal Trip)'s very popular son Malcolm had his 30^th party in the hall. Both of these celebrations were open to all of us and were very much enjoyed by everyone – thank you!

The schools have ten days of holiday next month and I hope some of the children will be here from Edinburgh. It’ll be before the clocks go back an hour and so still bright in the early evening. At present it is getting dark by 8.00pm.

In a week it’ll be Alison’s birthday – Happy Birthday!

It is a year now since John died suddenly, while at work in Edinburgh. I have been grateful to be very busy, keeping the house going and meeting friends old and new. I’m pleased to have been given an excellent health report after a last check up and aren’t I fortunate to have a lovely family in Edinburgh and my soul mates at Heron’s Flight, Ruah and Amber?

Ann

Summer holiday photos

2011-08-23T08:47:00.004Z

Taken at 9.30pm, when the sun was still high in the sky. The bay had a lot of yachts in that night.

The boats drifting past the starting line in the long distance race - Sam's in "Delight", with the yellow sail.

A delighted Daniel showing off his crab catch - he is covered from head to toe to stop sunburn!

At the rock in my front garden is my grand-daughter Catriona and her little gang of friends - only one is a Plocktonian - the rest all come each summer - one from Singapore!

Summer's flying by!

2011-08-22T08:45:00.002Z

August 21st

I feel a bit like a lost property shop this month, for I have found spectacles in a dark grey case in the front porch (were you doing a jigsaw?), a waterproof jacket (in the “old furniture” bedroom wardrobe) – its label says US Basic ***, M size. Lastly I have acquired a very pretty pair of ear rings in the same bedroom the other day – I am certain they belong to the young girl from Brescia, Italy – no more address than that…..

Please get in touch and I’ll post with pleasure!

Quentin and Berengere from Paris arrived on the 18^th, with a lovely mug, little chocolates and an Eiffel Tower keyring – how could they guess that I love my collection of keyrings? I have my morning coffee in their mug now. Thank you both!

After various permutations of family being here over six weeks, Sam left on Thursday, having returned from a six day cruise to the north, with his regatta skipper, who has a small yacht. The good weather had kept up and the winds were very favourable, so the cruise was a great adventure.

The weather has become much more unsettled and cool but I am still busy with visitors and have a good few bookings till around the end of September. After that I’ll think about a big tidy up and a few days in Edinburgh, perhaps.

The garden has been easy this year as a friend’s daughter has grown veges in that part of the garden, while Colin and Moira did a great job on the front lawn and wild trellis, which are looking much better. Sam and I kept the front and side hedges in trim and a friend mowed when necessary. It is quite a big area and I am glad of any help, for the moment anyway!

I have decided to have self catering weeks available, at Heron’s Flight, at Christmas and New Year. If you would like to come then, please get in touch directly to annheronsflight@btinternet.com A ll the facilities and accommodation are on www.heronsflight.org and on the Plockton Web.

It would be fun to have you here during the festive spell!

In the meantime, please pop in if you are in this part of the country….

Ann

Coral Beach, Plockton: Catriona and Ann, Ruah on the rocks and Sean on the coral sand

2011-07-18T18:31:00.001Z

July News

2011-07-18T18:22:00.001Z

18/7/11

This has been the month of the flowers! Thank you all for bringing and sending lovely summer flowers to me – Anne and Michael, Hieke, Arndt and your parents, Geert and Anna and the family, “Big John” Townend - I do love flowers

Last Saturday I motored to Inverness and had lunch with Moira, Catriona and Sean. The children came home with me, much to the delight of Ruah and Amber!

We had a wonderful week. The best day of summer to date was on Wednesday and we went to the Coral beach, along with several other Plockton families and several visitors too. It’s quite a big double beach with coral sand – not too pleasant for little people’s bare feet! There are little lumps of white and pink coral all over the place – Catriona found a lump of about three inches across – a treasure to take home.

We spent a lot of time fishing at the pontoon. Catriona caught two fish and Sean a huge crab! The rock in the front garden again became a play area, with the children’s imaginations running riot! Ruah had a lot of games of football, while Amber, a sore leg attended to by the vet and now better, watched the proceedings from various vantage points in the garden.

My niece Sandra has eight quite un-tamed Hebridean sheep and Catriona and Sean fed them for two days – a big responsibility and thrill. The children have two dogs, a cat, a rabbit, two hens, two chicks and three hamsters, a big and a small brother, so un-tamed sheep held no fears for them!

We met Moira on Saturday and Ruah and I travelled home alone and arrived at the very quiet flat in time for tea. The big end of the house was occupied by a Belgian family for the week. Geert and Anna stayed here five years ago and it was so good to welcome them again. They brought two of their three children, a friend and her daughter – when they left yesterday (how tidy the house was – thank you!), Anna said she and Geert would be back in another five years!

Tonight there are two couples sharing the house with me – from Sweden and Germany. B&B life is certainly varied and very interesting.

On Thursday I hope Sam will arrive, probably on the evening train. He’ll be here till after the Regatta, which ends on August 6^th.

Moira, Colin, Catriona and a friend, Sean and Daniel will arrive on July 30^th I hope.

Till then Ruah, Amber and I will welcome guests from all over and we look forward to meeting you, perhaps?

Ann

18/7/11

Soon be the shortest day!

2011-06-16T08:10:00.002Z

June 16, 2011

Hello

I have had a lovely time, with many visitors calling in, staying for a day or two and old friends being here too.

Yet again, Angela and Richard Hough had good weather during their week’s stay! Cid and Di Warden were not so lucky…. Heike and Arndt, here four years ago, brought Heike’s parents all the way from Belgium last week. Thank you all for the lovely flowers! A friend came in to the be-decked house the other day and said “It’s not your birthday – is it?” They are all going strong – Arndt, pop over from Belgium, reach up and water the hanging basket, please! I shall get the steps out and not balance and fall off a chair….

This week Malcolm and Denise Bain (Malcolm painted Yarrow, Sponge and Ruah before) have returned and they have been joined by Henry and Laura from Florida. As the weather is really unpredictable, a “Plockton” jigsaw is rapidly taking shape. The photo of Henry and Laura was taken at 10.40pm, when the yachts in the background show just how light it is at that time here, in June.

In the last six weeks we have welcomed guests from eleven countries and a first from Cyprus! Thank you for coming, one and all!

Though we cannot guarantee the weather in the North West of Scotland, I can guarantee a very warm welcome at Heron’s Flight!

Ann

Visitors again, a new Heron's Flight pet and Ruah's summer hair cut

2011-05-21T07:32:00.005Z

Hello,
Here is a photo of guests who stayed with me for the last three nights. It was lovely to see Alan and Lyn Hughes again. They brought Margaret and Tony from West Australia. It was such a pleasure to have you all staying at Heron's Flight - open for business again after some little time.....

I have a cat again!
Amber has come from Moira in Edinburgh, for a holiday or perhaps for ever, if she settles well.

In Edinburgh Amber very seldom wanted to go out - we'll see what she prefers in Plockton.
I hope she will go round about the garden soon - she would not do it today as we have a huge gale accompanied by heavy rain.

Ruah is very pleased! Amber is a BIG cat so Ruah and she look each other in the eye as they stand! I have not weighed Amber yet, but I imagine she may tip the scales above Ruah.

Ryan, Moira's one year old black labrador dog, will be missing the sport of poking juvenile fun at Amber...

Lastly little Ruah has been severely clipped in readiness for the summer (which we all hope will come soon!) In this first photo, she is certainly NOT best pleased - but is much happier in the second photo!

Time's flying -it's well into May....

2011-05-08T22:21:00.002Z

May 8th, 2011

It has been quite an eventful time since my last news.

On April 5th I was again in Raigmore Hospital, for the closure of an ileostomy. The hoped for three or four night stay stretched to twelve. Restrictions of no lifting, no pushing, no pulling, no gardening etc. are easing and I’ve been driving for a couple of weeks – what a relief!

I fully intend that visit to Raigmore to be my last – ever!

Ian and Alison arrive home in Toowoomba tomorrow morning. They have been round the world, visiting Europe where they had a fantastic Rhine cruise and I missed a holiday in Paris with them…… They visited friends in the United States of America and flew home via Auckland. Alison succumbed finally to the cold Ian had been doing his best not to spread over the globe – she is arriving home with pneumonia. I bet your own bed feels just so luxurious, Alison and Ian.

The Edinburgh family is flourishing. Sam phones and sounds on top of the world, Catriona emails, with little funny faces at the end of each letter, while Sean and Daniel perfect their football and trampoline skills. I am hoping that they will all spend a good length of time here in the summer holidays, as I missed them at Easter.
.
My B&B/self catering life begins again on Saturday. I am really looking forward to that! My diary is quite full and I look forward to meeting again some very good friends.

If you have not yet visited Plockton, perhaps you will soon. Ruah and I would like to meet you.

I’ll write again soon.

Ann

Photo from Edinburgh

2011-03-28T15:43:00.000Z

Having just published a post with Ruah and Charlie in the limelight, I really should add a photo of the children - the best I could do with four to focus on the camera!
Ann

Late March,11

2011-03-28T15:36:00.000Z

The clocks change this weekend.
25/3/11

I’m in Edinburgh for a few days, staying with Moira, Colin and the family. It is a busy household! Today Moira was working in Perth but Colin had time off and did the school runs. I went to Gullane to visit our first cousins, “the twins” Ann and Margaret, having deviated on the way south yesterday to visit Celia in Blackburn and Dorothy in Bathgate.

The schools have a half day on Fridays so Nicola, Catriona’s friend, was here, after Colin had taken them all to the park for some pretty vigorous exercise, I know! Sean was not finished at that – he still had football practice, after tea. The girls and Daniel had decorated a double sponge cake for pudding – lovely!

Tomorrow Catriona has dancing – she has been at classes since she was a little girl and she loves ballet, jazz and tap. By the way, she is no longer little – eye to eye with me this visit!! She’ll be eleven on April 15th.

Sam comes home tomorrow for the Easter holidays. We are all looking forward to seeing him. I was hoping that he might come north for a while, however I know now I’ll be in Raigmore Hospital from April 5, for a few days – and taking it easy for a week or two after that. Sam can come for a longer time in the summertime, when there is much more activity and plenty of sailing. The other children will come then as well and Moira and Colin will be around at Regatta time - a lot to look forward to!

It is now the 28th and I’m still\in Edinburgh – going north tomorrow, I think! Ruah has been happy to be with her cousin, Charlie. Ryan, the one year old Black Labrador, still tends to beat Ruah up – his idea of playing. Ruah is not amused….

It has been good to be of a little use – taking the younger children to school, doing some laundry, helping in the garden and taking Sam out to lunch!

I am looking forward to getting B&B and self catering under way from May 14th. Not having had guests at all last year makes this beginning all the more exciting!

I hope I’ll see you during the summer.

Ann

Late February news

2011-02-26T09:03:00.007Z

The full moon has passed; the sky was such a deep colour, with many, many stars twinkling. That day was beautiful too – no clouds in the sky and not a ripple on the loch.

Into this peace some of us dared to crash – engines roared as the fishing boats left the harbour and garden shed doors creaked open, lawn mowers were oiled and cajoled into life. At Heron’s Flight the hedge trimmer savagely chopped off the dead heads from the heathers. It was fun!

At the end of the afternoon we believed that spring had arrived early. Tomorrow we might be proved wrong. In the north west of Scotland there are very few consecutively good days, at this time of the year, anyway………..

I started writing this a few days ago and since then there has not been a dry day! The wind has reached gale force on several occasions and the sun has not put in an appearance.

I was in Inverness today to pick up Sam, who is here for the weekend. The Edinburgh – Inverness morning train broke down before the journey began. After a while another train arrived but there was no hope of Sam catching the Inverness - Plockton connection. Ruah and I drove to Inverness to meet him. The sun shone all the time we were on the east coast and, guess what? Yes, it was blowing and raining on our return to the west.

Our weather keeps us all guessing, but we are very seldom worried by it – unlike Queensland earlier on and Christchurch so recently. We in this country are so relieved that family and friends in both places have escaped relatively unscathed.

Moira, Colin and the family are all well. Sean and Daniel have started Tai Kwan Do classes and are getting rid of some of their boundless energy with that and of course their football training. Catriona is still dancing – ballet, jazz, tap. Moira and Colin manage to fit in work, as well as acting as chauffeurs to various venues in the city…..

Sam’s enjoying student life. He works hard. About once a fortnight he pops up at home, much to Mum’s delight especially! He has a good meal, while his laundry is done!

Ruah was put on a new eating programme recently. After 4 days of guzzling things changed!! So little Madam is now on a restricted diet, to lose the weight she piled on! She’s having at least one long walk daily and treats are out. We are still friends!

Very regretfully I have phoned Ian and Alison and said I would not be able to meet them in Paris at the end of April. My consultant surgeon says there is no chance of me running off on holiday so soon after surgery. I now know the op. will be sooner rather than later. If nothing else, this episode has taught me that one has to quickly realise that the wheels of the NHS grind slowly!!

I’ll be here all summer and look forward to meeting many of you.

Ann

Heron's Flight Website back on air

2011-02-22T09:27:00.004Z

I am delighted, and not a little relieved, to report that Ann's website, Heron's Flight, is now back on the air, after several days of being AWOL. Neither Ann nor I are heavily 'techie' and the frustration factor of 3-way dealing with each other and the hosting service has been enough to drive me at least a little way to drink! But all fine now, I hope (with fingers crossed behind our backs).

The next post will be by Ann I'm sure, who has had her own ups and downs of late!

Thanks to many of Ann's newsletter and website readers for your nice comments about the newsletter and the website - it's a real labour of love! This is a photo of me, with a visiting dog next door.

Alison Hunter, Ann's webmaster.

January news

2011-01-23T09:52:00.003Z

Christmas in Edinburgh, with Moira, Colin, Sam (home from Uni.), Catriona, Sean and Daniel was fun. Our Christmas dinner, at a Chinese Restaurant, was a success, with the little boys clearing their plates. None of us wanted to eat that meal at home, without John.

On January 10^th Ian and Alison, who as you know live in Toowoomba, were fortunate to live in a high part of the city. When the floods we round the world witnessed poured down into the area, they were not swamped, but the incessant torrential rain did flood their basement - garage, one bedroom and, maybe worst of all Ian possibly thought – the wine cellar! Some of the lower part of Toowoomba was a disaster area with scenes a little like an inland tsunami. As we all saw on TV, night after night, the floods caused a lot of damage and inundation throughout many parts of Queensland, including Brisbane, and the loss of over 20 lives many of whom were in the Lockyer Valley between Toowoomba and Brisbane ……

Ruah and I came home the Wednesday after Christmas and on New Year’s Eve I watched the bonfire and fireworks from the house. On the first and second of January friends popped in to say “Happy New Year” I was totally speechless when Moira and Catriona bowled in, especially as Catriona had phoned seconds before, saying a visit to Tesco was on the cards! The call was made from my gates – checking I was in!

We had a lovely two days, visiting round the village……

Since then I have at last moved into the Granny flat. It is amply big enough. I do miss my Rayburn cooker and coal fire, though!

Friends, who are having their house (in the village) completely renovated, are staying in the other end of this house, so I suppose I’m gently dipping my toe into my latest venture – self catering.

My chemotherapy has finished and I have one small op to have, before finally saying goodbye to doctors and hospitals. I have been very lucky to have sailed through all my treatment, which began last March, without trouble.

I am looking forward now to seeing Ian and Alison in Paris at the end of April – that will be so exciting!

Then it is back to work! I shall be ready to welcome guests, whether self catering or B&B. Do visit my web sites www.heronsflight.org and Heron’s Flight self catering accommodation on the Plockton Web.

It is a little late to wish you all a Happy New Year – but I do it anyway. 2011 can only be better for our family than 2010, when we had so much sadness.

I hope your year is a happy and successful one.

Ann

December News

2010-12-13T15:48:00.006Z

You have probably seen or heard of the quite appalling winter weather that has descended on Britain recently. In Scotland the east has been worst hit. Moira lives in Edinburgh, so I’ve had “on the scene” reports! The children missed school for over a week. That sounds silly when the school is very near its whole population – but not so silly when the snow is lying more than half a meter on pavements…..

The children are hankering to be “back to work” now!

In the North West we have been quite lucky. One small fall of snow melted a little and then froze over. So drives and pavements were pretty lethal, but the roads were salted and not a problem. Then another fall made getting around here quite tricky! It was very picturesque, however!

Sam and Catriona too, spent quite a lot of time here in the summer – that was wonderful. The rest of the family came for Regatta and John was up and down in his new car too.

Sam had decided that medicine at Edinburgh University was for him and he went into Halls in September. He calls in at home regularly – when his laundry needs done I suspect! He’s enjoying life. Sam was 18 yesterday – I wish I had been at the birthday tea – Indian requested. He has exams next week, so he went off to do some more revision – after the birthday cake was demolished! His Granny is very proud of him!

I’ve been having treatment for bowel cancer all year and I’ll finish completely by April. I am well and have been assured that the treatment will have removed every vestige of the cancerous cells – wonderful. I am looking forward to ending my last chemo block of tablets in just over two weeks – Yippee! The cancer (very treatable) treatment has lasted nine months to date and will finish, with me hale and hearty (my consultant assures me) around March. I have felt very well throughout – I‘m lucky!

I know some of you have known for a while that John, at 43, died suddenly on September 13 while at work as a joiner in Edinburgh. He had never had a day of illness in his life. I am still in shock, as is Moira, who was very close to John and saw a lot of him in town.

He was here a couple of weeks before for three days when we toured around in his marvellous car, talked a lot and enjoyed the lovely summer sunshine and for that I shall be eternally grateful. John was a thoughtful, wonderful son and Moira and I miss him daily…

From May next year I’ll be welcoming self catering or B&B guests, four days to a week being the preferred booking. Do get in touch. Heron’s Flight, Ruah and I need company! All my details are on www.heronsflight.org and “the Plockton Web” self catering section of Accommodation.

Ian and Alison (Toowoomba) are going on a quite short round the world holiday and they have invited me to join them in Paris for some days. I do not see them much, naturally, so Paris will be a special time for us, at the end of April.

I hope 2010 has been a good year for you and that 2011 will be the same.

Ruah and I will spend Christmas with Moira and the family (weather permitting). I expect we’ll be home before New Year. I know you will understand that Christmas card writing is just too difficult and from now my electronic greetings will take over.

Ruah would join me, if she could write! in wishing you Seasons Greetings and the best of good fortune for 2011.

Best wishes

Ann

Ruah and I are home from Edinburgh

2010-10-25T08:43:00.005Z

It’s October 24 and a beautiful late autumn evening. The trees are just beginning to lose their red and yellow leaves and the first frost was last night. I’ll have to rescue all the little year old cabbage palms at the back door – there are about twenty five in pots. Next year I hope some will be large enough to plant out in the garden.

The bay is virtually empty now and the car park is full of local yachts, till next spring. Some yachts are wintering farther away, so that the owners can get some work done on them – engine refurbishing. painting and varnishing. Our little Saranna C is back in the barn on the Brae. She will need painted outside and tar x linseed oil inside next year.

I am still working out what form my next year will take! I think it will be a combination of B&B and letting. I’m also deciding between continental breakfasts or fully cooked – have you any comments?

Moira, Colin and the children were here last week. Sam was missing - he is now in Halls at Edinburgh University, studying medicine. We held a simple service for village friends, to say goodbye to John, from Heron’s Flight. It was followed by a lunch in Plockton Inn.. Sometime when the weather is better, the family will climb the hill Cnoc an Aingeal (The hill of the angels) and scatter John’s ashes beside those of Dolan.

I have been very touched by all the support given, from home and away. Thank you all.

Ann

September already ....

2010-09-17T23:49:00.002Z

I began the letter below a little time ago,but events have intervened.
Moira phoned on Monday to tell me that John had died at 3.30. He had been at work and just not felt very well; went outside and collapsed. He never regained consciousness.He was only forty three.

I shall always be grateful that John was home for a few days just over two weeks ago.

I will write you later
Ann
o-o-o-o-o-o-o

I’ve taken quite some time to settle down on my own, with little Ruah for company of course, after being surrounded by people in hospital and then cosseted by all the family for several weeks. The house seemed too big, the garden even bigger!

However, things have shrunk to proper proportions now and everything is much more comfortable – even the midges have backed off!

My specialist has decided that my final treatment should be at home, with courses of tablets. I do not have to attend hospital and three week checks can be done at Broadford Hospital, on the Isle of Skye. This will go on for a while, but it will not stop me doing anything and I may jump in the car sometimes and go visiting!

Little Daniel has started school. So Sam has just left High School, Catriona is in P6, Sean P3 and Daniel P1. Sam begins his University course on September 13 …. Peculiarly Sam is in the same Hall of Residence that John was, twenty five years ago!

It has been too long - sorry.......

2010-08-10T14:37:00.003Z

Hello

In my June letter, I hoped to have finished my treatment by the end of the month and I planned to go to Edinburgh for Sam’s leaving school ceremony.

Well “the best laid plans, gang aft….” and mine certainly did just that! I was in hospital for three weeks and finally got home on July 14 (pretty shell shocked and wobbly! John collected Ruah (holidaying in luxury with Janet, Dolan’s sister!) and me and stayed a few days in Plockton. Then Sam and Catriona arrived and that weekend Moira and little Daniel came overnight and departed with Catriona. Sam and I continued to make a good team here.

The PSBSC annual Regatta fortnight has just finished and Sam’s been out in most races, taking his turn at the Rescue Boat Shed and as a line official. We do meet quite frequently - meals, some evenings, and breakfasts! The most exciting race for us to date was the “Johnnie Ruari” tray – for sailors aged 16 – 27. Sam, in “Delight” won it!

The “Moira Gang” – Mum, Dad, Catriona Sean, Daniel and two dogs – came for the second week of our Regatta fortnight, Colin had to leave in the middle of the week and took two dogs, so things were somewhat less frenetic after that!

Catriona, Sean and Daniel, with two little friends, competed in the final race of the fortnight. In the Ragamuffin Race the sail has to be painted by the crew and they must sail the boat, though a big person can be in the boat to row when necessary. (Malcolm MacKenzie, in full kilt outfit, graced our boat The” Nancy “, did well to come fourth - out of five! However none of the crew had ever been in such a race where one has to pull ropes and steer and run before the wind, so they were delighted. They won a prize for the most humorous sail too, so a great morning was had by all!

Sam and Catriona, who stayed on after Moira, Sean and Daniel went home on Sunday, go home for good tomorrow as school starts soon and Sam will need some time at home before going to University..

I shall keep you up to date with further happenings in our neck of the woods and be a much better correspondent than of late.

It has been very pleasant meeting old friends who happened to call at Heron’s Flight, so if you are in this part, do ring the bell - Ann

The days are stretching.....

2010-06-10T21:22:00.000Z

7th June, 2010

Even though I’m having time off this year, friends have been keeping in touch by various methods – phone, email, www.heronsflight.org guestbook and visiting... I’m sorry I missed you, Margaret and Allan. Cid and Di holidayed in Ullapool last month and down they came to spend the day with us. That was marvellous! I hope your trapped nerve is very much on the mend Di. Several other old friends who have stayed in Plockton this year popped in to visit – thank you all… Breda and John are off to do the Mallaig Railway Trip – I know you’ll enjoy that! My most unusual set of visitors to date was a bus load of friends, a few with spouses, 49 in total, from school days – that was amazing and great fun! Soon I’ll be saying hello to John Townend, at the end of his trip to the Outer Isles and Timo and Rieke will visit in August. Patricia and Michael got in touch too – we met for the one and only time in 1994/5! They promise to come back – from Berlin, so it is not just a little step!

My treatment should be finished before the end of the month and then I shall dash to Edinburgh for Sam’s last ever day in school. I really have been very fortunate through all this, as I have felt very well all the time.

The house repairs, after the water damage last September, have been at a stand still for several weeks, as an assessor and insurance company agent agreed that the work done was just not up to standard. Two new local contractors have now submitted their estimates and I am sure the work will be completed as soon as the paperwork is finalised. It has been a long haul, living in quite a bit of chaos….

The flat is almost ready for Ruah and me to live in. There will be a good few choppings and changings when we are through that connecting door for good!! In preparation for the move I have switched the Rayburn off and my favourite kitchen has lost a good bit of its appeal!! I have been hanging pictures in the flat sitting room today when really I should have been trying to organise its kitchen!

John’s been here again and that was a treat. I’ve been to Edinburgh – another highlight! Sam and nine friends are off today for a fortnight in Crete – I hope they have a wonderful time. I’m sure all the parents have dinned in the dos and don’ts – were the boys listening? We’ll know when the texts come flooding through! When they return, they have to attend school one last time, for the prize giving and leaving ceremonies.

The garden is looking quite good as we have had dry weather and the weeds have not shot up – this afternoon the rain has started, but other places have had really bad weather recently. I got all the grass cut a couple of days ago – it is only lasting about a week between mowings- not good enough…..

Alison in Toowoomba has had a knee operation – last Friday. I’ve just heard that she is home – less than five days after her operation! Alison – do not jump around too much for a few days…. or longer. Make use of your very capable husband!

I am still missing having the company of visitors – more so now perhaps, as the village is very busy. Next year I plan to do some B&B and some letting – probably B&B at the beginning and end of the tourist year and letting in the middle - it’ll be interesting and fun I know!
I hope to meet you either way, in 2011!

Best wishes

Ann
PS:
Well done Richard in the 10K on Sunday!

2010-06-06T17:41:00.002Z

Here is Ruah, her look saying more than words…..

Brief news from Plockton

2010-06-06T17:16:00.004Z

7th June, 2010

Last Thursday the three of us got in the car, to keep a vet’s appointment in Kyle. Sponge had been going downhill rapidly and I knew it was his last journey.

Sponge was the boss in this house and he quite often told Ruah she had overstepped the mark! Now Ruah is bamboozled and I find her frequently during the day on my bed (not allowed)), just staring ahead…..

Ruah and I, family and friends will miss him more than we can say……

I shall write again in a few days.

Ann

May 12th, 2010

2010-05-12T20:56:00.000Z

Hello from sunny Plockton.

The weather has been pushed under the carpet for a while, as we all grappled with the various permutations on offer in the General Election. However, that’s past and, though I doubt if anyone is understanding of the deals dealt to secure this coalition (politicians included) our future we’ll be told is secure (???); so the weather is back in top spot!

Snow had been forecast for this week and indeed it was very grey at a point yesterday, near Broadford on Skye and the Cuillins are snow capped again. But we are having a wonderful spell, albeit a trifle too near the zero mark at night! Altnahara in the Central Highlands was -6C last night…..

The month of May without guests in the house is very strange. But I’ve had loads of visits and messages in the Dream Book – thank you all very much.

The flat is taking shape and will be ready soon – before the work is finally finished and the house cleaned after the water leak last September. A local contractor has now taken over the work after a site visit from an Assessor and Insurance Company representative – John came north again for this meeting and I am very grateful for his expertise.

I’ve enjoyed a few hectic days at Moira’s. John and I met up too and friends came to call at times, when the children were at nursery/school. I was delighted to get home in time to catch up with Angela and Richard Hough, this year staying at Lynn Bruce’s “Shed”. We had a couple of lovely evenings. Yesterday morning Grant and Marian Bomberger called in and it was a marvellous visit too…. Times like those are really very good for the morale!

Sam is going to study medicine at Edinburgh Uni. He’s actually finished school, as study leave and 6th year exams in maths, chemistry and biology take to the end of term. As he’ll have similar courses in first year at Uni, Sam’s taking these exams very seriously. I’m hoping to get, as usual, to Edinburgh for the end of term ceremony at the Royal High.

My treatment will, hopefully, soon be finished. Then I’ll enjoy the summer to the full and hope that visitors carry on dropping in to see us. Today a distant cousin and her husband arrived off the 1.13 train from Inverness and caught the 5.15 back. That was so good of Tricia and Ronnie.

If you are in our area and have time to visit Plockton – do!

I’ll talk to you soon again.

Ann

Spring News

2010-04-07T08:09:00.000Z

Ruah and I have been dotting back and fore to Inverness for the last five weeks. However we are going nowhere for a long time now!

The radiotherapy treatment went much more quickly than I’d anticipated and there have been very few reactions – a slight loss of appetite is not a bad thing at all!

The garden is not looking too untidy, though soon it’ll be time to get the lawns cut, edges done and of course the weeds yanked out. The really severe winter weather has no doubt killed off a few plants – why do the weeds seem to be completely unaffected?

John paid a surprise visit at the weekend, in his new car. We went for a run on to Skye and, apart from that, talked our heads off! John left yesterday.

Sam is coming by train tomorrow, depositing Catriona at Auntie Janet’s en route. The Gang Show is on in Inverness and Catriona will enjoy that. Cousin Hamish is also at Janet’s, so there will be a lively house there!

Perhaps you remember that I had some water damage last September? The repair work was due to start on November 16 and I cleared the kitchen and sitting rooms of all small items for that. Well, the work is still not nearly finished and an assessor is coming on Thursday, to see what state the house is in. John was so disappointed with the work done to date that he is coming north for Thursday to meet the assessor. In all this time Sponge, Ruah and I have lived in the kitchen, as the Rayburn is on. It has been a cosy winter!

There are a lot of visitors in the village just now. I am really missing the company of all of you…. But the house and I will be ready for action some time in the not too distant future.

I’m looking forward to friends calling in, when they are in the village. See you soon? Ruah and Sponge will be delighted too.

Ann
PS:

David and Pam – thank you for leaving a message in the Guest Book – it is really lovely to know that friends made quite a few years ago still keep in touch with the news at Heron’s Flight.
I’ve just had another look in the book and see two more messages - thank you very much – I remember such good times with you all…….. The castle is bought – again…..more on this another time!

And finally! Alison, thank you for the super quotes and “Big John” for the Heron’s Flight kitchen calendar!

Quick news re Ann

2010-04-02T08:47:00.002Z

Just a quick word to let Ann's friends know that her treatment has gone well, and she is in good cheer.
Alison Hunter (Ann's sister-in-law and website manager)

From sunny, sunny Plockton!

2010-02-21T13:23:00.001Z

Late February, 2010

Maybe when you catch up with this news, I’ll have started radiotherapy treatment for a quite recently discovered tumour.

I shall be going back and fore to Raigmore Hospital, Inverness to have this treatment and so will see a lot of Janet and her husband Stewart – Janet is Dolan’s sister.
Ruah will travel with me and probably have her little legs walked off, as Janet often has her daughter’s collie Midge staying and is used to rather more energetic exercise than is my little Ruah!

When Ruah is on the move, Sponge will be in charge of Heron’s Flight (as he usually thinks he is anyway!) – and its newly mended kitchen and sitting room. Yes, the water damage will shortly and finally be a thing of the past, after months and months of waiting.

After the radiotherapy there will be a gap of several weeks, before I have an op. to remove the tumour. And I hope that will be the end of treatment, as two specialists have assured me that the prognosis is excellent. Isn’t that good news!

Since learning all this, I’ve decided that I won’t be taking any guests in 2010. That makes me very sad, but I am unsure as to how I’ll be feeling with hospital visits and lots of travelling. Many of you know how I really do not like trekking to Inverness normally – so the next while will be a test of my patience, if nothing else!!

I can’t be making firm plans and do not want to disappoint any potential guests – however I will look forward immensely to meeting you in the future.

I’ll talk to you soon again…….

Best wishes

Ann

It has been a little while......

2010-01-23T16:56:00.003Z

It is January 23 and I’m getting used to writing 2010!

It is balmy here today - all of 5C!

After the longest spell of wintry weather in many years, to be able to drive on roads free from snow and ice is such a pleasure. Not to have to watch every step, in case there is bone breaking ice at the next, is such a relief!

Plockton and the far west coast was not badly affected, compared to most other places, where there was a lot of snow, often deposited on layers of ice. My journeys to and from Edinburgh for Christmas – I finally got there on Christmas day and returned three days later, thanks to bad forecasts – were quite nasty, as windscreen washers did not work in the sub 0C temperatures and the motorways were filthy. I was not alone in stopping, cleaning and starting all the way south and north! The trains ran intermittently and just could not be relied upon to get from A to B.

I can imagine that, if you live in Canada, Scandinavia, Russia, etc, you’ll be having a good laugh at all this – child’s play to you!

I was home as usual for New Year, happy to sit in the house when the "bells pealed". At about 9.00pm I heard someone calling hello – did not rise as I knew whoever is was would find me in the sitting room. Well, the calling continued, though it was nearer, so I opened the door and found myself face to face with Catriona and Moira! I had no idea they were coming!
My first thought was that I had 2 frozen meals and one baked potato to eat!! However, I did have plenty shortly after, as Sandra, my niece arrived with provisions and my own deep freeze in the cellar was not empty.

We all went up to "35", the family home, and brought in the New Year, whilst watching the bonfire on the island and wonderful fireworks – there was a big crowd of people, many unknown faces too…… At around 1.30am Catriona and others were wilting, so home we went.

Moira and Catriona had meant to stay only two nights but a third was necessary, as trains were not running on January 2, thanks to the snow in parts.

I had a lovely Christmas and an especially good New Year! I hope you had too….. Ann

Christmas Greetings

2009-12-20T10:43:00.006Z

[This photo taken by me on 20 December, 10am from my doorway!]
annheronsflight@btinternet.com
www.heronsflight.org

2009 has been a busy year for the Family.

Spring, summer and autumn found me, as usual, having fun with guests. Many are old friends now and others on the way to being just that too. It was a very busy time, with more visitors than in past years coming to the village.

It was certainly NOT the prolonged good weather which drew people towards the north west of Scotland! Yes, the early part of the year was excellent, but in summer, autumn and now at the beginning of winter we have endured rain, rain and more rain, with the occasional gale thrown in for variety!

The fruit trees had amazing crops of fruit and we all tried every apple and bramble recipe ever devised. Most of the apples landed on the ground with the frequent strong winds, so picking was dead easy!

For the first year ever, the black Hamburg grapes in the greenhouse mostly rotted on the vine and the veges. were, in general, very poor. The ground was waterlogged. Moss has grown on the drive and paths and I am loosening it with a stable brush now. In spring all the surfaces will be doused in moss killer, as, though it may be a pretty colour, it grips tight and is very slippery.

The family in Edinburgh is all well. John was up for a week in September – lovely! Moira, Colin, Sam, Catriona, Sean and Daniel were here for Regatta fortnight. Sam came and went several times and Catriona and Sean came on their own in October. I have been lucky to see so much so them all in Plockton. I went to Edinburgh two or three times too. Indeed I’m going for a few days at the beginning of December, as well as for Christmas.

Sam’s in his final year at school. He was dux of 5th year at the Royal High, so we are all quite proud of him. He is going through interviews at present, for the Scottish universities – we’ll see what happens as he is young and may have to tread water for a year….

A real highlight this year was Ian and Alison’s visit in September. It was a wonderful time for me! I do not see nearly enough of them – partly my fault, I know. Toowoomba is only a day away……

The animals are such good company and are always around me. As I sit in the kitchen writing this Ruah is on one bean bag and Sponge the other. They are good friends with old Sponge definitely in charge!

I hope that you and your family have had a good year, with good health and happiness all round.

Have a lovely Christmas and the very best of New Years!

Love,
Ann

And then there were three ...

2009-11-01T14:26:00.005Z

1/11/2009
Last Monday Catriona and Sean (who had been here for mid-term) and I said cheerio to Richard and Angela Hough, now old friends who have walked this whole area. You can imagine my trepidation before their arrival, as long daily walks really need quite good weather – and that had been in very short supply since around the end of June!

Believe it or not, the week was good, despite a more than mediocre forecast! Angela and Richard walked their socks off, while Catriona and Sean spent a lot of time out of doors – hours of it on their "ships” (the rock in the front garden which, after all, is only some 20 feet from the high tide! We went on Sula Mhor with Calum but seals were scarce! However, Catriona met Rachel on board and a new friendship was cemented the next day, when the three children played for hours outside. In the dim and distant past we used to exchange addresses and telephone numbers – a one line email address is now all that is needed!

Since Catriona and Sean went home (there was a change over with Colin at Spean Bridge), I have closed for the year and Calum has moored Sula Mhor at the pier for the last time in 2009. I spent the week tidying in the garden and it is not nearly finished yet! One reminder of the very wet weather this summer is the amount of moss everywhere, especially on the drive and pathway towards the workshop and beyond the gates near the Post Office. I have a huge spray container at the ready – but will the 24 hours of dry conditions ever happen now, to ensure the good working of the very expensive treatment?

During the two weeks Alison and Ian were here, Ian spent some time making scale drawings of the flat and paper models of some of the furniture therein. As Moira is flitting to a larger house, I can now offer a bedroom suite and various other pieces which all came from Bathgate, when “Bruar”, where we were brought up, was sold nearly 30 years ago and Granny came to live at Heron’s Flight, in the flat created for her.

I plan to “swop” rooms round in the flat and have the existing front bedroom as a sitting room. When I go south I’ll choose a few essential pieces of furniture, which I know will fit, thanks to the scale drawings and tiny models – Ian and Alison, what invaluable help! I’ll send photos and hope you visit to see for yourselves. The kitchen/dining room needs a revamp and that will be done in phase two. Only then I’ll ask the animals if they like it!!

This upheaval in the making will go on probably at the same time as my present kitchen/sitting room are torn apart, de-humidified and restored. That work may begin on November 16. ( Have you any idea of the paraphernalia one stores and “has to have” in kitchen cupboards and drawers? Having emptied mine, I tell you my kitchen “essentials” do not fit comfortably in the dining room here – on table tops, chairs, floor surface, window ledges…) But it is a necessary operation, so that the kitchen cupboards, tiles, work surfaces and plaster can be taken away.

Ruah and I plan a short trip to Edinburgh soon. Ruari and Marie will keep Sponge company – he has opted for this, by the way, rather than put up with three children, one dog, one cat, several hamsters that he is not allowed to eat, one house rabbit bigger than himself and one hen. Sponge is no fool!

Sam will come north with me, for a PSBSC meeting. If the workings here have not begun, I may run him home, as I love his company.

The village bonfire on the island is always a grand affair and we all congregate to see it lit, by rocket. The fireworks are beautiful and may this year be reflected in the incoming tide, if the night is still and dry…..

Alison has “tweeked” the website which I think is very special! Thanks, Alison. Do read through it and send any comments…….

Ann

More than a touch of Autumn...

2009-10-01T19:51:00.003Z

Wednesday September 30, 2009

Today is the best day in a while and Ian and Alison have gone to Inverness to see Dolan’s sister Janet and have lunch. It should be a lovely run there and back. In the last seventy + days we have only had twelve without rain, so today is a real bonus! I have been catching up on piles of washing and doing a general tidy up.

I have been very vexed for all the visitors who have come and been unable to see much of the beauty around. Walking has become a rare activity and umbrellas (very necessary) rarely seen, as the high winds would turn them inside out in a second…..

Our visitors have seemingly remained very good humoured and tolerant! Off they went into the grey mists, determined to make the most of each day... Jigsaws were finished with alarming speed and evenings round the fire were convivial. I was very pleased to welcome back Jutta and Harald, who arrived last year with their hire car more like a swimming pool – inside!

Ruah does not like being wet so, on goes the life jacket and off she gaily trots! Sponge has taken to talking a lot and commands attention!

The vege garden was dug over after the beetroot was lifted. Only the leeks remain. In the greenhouse many bunches of black grapes may yet fully ripen – if only we get a few days of sunshine……

Sam’s been up for a weekend and now John has been for a week too. Ian and Alison are here – it is marvellous to have them around! John was very helpful, doing little jobs around the house and garden. So my “to do” list has shrunk to nothing! He headed back to Edinburgh on Monday. Alison and Ian arrived last Wednesday and will stay till Tuesday – not long enough but just wonderful all the same. They are in the 6th week of their big tour and will be home in Toowoomba, Queensland in about three weeks I think.

I always seem to be talking about water/wet/damp etc! Well I can now add the wall between the kitchen and sitting room, bringing all the “wet” descriptions inside for the first time ever! A pipe running from the cold to hot tanks leaked – probably had been doing so for a long time and was not discovered till one morning recently a kitchen drawer was full of water. To cut a very long story short, the kitchen and sitting room walls (back to back) have to be dried out, now the leak has been traced and mended, plaster, tiles worktops, cupboards stripped off and renewed – and I am not looking forward to that….. It will happen in early November, when the last of this year’s visitors have departed.

Yesterday the three of us left here at 7.45am and motored to Armadale in south Skye. We caught the ferry to Mallaig, had a wait of about fifty minutes, and then boarded the “Loch Nevis”, which, on Tuesdays, goes to the little island of Muck. We had two hours on the island before doing the reverse trip and arriving home at 6.00pm.

“The” road on Muck is only a mile and a half in length. There are thirty five inhabitants, including six children and the main work is with sheep, cows and now tourists. There are two charming little shops, one of which is completely un-manned. It sells little souvenirs made by the children, cards, calendars, paintings and island produce.

A busy café is half of the other shop and all the food on offer seemed to be home-made. It was just a treat!

A monstrous cattle float has made the trip to the island on the ferry and it returned with a cargo of bulls and cows. They were to be transported to Dingwall, when they finally landed at Armadale – a long, long trip…..

Though the weather yesterday was not spectacular, we all enjoyed our outing to Muck immensely.

The days are speeding past and Ian and Alison’s time in Plockton is diminishing…..

I hope you are all well and have been enjoying good weather – I happen to know from a very recent email from Cid and Di Warden that the last month in Selsey has been just wonderful – well, it’s been so wet here there had to be very little rain left over for everywhere else!

Ann

Burning the midnight oil!

2009-08-27T09:21:00.004Z

Laure and Frederic, from Paris and Marseille, had a week of very mediocre weather. They remained cheerful throughout - thank you!
One can settle down to a jigsaw, morning, noon and night when the top of the Crags is shrouded in mist and rain - again.. Since you left it has continued to rain and Ruah's ears seem to be always wet!
Thank you for "sticking it out" and for your generous present to me.
Ann
PS: Sorry you are a bit blurred, Frederic - I'm not the best photographer!

"Jigsawers extraordinaires"!

2009-08-15T18:29:00.003Z

Terry and Daphne McNeill from Northern Ireland, in less than one day, almost completed one of my 1000 piece jigsaws!

In their five days at Heron's Flight, Terry and Daphne did not have wonderful weather - yesterday, their last day, was quite unforgiving and unforgivable..... I wonder if their ferry crossing tonight actually will go - here we have another big gale.....

The photo is taken in the sitting room, where we had a coal fire blazing. Unfortunately it is slightly out of focus - the "merry puzzlers" were grabbing jigsaw pieces and popping them in place like machines - quite impossible to slow down - and I need all the help I can get when taking a photo.....

Christian , Kirstin, Frederick and Laure now have instructions to finish the puzzle ASAP!

Best wishes, Ann

Calms and Storms in Plockton

2009-08-11T18:31:00.004Z

Catriona was at the helm in the girl's race of this year's Plockton Regatta. Big brother Sam was her crew along with the "ship's master", Terry.

August 11th

July and August are always busy here. Ruah, Sponge and I welcome visitors and this year we have made friends with people from many different countries, while welcoming back guests from previous years – that is one big bonus of this life! Another is that we stay at home to enjoy ourselves and have all the photos you send! Thank you.

The garden has been a lot of work, as everything has grown and grown and grown…… My success in the vege patch is definitely the onion bed. They are very good this year. The leeks will be good too, but the potatoes have not done very well. The grapes, very prolific, will be good later – Sean (6) in particular was not impressed by them (“No, you just cannot eat these ones green”).

Both animals have a good few weeks. Sponge has taken to wandering outside when he hears new voices! Ruah has had quite a few outings and I notice the difference in her walking on the lead. She is still a wee quiet soul in the house, though some people have the knack of “stirring her up”! I’m still working on “Stay”, while I go upstairs with guests. She’ll wait till we are virtually out of sight then gallop up to join us. It will come, won’t it?? Tips welcome!

I’ve had two marvellous weeks! It has been our annual regatta fortnight and Catriona, Sean and Daniel have stayed along with Sam, while Mum and Dad came and went.

On Sunday Moira left with Catriona and Sean (Daniel went earlier with Colin). Sam is travelling south, by bus, today. Tonight I have company from France and Ireland.

The weather has been strange. It has been warm and dry, but the winds have been very unpredictable. Many of the sailing races had to be postponed or cancelled – miraculously, the Regatta did finish on time!

You may have read in the national papers last week of the freak storm which blew up during one of our races. Of the 18 boats sailing, only 4 remained upright and thirty sailors landed in the water. Our two rescue boats were backed up by lifeboats from Kyle and Portree and two helicopters. Next to Heron’s Flight, at the pontoon car park, two ambulances and various rescue vehicles waited. After what seemed like forever, as we stood battered by the rain and wind, we heard that everyone was accounted for and OK. It was two hours ++ till everyone was back in the village, most having been pulled out of the water by the lifeboats then transferred to one of the many large craft that had immediately sailed to the area to help.

Sam and Catriona (she at 9 was the youngest crew person in the local boat race) were with Terry Kitchen and he dropped the sails, got turned and came in on the jib – one of the four that stayed upright.

It was one of the worst evenings of my life……. Ann

PS After I wrote this I “flicked through” the letters in the Dreambook – then I read them all again and am so touched that you had taken time to write – thank you. It means a great deal to me!

July 5th, 2009

2009-07-05T11:03:00.002Z

We have been enjoying the best weather, in my opinion, for a long, long time. Some would disagree as it has been very hot – several late afternoon shade temperatures were around 31C.

So the hoses have been out, doors and windows open 24/7, weeds have stopped trying to smother the veges and the midges have even gone into hiding most of the time! One of the New Zealand flax plants has a very tall flower spike – I passed it once or twice before I realised there was one – at five feet nearly two inches all I saw was the usual spread of leaves!

I had a flying visit to Edinburgh – one day. It was Sam’s prize giving and he is Dux of 5th year. Now he’s on to 6th year after the summer. It is incredible how the time has flown…..

After the ceremony, John joined Moira, Sam and me for lunch and that was lovely. Then I beetled back to Moira’s, picked up Ruah and headed north. So I had just short of 24 hours in Edinburgh! The three younger children were, as they say “in good form” and, as I left, I was saying to myself, “a day is better than no day with the family”…..

The journey home was uneventful till south of the turn off west, at Dalwhinnie. The temperature hovered around 28C. Then the heavens opened and I have never driven in weather like that. I wanted to get to Dalwhinnie, to rescue Ruah from her metal crate, in case lightning struck. This daft thought would not go to the back of my mind…. These few miles took quite a time, as conditions were really poor. One plus point was that the temperature dropped 10C in a mile or two! I found out afterwards that Ruah would have been completely safe in her cage – but very frightened…

After Dalwhinnie, the second 100 miles were much less traumatic and we got home around 7.30pm. It had been pretty wet here too and the garden looks good, especially the courgette and its several bright yellow flowers! My four guests had survived quite happily without me! Their breakfast at Plockton Inn was, I’m sure, a welcome break from a week of me! However, I’m glad to be back to keep order, as the gentlemen yesterday climbed “The Saddle” and were “drooked” (completely drenched!) and late, late home. It had been a very arduous climb and their wives and I were very glad when the car finally came down the drive. Today is calm, sunny and still pretty warm…..

I’m off soon to pick Sam up in Kyle. His bus journey takes six hours. He’ll be doing a couple of week’s work experience while he’s here – and sailing!
Sponge and Ruah will be beside themselves with joy when Sam appears!!

I hope all is well with you and that you’ll pop in sometime to Heron’s Flight.

Ann.

Monarch of all he surveys.....

2009-06-07T16:17:00.003Z

7’6’09

Ruah often steals the limelight here.

But Sponge can and does enhance the views from Heron’s Flight.

Today has been glorious and we have had a visit from the Huntingdon Family, who have “Alkira” at anchor in the bay for the summer. Yana (3) and Alex (17 months) and Halley the cocker spaniel are as at home on the yacht as they are on land. Halley has been known to chase a cat……

Sponge can always put himself out of reach, on one of the front gate pillars!

Near the longest day......

2009-06-06T06:50:00.003Z

June 6th, 2009.

After days and days of wonderful sunshine and real heat, we have been plunged into temperatures in the low teens. But it is some consolation to realise that our little part of Britain is not going to be deluged this time!

In the last weeks Noel and Pat, John and Brida, Cid and Di, Ann and Patrick, and Mark (not Paul, as I would call you!) and Barbara have re-visited. It was such a pleasure for me to have you staying again… A week ago Ann McGregor and Sheila jumped off a special train and spent two hours here – it was very good to catch up with news and events from the McGregor side of our family.

Some of you were not so lucky with the weather and I realised how desperate Cid was when the sun shone one evening and he persuaded Di to hop on the big bike at 6.00pm – and off they went to Applecross! Most people breakfast quite early and set off promptly on an Applecross outing!!!

Cid and Di, thanks for starting and finishing a 1000 piece jigsaw. We had fun sticking it together and backing it with paper! I now have found sticky backed hangings and the jigsaw is complete. There is yet another to begin if/when the weather deteriorates again….

The garden has taken off – trees, shrubs, flowers and weeds! The big lawnmower is being mended and the grass is defeating me at present. The May blossom was exceptional all over the village and now the growth is amazing. The potatoes, onions, spring cabbage, lettuce and beetroot are all growing well and there are still leeks to plant.

The older cabbage palms have several flower heads each this year and the eucalyptus is only a foot or two shorter than the tall pine in back garden of Tigh an Fhaing, next door. I suppose it is still a poor specimen compared to Queensland eucalyptus, Alison – but it is my pride and joy.

Ruah and I took Sponge, my cat, to the vet last Friday, as the midges were really making his life miserable. He got a couple of injections and was immediately more at ease. This is very effective in combating his midge allergy. Maybe we all who live and visit here should have the same treatment!!

Ruah is loving meeting all our guests. Excitement is at fever pitch when she hears footsteps on the stairs each morning!

When I next speak to you, I’ll have been on a flying visit to Edinburgh and Sam will probably be in Plockton for a spell. He has now finished his 5th year Higher exams and will have the results in late July. I’m looking forward to Sam coming north for a good part of the summer. The family will be here at Regatta time – that’s from July 27, for a fortnight. I hope John will come after the very busy summer time. He prefers his Plockton quiet!

If you are in our part of the world, please do come in and say hello.

Ann

More May Happenings!

2009-05-13T20:47:00.004Z

Last May Alan and Jan Walker took a very young Ruah for a little walk – I suspect it was the other way round!

This May Alan and Jan came back to visit and after the walk I was assured that Ruah behaved impeccably.

Alan and Jan – we hope you had a good flight south this afternoon and we hope to see you in the not too distant future.

Angela and Richard Hough, here again and at the same time as the Walkers, have again been lucky with the weather. Despite factor 25 in abundance, they came home this evening, having “marched up and down the mountains” around Sligaghan looking extremely healthy and very pink!

Ruah’s new fleece arrived yesterday and it is a huge success! It is under the hall table, by the kitchen door and I’m determined that she’ll sit/lie there while breakfasts are in progress at least. Already she knows “mat” and goes there with me. Yes, yes, she gets a small treat!!

After the unbelievably bad weather last week, everyone is thoroughly enjoying the best sunshine in the country – and we have more to come!

Ann.

May News

2009-05-06T16:57:00.001Z

I’ve had a lovely time since we spoke; firstly with Sam, Catriona and Sean in Plockton for a week, then seeing everyone in Edinburgh – a flying overnight visit there last week. And in the last month Catriona, John and Daniel have had birthdays – ages ranging from 4 to 42!

Continuing with the lovely time theme – we’ve had lots of visitors and great fun too. Ruah now has a note in the bedroom folders inviting guests to come for a walk. Thank you Chris and Lindsay, for being her first customers!

Ruah is waiting daily for the postie to deliver a thick fleece for her cage – I’ll photo her with it. She’s always had cast offs to date, so excitement will be at fever pitch when the big box arrives!!

David and Sandra are here again this week and they’ll meet up with John and Sally today. It is so good that they are here at the same time again. Perhaps the very indifferent weather will show a marked improvement!

In the good weather we all got the vegetable gardens dug and planted. I have four drills of two kinds of potatoes, onions, two lettuce varieties, beetroot (for Moira) and leeks growing on, to be planted soon. A solitary courgette will hopefully rampage over the little cold frame at the side of the house! The potatoes are through the ground and I shall put more soil to them as they shoot up. Weekly hoeing of the plot keeps weeds at bay – if there is weather to hoe. If not, the usual summer battle will commence!

Sam’s Higher exams are in a fortnight then he’ll be free for the summer. I expect he’ll come and go and be here for as much sailing as possible. The family come for Regatta – this year the fortnight begins on Monday July 27.

The Plockton Small Boat Sailing Club’s local fleet of clinker built boats will be in the water in a few weeks and Saranna C, Dolan’s boat, will be on the mooring, ready for the annual rowing challenge round the Perch mark and home. Last year’s winning crew, with Kenneth MacRae in charge, had a time of 20m 39s – a challenge for this year’s crews.

Alison has set us up with Google Analytics Dashboard – I hope I’ve got that title correct….. Anyway, it tells, for example, where viewers of our web site live. In the last month we’ve had visits from Britain, United States, France, Australia, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Canada, Ireland, Spain, Japan, Romania and Norway – I think that is wonderful!

Thank you all for visiting www.heronsflight.org. If even some of you come in person, I’ll be delighted!

Best wishes
Ann

Look at this!

2009-04-03T08:36:00.007Z

Tim and Joyce Keeler are coming to stay in late August.
I should love to see Tim's truck negotiating Harbour Street, en route to Heron's Flight!

Tim and Joyce - I'm really looking forward to our meeting..

Early April, 2009

2009-04-03T08:00:00.005Z

It is 8.30pm and only now beginning to get dark. What a difference the clock change and good weather make! This week has been sunny and warm, while last week, when Joyce and Moira "stuck it out" (and almost completed the 1000 piece jigsaw) was just terrible…..
Ruah and Sponge miss you Joyce, and Moira and I salute you!

The new Jazz is, needless to say, very similar to the last one, except it is sapphire blue. It has only a 1200 engine but I do not notice any difference. I got petrol for the first time today and was not certain how the cap opened – much to the amusement of my friend at the pumps in Kyle! I really must bring in the manual and have a good read.

Our computer Word assessments had us quivering. I think we all passed…. After all the years, sitting "exams" was quite a strange feeling, not enjoyed by any of us!

Swimming, often for four of us, is going well, though the early morning sessions are now not possible, as they of course would clash with breakfast preparations. However, there are two or three other options during the week.

Calum’s new "seal trip" boat is looking so very trim and is nearly ready to go. Sula Mhor, the big Gannet, will be leaving the pontoon regularly from Easter time.

Tomorrow, I’m going to Spean Bridge, north of Fort William, where I'll meet my son-in-law Colin, with Catriona and Sean. The children and I will be in Plockton in time for tea. We'll have a lovely time for several days. Sam is joining us on Monday. Catriona will have a day of pony trekking up near the Five Sister mountains while Sean and I'll do some serious crab catching! Another day we'll go by train to Inverness and visit Auntie Janet. A train journey is a big treat for Catriona and Sean – and Ruah!

All round the house has been getting a good bit of attention and the down garden is ready for planting. Dan came down a couple of evenings ago and did all my bonfires. We have no other way of getting rid of big garden rubbish. Recently however, we moved a step forward with very blue dustbins for paper, cardboard and squashed plastic rubbish.

The lawn mower started first time – it is an amazing machine! But the hedge trimmer gave up the ghost just as I began to deadhead all the heathers and the strimmer is sounding its age!!

So Colin is bringing replacements and I'm taking him the "Mantis", which is a little petrol plough among other things. Dolan made good use of it, but it is far too heavy for me to drag along…..

The children and I will have a lovely time till their return to Edinburgh. Catriona will be nine just after school re-starts and Daniel will be four soon after.

From Easter weekend onwards, Heron’s Flight will have many visitors, I’m pleased to say! I look forward to meeting you all. Some hard work is going in to the training of Ruah and Sponge in preparation!! It was so wet last week that Joyce and Moira did not enjoy a walk, though there were some high jinks on the front lawn, with little Meacha from next door joining in. Ruah did not get a chance to remember her village tour route! She’ll be ready to take you, however…

Best wishes

Ann

PS:
You probably know here is a serious virus warning going round and I have decided that to open some emails, which might be about a booking, cannot be done, as their "Subject" gives no clues! If you contact me, please put dates (e.g. September 7, 8, 9.) in the "Subject" then I shall know to open it. This will be very helpful, thank you.

Eagle's view of Plockton

2009-03-04T22:15:00.000Z

The morning after "the news"!

2009-03-04T09:25:00.002Z

4/4/09
The country is quite badly affected by snow today.
We have a mere dusting on the Crags...
Ann

We're glad to be back home!

2009-03-03T22:12:00.002Z

March 3rd, 2009.

Last night Ruah, Sponge and I were wakened by hailstones battering the windows! So when we got up this morning and saw the grass was still green, I at least was delighted! Other places not too far away were not so lucky – the main road through Cluanie from Inverness to Skye was blocked till afternoon, I hear.

Ruah and I came home last Monday, after 10 days away – very glad to see Sponge (well cared for by Ruari next door) again. Sam and I had a week in Dundee, while he had a placement at Ninewells Hospital, in the ENT department. He was very well looked after and enjoyed every minute of it. We stayed in a small, dog friendly hotel, which had been a jute baron’s home. It dates from the mid 1800’s, when Dundee was a very prosperous town, thanks to jute.

Ruah and I toured around a lot – went over the Tay road bridge three times – twice by accident!! We looked in vain for Desperate Dan’s statue. My generation was brought up on the Dandy" and Desperate Dan’s adventures – he’s been in Dundee since 1937 and I could not find him! However, the Discovery, the Castle and Dundee Law were impossible to miss, I’m glad to say, though 70 acres of snowdrops at an estate near St Andrews eluded me too!

When we got back to Edinburgh, we were glad to have a simple home-made meal! It was lovely to see the rest of the family too…

Before coming home, I persuaded Moira to come and help me buy the new Honda Jazz. We chose a sapphire blue model – there is not an ordinary red, same as my present car, available at present in Britain, we were told... However, as long as it keeps going “Brumm brumm” I’ll be delighted! It’ll be ready for collection after next weekend, so I’ll see the family again!

The first guests arrive on March 22nd and I’m looking forward to that. It’ll become busier at Easter and I’m pleased to say that Heron’s Flight will be like that from then on. Sponge, Ruah and I do enjoy company!

Twice this winter I have had a fright with my bonsai of many years. Ian and Alison gave me it on one of their visits. Well, it recovered the first time and actually was quite un-naturally healthy looking.. But, a few weeks ago the leaves again went black in no time at all and I resorted to the drastic pruning that worked the first time. Alas, there is no sign of life, yet. I am not hopeful. The “Serissa” gave me many frights over the years – too moist, too dry, and too top heavy, too many roots and too much pruning needed. In all the years it produced just a handful of dainty little white flowers, probably due to my overzealous pruning! I always vowed never to contemplate a replacement, but - we’ll see!

I’ll let you know next time how the computer class went and how the swimming is going – I hope we can keep up the latter as the year gets busier…..

I hope too that you are well and that you may pop in to see us soon.

Best wishes
Ann

Horizontal or vertical - we don't know!

2009-02-03T20:47:00.014Z

The animals do get on well, but at night there is a definite pecking order. They are trying out all sorts of compromises at present. Sponge is totally relaxed about it all. Ruah is totally apprehensive!

February 1st, 2009

2009-01-31T19:30:00.001Z

Since we talked last, the red Jazz, Ruah and I have been to Edinburgh twice. We finally got home on January 12, which put a few friends off their strides, as they had organised a birthday treat for me for that day! But they altered plans and I was treated to a lovely, long, lazy lunch on January 14th. Thank you Jane and Kathleen for thinking of it! Thank you all for the birdbath which is photographed in situ beside the rock in the front garden.

The big gale of the month was the weekend before I came home. It was a corker! The next weekend was little better! However, as February approaches, it is very mild and spring like. There are several clumps of spring flowers blooming - lovely!

Sam and I have our annual trip away in the school holiday in February. Two years ago it was London, last year Paris, so watch this space for “The Trip 2009”. Before then I’m doing some spring cleaning. The carpet cleaner will be coming on February 5, so I want to be ahead of him for once. I started with great enthusiasm……
The west room furniture dates from around 1800 and does not get our modern polishes or sprays. It gets a layer of fairly thick wax rubbed in with the grain, polished off when it is dry, then a film of wax which is again polished. . This treatment does last a year or two – thank goodness! The round elephant-leg table has had its coat of raw linseed oil too.

The three bathrooms are also done, along with all the lamp shades in the house. Instead of finishing off the two guest bedrooms I’ve suddenly shot off at a tangent and decided that my kitchen should be de-cluttered! This happens yearly, so when the first guests arrive the kitchen is quite clinical. By the end of October there will be postcards and photos from all over, drawings that the children have done and many, many notes to myself! And, for the winter, it will again feel very homely and comfortable!

I’ve time still to do more, to give the carpet cleaner a “clean” sweep – but not long…. So, I have now got myself back on track and the brass stair rods will be next on the list– the first several are quite fun to do!

Ruah and Sponge continue to thrive and each really enjoys having the other around, in the evenings especially. They give me such good company and pleasure…..

My diary is filling up nicely and I look forward to the first guests, on the 22nd of March.

I hope you may stop by as well, before too long?

Ann

January 1st, 2009

2009-01-01T12:16:00.003Z

1/1/2009

Happy New Year to you!

“Lang may your lum reek”, as ours has been and is doing today! There is thick ground frost here and the temperature will struggle to reach 0C. The sky today is a beautiful, cloudless blue and it could be a day in summer - till one steps outside!!

Sam, Catriona and I brought in the New Year in “35”, the MacKenzie family home in Harbour Street. The now traditional rocket lit bonfire was spectacular, partly because of its size and mainly because it had not been soaked by incessant rain! The fireworks too seemed special and were much appreciated by a large crowd – villagers and visitors alike.

We first footed in a couple of houses and got home about 2.30 – quite late enough for the three of us! We’ll do some more visiting today and friends will call here too.

Tomorrow will be a lazy day, as we head to Edinburgh on Saturday. Sam and Catriona start the Easter term at school on Monday.

Ruah and I will finally get home on January 9th, I think. By then the days will be beginning to stretch and I’ll start to look forward to meeting guests. This year promises already to be very special, as Ian and Alison from Toowoomba will be here in September!

I hope you may come too?

Best wishes for 2009

Ann

Hello!

2008-12-01T15:31:00.000Z

December's here. Yesterday we woke up to a dusting of snow on hard ice and today it is pure and simply hard ice!! As I should get to Kyle today, the heater is on in the car, and the lovely fern shapes that hard frost creates are slowly melting….. I know Alison in Toowoomba will be envying me this very Scottish, seasonal weather – she knows too that I would really enjoy the temperatures in Queensland!

After the last visitors of 2008 left, on November 14th, Heron’s Flight had a very, very brief hibernation! Now I’m getting cards and presents into piles, ready for posting soon. About half of my cards are now sent email and this system works a treat – if I’ve got the addresses correct!!!

I’ve been out at the front, hanging up the first load of white pillowcases – there will be about three dozen in all. If they hang outside overnight, and it is really frosty – then they will be just that bit whiter. I remember the older ladies of the village (gosh, I’m one now!) draping their table covers, pillowcases, even sheets and handkerchiefs on the hedges overnight, “to get the frost”. And what was good enough for them…….though our jaggy red barberry hedge would probably create a “Broderie Anglais” effect!!

Last week we did have some very pleasant days and I got quite a lot of pruning done – the three bonfires in the making are quite substantial! My neighbour Ruari gave me a few spring cabbages, so they are wintering along side the leeks. The green house got its annual clean out, as the vine had shed all its leaves. I’ll prune the vine shortly too. I’ve still to tidy up are all the small perennials, but they can do with a cover of dead leaves over the worst weather. Oh, that little red leafed plant that graced the breakfast table this year is, according to “Donald Loch Duich”, the nurseryman, “Oxalis Iron Cross”.

Ruah was neutered, much to some people’s distress (“Oh, I’ll have a puppy”) three weeks ago. Much as though I love her, I would have been no use when a row of little angry faces glared at me – because the breed has a cross face, I think! Anyway, I probably could not have parted with one or all the protesters might have melted away……

Sponge and Ruah continue their slightly uneasy, got to get on with it, relationship. Most times it’s friendly and calm. Then Ruah oversteps a mark and, like lightening, Sponge swipes. If it is a great big deal, the swipe is accompanied by a growl! Ruah has the sense to stop and look very contrite and peace soon reigns again…Though I know Sponge misses us when we are away, he also revels in the luxury of complete peace!

We’ll be in Edinburgh for Christmas and home for New Year. Before that, Sam is sixteen on the 10th. He shares the day with little Emily Casey, who’ll be one. I hope Dad Paul and Mum Fay read this “Happy Birthday”!

Thank you for joining me! We’ll talk again next month.

I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a “Guid New Year”.
.
Ann

Winter's round the corner...

2008-10-29T22:10:00.001Z

Late autumn, 2008.

Quite often I start with a resume of our weather, so here I go again. Today has been dry and fairly bright and, as the wind has swung round to the east, cold. But yesterday, after many days of gales and torrential rain, we awoke to snow!! I rushed outside and took some photos, as snow in Plockton is very unusual but snow in Plockton in October is almost unheard of!

The wild weather was very tiring, as one just could not walk anywhere easily and any outing ended abruptly in a downpour. Moira, Colin and the family came for a long weekend and we all stayed cheerfully dry indoors after one fishing expedition to the pontoon had Sean clutching the central hand hold while Daniel pirouetted along the edge, unbelievably unconscious of the big waves - his Mum and Lally were ready to “haul him in”! Catriona and Sean stayed on for some days and we did have fun, but fishing, cycling, walking and playing football with Ruah were out of the question. The days passed quickly, however, with us swimming, visiting, taking Ruah on short runs, painting, baking, reading and making paper briquettes then burning them on big coal fires.

We left Plockton last Friday, a day earlier then planned as Saturday's forecast was appalling. The journey south was uneventful and Ruah and I travelled back on Sunday, as again Monday promised to be wild.

Ruari next door and Jane across the road had kept an eye on Sponge, but still he gave us a huge welcome – cats do not like wild weather. I had been unable to leave Sponge's usual window open, as the wind would have ripped it off its hinges, so poor Sponge had a big leap into another room, in our absence. The three of us were happy to be back together!

When I popped in to Ruari and Marie later on Sunday, they told me that the “Argus”, Calum’s seal trip boat, had broken her mooring the day before and had crossed the loch, to be dashed to pieces on the Reraig rocks. The wild seas had drawn many villagers to the main pier, to watch the seas, so they all saw Argus going and nobody could risk putting to sea to board her. It must have been terrible to watch...

Our family has a special interest in Argus, for Calum is Dolan’s youngest first cousin. Our grand children's first question on arrival usually is “Where's Argus?” (her mooring can be seen from the east bedroom and the front garden). Catriona in particular just loves Calum and Argus, possibly not in that order!! She recently sent Calum a scratch-a-doodle picture of dolphins, as we had gone in the summer on Argus to see them. I am heart broken for Calum and Jane who were away with Fiona their younger daughter. She was runner up in the Kathleen Ferrier Awards at the weekend.... Well done Fiona!

Most of our guests enjoyed an hour of fun on Argus with Calum and his crew. By 2009 I know there will be a replacement trip boat and we’ll all get to love her too……

I'm hoping for at least a few days of good weather now, so that the garden can have a decent tidy up. It looks a bit like a battlefield at present, with broken branches, half dead flower heads, leaves everywhere and palm fronds strewn back and front. But there is a use for the palms – one should tie a few together and make kindlings – as this garden has hundreds, I'll have firelighters for months! What with these and the briquettes, I'll hardly need a £16.00 bag of coal!

This news page has been filled with some doom and gloom. It’s just that way sometimes in our small community as we all battle against the elements and suffer with anyone who has had appallingly bad luck. However, we are all resilient - read on next month……

Ann

The nights are drawing in........

2008-09-18T18:38:00.003Z

September 18th, 2008.

It’s a good day to sit and write you – rain showers merging, quite a strong south west wind blowing, it feels as if the clouds will lift and the evening may well be fine… Guests at Heron’s Flight are today visiting Eilean Donan Castle and the Isle of Skye – I hope the Cuillin mountains are visible…….

Although present visitors are having quite rainy weather, our summer on the whole has been wonderful. Recently several rowing teams have been competing for Dolan’s Trophy. They must row a distance of approximately 2.3 miles and be timed. There are four rowers and a cox in the boat – Saranna C, built by Dolan and friend Johnny Nic. Timing begins as the boat crosses the starting line.

This year’s competition ends on Saturday, September 20th and it looks as if Kenneth MacRae and his very keen crew will win. Their time of 20mins. 39 secs. Is good, but can be beaten! About twenty five years ago two men’s crews rowed the distance in under 20 mins from a static start, with no cox….. That time is the real goal for present day teams, I imagine!

Recently I’ve had Di and Cid, Keay and Betty and Tom and Jean back to visit. Di and Cid again stuck at –and completed – this year’s jigsaw! That's Di and Cid in the photo. They deserved that tray of tea and cakes! Keay and Betty had not come north for several years so it was lovely to see them again. Tom and Jean never change and, like the others, do me much more good than I perhaps do them!!! Thank you all for coming back. Thank you also, new found friends who visited.

I’ve only the beetroot to lift now and then the vege garden can be dug over – Ruah will be in her element then….. She loves gardening! She also enjoys prancing along beside the very loud lawn mower, so I do not think that she’ll spook easily with fireworks, loud bangs, etc.

I’ve lent Teresa next door my camera and, when it comes home I’ll take a photo of the grapes in the greenhouse. The branches are laden! I have received some really lovely photos from guests. Jutta Mayer sent three 10” x 8” photos, taken from the front lawn, which was truly burned by the early season drought! I wonder if Alison could fit one on the site if I scanned it through – I’m sure she could – and would! Perhaps I should, next year, collect all the photos together – what a marvellous album or wall I would create!

After a wonderful summer with Sam, Sean, Catriona and Moira, Colin and Daniel, Heron’s Flight took a wee bit of getting used to again. I was so happy to have the company of all the super guests who have visited – and Ruah too was equally delighted to be taken for the odd walk, while Sponge blossomed too, with all the attention he got!

We have visitors coming till towards the end of October but, if would like to pop in to see us and stay, please get in touch. The three of us would enjoy your company!

Ann.
PS
How wrong I was about the weather clearing this evening! It is pouring and just a little bit breezy, even by Plockton standards………

Two more photos

2008-08-20T19:22:00.014Z

Here are Alan and Hazel, leaving Heron's Flight on their Zoom Trike - what a marvellous machine! Thank you for the photo!

Ruah is now a crew member on Piglet, our 10' tender. She stands at the bow, loving it - though she took a little persuading about all crew having to be properly dressed!!

August 21, 2008

2008-08-20T18:44:00.012Z

The last month has flown by!

Sam was here all the time and he crewed for Terry Kitchen in "Delight". They sailed in all the Regatta fortnight races, winning the RNLI pennant and THE trophy of the Regatta, sailed over four races, the Plockton Trophy. Sam also won the boy’s race. He and I also attended P.S.B.S.C’s 75th anniversary dinner, where the guest of honour was a founder member of the sailing club. At 101 years old, Tom McIvor’s presence and detailed memories of the beginnings of the club made the evening unforgettable.

Sean came on his own for a week. As he’s newly five, this was a huge adventure and perhaps a wee dream come true for, since about the age of two, Sean’s been ready, wee rucksack on his back, to leave Edinburgh each time I did, breaking my heart saying "come to Ploton"? So Sam, Sean and I went fishing at the pier – no crab was safe! We took Piglet out and Sean was at the tiller sometimes! His delight was obvious….. He whizzed round on his little two wheeler, while I watched with my heart in my mouth!! We played football on the front lawn – and I freely admit that Ruah gave Sean a much better game than I. We cheered Sam on from the starting line, ate from "Grumpy’s" sometimes, slept like logs and simply had a ball!

The rest of the family joined us for a week – wonderful weather, great fun and another highlight when Sam and I were left with Catriona, Sean and little Daniel, while Moira and Colin debunked for a couple of nights. Everyone survived and the Heron’s Flight crew had great fun!

When Moira, Colin and the two little boys headed home, Catriona stayed on and Sam went to Inverness to do a week’s work experience at Raigmore Hospital. He enjoyed that very much,

Catriona and I had a week together and we went on Calum's dolphin trip. It was great fun and Catriona got one very good close up photo, which I’ve put on the blog. She went to saddle club and on a trek at the Ratagan Stables too. Then Rowan and Murrin became new friends and there was much running between houses. Murrin and her Granny Meryl took Catriona swimming, complete with wetsuit. That day the wind was strong and the sea choppy - a completely new experience for Edinburgh based Catriona!

Catriona and Sam went home on Saturday, having stayed on Friday with Auntie Janet in Inverness. And now school has re-started - Fifth year in Secondary for Sam, Primary 4 for Catriona and first day at school for Sean. Daniel has still two years more in nursery.

I’m again enjoying having guests, all always so friendly and special. It is always a thrill to welcome friends back, as I did with Victorine and Didier last week. And Ian and Margaret left yesterday, having come again to Heron’s Flight, 35 years after their last visit!!! Please do not try to beat that record!

Best wishes,
Ann.

July News

2008-07-18T20:01:00.001Z

It’s now July 18th and Sam and I are looking out at a “watery” scene, if those of you who know our exact location will appreciate is fairly unavoidable, BUT I’m talking today about the weather, you see! It is a grey outlook and, through the rain we can see the Duncraig shore – just. The Crags are not visible so it is a quite depressing scene…

Yesterday the weather improved hour by hour till we believed that mid summer had arrived. We were wrong! Some large yachts had anchored in the bay and they had probably paid attention to adverse forecasts. So, while I complain to you, I am extremely grateful that we are not cooped up on board, no matter how luxurious the conditions down below!

This week two friends have sailed across the Minch to the Isle of Lewis – the Hebridean music festival will be coming to a very watery end soon. Their sail out was in gale force winds, the time there has been mostly very damp and wild. Their trip home promises to be exciting, with present weather predictions and they’ll breeze in here having had a ball – yachts people are a breed quite apart, for they turn into very sane responsible pillars of society when their feet touch dry land!!

The garden has run riot recently and summer blossoms have been quite spectacular, especially the Kingsgate rose which now stretches some fifteen feet and is about nine feet high, as you’ll see from the photo. The early potatoes are good and the various lettuces are as prolific as they have been in previous years. Sam and I shall be planting the leeks when the weather allows.

Heron’s Flight has had many visitors. I’d like to thank all our guests for coming and congratulate those who timed their stay to coincide with the good days we’ve had! Thank you too for all the lovely messages you left and sent. Sally Shuster has kept me very amused, sending PC’s from America; the views have included Rhu, Plockton and Sally and me!!! Our friend John Townend stayed for a 6th visit and narrowly missed seeing Sam and Catriona. Dorothy and Irene, vintage friends, came for a few days too. It has been a lovely month….

Ruah and her labradoodle friend Malinky have now attended four training sessions - with their fraught owners! There are four more lessons for owners and pups alike and then I’ll report on overall progress – of us all!

The annual Plockton Small Boat Sailing Club regatta begins on the 28th. We are all hoping for fair winds and sunshine. Sam will be crewing and helping at the line. Now that Saranna C is in the water, I’m looking forward to crews of four plus cox rowing to compete for Dolan’s trophy. The rest of the family will be here for most of the regatta fortnight, so Heron’s Flight will be buzzing!

Should you think of coming to the North West corner of Scotland, do call in to Plockton and stay for a few days….
Ann

It's the end of June......

2008-06-26T14:04:00.003Z

The longest day was five days ago – incredible..... The weather recently has been very mixed, with strong winds most days. We have not had clear enough skies to read our newspapers at 11.00pm, without artificial light but we may yet. But now the days begin to shorten, which to me is not a pleasant prospect….

However,it is still very much summer and the Scottish schools begin to holiday this weekend. So I’m looking forward to Catriona coming on July 7th. Very good friends are coming then, leaving from Edinburgh and staying the week – Catriona may stay longer, hopefully. Sam will be here soon too, but he will make his own way to Plockton.

Sailing has got under way with a race, sometimes two, weekly. Regatta fortnight begins in just over a month and then I hope Moira, Colin, Sean and Daniel will be here too for some days.

The garden has been taking up quite a bit of my time, with lawns and hedges growing just a bit too quickly! The veges are coming along nicely and I tried the potatoes when Jenny and Geoff Duce from Townsville visited. They were still very small but should be properly ready very soon. It was lovely to see the Duces again – Dolan, his sisters Janet and Alice and I ate crocodile, sixteen years ago at a BBQ with the Duce family! Being typical Scots, we all enjoyed the meat, till it was revealed that what we thought was chicken was not…..We are a fairly conservative nation I think. I hope Jenny and Geoff enjoyed the haggis and venison I served!

Ruah and I have started dog classes! Malinky and Teresa next door come too. Malinky has more excuses to offer than Ruah as he’s only 4 months old – though being a labradoodle, he’s already twice her size! Last night was the first class and Teresa and I were regretting signing the forms, as we crossed the Skye Bridge to Kyleakin village hall!

There were seven puppies, four of which were extremely vocal….. Malinky is quite nervous and happily peeped out at the mêlée from a safe corner for a while! Ruah was quite bamboozled by the noise which seemed to her to be being accepted by the humans and I was ready to yank her wee lead (or at least give her a real school teacher glare) if she attempted a howl, bark or squeak! In the end, Malinky did join in very graciously and I am pleased to report that he and Ruah did really well, amid the, at times, complete chaos!! Roll on next week, when we are expected to have our dogs walking to heel, sitting, lying down and coming immediately to our “excited” call – all on the lead, if necessary!

As usual, there have been such charming guests here and I’ve been very lucky to meet them. Ruah too thoroughly enjoys their company and benefits regularly by joining new friends on a walk! Thank you all for coming!

Ann

Summer in Heron's Flight

2008-06-06T10:31:00.001Z

May's news

2008-05-26T19:14:00.004Z

I began writing around May 13th when our good weather of April still dominated, with a couple of wet days thrown in to water the gardens! The flowering cherry at the top of the drive, in Ruari's garden, was magnificent and, for once, the blossoms were not blown across the loch! The potatoes were well through the ground and the onions thriving. Lettuce, planted in trays, was coming along. The very warm days could not last, everyone firmly believed…. And I refused to sit down and do the yearly accounts for the accountant till it was raining hard!!

I found a rather drastic solution to the moss on the front grass. Ruah was digging little holes here and there – very amusing to watch as the moss flew here, there and everywhere! But that had to stop, before someone landed in one..... So the holes are filled with compost and I hope this does not create a frenzy of digging and a little all-brown dog!

It’s now May 26 and the wonderful weather has just gone on and on! I was keeping my fingers crossed that some good days would still be on offer for Richard and Angela Hough’s fourth visit, as they are great walkers. Well there was hardly been a spot of rain in their eight days here – indeed it has been mainly wall to wall sunshine – with more than the odd rogue midge thrown in at times, I’m afraid…..

Alan and Jan Walker took Ruah for a walk and came back assuring me that she was well behaved – mark you, they are used to a Springer Spaniel!

Ruah has decided that gardening is her forte! So the lawn is having a rest and the vegetable patch now has her full attention. Sponge looks on with a resigned, tolerant air that indicates he thinks Ruah m-a-y grow up in a while!

The exterior painting, started quite a while ago, should be completed by this weekend. I am very relieved to have had it finally done. It looks good! I spoke too soon for on Friday there was a shower of rain and the house was abandoned again by the painters – they are coming back "soon" then surely will finish and remove the many ladders adorning the front lawn! Catriona, Sean and Daniel could construct a giant game of snakes and ladders out there!

Sam has been sitting his standard grade exams and he will finish in a week's time. He’s very conscientious and will do his best, we all know. I’m looking forward to his arrival, when he can be a good help and also get in some crewing in pre-regatta races. PSBSC (Plockton Small Boat Sailing Club) is 75 years old this year and happily has gone from strength to strength over the years. Dolan's trophy too will create interest and competition from the youths upwards. Hopefully younger children too may be asked to cox sometimes.

This week is fairly quiet and, as the next few days promise still to be sunny, I must help Ruah in the garden! The potatoes need more ground round them, the onions and lettuce finely weeded. I'll also dig over an area ready for leek plants and cut all the grass – again ... I am now watering day and night as even the heathers are dying. My attention is also on the shore close to the front wall – overgrown since the cows were not allowed to roam – as it is really quite impassable now. There's plenty to get on with and plenty of time too, to welcome guests to Heron's Flight.

Best wishes
Ann.

April 27, 2008

2008-04-27T15:10:00.005Z

Catriona, Ruah and Meacha in front garden
It's Daniel's third birthday this weekend and the party's in Edinburgh! As I've already spent ten days away from home this month, I’ll not get there….

Sam and Catriona, Ruah and I motored south on Friday 4th, after Sam and Catriona had given me a lovely time in Plockton! We had a lot of fun and were out and about a great deal, in wonderful weather. Their schools resumed on April 7th.

I headed 18 miles west of Edinburgh to house sit in Bathgate, where Moira and Colin have bought a property. They plan to move to this more rural environment in two years, when Sam finishes High School. The three younger children will then go to school where Lally (me!) and great uncle Ian were educated! Our family, the Hunters, lived less than a mile from the recently bought house. Dad had a draper's shop, Mum was an infant teacher and Bathgate was home all their married life.

At the new house“Fairfield”, I welcomed plumbers, plasterers, roofers, painters and John who will do a little work too. Emptying the house and tidying up the garden took days and, when I had to travel north on the 13th, there was still a lot of work for the family to do. However, I know everything has gone well and an estate agent can now take over, so the house will be occupied for the next two years.

My time in Bathgate was not all work and no play! I met up with Dorothy Slater, who brought me up to date with all the goings - on in Bathgate. Dorothy and I went to school together and she has visited us yearly in Plockton. She was our bridesmaid and is John's Godmother. I also had Sam, Catriona and Sean for sleepovers at the weekends!

In all this, Ruah had a whale of a time – a rapidly emptying house to whizzzz through and a 'Cavalier King Charles proof' garden in which to romp and roam! The previous owner had two Cavaliers.

Since our return, the weather has been spectacular - till this weekend. Digging, fertilizing then planting the onions and potatoes in fairly dry soil was such a bonus! Ruah repeatedly tried to help in the garden – she was anything but successful!

We returned to a bed and breakfast warm - up week, with two days off. Last week was busier and the day off was much appreciated! This coming week heralds the start of a busy spell, when days off are rare! But that is how I like it, as meeting lots of guests is always a great pleasure. So, please come sometime and be a part of our household for even a little while!

Best wishes
Ann

How time flies!

2008-04-01T09:14:00.001Z

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Sam has been in Plockton for a week and we shall be joined tomorrow by Catriona, who has been with Dolan's sister Janet in Inverness. Catriona has several little friends in Inverness (and an aunt and uncle who love having her there) so she thoroughly enjoys going north in that direction!

Sam and I have been doing a bit of travelling and we motored round the north and west of Skye last week. Yesterday, at 8.50am, we left the car at Armadale on Skye, got on a MacBrayne's ferry and travelled the short distance to Mallaig on the mainland. We then changed to a slightly smaller ferry and visited the islands of Eigg, Rhum and Canna. The ferry stopped briefly at all the islands then reversed the route and we were in Mallaig at 5.50 and back in Armadale at 6,30. So we were, at 7.15pm, back in Heron's Flight and enjoying a "Grumpy's" takeaway!.

The weather has been good all week but for our two big trips it excelled itself and was perfect. Weren't we lucky! We have sent Alison and Ian many photos and I know Alison, when she has several moments, will put some on the web site. Alison, you are a star and I do appreciate all your work on my behalf. I know too that you and Ian have sometimes had pretty poor weather when you have been tripping round Skye and further afield from here, so our good fortune might be hard for you and Ian to take. We live on the doorstep and you have 10, 000 miles to get here.... come back soon and try again....

I've got the lawns cut and dearie me, the front one is mostly moss now – any quick remedies known? Ruah loves dancing around on it however! The down garden is also dug over and I'm hoping to get onions planted this week. There are three different kinds of potatoes chitting – they'll be planted towards the end of the month. The ground has, till now, been very wet and cold.

This week is a very busy one as I have a lot to do before Friday, when we must head to Edinburgh. Sam and Catriona have school on Monday. This term is a big one for Sam, with exams looming. He is very conscientious and should do well in them all – but he and we will be glad when they are over and the long summer stretches in front of him.

Ruah and I shall stay south for about a week. We are going to house sit! I'll tell you all about it soon.

We'll be glad to get home and meet our April visitors. By then too, Ruah will be over six months and getting some more sense!

Best wishes
Ann

A Busy Time

2008-02-22T09:33:00.010Z

February 21 -Spring’s round the corner!
We as a nation are pretty obsessed by the weather, I think. Today we’re told our wonderful long spell of sunny days and crisp nights is disappearing and we have a much more well known forecast, which includes the words rain, heavy showers, longer spells of rain, winds; no gales to date! But Ruah and I have had a couple of walks and there’s still no sign of precipitation, though I heard that there were huge hailstones at Dundonnel, near Gairloch!

When things do change, we'll all be regretting that we did not spend much more time in our gardens, pruning and tidying up. I did get a couple of hours done this week and can see the difference – but you might not! There is a lot of work still to do and Ruah has not proved to be a great help – yet!

During much of this marvelous weather I was not at home. On February 7th Ruah and I went to Edinburgh and had a lovely long weekend there with all the family. Catriona was recovering well from her tonsillectomy.

One evening Moira and Sam sat at the computer and booked a four day break for two in Paris. I booked two tickets for the Nut Cracker Ballet.

Sam and I caught the 6.00 am flight on Monday, 11th Feb. and were at our fairly central hotel around 11.00am Paris time. From then on we covered as much ground as possible, by metro, batobus and good old "walker’s bus". The city basked in glorious sunshine every day - not a cloud in the sky and unseasonally warm!

On February 13th, Le Sacre Coeur looked bleached with its background of blue. Many visitors sat on the steps to the Basilique and were entertained by a very good guitarist. At 9.00pm that night, La Tour Eiffel was equally breathtaking.....
Yes, we would go back!

We visited all the famous landmarks and buildings, ate French, Italian and Chinese and were fairly exhausted physically and mentally by Thursday 14th, when we landed at Edinburgh around 5.30pm. Moira and little Daniel had braved the rush hour traffic to be there and that was much appreciated! That evening Moira and Catriona enjoyed the Nut Cracker ballet at the Playhouse Theatre.

Ruah was, like the other children, pleased to see us again! She’s five months old today and no longer fits on her little mats with room to spare! She’s very fond of people and other dogs, respects cats that growl and loves chasing leaves… She’s just becoming accustomed to her 10’ outdoor tether, so she can help in the garden and be in a sunny spot, hopefully. I will get some fencing renewed, and then she’ll be totally safely contained. Till recently she’s shown no desire to wander and consequently raise her owner’s blood pressure!

We travelled north on Sunday. John's day usually starts before 8.00am – and that suited me. To get away from the city early and on Sunday was a bonus, for Edinburgh roads are being dug up left, right and centre. This is mainly for the new tram system, which most residents wonder about...... If it makes any difference to the chaotic travel in the city, then the present frustrations may be forgotten. Having just enjoyed stress free, reasonably priced travel on the Paris metro, which is similar if not better than in London, I can't help but wonder why Edinburgh “missed the bus” – not one of my better jokes!

My thoughts are now turning to the guests who will be arriving from early March. I look forward to meeting them. Of course I should like to meet you too?

Best wishes, Ann

PS – I’ll finish on weather! Today is appalling and Ruah thinks it crazy to go out – sensible!

Paris

2008-02-21T14:38:00.008Z

Dear all, Sam and I had wonderful weather in Paris during our recent visit - not a cloud in the sky and unseasonally warm!

On February 13th, Le Sacre Coeur looked bleached with its background of blue. Many visitors sat on the steps to the Basilique and were entertained by a very good guitarist.

At 9.00pm that night, La Tour Eiffel was equally breathtaking.....

Yes, we would go back!

Look at my flowers!

2008-01-20T13:06:00.000Z

I had a birthday recently and my family and friends gave me beautiful flowers.

Last September, Loes van Ruiter (I hope I have that correct) and her friend came from the Netherlands and stayed here. As they were leaving Loes presented me with some miniature Spring bulbs and a huge amaryllis bulb.

The amaryllis has seven wonderful crimson trumpets and another shoot is going to blossom too! The flowers light up the hall and everyone who visits remarks on their beauty.

What good timing, Loes!

I shall look forward to having these flowers for years to come....

Thank you

Ann

January 2008 News

2008-01-18T11:42:00.001Z

January 18th, 2008

Already we are noticing the days lengthening. Till today, there’s been a lovely spell of crisp, sunny weather and January has sped past. I always find the first two months of the year dreary, but 2008 may be different – a lovely fortnight to start off and a trip to Edinburgh and perhaps further afield (Sam has a week’s holiday) at the beginning of February.

We all had a lovely time in Edinburgh at Christmas, then Sam, Catriona and I headed north for New Year. That was a special time.

Plockton was very busy with visitors over New Year! At the now traditional rocket- lit bonfire and fireworks, the car park was absolutely full of people and I believe the dance in the village hall was very well attended. The three of us took in New Year at Dolan’s family home “35”, with Janet, John and Sandra. Then we first footed Charlie and Kathleen at “36” and were home not too late, but long, long after Catriona’s bed time!

Sam and Catriona travelled home on the fourth, by bus (the trains were running many hours late). Snow in the east made driving potentially hazardous, so we went to Inverness and the Citylink service took 4++ safe hours from there to Edinburgh. We in the west had much milder conditions.
The house was so quiet without Sam and Catriona….

Ruah is now three and a half months old and growing like a mushroom! She’s very good on the whole and enjoys all the usual puppy pastimes – bounding around in the garden, eating, chewing (not allowed….), eating, sleeping, eating, going for walks, eating, meeting everyone and anything, eating….. and eating! You’ll gather she likes her carefully rationed monotonous portions of dried food! She’s quite happy to be left in her crate for short spells, though I take her in the car (again crated) whenever possible. We both have a lot of learning to do in the next long time……..

I’ve been doing a bit of necessary pre-Spring cleaning as John Townend, our friend “Big John”, has popped in for a couple of days. A trip round the Applecross Peninsula always rejuvenates him – and he did it in clear weather, with snow however lying on the Bealach na Ba (the Pass of the Cattle) John flies home to Welwyn tomorrow, changes cases and he and Sheila fly to Tenerife for a short holiday. Not content with breaking up winter like that, John’s travelling to Australia and New Zealand for a short break in February. Quite right too!

I’ll try to keep the momentum going and get more cleaning done and tackle the garden, all the while spending lots of time with Ruah and Sponge, who thinks the new arrival may be acceptable! When spring does arrive, I’ll ready for it!
Already we have guests booked into our home and I hope to welcome you too!

Best wishes, Ann

December News

2007-12-11T09:13:00.000Z

On December 9th, a Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy, born on 10/10/07 and I travelled 200 miles from Fife to here. I've called her Ruah.

Rua(d)h in Gaelic is a reddish colour and a point or headland. Ruah is white and tan and our official postal address is Heron's Flight, Point, Plockton,
Ruah is also Hebrew for “spirit of the wind”. Well, she actually has a look of Dumbo, but I'll live in hope that she'll soon be flying along the length of our downstairs corridor and then tackle the front lawn!

Yarrow had a special name too – a wild flower or weed..... Yarrow came from Edinburgh Cat and Dog Home and we did not know if he'd be really good or not so good. He was the wild flower and very special, as he was Dolan’s too.

Ruah and I will do our best to keep the Heron's Flight tradition of special dogs going. It'll be a very different regime, with such a little dog and one that cannot roam the village at will. But Ruah will be hoping, as Yarrow always did, that our visitors will need a guide round the village, morning, noon or evening!

Ann

Who is this?

2007-11-20T10:40:00.000Z

November News

2007-11-13T09:25:00.000Z

12/11/07

Sam came to Plockton for his October holiday. As the weather was very good we took off in the car most mornings, visiting Dingwall and Inverness, Glenelg and across to Skye on the small community owned ferry, Elgol and of course Applecross. All the routes were new to Sam. He took a lot of photos, a few of which Alison has put on the website. Thank you, Alison.

A few days after Sam’s departure, I motored south and had a day or two with the family, including a magical half day just with Sean (4). Afterwards we collected Catriona (7) and a friend from school and all had fun till the rest of the family came home around teatime.

Ian had arrived from Seattle and was visiting the relatives. Then we met up and drove to Plockton. The weather worsened and Ian saw very little of the majestic land and sea scenery in the week ….. However, it was wonderful to have him here and I think he benefited from the peace and quiet - but not from helping straighten out computer problems, I fear!!

We returned to Edinburgh last Monday and Ian flew to France on Tuesday at the crack of dawn. He had two days visiting his grand daughter Amelia, when his French must have been stretched to its limit, by an excited 7 year old! Now Ian’s safely home in Toowoomba and it is hard to believe that, a week ago, he, John, Sam and I were having a meal in the Cramond Brig Inn in Edinburgh …..

I had hurried home as the painters had started the exterior walls here. .All week I hoped that the atrocious weather would improve enough to let them finish the work. However, that did not happen and I now hope that they may finish the bits still to be completed as soon as possible. The woodwork will be painted in the spring, as the days are now too cool and short.

Dolan’s cousin Kay and her husband Rick were here for the weekend. Their lovely young collie “Cuileag” is very well mannered and I have picked up tips on puppy training! It is time for me to be thinking about another dog, as this house was never without one and it and I just need a dog. So, watch this space and I’ll let you know any developments – I think the only similarity to our lovely Yarrow may be in his/her nature. I have also decided not to go to Australia this winter – at the rate time whizzes past, I’ll be planning that for 2008/9 before I know it!

Finally, can anyone explain why one cannot send abroad, surface mail, a parcel heavier than 2.5KG (unless it is printed papers, when the limit is 5KG)? I really would be grateful for a logical, sensible explanation as the Post Office cannot give one….. Please do not tell me to make 2 parcels – it cannot be broken into bits – unless in transit….!!.

Best wishes
Ann

October News

2007-10-12T14:04:00.000Z

Have you looked at Heron’s Flight’s Visitors Photograph Gallery recently? The photos are really wonderful and I thank all the contributors. Jacques Robert sent his Plockton visit folio just a week or two ago – it’s marvellous and well worth a look..

The nights are drawing in now and it is quite dark at 6.00pm. Suddenly winter is just around the corner, though we have had some lovely autumn days – bright, sunny, gentle winds and trees turning glorious colours. It’s quite blustery today, yet few leaves are being blown off the horse chestnuts, birch and other deciduous trees. So autumn is hanging in there!

Our schools have been on holiday for a week already, but the Edinburgh ones start their break today. Here it is traditionally a fortnight’s holiday, while further south the schools normally have a week at this time. Sam is travelling north by bus tomorrow and I’ll meet him in Kyle at 7.30pm. I am so pleased that he is coming!

We decided that Sam should have the break on his own and Catriona is booked in to Heron’s Flight for the New Year week! She’ll probably let Sam join us, if he wishes!
So, Sam and I can do some sight seeing, which might well be a bit tedious for Catriona. Weather permitting, we’ll motor to Applecross, over the highest road in Britain, Bealach na Ba. (the Pass of the Cattle) We may drive on to Shieldaig and Torridon before turning for home. It’s a drive of around 115 miles, so the day has to be good and our start early!
Sam has not been in Gairloch and beyond and it would be good to drive as far as we can on that road too. We may also have a day in Dingwall and Inverness.

Ian will fly into Edinburgh 2 weeks tomorrow and will have a couple of days visiting family and friends. I’ll drive south and Ian and I will come north for a few days. Then we’ll reverse the procedure! I’ll probably stay on in Edinburgh for a short time.

So I’m up to November with my plans; then Heron’s Flight will be in
hibernation for a little while (the house, NOT the owner)! I’ll talk to you soon again.

Best wishes.
Ann

September news

2007-09-13T14:23:00.000Z

Thursday, September 13th, 2007.

The weather over the last week or two has been very mixed with no two days the same. The grass is (again!) beginning to fold over and desperately needs cut. Days have been very mild and growing took off again! I had hoped to “last cut” the lawns before now….

However, the winter veg. is planted – broccoli, cabbages and kale, while rows of leeks at various stages occupy a good bit of space. The rest of that garden will have a rest over the winter and then be dug over with seaweed. The black grapes are almost ready and just need a day or two more of sunshine…

There has been of late a wonderful “world wide mix” of guests at Heron’s Flight! It has been great fun! There are still several weeks to go before bookings tail off. By then Sam (and hopefully Catriona) will be here for their October school break and I’ll be looking forward to Ian’s brief visit to Scotland and in particular Plockton!

A few days ago four stalwart lads and a cox rowed round the perch mark in Loch Carron and home in a time of 23. This was a very respectable time as the wind blew up on their homeward journey. That time may be good enough to win Dolan’s Rowing Trophy for this year. I am hoping that, when Sam and his cousins are a bit older and stronger, they will row round the perch too!

I’m looking forward to a visit from a clock repairer tomorrow. Robert Livingstone refurbished the Vienna clock in the dining room. That clock does not like being wound up and it takes me sometimes 2 days to hit the balance spot to make the pendulum happy! Worse than that, however, is the sudden stopping of the grandfather clock in the hall – it never stops…..Robert will save the day, I know!

I wish friend “Big John” a speedy recovery from this pending op. John, get back in the air, on the road and all your golf courses soon!

Finally, I’ve put another photo up and, believe it or not, all you who knew Yarrow, this is a dog called Ellie, 12 years old and living happily with her owners Judy and Desmond Williams in Western Australia. Yarrow was such a mixture – wrong ears we thought, Alsatian tail, speed and build when younger like a whippet, a”one off” we firmly believed….And here is a New Zealand Hunterway X Red Cloud Kelpie + ? I showed the photo to family and friends and asked and asked if they noticed anything strange in it – the only comments were the “new, very clean carpet”!!! The likeness of Ellie to Yarrow is breathtaking…..

Sponge continues to ask for everyone’s attention and I send best wishes

Ann

August News

2007-08-13T14:04:00.000Z

It’s just six weeks since 2007’s 1000 piece jigsaw was started and it is completed! I must thank Di and Cid, Jan, Russell (fanatical!) and Mary and Al (equally fanatical!) What progress was made with only a little lost sleep by some!! The nearly finished Highland Cows were well hidden during Regatta fortnight, when Moira and Colin, Sam, Catriona, Sean and Daniel were here. But yesterday Jim popped the remaining pieces in place. I’ll get it framed and show it to you.

The time has just flown and the family is now back in Edinburgh; we had a wonderful fortnight, with so much to do in fairly summery weather! Sam did some crewing and was in the winning boat when Calum, who skippers the Argus seal trip boat, won the Ex Commodore’s race! Catriona went horse riding and got the taste for it – not surprising in the least, as Moira had horses from the age of four Sean was everywhere around the garden and enjoyed some freedom, visiting neighbours with Catriona, while Daniel joined in as many ploys as a two year old can! Piglet was frequently used, with engine and oars, while most of us could be found in the evenings fishing from the pontoon!

Moira and Colin did steel themselves and “left home“overnight – and they did not phone too often! All went remarkably smoothly here, with Sam patting my head from aloft and assuring me we were doing a good job! I’d do it again, for longer and I think that the parents would now venture further and for more than 24 hours!

Catriona stayed on for another week and had a packed schedule – dancing in the street on the last day of the Regatta, horse riding, rowing Piglet, swimming, going walks and visiting. Then I took her to Inverness to spend a few days, with Auntie Janet, Uncle Stewart, Uncle Don and Cousin Hamish – I know she had fun there! She’ll be back home today and school restarts on Wednesday.

The weather has deteriorated in the last day or two and today is cold, wet and windy. I have plenty to do in the garden – but not today! My visitors from New Zealand are remaining very philosophical and I hope French arrivals tomorrow can do the same.
I am very lucky to have such interesting guests choosing to stay at Heron’s Flight! Perhaps I shall meet you sometime?

Best wishes
Ann

Busy, Busy Busy!....

2007-08-01T10:57:00.000Z

Dear all,
This is Alison, your friendly website editor. Don't get the chance to talk to you often - though I'm sure that Ann wouldn't mind if I did. However, I've been meaning for ages to put a fabulous new photo by Sandra Holmes onto the site - and have done so tonight, on the home page. Here's another peek, if you haven't seen it yet! There's a new photo of Sponge too, on Ann's page.
I know that Ann is very busy at the moment, while the famous Plockton Regatta is on. Family visitors, visiting friends, long days, happy days. I'm sure she'll be back here soon to tell you what she's been doing herself.
If you like this website, why not drop me a line in the Guest Book to tell me, or to suggest improvements?
All the best, all the way from Australia! Alison Hunter

June News

2007-06-24T17:43:00.000Z

It’s been a month of welcoming back old friends and they all enjoyed good weather. Angela and Richard walked, climbed and scrambled over hill and dale, looking healthier by the day! Malcolm painted and presented me with two lovely pictures, which I’ll put on the website. Denise relaxed in the sun. They also sailed out to dinner looking very glamorous! Graham and Jean too had not changed one bit. That’s Graham in the photo – can you guess what he’s doing? Send me your answers! Cid and Dianne brought 2 motor bikes in their Ford Transit – from the south coast of England! They are here for a fortnight and are actually in Harris for a few days at present. They get Brownie points for starting this year’s 1000 piece jigsaw, entitled “Highlanders” The Wanless foursome amazed me with their talents – sketching, organ playing, singing, photographing – and, yes, Noel, eating!!
John Townend and perhaps Sheila will be here again next month – congratulations to them on the recent birth of a second grand child, Lily.
Last weekend Sam came from Edinburgh, for a couple of nights. Plockton Small Boat Sailing Club has accepted a rowing trophy, in memory of Dolan. It was unveiled at a Club get together, after a sponsored row, when thousands of pounds were raised for cancer charities. I’ll post a photo of Sam with “The Plockton Rowing Trophy”

Sam’s actually coming north again next Friday, when school finishes for the year. I am planning a lightning visit to Edinburgh, to attend Sam’s school (the Royal High)’s prize giving ceremony. I’ll be in town just overnight on Thursday and Sam and I will be in Plockton by 6.00pm on Friday. Hopefully Sam will get a bit of rowing in – maybe even crewing in a PSBSC race. If the wind is strong, skippers are always on the look out for a third crew member.

Regatta Fortnight begins on July 23rd. I hope to have some or all of the family here at various points. The next few weeks will be busy, with guests from home and abroad. The flower garden takes several hours a week to keep in a state of “quiet chaos”, while the veges need a little attention too. The spring cabbages have been very good – all ready at the same time, of course! Lettuce will be this week’s giveaway! The peas should still be going strong when the children come, as well as the potatoes, rasps, gooseberries and maybe the onions – I plant with high hopes and am delighted when most of the produce is edible!!

The computer and I are not gelling just at present….yesterday I lost my 2007 B@B bookings folder – it has NOT reappeared – yet.
Sponge and I are at loggerheads too. I have cream to rub around and on his ears, morning and evening. He hates it and shoots out the kitchen window, sits glaring up at me and licks off as much as possible. You’ll be wondering why this performance? Well, in his old age, Sponge has become allergic to ……MIDGES…

I’ll write again after Regatta,

Ann

Late May

2007-05-24T20:25:00.000Z

24th May, 2007

Recently I’ve been sent or given new photographs of Plockton and the area. To fit them into the website, with owner’s permission, Alison has added a Visitor’s Photo Gallery. I am sure you’ll enjoy looking at some rather special photos! We should welcome any from you and are particularly keen to see Glenelg, The Isle of Skye and Applecross.

I have been busy for the past few weeks and have met people from all over the place! B&B is such an interesting life! Last week Sponge had his first comment in the visitor’s book – favourable, I hasten to add! He also had his portrait painted!!! We had Mr and Mrs Kim Redpath for a week and Kim (a nephew of Ann Redpath) painted every day. Sponge was a model sitter and dozed for the hour or two he was in the spotlight! Sponge actually belongs to Sam in Edinburgh, though he’s got a Plockton meow now – so Sam and I shall share the painting! I’ll post it with this news and you’ll see Sponge in an unusually dark and solemn mood, I think. The picture is not tiny, measuring 42x30cm!

After the completely unexpected simply marvellous April weather we have been subjected to a less than mediocre May…. There has been a lot of rain, usually accompanied by high winds. I soon got very tired of assuring guests that my veges. needed lots of rain and now I could put the hose away! Judy and Keith from Australia, and Frederic and Aurielle from France trailed round the Isle of Skye today, seeing very little indeed….. I do not remember having huge coal fires on from early afternoon before.

However, the vegetables are doing well and only the leeks have to go in the ground, alongside the potatoes, onions, lettuce, beetroot, carrots and dwarf peas. I have not grown beetroot or carrot before and the thinning process seems a bit daunting…If there is much more heavy rain the seedlings may float apart?

Dolan’s eldest sister Katie died at the beginning of May. She stayed in the family home on the main street. It is strange not to stop there every time I pass. However, our niece Sandra is moving into “35” and will stay till she builds a house on her croft on the Brae, behind the village. Midge, her Border collie, is well used to the village, as Sandra already spends a lot of her free time on the croft.

Little Daniel, two last month, is just too young to say hello on the phone. Sean, four in July, talks freely and gives me his news then finishes either with “I see you tomorrow” or “I love you”. Catriona’s now seven and got a gold cup in her ballet “exam” last week, while Sam at 14 is amazing this innumerate side of the family with his maths results! And yes, they are all my pride and joy…

June will be busy and I am looking forward to meeting friends from previous visits. With no Cheque or Yarrow, Heron’s Flight is a bit different this year. However, Sponge and I will certainly be waiting to welcome you.

Best wishes
Ann

2007-05-24T20:13:00.001Z

April's almost gone!

2007-04-22T16:26:00.000Z

Moira, aided by Sean and Sam, brought Catriona to Dalwhinnie on April 3rd and we had lunch before travelling in opposite directions. Catriona and I met Sam two days later, in Kyle. Sam had a football team to support, before his holiday began!

The weather was very good for the ten days we were together and we launched Piglet. Catriona’s just too small to row single handed, but she and Sam took an oar each. Sam did some single handed rowing and swimming lessons were arranged for Catriona. She made excellent progress.
Beach combing was high on our list and our quest for a stone for the base of Dolan’s Rowing Trophy was successful. We brought back so many “possibles” that I now have a new stone border where the black bamboo is!

We had a few guests as well and both Sam and Catriona were good helps. Sam took charge of the fire making and we roasted nightly! Catriona learned some SCD steps and performed in her Uncle John’s first kilt!

We did a bit of sight seeing on the Isle of Skye and visited quite a few friends locally. Then we motored to Edinburgh on the 14th, for two important reasons – Catriona’s 7th birthday on the 15th and yet another football match to attend – Hibernian FC is supported by all the family except me – my lone shout is for Hearts!

Catriona had a lovely day and there is still a party with school chums to come. I left Edinburgh very early the next day and was home by 11.30am. What a quiet house it was, though Sponge really did his best to show his pleasure at my return…….

I’ve been getting another patch of the down garden ready for more planting. Sam, Catriona and I did the onions and potatoes.
The yachts, over wintered in the car park, were launched on Wednesday and Thursday at the high tides. So the bay is beginning to fill up again. The Hebridean Princess cruise ship is again calling in, as is Ocean Spirit, the Gordonstoun School yacht.

I am hoping to receive a few lovely photos of Eilean Donan Castle at night, taken by a guest last week. Alison in Toowoomba should by now realise that my photographic powers are very limited…but I’m being reminded that web photos need updating…..please come and help me and stay a few days at Heron’s Flight too!!

Best wishes,
Ann

Late March, 2007

2007-03-28T19:43:00.000Z

We have had a week of beautiful, sunny weather! So the lawns are cut and the edgings are tidied. Everything that does not move has been pressure hosed! A lot of shrubs have been cut back and now the daffodils will be loosely tied up in bunches till the foliage withers. The vege garden is dug over and the potatoes are “chitting”. I’ll plant the onions and potatoes soon, with help from Sam and Catriona.
There are several heathers in bloom and three forsythia bushes are shouting that spring is really here! The latter may not have listened to the weather forecast – snow showers tomorrow….

School holidays start next week and Moira and I will drive towards each other on Tuesday. Sam and Catriona will change vehicles and homes, for ten days! We shall have great fun. We are all looking forward to launching “Piglet” again. She’s only 10 feet long and I’m hoping Catriona will now be tall enough to start rowing her. Sam became quite proficient last summer; he takes charge of the outboard too. So, fingers crossed for calm weather!

April will be busier with visitors than this month and then there will be only a few days off till September. It will be a strangely sad summer too, without Yarrow’s help……
Thank you, Alison, for altering parts of the website – you are there when I threaten to fall apart….

There is a good bit of activity in the car park now, as yachtsmen are sprucing up their crafts, prior to launching at the next high tides, in a week or two. Then the bay will begin to fill up with year round boats – plenty of space for visitors too! 60 yachts moored in the bay in front of Heron’s Flight is not uncommon in the summer months.

Sam, Catriona and I are going to go to two beaches – favourites with our family. We’ll be looking for one special stone. It’ll be used as the base for a trophy which will be in memory of Dolan. PSBSC (Plockton Small Boat Sailing Club) decided to honour Dolan by having a silver replica of one of the old markers in the bay made. These markers were lit up to guide big ships past rocks many years ago. When the trophy is finished, I’ll show it to you. It’ll be presented yearly and will involve rowing, rather than sailing. Dolan was a marvellous skipper, but he always said it was no use being a very good sailor if you could not row out to your boat!

Do you know Plockton Bay? If not, do come and see it, from Heron’s Flight! - Ann

March 2007 News

2007-03-04T02:27:00.000Z

March 3, 2007
Dear all,
On January 31, I had a cataract successfully removed in Raigmore Hospital, 75 miles from Plockton. As I could not drive home, a friend picked Yarrow and me up and when we reached home it was dark.

My friend reversed with my help and was slowly heading off when Yarrow was run over. He must have been blinded by a combination of car and security lights and just stepped in front of the car...

Yarrow was operated on two days later. And he nearly made it….

We had Yarrow for 10 years –'Edinburgh Cat and Dog Home’s very best', Dolan and I readily agreed. In the last two years, Yarrow and I were very seldom apart, as you’ll all know. I miss him dreadfully – he gave me unconditional love and devotion – and it was reciprocated…..

My daughter Moira phoned in early February and gave me 2 options, for Sam’s school holiday week. (She’s good at long distance therapy)
Take Sam to Paris or take Sam to London. I opted to get lost in English, for our first trip at least….

Sam and I had three full days in the Capital and saw such a lot. We enjoyed open air bus travel, went down into the bowels of the city and zipped from station to station and walked, walked and walked! We agreed that another trip would be good!

It’s less than a fortnight till my first visitors arrive. John Townend (Big John) will be first through the door in 2007. Happily, the carpet layers were here yesterday, curtains are being hemmed and the newly covered dining room chairs will all be home today. When the weather improves, the outside of the house is going to be white-washed and painted. It is good for me to keep busy and have plans…

"Sponge" the cat is lost too without his friend Yarrow. He’s decided to try to fill a bit of the gap and at present is here and hereabout all the time….. He seems to be "comfort eating" too, something he has no need to do; as you all know he is a heavyweight already!

Thank you everyone for writing, emailing, phoning and sending flowers for Yarrow…….

I’ll write soon again,
Ann

Bad news about Yarrow

2007-02-11T13:57:00.000Z

Dear Readers,
I am sorry to tell you that Yarrow didn't come out of an operation he had last week. He was the very best of mates, and as you will appreciate, it is a very upsetting time.
I may not be able to respond as quickly as usual to your emails for the next week or so.
Ann

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, IAN!

2007-01-25T15:10:00.000Z

JANUARY 27, 2007

Dear Ian

Have a wonderful time in Sydney with Alison and the Family. As ever, we are sorry to be here, with all of you there…..

Four appropriate quotes are enough to be going on with, for the next 10 years!!

“Few women admit their age. Few men act their age”

“Inflation is when you pay $15 for the $10 haircut you used to get for $5, when you had hair”

“Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest”

“Men are like wine; some turn to vinegar – but the best improve with age”

Love
Ann and the Family.

Growing Pains at Heron's Flight!

2007-01-21T10:54:00.000Z

Phew......

I know as one reaches more mature years, it does take longer to grasp any new process. From today I s-h-o-u-l-d be able to change spelling errors and even send you a photo regularly - we'll see!

If I write it all down in words of maximum two syllables, remember another few words of computer language, read the email notes I've received from Australia and try the processes more than a couple of times in the year, then we've cracked it, Alison (in Toowoomba!)

I'll put the theory into practice now and rub out my mistakes and find an "upright" photo to replace the sailing boat "Curlew", which at present lies on it's side!!

Catriona, last summer, had her first helming lesson in "Curlew", an old clinker boat which sails in Plockton Regatta. Malcolm and David were her instructors - Malcolm is Catriona's BIG cousin! He's also a fully qualified sailing instructor, or he might not have been trusted with such a precious six year old skipper!!

The days are slowly stretching and there is a noticeable difference in the evenings - when there is a clear sky, which has not been very often..... We did miss the horrendous storms which battered the south recently. There has been no snow in the west either. We've not had good weather - but it could have been a whole lot worse.
I hope you have the promise of Spring?

Ann

January 2007 News

2007-01-10T21:59:00.000Z

I wish you all a very Happy New Year!

As ever, the weather is a very important topic here. Today has been one to remember – bright and sunny with a tiny breeze. The forecast is for yet more stormy weather - we are all very tired of it! I’m waiting for a few calm days to plant the “palm bunches” which I sawed off the big branch which broke off one of the cordylines a week or two ago. Do you know if they will grow or am I wasting my time? I shall saw the branch into several logs and hope that some may sprout – I’ve seen that happen.

Sam (14) was with me for a week at New Year. We did enjoy the time together! On Hogmanay we went up to “35” and saw the New Year in with Dolan’s sisters and brother. The bonfire on the island, lit by rocket from the shore, was spectacular and so were the fireworks. It was a very blustery night, but the Plockton celebrations carried on regardless, while Edinburgh, Glasgow and other cities had to cancel. We came home a while later, leaving many people partying the night away.
Over the next few days we visited many friends and were visited too. One of Sam’s achievements this time was teaching me to text on my phone! I am assured I’ll soon wonder how I lived without that particular skill till now!!

When we do finally have a window of better weather I shall begin the winter pruning. At present everything looks so bedraggled that I wonder if a chain saw swept horizontally would not do a good job of tidying up? There is a lot to do…. Today I did get the vine in the greenhouse pruned. It did very well last year – by far the best crop for the least work!

The animals…… “Cheque” was taken to Alyth in Perthshire for hibernation. After much thought I have decided to leave him there. I often felt he was lonely – he did arrive here with his brother “Book” who died suddenly after their first hibernation. He was always trying to hide away in shade, indeed darkness, most often under the broad, jaggy berberis hedge. He was “lost” many times there, causing everyone grief. Now he will be surrounded by little friends in Alyth and so well cared for. I shall see Bob and Gwen, his breeders, occasionally and have first hand reports of wee Cheque.

Sponge is looking very content, shiny and BIG! He has mellowed with age and needs our company now. When Yarrow and I have been out or away in the car he invariably meets us and escorts us into the house! He often shares Yarrow’s beanbag or sleeps on one of the kitchen chairs. Tonight we are all in the kitchen where it is pleasantly warm. Hibernian are beating Aberdeen 1-0 in the Scottish Cup and I’ll be pleased if it stays like that – I’ve mentioned before that most of my Edinburgh gang support Hibs!

Our trip to Edinburgh for Christmas was nearly cancelled because Yarrow had a stroke a month ago. After just 24 hours the improvement was dramatic, which I learned from the vet is quite normal. He had a course of 20 daily tablets and now I have to monitor his every move and action for a while. Hopefully he’ll be able to do without tablets for life.

You’ll be able to imagine how anxious I was and still am……. But the future is beginning to look good and if you come and mention the word “walk”, Yarrow’s reaction will be the same as always – ecstatic!!

I hope you will come and meet us all, in 2007.

Best wishes
Ann
PS Hibs have drawn 2-2 with Aberdeen, so we await the drama of a replay…!

Christmas 2006 and the New Year

2006-12-17T14:44:00.000Z

From Dec. 2006, my free-online email address will cease.
So please contact me at annheronsflight@btinternet.com
Please do!!

Hello

It’ll soon be time for me to pack the car and head to Edinburgh for Christmas. We’ll go there on the 22nd, probably, and come back two or three days before New Year. Perhaps Sam or Catriona, or better still both of them, will fancy a few days here.

Christmas will be a good time for our family. John and I will spend the days with Moira, Colin and the four children. It is usually a time of quite a bit of excitement, as you can imagine! Meal times fit round children’s routines at this time and that avoids quite a bit of stress, when the ages range from me to one!

I’ll be quite happy to wend my way home, with or without children in tow. Yarrow’s activities are curtailed of necessity in Edinburgh – he does not shine when on the lead! So he will be glad to be home. He just gets comfortable and sleeps away the journey and, when I take the sharp right off the main road at Balmacara, he usually “comes round” and gets excited – only 4 miles to go! Dolan used to tease me hinting that it was not the dog’s “second sense” but the driver’s speed round the acute corner!!

New Year Dolan and I always spent at Heron’s Flight. Nothing changes….. I’ll visit family and friends and have visitors too. Dolan’s sister and brother will be at “35”, the family home. Katie, the eldest of the family, stays there while Janet and John visit frequently, from Inverness. Janet’s daughter Sandra lives near Plockton too. And that is just some of the close family. There can be plenty of visiting…….

This year I hope my email greetings will reach you. Rather than send cards in 2006 I made up an email list and decided to send a donation to charity. Well, the electrical surge in October wiped all my data in the desktop……. I had bits and pieces saved on the laptop and have spent time “resurrecting” lists, which I am sure are not complete. So, if a card usually arrives from me and does not – and you do not get an electronic message, I’m so sorry – and please get in touch with by email, if you wish.

I wish you all a Happy Christmas and a Good New Year.

Ann

Late November in Plockton

2006-11-23T21:39:00.000Z

Hello

A while ago I said that I would update you on the electrical surge which rather upset four households in our little corner of Plockton.
Today I had a letter from the head office of Scottish Power, apologising for the “interruption” in power - I never thought to call it such a gentle word! You can decide!!

Catriona, my 6 year old grand daughter, was here on holiday and we got up at just after 7.00am. I noticed that the clock on the microwave was black – not flashing as if there had been a temporary loss of power. All the room lights seemed unnaturally bright. Then the tube of the kitchen light went “bang”, followed by a pop from the bathroom! Early though it was I decided to phone the electrician as the 3 outdoor security lights were now far too bright. As I was being assured that he would come – I thought it was just Heron’s Flight that was affected – Richard from “Tigh an Fhaing” next door came in and said they were being blitzed too! And HE knew why!
As he walked up from the pier and turned in our drive, he had to walk over a large cable which had become severed from the hydro pole.

Richard told me to switch off the security lights but, before I took a step we watched them explode….. There being no more fireworks, Richard went home and we had breakfast in the semi dark. Catriona then went to do her teeth in the bathroom and found the carpet strewn with bits of bulb – and a neat little burn too.

The young electrician from beautiful Glenelg, 26 miles away did a thorough tour of Heron’s Flight and checked all the electrical appliances, etc. Off he went to the other 2 houses and the Post Office and, when he had four lists, he handed them into the Hydro shop in Kyle of Lochalsh. We were then told to replace everything, all expenses paid by Scottish Hydro Electric Power – I think that is their title!

For the first few days, this was good fun - but it is not any more. I know others are similarly fed up, finding replacements, getting equipment installed, etc. BUT we will never again be offered new for sometimes rather old, with no increase in our insurance premiums!! My list of replacements reads……

Complete desktop computer – I’ve lost all the data that I was careless enough not to copy…….
Microwave
Gas hob with electric ignition
Kitchen strip light and fitting
Phones
Fax/ansaphone
Digital TV and Sky connection
2 radios
Rechargeable fluorescent torch
Bathroom carpet
All three outdoor security lights
I think that is all……….

Heron’s Flight will soon be “restored” – all that should remain to be done shortly will be the carpet and it has been chosen.

My thoughts are now turning to Sam’s birthday on December 10th – he’ll be 14 and of course he has a very proud granny! We’ve always been on the same wave length – and we aim to keep it that way!

Yarrow and I shall spend Christmas in Edinburgh – amid the excitement of the children. We’ll stay with John, as usual. But we’ll be home for New Year.

The plan for 2006 was to have a Xmas list so I would email everyone festive greetings – well, the list is somewhat incomplete now, but hopefully some friends will have best wishes from Heron’s Flight at the press of a button! I shall be in touch before December 25th……

Best Wishes
Ann

October 2006 - where did it go?

2006-11-04T14:12:00.000Z

October News – it’s Nov.4th now….

I have been sitting “chatting “ to you for at least an hour and, as all too often happens, my musings have vanished, with the exception of paragraph one and the last two letters of the last word in paragraph 20, or thereabouts. I have searched………….Off I go again……….

Last time I wrote I was telling you of my “spell of breakages”. Well, that has paled into insignificance! But I’ll bring you up to date with other news first, as this saga is still ongoing and will be till my return from Edinburgh in about 10 days…….

I’m back to normal living, if such a thing exists, at Heron’s Flight, It is quite difficult to re-adjust, having had, from mid March, guests from all over the world and family and friends too. Yarrow and Sponge too have suddenly found the house very empty and quiet and have agreed, at least for the time being, to be best friends and even share the one beanbag!!
Cheque has gone back to his breeder for hibernation, so I’ll not be setting the alarm nightly, to “check” that the temperature is correct (6C) in the old fridge!

It seems so long since Sam was here and we were on the water in “Piglet”. She’s now covered for the winter. Another skill Sam learned was boomerang throwing! Geraldine and Neville from Australia stayed a few days and Neville instructed Sam in a few minutes – and sent lovely photos too. I kept the boomerang here, Neville, as Sam’s Granny did not see it approaching at speed and just ducked in time! We’ll be careful.

Three weeks ago, Yarrow and I went to Edinburgh and stayed the night with John. I was delighted to see that our Auntie Mima, now 97, was progressing well after having a stroke. I heard last night that she’ll be home next Wednesday – wonderful!
I captured Catriona, having had a little but not enough time with the family, then we headed north for a week of fun. Each evening, rain, wind or shine we went to the pier to fish. Most times we are satisfied when crabs are caught. Well, Catriona’s catch included TWO crabs on the one hook and TWO (little) fish on separate expeditions – the latter were no doubt delight ed to be re-united very soon after with their Mums…..The secret of successful pier fishing - a tiny hook and a piece of good guality unsmoked raw bacon!

A fortnight ago Catriona and I welcomed Ian and then John! Ian had four days only….. He and Catriona drove south and Ian flew from Turnhouse (Edinburgh) that afternoon, home to Toowoomba. John stayed a week and cleared my “to do, have tried, can’t” list. His industry spurred me, after his departure, to try my hand at sugar soaping, sanding, dusting, white spiriting and finally satin varnishing the kitchen cupboard doors, out and in – I’m quite pleased with the result, but, as there were 16 (smallish) doors, I’ll tackle something else next!!

Actually, I’m going to Edinburgh next weekend and will probably stay a few days. I want Moira to help choose a microwave oven, a gas hob with electric ignition and a radio with tape facility. If I was worth my salt I’d do it all sitting here – but I really prefer seeing the actual article – don’t you? When I come home I’ll write soon again and tell you how to procure new electrical goods for sometimes very old – at no cost!!! Sounds too good to be true and I admit there are a few drawbacks to this way of renewing household goods. But that’s my next tale!

I hope all is well with you.
Ann

Electric news!

2006-11-03T10:24:00.000Z

Dear all,
Ann is back on the air again, after an exciting week or three. She experienced an extreme power surge, and lots of her electrical appliances were 'fried'. Ann will tell you more in her own words in a few days. In the meantime, she took a gorgeous photo of a heron from her front lawn the other day - and the photo is now at the bottom of her home page. Here's a small small version!
Best wishes, from Alison (Ann's sister-in-law)

Fame at last!

2006-10-24T11:22:00.000Z

There's a good photo of Heron's Flight in one of the key tourism textbooks on the market. The book is The Business of Tourism,7th edition, by Chris Holloway and Neil Taylor, published by Addison Wesley this year.
Chris and his wife have stayed here several times while he's been visiting north-west Scotland doing research for his books over the years. I'm delighted to see a photo appear on page 292. If you do find his book, do you see Yarrow in the photo?

Message about email

2006-10-22T13:11:00.000Z

Dear all,
Heron's Flight had a problem with a power surge last week and some of my electrical equipment blew up! As a result, I can't read or send email at the moment. If you need to contact me, please phone me. I'll let you know when I'm back in email contact.
Ann

Thea & Graeme , special visitors

2006-10-02T11:51:00.000Z

Thea did a lot of work to build this website with Alison, my sister-in-law. So it was great to welcome them to stay recently.
Ann

September News

2006-09-11T14:58:00.000Z

September News.

Only recently I finally got all the little finger and palm prints off the windows and shiny surfaces – the truth is I really liked seeing them and was loath to remove them! Next month the Edinburgh schools have a week off, so I hope to have Catriona at least.

It is getting a real autumn feel now and it is dark around 8.45pm. We have had quite warm weather and a fair bit of sun, so everything in the garden is still shooting up – the grass too, unfortunately…. There is still a lot of colour, with roses and sweet peas doing especially well. In the down garden the potatoes are long finished, but there are plenty of leeks, a few lettuces and a forest of kale! The onions are drying and the first grapes were picked today. There are about 30 bunches in varying stages of readiness, so they should last a good few weeks.

The animals are all well. Yarrow is still at the ready daily to show guests round the village, while Sponge lounges around in prominent places, knowing full well that visitors are going to stop and comment on his size/markings/loud purr, etc. Wee Cheque is slowing down (he CAN trot along at a fair speed) with the cooler days and earlier dark evenings. So he’s indoors on his heated blanket, with a lamp above him and a selection of food nearby – today he has a choice of lettuce, cucumber, cabbage, celery and a grape or two. Yarrow’s own web page had been a source of much chit chat and several really good photos have been sent to us!

I went through a few days when everything I touched fell apart! One coffee machine, the microwave and the weather station were mended. But the knob of my washing machine still parts company with base and a food processor went in the bin along with a second coffee machine!
Now everything seems to have settled down again – for a while anyway…..

I must report that progress on this summer’s jig saw has been very good recently. Kate and Steve along with Victorine and Didier began what may well be the final push three weeks ago. Fay and Paul then tackled the sky and commented “wish we could have stayed to finish it”. Orietta and Davide did their level best next and a few days ago Bill re-arranged the outline, put in a lot of pieces and said “Wish I had more time…” So, the end is in sight and I thank you all. I’ll photo it when it’s framed.

I have had such good company recently. Now I look forward to meeting guests from Scandinavia, America, Australia, France and Britain. And in 5 weeks Ian is paying a flying visit, en route home to Toowoomba from America – I look forward so much to that time, when John too hopes to be home for a little spell.
I’ll write again after their visit Ann

August News

2006-08-13T20:44:00.000Z

August News

It’s the 9th and I have had family and friends staying since I last wrote. Our bridesmaid all those years ago was school friend Dorothy and she brought another close friend Irene and Catriona north on the 24th. We had six days of marvellous weather and such good company. Most evenings saw us all at the pier, fishing – every one of us intent on catching something!!

Catriona stayed on and we greeted the rest of the family on the 31st - a lovely, lovely time, though the weather was more unsettled. Colin and Sam managed to coat the three garden benches with Sadolin – a good job done! Colin had two rounds of golf at Sconser on the Isle of Skye and the rest of us visited family and friends, went to the Highland Farm nearby and had a trip on Argus, with Skipper Calum. We fished off the pier for crabs and “gooble” fish AND went out in the new boat, with Sam at the helm. I think that three year old Sean, in particular, was delighted to be in the boat, finally named “PIGLET”.

On August 3rd two loaded cars headed back to Edinburgh – Colin had Sam and Daniel, who is very nearly at little boy stage, a very good one year old. Charlie the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel completed the first car load. Moira had Catriona and Sean and a car load of luggage. Sean loved being here and having a bit more freedom outside. Catriona and he went visiting neighbours one day - great fun. Sean arrived home with a little plaster – despite, or perhaps because of, clinging on to Catriona’s hand (“SEAN, hold Catriona’s hand ALL the time”) he tripped on a step. They had a good journey home and this house was far too quiet for days after!

However, Sam came back on the train, on Monday and he’ll stay till Friday. Unfortunately the weather so far has been stormy, so Piglet remains on shore. Two days ago the wind blew up quite dramatically in the late afternoon and several large yachts came into the bay for shelter. It was exciting to watch them dropping anchor and dragging back till it gripped - some had several attempts before they were secure The wind blew all yesterday too, so only the largest vessels went out,

Today, however, we had Piglet out three times as it was finally calm, though a bit damp. Sam’s rowing came on well. After tea we walked across to the Pink House to a house warming. Then Sam rowed Yarrow and me to the Green Shed launching area, where we put Piglet on her trolley and pulled her the 100 yards home. She’ll be cleaned and her cover fastened on now. Sam leaves for Edinburgh on the morning (7.38am) train.

It’s now the 13th and I am once again “back to auld clues and parridge”. The schools resume on 16th. So the next family visitor may well be Ian, who will drop in for very few days in October – I am not complaining about the “very few days”, as I am delighted that he can make it at all. I think he will be en route to Toowoomba from America when he drops in here. Ian thinks nothing about shooting here, there and everywhere with alarming regularity, while I find a trip to Inverness daunting!

We have had our usual wonderful mix of guests, with Italy heading the Continental and Australia the far away visitors. Sam benefited from Neville and Geraldine making the long journey – he now throws a boomerang with style and quite a bit of accuracy (no windows broken in the learning, I am pleased to report) Thank you too, Neville, for all the photos some of which I have posted on to Toowoomba. Our friend “Big John” brought flowers when he came on July 17th – they have been pruned a bit but are still lovely – thank you, John.

The garden took a back seat for a while and gallop along it did! Some serous pruning and chopping are now fairly essential – then I’ll find the weeds! My potato shaws just stopped growing and withered – maybe it was the drought and shallow poor soil combination? Anyway, the resultant many, many “marbles” taste good! The onions, lettuce and leeks are all doing well, but the star of the vege garden is the double row of kale – enough to feed the village! I wish seed companies sold packets of 50, not 500!!! I sow the lot and plant what comes up….

The animals are thriving, though they do miss the attention of the children! Sam took some good photos of them and one of Yarrow has resulted in him now having his own web page! Sponge of course takes a pretty dim view of this favouritism and is punishing the only human he can, by sleeping on her pillow, if he gets there first….. Cheque has taken the extreme step of running away from home a second time…..

So, life has not been dull since my last letter – and I do not anticipate it being so! The next five weeks promise to be very busy with guests - I look forward to meeting some old friends and making more new!

Best Wishes
Ann

PS Yarrow is quite willing to share his page a little, with Sponge and Cheque. But what he would like best is for any of you to email a picture, with perhaps a little comment. He’s been for hundreds of walks up the village – did you take him and did he abandon you half way through?!

My granddaughter Catriona, flowergirl

2006-08-13T08:17:00.000Z

(Thanks to Neville Peterkin for this photo)

In my July letter I told you about the wedding at which my granddaughter Catriona was a flower girl. I've finally gotten around to showing you one of the many photos of the day. She's the sunny lass on the right, and her partner is Eilidh - a year and a quarter younger than Catriona and a serious wee soul throughout!

Sam and Beano

2006-07-16T10:19:00.000Z

Do you know how old Shetland ponies live? I don't either, but Beano is 44! He came to us when my daughter Moira was young, and has lived with several families all over northern Scotland since then. We found him recently at Upper Breakish on Skye. Moira's son Sam and I have been visiting him and I am delighted to see him again. He came immediately when I called - you would have thought he remembered the voice - maybe he did!
He is very spry, though we have not seen him trotting or getting up any speed - don't blame him!

July news - guests, family, a wedding!

2006-07-11T23:50:00.000Z

Dear all,
[July 3] I am going to Edinburgh tomorrow to collect two of my grandchildren, Sam and Catriona. I am also very pleased that my trip lands on their brother Sean’s third birthday! He has asked for a rabbit for quite a while, so a black floppy ear will join the family. Sean is a gentle wee soul (when he’s not taking penalty kicks!), so the rabbit will have a kind little master.

When Sam, Catriona and I arrive back here on Wednesday, we’ll treat ourselves to a "Take Away Tea" and no doubt catch up on the latest at the World Cup and Wimbledon, though neither holds any special interest now. Catriona will get her Plockton books out and choose which we shall read at bed time – and then she’ll probably visit the neighbours – her usual routine. Sam will no doubt want to have a good look at the new boat and her engine. He’s very interested in engines and so his reading can be the manuals! The last time I used an outboard was years ago – we had a trusty "Seagull" which never failed to start! It will be fun to go rowing, with the new engine as backup. The mackerel are in just now – we might catch a fish or two...

[July 11] It’s now July 11th and I have a little time to "re-group". We still have not got the boat in the water – but it will happen soon! Yesterday we went to Inverness and Sam and Catriona are staying a day or two with Dolan's sister Janet. Sam will come back by train tomorrow and Janet will meet Moira and hand over Catriona. Then my daughter's family - Moira, Colin, Sean, Daniel and Catriona (but minus Sam) will come later on in the month – Regatta time. That will be fun!

Catriona was a flower girl (with 3 other little girls) at a wedding in Plockton last Friday. It was rainy when the bridal party arrived at the church (4.00pm) but, by the time we all came out, the sun was shining and it kept on doing so. Everyone walked through the village to the bride's home and, after light refreshments, wandered the 150 metres to the village hall. A marvellous buffet was laid out and Catriona had a good look at all the dishes then whispered to me "I only like the bread". So I took myself the short distance home and heated sausage rolls which all the children – and Yarrow! – willingly demolished!

Dancing to a celidh band went on from 9.00pm till the wee small hours. Everyone enjoyed that! Sam and I eventually persuaded Catriona to give up at 11.00pm – the first of the flower girls to retire! We had all the groom's immediate family staying here, so only Catriona slept in – Sam was up to offer help at 8.00am. The family had to go their own ways – some to the Isle of Lewis that afternoon, so they had not the luxury of a long lie either! Their festivities had not finished till very late…….

I have only a few photos of the day, taken by Sam. As we were "in the wedding crowd" so to speak, we have none of the group. I shall get hold of one or two and send them to Alison and Ian. Alison may put them on the news page for me!

Today a group of four guests come from Denmark and will be here for four days. I am looking forward to meeting them. Then "Big John" drops in for three days – he’ll be sorry his friend Catriona is not here, but he should meet Sam. The diary is full till Regatta starts on Monday 24th - two very good friends come then and may have Catriona tucked in the car! After that it’s family time – my son John is busy, busy and will come later in the year.

I’m away over to Broadford now to visit Katie, my sister-in-law. She’s in the cottage hospital. We hope her chest infection will soon be cleared up and she’ll be back home in Plockton.
As you can tell, it's a very busy time!
Best wishes
Ann

PS Yarrow thoroughly enjoyed the wedding!

June News

2006-06-13T11:08:00.000Z

There are times when I really dislike computers!! Had I been writing longhand and used a “rubber” I would have erased a word or two. Well, I have just obliterated a whole letter to you – a momentary lapse, with savage consequences!

It is blowing a real gale tonight and there have been some wild rain showers. This is a complete contrast to the last few days, which were very hot, sunny and calm. A couple of days ago, the temp. at the back of the house was 29C, in the shade. However, round the front there was a little breeze from the sea. It was just enough to keep the midges at bay, but not enough to help the Plockton small sailing boats finish a race.

The animals did enjoy the heat! Yarrow was to be found quite often stretched out on the tarmac. Sponge had more sense and tucked himself under a bush. Cheque reacted most dramatically of all – she legged it round the “down garden”, ate loads of dandelion and cabbage leaves in particular and gathered her strength again while dozing under a clump of mombretia, with it’s waving, cooling leaves. I’m pleased to say she has gained 80g. since coming out of hibernation.

The flower garden does not need much attention at present – all my shades of green are doing well and the odd colour is dotted around. I must thank recent visitors for gifts of plants and flowers – they obviously thought I did not have enough to do! Seriously, they are much appreciated and I have remembered you, Wendy, Carole and Brian and Jean and Graham when I have been lugging great watering cans to them, to keep them alive!!

The still nameless little boat now has a small electric outboard engine, complete with huge battery, and will have a launching trolly and cover soon. She’ll be kept just beside the workshop near the PO and will be easy to trail along to the water. I am looking forward very much to having Sam and Catriona row me round the coast for picnics! We have a magical spot near the lighthouse….

I have, as ever, had such kind and considerate guests. Practically all of them have managed a few bits of the jigsaw – albeit with gritted teeth! It was becoming a regular activity to lounge around on the front lawn too, with such amazing good weather. Tonight one would be blown into the loch and away…
We have had people arriving in many different ways – car, motor and push bike, train and bus. The nationalities too are many and varied – several times I have remarked that I am the only Scot in the house! And just as often I have wandered outside to admire marvellous motor bikes - a mode of transport gaining in popularity, I think and not simply with the youngsters.

I’ll report on the Plockton Wedding next time – Catriona is a quarter of the flower girls – excitement is reaching fever pitch……….Ann

Sylvie's Painting

2006-05-24T10:04:00.000Z

Today's photo is of a painting done by one of my guests - Sylvie. She's just one of dozens of artists who are inspired by this area. Thanks Sylvie!
Ann

The Great 2006 Jigsaw Challenge

2006-05-22T10:36:00.000Z

Dear all,
I like to have a jigsaw 'on the go' at Heron's Flight, and challenge all interested guests to help complete it.
Here are Geert and Ann, all the way from Belgium to start this year's jigsaw - and enjoy being in Plockton for their 15th Wedding Anniversary.
They are sitting in the front porch, where I keep binoculars for us all to watch the doings in Plockton Bay and Loch Carron and where there are brochures about the history, wildlife, walks of the area.
Can you see Yarrow in this photo?
Ann.

May News

2006-05-16T10:35:00.000Z

All of a sudden it’s long past time for me to keep you up to date with happenings at Heron’s Flight!

On the whole, till this week, the weather has been very good – temps. last week were in the middle 20’s and we were all outside planting, weed killing on a grand scale, mowing great areas of mossy (in my case anyway) grass and the occasional gardener was spotted actually sitting enjoying the warm sunny garden! I have now followed Sam’s carefully drawn plan and have (straight) rows of potatoes and leeks, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, parsley and room still for kale and leeks. The plan left space between veges and so keeping the weeds down will be easier this year, I think……

Last Saturday was the Plockton Horti Socy’s open day and plant sale – several miss-guided souls did do a tour around Heron’s Flight – knowing the standard of the gardens on the main street, I retaliated by having tea with my visitors – that took their minds off why they were here!

All the animals are in good form – Cheque especially enjoyed roaming around in the down garden – she did not discover the little vege plants, but that day will surely come! As this week is cool and damp so far, she has not been out of doors, but is very active in the front porch!

After the departure of the bikers from Germany the drive was graced by 2 lovely MG cars – I did try a photo but it was not a success, as the cars were “littered” at angles. So, Noble MacPherson and party, if you read this please send on one of the (many!) photos you took! It was good to meet you again, Noble. Remember to give Fiona my best wishes.

My little 10’ Pioneer boat arrived at the weekend. It came on top of a friend’s Cherokee, which housed everything imaginable needed for a yachting weekend and more. This weekend it also had precious cargo – Cameron, age 2, came with Dad and they stayed the night and pottered about on several boats. So now my Edinburgh contingent will name the little blue Pioneer and I’ll set about getting a little engine and trolley. Then, during the summer holidays, we and others too can take easily to the water……I shall show her to you when she is “ready for action”.

I have quite a busy time ahead - for several weeks in fact. If you are coming I’ll hope for lovely summer days and long warm evenings – and NO midges!!!

Best wishes
Ann

Recent visitors

2006-05-06T23:39:00.000Z

Hi all, I couldn't resist showing you this photo of recent visitors.
I said to the 4 bikers in the photo that they should watch the website as they might appear in my newspage or elsewhere!

I do like bikers. They are always good fun, have no intention of finding bright lights and carousing into the night and appreciate the off street parking even more than motorists. The 4 in the photo are from Germany - Bavaria I think - and are just loving Scotland. Today they are off over to Applecross and will be somewhere near Durness tonight. They were all good fun and so proud of their lovely BMW bikes!

Ann

Have you seen the new pier pontoon?

2006-04-22T01:18:00.000Z

Dear all, The new pontoon on the pier close to Heron's Flight was officially finished today so I went over to take a photo to show you. It helps that it was a beautiful day, Plockton at its best. As the photo shows, the pontoon is completely separate from the existing pier. It is quite a structure. And of course Yarrow is there, testing it out! Ann

Mid-April News

2006-04-12T14:32:00.000Z

Mid-April News.

I have been busy for a few weeks, with visitors initially, then, with school holidays, Catriona, followed by Sam.

Catriona has grown quite a bit in every sense and is a little schoolgirl longing for her 6th birthday in a few days time. She was very happy to trot round the village visiting, collecting the newspaper and shopping. She scooted all over the place on her bike and spent many an hour (rain and sun) on the rock in the front garden – her horse. The same rock was Moira’s pony a generation ago! I sent Alison and Ian a few photos of Catriona’s “doings” and was delighted to see one this news page!

Now I have Sam looking over his shoulder as I have threatened that he will be next to star on the news page! Sam is a huge help and his big bonus is that he is willing!! We had hoped to get the vege. garden planted but the weather is against us – wet, windy and very cold……. But we have not given up and have measured the plot; Sam will work out how many rows of potatoes, onions, leeks and salad crops I can plant and, when the warmer weather does come I’ll have a very easy time following the plan!

Sam will go home on Saturday and then I’ll be busy for the summer! I shall tell you soon of our guests, the exploits of the animals and how the garden is progressing. I’ll enjoy keeping you up to date with the family - Daniel will be 1 this month too while Sean, 3 later in the summer, intimates every time we meet or talk that he is next to come to Plockton with Waddy - I’ve never been “Granny” to any of the children and Sean has altered “Lally” to suit himself!

I hope all is well with you and that, should you happen upon this “neck of the woods”, we may meet……. Best wishes, Ann

Granddaughter Catriona!

2006-04-07T09:23:00.000Z

Hi all, This is Ann's granddaughter Catriona on the rocks near our front lawn.
Ann's next newsletter is coming soon.
Best wishes to all,
Alison Hunter (Webmaster, sister-in-law, and also Catriona fan!)