Thursday, November 23, 2006

Late November in Plockton

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

Saturday, November 04, 2006

October 2006 - where did it go?

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

Friday, November 03, 2006

Electric news!


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)