Thursday, July 17, 2014

July Update from Heron's Flight

July 17th, 2014

“When weary o’ travell’n  and takin’ in the sights
And ye’ve had enough of dodgin’ the vicious midgie’s bites
A comfy bed to rest your head in which to pass the night
Awaits ablaw the coothy roof they ca’ the Heron’s Flight.
                  
    (Thanks to Duncan and Lisbeth, Dundee)                                                   

Last month I said that Sam should enjoy himself before returning to Uni. for his fifth year.  I knew he had a stint at Dunfermline Hospital to do before that.  Well, we were phoning and he said he was on nights for the first time. I have not spoken to him since, in case I wakened him!!!
Moira and I are very pleased that Sam will do his elective training in November and December at Westmead Hospital in Sydney, Australia.   He’ll finish a week before Christmas, fly to Brisbane and then go to Toowoomba for his first visit to Ian and Alison.  During his time in Sydney he’ll be close to my niece Valerie and her family and hopefully will see them often. Nephew's more of a problem - he's in Melbourne....

Back to Plockton…..   Sean came for a week and, with five village children, did his stage3 RYA sailing, under the auspices of PSBSC.  He went home on July 3, the day before his 11th birthday.  Moira and I met that day at Spean Bridge, she bringing Catriona and Daniel bound for Plockton!
Daniel and five children then did stage 1 RYA.  Daniel had started this last year with Malcolm, my nephew, but there was complete calm then and sailing was virtually impossible.  Having passed his tests, Daniel went out that evening, with three others, on a PSBSC club night.   He had a wonderful time and this Granny thinks he’ll be a good sailor!

The weather has been warm and between wet and dry – the gardens have gone wild!  I have never seen such lush growth….  Hopefully Colin is going to manage a few days here and he’ll tame a lot of my garden.  The most worrying bit for me is our Red Barberry front hedge – it is being attacked from the shore side by brambles, sticky Willie, wild roses, etc – quite beyond me. When the cows roamed the village, the foreshore and other areas were kept as smooth as a bowling green.  There must be a case for even tethering the odd cow here and there!  Sheep are not allowed into the village and goats jump!  Any other suggestions welcome!

Heron’s Flight has been very busy with visitors from all parts of the world.  I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone and Ruah has loved all her walks.  I have received several lovely photographs too and I thank you for them. Yesterday Brian sent a link to his 2014 Plockton photos – wonderful!  Duncan, a poet and songster too, penned the poem above and sent a disc with "the" heron, Heron's Flight, Saranna C, views around the village both known and very unusual, accompanied by haunting  music and song......  Thank you Lisbeth for filling up a disc with beautiful songs…..  Andy, thanks for Daniel’s photos, much appreciated by his Mum too.  And Malcolm, thanks for various photos of the family, croft and animals!

One evening recently the doorbell rang and knew I had seen the gentleman’s face before – and said so.  Well, Brian Dunn stayed with us 38 years ago, when the Navy was doing some work (we never knew what!) here.  What a pleasure it was to meet him again.  He’ll keep in touch and be back and I hope his wife Jackie and two friends come too – more of that in the future…….  Thank you Brian and the "triangle" for coming.

I’m looking forward to the family being here, mostly for some of the Regatta fortnight which finishes on Saturday, August 9th.  Hopefully the boys will get some more sailing and even crewing in the races!

Have you been on holiday yet?  If so, I hope it was marvellous.   If it has still to come I hope it’ll be a very happy time – you may even visit Plockton?

Best wishes
Ann