Happy Christmas Everyone!

         Last year I headed to Toowoomba for Christmas with brother Ian and his wife Alison.  It had been going to be a surprise but Ian’s deteriorating health made me think he should know.  So he met me at the station – Greyhound bus for the last leg, from Brisbane to Toowoomba….  Sam, doing his Elective in Sydney, flew up for Christmas, not knowing that Granny was ahead of him – he did get a surprise!!  After we both came home, Ian and Alison continued to do one of his favourite things, travelling.  In Albuquerque he passed away peacefully.  I miss him terribly as we emailed practically daily and talked weekly, for all the years he and Alison were married.  Alison and I carry on this tradition, happily!

Again Moira and the three younger children invited me to join them on a week’s cruise round the Canaries – wonderful, though I   had thought I would not think a lot of such a large boat!  Then summer came, in name anyway!  My lovely visitors came and went, some now old friends, some new - all “enjoying” the worst summer weather EVER.  It went on and on till the very end of October, when the skies cleared, the temperatures rocketed and we had some weeks of marvellous weather – the days shortened and the clocks went back an hour and we were staring winter in the face!

My last visitors left before the brief summer weather began – Angela and Richard, you will see the sun again here!!  I did a bit of tidying in and out, went to Edinburgh for a few days and came back to yet more appalling weather, when gale after gale battered the coastline.  The only damage here was to the greenhouse – two big panes blown out….

Moira and Colin are well.  Moira is busier now, with frequent trips to London, in connection with her work.  Sam, 23 0n Dec 10^th, graduated in July, with Moira , Catriona and I there to see him become a doctor.  He is now doing his two years hospital work and enjoying it.  Catriona will be 16 in April and is heading towards her first major exams in school and still enjoying all her dancing classes.  Sean, 12 , is now in High School too and loving it – and his football!  Daniel, 10, spent quite a lot of time here in the summer, sailing and discovering the “power” of the wee outboard engine!  He has one more year in Primary School….

Christmas I may well spend in Edinburgh, as it is always lovely to be beside the family then.  I usually come home for New Year, though, as most friends are here and I do get a lot of phone calls from relatives in New Zealand and Australia then….  New Year celebrations are still very much in vogue here, as they were when the village was young, a hundred and fifty++ years ago.  Lately the bonfire on the island, with fireworks, has become the hub just before the bells, and then people visit houses as they return home.  As I live at the other end of the village to the bonfire, I may pop in to a few houses en route!  But if it is a stormy night, I shall not venture out, preferring to visit friends on January 1 – or have them visit here!  It is always a bit of a lottery, but by January 3^rd, everyone has usually seen everyone else….

I hope that you have had a trouble free year and that you and your family and friends will have a lovely festive time – Happy New Year when it comes!

Ann

November 9th, 2015

I've done it again - written a good deal and lost it.  This time I went to Google to check the spelling of Moira's little dog, a Shih Tzu, and my text vanished.  I thought I'd beat the jinx and write, not in word as usual, but straight on to the news page.  Well that does not work for me either!
Off I go again......

My last guests left on October 25th.  Angela and Richard, the good weather you have had many times before will return.....  I was heartily fed up apologising to visitors for the never ending rain and winds this summer - the worst in my memory and I've been here for fifty three years....
But my guests, bless them, patted me on the head and said they did not come north west for the weather, though we all knew it would have been a big bonus!

Today sunrise was at 07.51 and sunset 16.21 - had the sun been visible!!!   We have had strong winds too, but some very impressive skies.....
I always like to do some autumn cleaning, rather than the traditional spring clean and it has been done, with some very amusing times as I crossed my fingers that many, many pillowcases, blown up like balloons, would not take off and career down Loch Carron, or when it was a battle to unwind sheets from the washing lines!

The schools have a holiday in October and Catriona came north by train.   I was waiting when she jumped off the Inverness-Kyle train - followed by Sam!!!   The three of us had  lovely brief holiday, when we visited and shopped on the Isle of Skye (the shopping is a bit of a tradition now, in the Lochcarron Woolen Shop, when Sam renews his cords, shirts, etc. 

Monday November 9, 2015

My last guests left on October 25 - Richard and Angela, sorry about the weather!  I wonder how many times this year I have apologised, as it truly has been the worst summer we remember.  Bless you, everyone who patted me on the head and assured me that it was not my fault and they did not expect decent weather up here anyway - and yes they would be back!

Since then I've been busy.  I perversely like to get some "spring" cleaning done in late autumn and that has been done, in both Heron's Flight and "35", the house we let out.  The latter had a burst pipe and needed quite a lot of restorative work done.  Happily, that is complete and the two new floors and one wall look very good, as does the new water tank.......

The schools had their autumn holiday in October and Catriona came for a day or two, travelling north by train. I was delighted when Sam came out of the train behind her!  We had a couple of lovely days, visiting and shopping on the Isle of Skye and then popping in and out of many houses in the village.  Everyone was very pleased to see them again, as Sam especially has not been a frequent visitor in the last few years, as his studies came first.

Ruah and I are heading south at the end of this week, for a few days.  Ruah will be trimmed - she badly needs it and the lady who always did the necessary has retired.  Moira's little Shis Thu

November 9th, 2015

Dear friends,
Today sunrise was at 04.57 and sunset 16.51, but no sun!  Plenty of wind and rain, as has been the norm this year.  It certainly was the worst weather this summer in my memory – I have been in Plockton for fifty three years now.  My last visitors left on October 25 and I know that Angela and Richard will brave the north west again!

Since then I have, as usual, done some cleaning and clearing, in and out.  I always like to get all the laundry washed and put away, till the spring.  It is a wonder there was anything to put back in the cupboards as sheets twangled round lines and pillow cases blew up like balloons and could easily have gone into orbit.  Only once before, many years ago, did a whole clothes line take off and land in the next garden – it threatened to happen again several times recently!!!  

The garden fared a bit better and the many leaves from neighbouring trees and my own bushes and palms just blew away…….  The grass got cut last week, hopefully for the last time this year and the more delicate pot plants are gradually being rescued and put in the porch.

Catriona and Sam – the latter a total surprise for me – arrived by train, for a couple of days in October, when the schools had the autumn holiday and Sam a few days off from his hospital work in Kirkcaldy.  We had a lovely time, touring Skye and visiting there then popping in to a good few houses in the village, as everyone knows the family.  I was very sorry to see them going south again…..

However, Ruah and I are going to Edinburgh at the end of this week.  Ruah will be clipped, as her usual lady has retired.  I shall do some visiting and head back here towards the middle of the week I expect.  I shall most likely go south again for Christmas.   I’ll have plenty to do here before that.  

I do hope that you and your families are well and that I shall see you next year.  I shall write again long before then.

Best wishes,  Ann

Plockton skies from our front garden.....

Mid-September news

Plockton has been, and still is, extremely busy! The three eating places and the little take-away have been struggling to feed all the visitors - and booking is still really essential still, though it is well into September...

Our annual Regatta came and went, with really shocking weather meaning races were cancelled/doubled up. The culmination of the fortnight, the Ragamuffin race where the children decorate their sails and have three races close to shore, for a very much sought after cup, was shortened, brought nearer the beach and still one boat capsized - rescue boats were on red alert and all was well!

So you gather our bad weather continued - till this week. We have the best weather all week and it has transformed us all! Gardens are being spruced up - long overdue. It has, at last, been weather for shorts and T shirts. No matter that the forecast today shows a big depression scurrying north towards us!

 Sam has not been north this summer, as, after his graduation, he had little time before starting his two years hospital work - he is now used to the long hours and has had his first pay cheque ever! Daniel was back and fore, Catriona brought Sean by train and Moira was here at Regatta, again with Daniel. We unearthed the outboard engine, not used for perhaps ten years - and it started first time! Daniel had a ball! I am sorry Colin has not been here yet - I still hope he may come for a day or two, as he can tame the garden in no time.

I welcomed so many friends in the summer - old and new. Dave and Denise have popped up and down, Eric and Laurine travelled from France to be married, Linda stayed and painted, Cathy and Heather came back again, David and Dana for a fourth time, Oliever brought his son Patrick. Just recently Jette and Ulrik travelled from Denmark and at the same time Jan, Ian and Kim, whose home is Denmark Western Australia, added to the fun! Now I have Elizabeth and Uta and Ursula and this is Ursula's first visit as she lives in Bunbury,WA while her sisters only have to travel from Germany! I hope I have not missed out any friends.....

So I have had a lovely time - thank you all.

Alison in Toowoomba soldiers on and we correspond and talk regularly. This weekend is a sad one for us in Scotland. John died five years ago. Moira and I miss him so much.....

I hope that you, wherever you are, keep well, and wend your way to the north west of Scotland to see us - Ruah and me-.....
Ann

After...

My brother Ian died in hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on July 21, 2015, with Alison and Valerie at his bedside.

I was very lucky to have a month in Toowoomba with Alison and Ian, around Christmas, 2014, when Ian's health was fairly good - a time never to be forgotten.

It is only now dawning on me how very much I shall miss Ian - knowing what he and Alison were up to, where they were gallivanting to next, the weekly Face time sessions and most days emails......
He was  a very special big brother..

But Alison and I will march on side by side - 10,500 miles apart!

Ann 

July 20, 2015 - and after

This is an incomplete entry - starting so happily with my grandson's graduation, but ending with worry about my brother's health. I hope you can read it.

Ann.

A PS to the latest news.....
.
Alison's quotes this month are just so apt!  July is fast approaching, so we hope for a big change in weather up here - but the met office has us swathed in cloud while most of Britain is sweltering, with sun beating down.... 
Maybe tomorrow......  July 1st  ...onwards.....

Have a look at the latest picture of Ruah, on her own page - thanks Alison.
You see, all I do with this marvellous site www.heronsflight.org is email thoughts and photos to Australia, write the blog and see to the yearly payment.
 The hard work was and is done by Alison, my Scottish - loving Australian sister-in-law!
Best wishes
Ann

Mid Summer in Plockton

June 22, 2015

The day after the longest day, northern hemisphere, and we in Plockton still wait for summer, though, as I write in the early afternoon, the sun has come out!  But it has been the worst June in 43 years.  The east and south have fared much better, so we hope to catch up with them in the next few months!  I am very relieved that my holidays in Australia with Ian and Alison, then the Canary Islands with Moira, Catriona, Sean and Daniel are to be remembered with great pleasure, for the wonderful company and the glorious warmth!

My guests are ever cheerful and always prepared to get on with the sight-seeing, often having to imagine what the tops of the mountains really look like!  So far, a dry day is a bonus, a gentle breeze wonderful and a glimpse of the sun talked about a great deal in the evening!

 I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you all to date and Ruah has loved you!  Thank you Janet and Terry for the recent photo o Ruah attempting to finish your crossword, while relaxing on your bed! And Paula and Frank for introducing me to Delaware Blue Hens!! Bob and Barry, I enjoyed chipping in on occasion to your conversations. Graeme, your marvellous painting of Ruah arrived in today’s post. I was expecting a PC size and now I have a precious 30cm X 20+ cm painting, mounted and framed.  You are all very kind…..

Hopefully I’ll get the entire garden tidied up soon.  The lawns, hedges and pot “plant pot holder” are more or less under control, but there are so many corners that do not seem to know the rule that weeds do not grow in cold weather…..lots of corners……

Moira and the family have an addition to the house animals.  Duncan is an adorable eight week old Shih-Tzu pup – black and white and ridiculously tiny compared to big gentle four year old Ryan, the black lab.  Photos will follow!

I am looking forward to having a flying visit to Edinburgh soon.  Sam passed his exams and   immediately flew off to Portugal with other happy classmates.  He graduates at the beginning of next month and hopefully will come north before beginning his first year of hospital work. We are all delighted that, at age twenty two, Sam is Doctor MacKenzie.

After my brief visit to Edinburgh, I hope to have some of the rest of the family here, off and on.  I shall also welcome guests who have booked to visit and maybe you, if you are passing? 

Best wishes

 Ann

From wind swept Plockton.....

May 12, 2015

  Photo taken last month when the big palm lost its largest branch - wind speed that night 71mph and gusting.....

At last I’ve settled back into “Plockton mode”, having had a wonderful Christmas visit to Toowoomba, enough time at home to do a bit of tidying up, then a lovely week cruising round the Canary Islands and over to North Africa, with Moira, Catriona, Sean and Daniel.

The cruise surpassed my expectations……   We travelled by night except on the way over to Africa.  So we were able to visit the islands, take a few tours, etc.  The weather was wonderful and the boys were thrilled with the little swimming pools and Jacuzzis (is that what they are called?) on board – and Daniel enjoyed the children’s activities too……  Moira slowed down and thoroughly enjoyed everything, as did the rest of us!

The eating places were excellent and the waiters made everyone’s day(s) when they sang – a lovely male voice choir.  Catriona was fifteen that week and the choir sang to her, when they brought a lovely cake to the table.

You’ll gather that it was all very good!

I have been home now for over three weeks – and my guests have been coming and going since then.  Angela and Richard Hough came first – it was a great pleasure to have them at Heron’s Flight again!  I learned from Angela to put a penny in the water with tulips and they do not fall about!  And mine lasted a full fortnight!  Thanks you, Angela and Richard!

We have had rather poor weather, to put it mildly!  Today is very windy but at least drier than the last few!  Ruari Campbell, who lives at the top of my lane, has a marvellous flowering cherry tree and each year we wait for it to get battered – as it is being today.  We have had a week to enjoy the beautiful blooms, though.

A friend Brian and companion Graeme arrived to paint the exterior of the house – well, the bad weather just got worse, so we agreed that it was useless for them to hang around.  Back they trailed to Lincoln!!!  Thank you for the effort and lovely flowers, Brian.

Exterior painting in this area is difficult, but I have two more local chaps coming to give estimates and so it will be done this summer.  That will be a relief!

At present Matt and Jenny Ralston, from Glen Isla in Perthshire, are here again for a few days – I do enjoy their company, hearing about their farm and family. And very soon Moira and Brian Lillington are coming to stay – their first visit back to Plockton since a move to western central Scotland.  I always hope for good weather for my guests  - knowing how much Moira and Brian love the not so easy hikes around, my fingers are crossed for that visit!

The family in Edinburgh is well.  Moira now has almost weekly work in London – NO, she is not an MSP!! – so is on the move regularly.  Colin holds the fort admirably.  Sam is working for finals, Catriona is nearly at the end of year S3, while Sean moves to High School in August, leaving Daniel the only one in Primary school…..

Ian, Alison and a friend from Canada fly home tomorrow, in very different directions, from Tasmania, where they have enjoyed a touring two weeks.  We, Valerie, David and I, have had brief reports.  Wifi was not always easy. 

We, this week, got an internet connection in the holiday home, 35, Harbour Street, Plockton.   Down here, we have a good signal, usually.

I hope all is well with you and that you may visit Heron’s Flight, or 35, one day….   It would be lovely to meet you.

Ann