November News

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

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

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

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!....

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

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

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

April's almost gone!

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

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

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

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!

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!

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

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

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

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?

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!

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!

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

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

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

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

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

(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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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!

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!)

Change to Heron's Flight web site

Hi all, You might like to visit and bookmark the new Heron's Flight website, at http://www.heronsflight.org. It looks much the same as it did before, but Ann has her own domain now. Thanks very much to my friend Thea Russell, who has greatly improved the technical quality of the site.
Best wishes to everyone, Alison Hunter (sister-in-law, Website manager and HF fan)

March News

March News

Quite often I start with a weather update and it’s no exception this month! February was a good month, exceedingly dry and with many sunny days. Ten days ago it was noticeably a “different” cold - and the snows came. Schools were closed all last week and only the desperate attempted the 6 mile journey to Kyle! The gritters did their best to keep roads clear, but our corner of the village is obviously not part of the contract! So the 7+ inches of pristine snow lay quite undisturbed till a slow thaw began two days ago. Had Alison from Toowoomba been here, Heron’s Flight would have been surrounded by snowmen and Australian whoops of glee would have been heard from as far away (or further) as Edmund’s paper shop!!

Today the drive is almost clear and John could get his van packed for his return this afternoon to Edinburgh. During his week here great works were done, the two of most note being the new wall covering for the west room shower area and new windows in the barn on the Brae. I am delighted to have had so many things done so willingly and how I enjoyed cooking and John’s company….. I was not the only recipient of special treatment - Yarrow and Sponge had a good extra dose of love and attention too.

A week before the snow arrived, Catriona was here and, though she would have enjoyed the snow, I think she had a better time! She and Yarrow were out a lot and all of us put in a few miles when the bicycle came out! As the village was very quiet, Catriona was able to cycle “solo” to the village hall and down to the point at Rhu. I accompanied her many times to the shop, to collect a newspaper and to pop in for a visit to various friends. Catriona also made two trips alone to the shop – she is growing up fast… We had two trips to beaches. At Dubhard Catriona discovered “rockaneering” and her new word will be part of the MacKenzie language from now on! The Coral beach expedition will not be forgotten soon, as the path was no more and we ploughed through thick, clawing, deep mud to get there – perhaps half a mile each way – ugh! We were up to the top of our wellies and poor Yarrow swam along through it (yes, the car WAS a mess when we got home!!) Evenings found us stoking the fire, reading, drawing and playing cards - Catriona’s a demon at Pelminism!! It was a magic time and I was sorry to deliver her to Edinburgh, where I stayed one night only, as the forecast was poor (and correct!) I t was very good seeing all the family, however briefly

John Townend, my first guest of 2006, arrives on the 16th. I am looking forward to that and to two other early bookings. So the long winter hibernation is nearly over…. It is already quite light till nearly 7.00pm and the extra hour of daylight from the 26th will catapult us all into “active mode”!! The garden is wakening too, and, though snowdrops, crocus and iris are presently snow covered, catkins and daffodils bloom bravely.

Till around Easter time, I hope you all keep well………….Ann.

February News

February News

January was bitterly cold, though we did have some beautiful days, when it felt warm in the sunshine. February has begun dry and a little milder. Last week my niece Sandra and Walter arrived with chainsaw and appropriate gear - at last our two apples, one plum and huge fir tree are down. In thirty five years we did not have a kilo of fruit and Dolan and I said for ages that they had to go. Now the “down garden” will be brighter and the soil will improve when the root systems rot away. This year, however Cheque the tortoise can go on safari there!

Alison in Toowoomba has begun the “revamp” of the website - a lot of work, but I know she’s happy doing it - and I am thrilled..... The site will have a new address and a shake around, if she has her way - and she will!!! My remit to date is to take photos - I’ll do my best, though that is not one of my strong points.. The coral beach is one of my goals - I have not even got there yet as, when the days were sunny, the tides were unsuitable. Now I wait patiently for high tides and sunshine - could wait a while! - then on with the “wellies” again..


I broke off for a wee while to do a touch typing exercise - “speed, 10 words a minute!!! I began on the wrong two keys and scored 100% mistakes, so I’m taking a break altogether and writing this looking at the keyboard! I’m told I am now at level 10 of 20 and I’m still waiting to be taught the fingering for my two most used keys - the back space and exclamation mark!

Moira, Colin and the children are all fighting fit and I hope to have Catriona and maybe Sam here in their February holiday. John is coming very soon and he’ll clad the shower walls in the west room - I shall not be sorry to see the tiles go for good. He’ll also wipe clean my “to do, have tried, can’t” list and hopefully have a couple of days lazing around.

The kitchen floor is now restored and I am very pleased with the warm-feeling, practical lino. It is mottled brown and both Yarrow and Sponge have new green bean bags, which they curl up on in the evenings. So, picture us there - two contented animals in front of the Rayburn cooker and me in a corner, knitting, reading, watching TV or fiddling about with the new laptop - ultra sensitive and keys which have dropped my typing rate even lower!

I am now thinking ahead and looking forward to opening the doors for our guests, the first of whom arrive on March 16th. The sense of pre-season urgency has not hit me yet - it will! 2005, my first solo year, was more “crowded” than I anticipated - more housework, more garden, more forward planning, etc. - so in 2006 I regret that I will be unable to accept single night bookings in advance.

We all hope that we may meet you this year.
From Heron’s Flight’s cosy kitchen, Ann, Yarrow and Sponge.

January, 2006

The Christmas visit to Edinburgh is a happy memory now. We all had a lovely time. Baby Daniel had a "nursery snuffle", which he kindly passed on to the rest of the family and they were all laid low. John and I got out in time!
My journey home was horrendous, with freezing fog for 100 miles.

New Year in the Highlands goes on for a few days, with much coming and going between houses. This year I visited a few close friends, as Dolan and I always did.

In the last three days we have had
1 - wonderful blue skies and many hours of sunshine.
2 - a gale accompanied by torrential rain and
3 - a dreary, dull, depressing day.
As those of you who know the north west of Scotland, this is not unusual!
On day one, everyone was so busy out of doors, 2006’s garden plans in mind.
Day two was pure survival.......
Today, as it is possible to move around without being heavily weighted down with warm clothes, we’ll be out and about and most likely ask the usual “why do we live here?” A rhetorical question - I saw an early daffodil blooming the other day.....

I had thought to welcome guests from April on, but now, thanks to a plea from "Big John", who stayed last year and entertained Catriona so brilliantly, I’m opening up around the middle of March. The usual panic of "where did I put X, Y, Z?" - all in sensible, accessible places when the last guests left and "where will I put all my clutter?"- it just grows over the winter - will set in, in a few weeks!

Yarrow, Sponge, hibernating (I hope!) Cheque and I do enjoy the peace, for a time. Soon we shall all be very happy to have a much busier lifestyle, with good company. I hope that Sam and Catriona may get here for a few days in February and that John’s plans to come for a week in early March consolidate soon - hopefully he’ll have good weather, to paint the workshop and supervise the disposal of garden rubbish - mostly prunings, loppings and sawings! John also plans to clad the shower in the west room with the same sheeting as in the east and that will be a great deed done.

I hope soon to have the kitchen floor re-covered, the estimate for exterior painting to the house, my wireless laptop up and running and to stick in at my touch typing before four of my ten fingers are noticibly shorter! This broadband is proving to be a time waster, as I am already looking things up "just out of interest", too often - e.g "miles, as the crow flies from here to Toowoomba" - I did not find the answer, but it took a long time to find that out!! As this computer is, as you know, in a very cold room, I have to go regularly to the kitchen to defrost! And that is where I am heading right now!

I hope to hear from you, or, better still, see you this year.
Ann.

December already!

December already and, like me, you are probably realising that there is not a lot of time left to get organised for Christmas...

I was in Edinburgh last week and it was so good to stay with John and spend days with Moira, Colin and the four children - all thriving. Sam is 13 on the 10th, while Daniel, at 7 months, is commando crawling at speed! Catriona just loves school, swimming and dancing and is a “Strictly Come Dancing” fan (TV). Sean is 2 and has some marvellously old-fashioned turns of phrase!

Weather permitting, Yarrow and I shall head south for Christmas, but we’ll be home to take in the New Year. Train might be an option for some but not me, as I have so many bits and pieces to go, for the children especially. Moira and I shall share Christmas dinner - she’ll do the turkey or roast, I’ll take frozen soups and pudds. and “someone else” can peel the veg!

The water-damaged kitchen floor lino will be replaced in the New Year. I have chosen the new one. There was such a beautiful range but I reckon not many households have to be practical and think of dogs, cats, tortoises, people who rush in from storms and gardens and housewives who just cannot bake without making a mess! So our lino will be just about the only one on offer that tries to mitigate all of these! By the way, Cheque will not tramp over the floor till February/March as she is safely tucked away in her paper-filled box, in the old fridge! I DO check the temperature very frequently, as 6C is best.

I’m going, thank goodness, to finish an Aran sweater in time for a very good friend’s birthday (17th Dec.) It’s a fairly complex pattern and I’ve managed to add a few variations here and there - hopefully she’ll not spot them!! Jane lives close by and looks after Sponge and Cheque when I’m away - and she’s one of the few who can sense one’s frame of mind and act appropriately..... Quite often I (and many others, I am sure) just want my own company.....

I hope you too will be with family and good friends at the festive time and I wish you all a Happy Christmas and good New Year.

Ann

News - November 1st

November 1st. The village is settling down into winter mode now that the clocks have changed. Although the days are shorter we all hope for some good weather to get outdoor tidying done and perhaps the vege gardens dug over. I’ll have plenty to do.....

John was here for a week, clearing my “to do, have tried, can’t” list. At last my three heaps of garden rubbish have been burned! We already have the makings of a fairly daunting Spring list - outdoor painting of the entire house and the workshop and replacing tiles with sheeting in the east bedroom.

We all go through spells of breakages and malfunctions and last week I had my share for quite a while, I hope..... A shower hose head cracked, my faithful microwave lost some of the functions I really use a lot daily and the dishwasher flooded twice.... A couple of light bulbs popped and a new kitchen blind crashed down! After that fairly dramatic happening (the blind’s 6’ long) I sat still in my new kitchen/ computer chair and thought “if I just don’t move, nothing else can happen”..... Well, the dishwasher was condemned and I expect a replacement on Thursday. I shall live quite cheerfully with my sick microwave till I get to Edinburgh and choose one.

Yarrow and I are settling in the kitchen in the evenings this winter! Yarrow has his beanbag close to the Rayburn cooker, which is warm 24 hours a day. I have my armless comfy chair beside the table and have options to knit, read, watch TV or listen to the radio. Sponge is confused! He wanders in and out and asks noisily for an explanation. He’ll cotton on later than sooner that the other kitchen chair has a cushion just for him! Cheque lounges around in the heated porch, oblivious of the view! She’ll be allowed to hibernate in a month or so - her fridge is in the coolest room and will be set at 6C.

It’s a wet, windy day and I’ve been out to see just how near to the Hydro pole our huge fir tree really is. The tree, planted many years ago at Christmas by Ian and Alison, who were here from Queensland, now may well have to come down. I shall be sad when this happens, but the prospect of being suddenly plunged into a no power situation is not pleasant! The fit tree roots and those of our non-productive apple and plum trees are ruining the vege garden too. All this is quite a daunting task - the Hydro specialist shall advise me initially. Then I’ll possibly put a plea out for a lumberjack wishing a “holiday”, to come and have a restful few days at Heron’s Flight!!

I have a few guests booked in till November 21, and I shall enjoy meeting them. After that it’ll be time to think ahead to Christmas and Sam’s 13th birthday before that, on the 10th. Our grandchildren are all flourishing and I look forward to spending some time with them and the rest of the family soon.
It has been a busy year with many visitors staying at Heron’s Flight - it has been a pleasure to meet every one. My first year alone has passed and I have been so fortunate to have family, friends and neighbours around.

After a brief hibernation, beginning soon, I will be again hoping to welcome you to Heron’s Flight.
Best wishes
Ann.

October News

I’ve had three wonderful weeks! Ian and Alison leave tomorrow ( October 8th ) for a few days in Edinburgh to visit relatives and friends and they will start their homeward journey to Toowoomba, Australia, thereafter.
Believe it or not - and if you have holidayed in the North West of Scotland you will - we have had one day of real sunshine in the three weeks - yesterday. Luckily, Ian and Alison actually do not mind a bit of wind and plenty of rain, as their part of the world is on semi-permanent water restrictions. But it has been sad that many glorious views have been shrouded in cloud. Yarrow has had a ball, setting off each morning with Alison, to collect the newspapers. However, as Alison can take some time, chatting with everyone en route I suspect, Yarrow sometimes arrives home alone! Ian, not an animal lover really, did valiantly try to befriend Sponge, till a completely undeserved swipe drew some of Ian’s blood...
SUDOKU - are you an addict? I had toyed with the idea of having the odd puzzle around, to pick up and complete off and on. Well, my ideas have altered as everyone who pops in here and two thirds of the resident population of Heron’s Flight over the last three weeks seem unable to do without it! So I’ll stick to gardening, reading and knitting, all of which I can abandon with ease!!
As you can see from the previous ’post’ to this one, “our” jigsaw is framed! It is hanging above my workdesk and I will get pleasure every day from it. Thank you everyone who helped! I shall probably have a 2006 project on the porch table - any suggestions for a subject?
I’ll be busy for a while with guests and taming the garden. The grapes are ready and this year they are really good - the crop that needs the most sparing of attention has outstripped all the others. There’s a message there for me.....
I hope you are all in good health and that you may drop in to visit in the not too distant future.
Best wishes
Ann.

Fergie Tractor Jigsaw

Hi all, Were you one of the visitors this year who contributed pieces to the jigsaw of the Fergie tractor? Did you wonder if it would ever get finished?
Well, it is now finished! and framed. I hope you like it as much as I do.
Ann

August News

28th August - yet another gale has hit us. Since breakfast it has blown harder and harder and now, at 8.00pm it is really wild and the rain is horizontal. It’s very dark and more like November and I am so sorry for all the visitors to the West Coast...However tomorrow will be better...

It seems a long time since Moira and Colin and the children were here. They were not too lucky with the weather and each night Moira bundled Sean and baby Daniel in the car and ran round to find the cows, which delighted Sean. Sam did a sailing course in Toppers and Catriona helped me willingly and went various jaunts with all the family.

Catriona stayed on when the others left - Moira to return to work as Daniel is a very good baby who goes to nursery and Sean will start playgroup very soon. A day or two later, lifelong friend Dorothy motored from Bathgate, stayed for a lovely few days and dropped Catriona in Edinburgh on her was home. I had a lovely time with everyone...

On September 16th I’ll drive to Inverness and meet Ian and Alison, who will soon leave Australia at the start of their holiday. They will be in Plockton for three weeks and I’m sure we’ll have a visit from Ian’s son David and his wife Caroline, who are returning to Australia for good in December, after many years away. Before the 16th I expect John for a few days - the list of “to do, have tried, can‘t“” is not as daunting as the last, so I hope he’ll have a day or two of complete relaxation at home.

The garden has been flattened twice in less than two weeks so, again, I shall be out as soon as possible tying up plants and sweeping away debris. I do not know how keen I am this time to try to restore the broccoli, spinach, rocket, giant mustard and coriander. Can someone email me with easy ways of preserving/drying any of these? Can I use the microwave? Help!!! And has anyone a recipe for anything using lettuce, besides lettuce soup? Cheque the tortoise and I are both manfully eating salads daily and I have made enough batches of soup - good taste, horrible colour!

I found a big clump of small leaks the other day so they got planted - I now have enough for all of Plockton and the outlying villages, I imagine!

Last week I finally defrosted the big chest freezer in the cellar - possibly two years after I thought it should be done... Well, the elderly potato soup was still edible and brambles from what year I know not are now being made into various concoctions - it’s chutney tomorrow. Seriously, it is such a novelty to have baskets, which glide along the rail again and to have quite a lot of order restored - and even a list of contents!

I hope, wherever you are, you are well and that we’ll meet in the future.

Best wishes, Ann.

July News

Regatta Fortnight starts on Monday, July 25th and the village will be busier than usual. As well as our usual visitors, who enjoy strolling along Harbour Street (the “locals” are good at this too - empty pavements and the road littered with people for motorists to negotiate!!), there will be optimistic sailors carrying masts, sails, etc The usual “clumps” of captains and crews will be standing discussing weather forecasts, tides and, worst of all, dissecting in great detail the race that has just been run!
It’s a fun fortnight and Moira, Colin and the four children will be here for the second week. I’ll be delighted to be chief cook and bottle washer - and baby sitter. Regatta Saturday, August 6th, is the Ragamuffin Race, when the children jump in local boats with their homemade sails. They race three times and competition is fierce!! Afterwards there is dancing outside Plockton Hotel, on the main street. Cars are allowed past at times and they can pay a fine into the Lifeboat collection tin - first time visitors arriving that afternoon must wonder where they have landed...
I had Sam and Catriona for a week earlier and Sam was so helpful - we had fresh bread daily, a stack of cardboard boxes was burned, and a beech hedge was lopped. Catriona baked, painted, sewed and introduced our guest John into the art of keeping up with a five-year-old - hide and seek, daisy chains, etc! Thank you, John! We went to the child friendly Craig Highland Farm and were attacked by two geese. Catriona and I had peck marks to proove it. We beat a hastly retreat and visited the local nursery, where we all chose a plant - much safer!!
Yarrow, Sponge and Cheque are all doing their Public Relations bit very well! Many evenings Yarrow is quite exhausted, having shown guests round the village, while Sponge waits for favoured visitors to come down in the morning. Cheque is at last “tearing” round the garden and a tether is very necessary...
The weather has improved in the last few days. Till then, the rest of the country was baking and we had very indifferent days - putting it mildly! At least the midges have not been bad at all! Now, however, the weeds are threatening to beat me - again. But the potatoes and rasps are good, while the rows of lettuce are fairly spectacular! I’m begging neighbours to help themselves and have made some batches of lettuce soup - it’s tasty, but better consumed with eyes closed as it is such a peculiar colour! The little leeks took a battering yesterday, when Cheque “broke loose” and did a dance in amongst them..... The vine has over twenty bunches and I stripped most of the leaves the other day, as the greenhouse was like a jungle. A new compost bin in the down garden is rapidly filling up and, reading the instructions, I should stir the contents soon - that’ll be fun?!
I’ll update you next month on life at Heron’s Flight - August threatens to be busy and I look forward to a visit from two friends - Irene I have known for years, but Dorothy and I go back to Primary school, which, as you all know, was not yesterday!
Best wishes, Ann.

June News

Well, it’s a month since I last “put pen to paper” - a busy time with me still searching for some odd hours to add on to each day.....
I did finish the annual accounts away at the beginning of the month. They are always a trial.... so that’s a weight off my mind. June’s weather improved steadily and in the last fortnight the garden has needed watered nightly. I think I’ve lost the weed battle in the shrub/rose garden..... actually it is quite colourful at present, so I’ll leave well alone! The leeks finally were planted a while ago. I think there is a wee something wrong with my timing - the day after the potatoes went down it snowed and the leeks have needed constant water since they reached their final positions. However, I’ll perhaps get the spinach, mustard, rocket and yet more lettuce timings better........ Then every space will be used up, at least. The first lettuces are growing much faster than Cheque and I can eat - there’s only so much one can do with a lettuce leaf..... any ideas for breakfasts?
I have recently had so many very pleasant guests from all parts. This week I’ve met people from America, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Britain. Yesterday and today I have an English couple and three young Australians, who are very kindly calling at the butcher’s shop in Kyle for smoked ham haughs, as they go to the Isle of Skye!
Tomorrow will be taken up largely with soup making, in preparation for Sam and Catriona coming next week. Neither of them is good at eating vegetables - but they love liquidised soup - and mince and “tatties”! Perhaps the garden potatoes will be big enough for them to dig their own..... Sam’s will make bread too. Catriona is more into the puddings and cakes!! Sam then goes for two weeks to Scout Camp and Catriona may stay here till the rest of the family arrives for Regatta fortnight, beginning July 25th. So that just about takes care of July’s spare moments!
I must thank Ian for having tracked down, from Australia via Canada to Plockton, a suitable cookbook for my spare microwave-. I live in dread of my everyday model giving up the ghost! So now I can practise on the quite different controls and hopefully become just as fond of it. Ian and Alison can judge my success or otherwise when they holiday here in September - actually they should not expect miracles, as that is now only 10 weeks away.......
Yarrow and Sponge are enjoying the company in the house and actually vie for attention in the mornings! I remind Yarrow that Sponge is no use at going for walks in the village and so he must tolerate Sponge’s pushiness. Cheque has enjoyed the real warmth of late and has fairly trotted around. Today, she’s sluggish and practically knocking at the front door to come back into her box!
Thank you everyone who has written, often sending beautiful photos, over the past few weeks. How I long to be on Broadband to speed this computer along.....There are a FEW drawbacks to living in our beautiful part of the world - impulse buying is not on (maybe a good thing!), THE bus to Kyle goes once a day, no late night grocery shopping in Plockton, and no ready access yet to Broadband - small prices to pay, believe me! Best wishes, Ann.

May News

Hello
Having, this morning at the crack of dawn, written all about May to you, I thought I blogged it dubiously, emailed Australia and a phone call from Alison and Ian confirmed this. I confidently clicked on the saved document on desktop to see “c Ann”!!!
So I obviously do not write again at a very early hour - and here goes again.......

May has been a mixed month weatherwise. It’s been generally cold and with quite a lot of rain. We had another real gale last week and it was of great concern all round as there are now a lot of yachts at anchor in the bay. Only one yacht went walkabout and three brave young local chaps boarded her with difficulty, started the engine and got her out of danger. Today is wonderful - warm and sunny and I have spent three hours in the garden. The lawns are cut (I had help with the front one) and all the vege garden is weeded. Now there are potatoes (with flowers about to open), rows of different lettuce, broccoli and onions. The leeks should be ready to plant next week perhaps....

My son John came up after I got back from Edinburgh, where baby Daniel arrived safely on April 27th. We are all delighted with him and Sam, Catriona and Sean are greatly taken with their little brother. John stayed 8 days and was not idle! My long list of “to do, have tried, but can’t) very quickly disappeared. The trellis looks terrific and half of it is planted with climbers and a Goldcrest Cypress. The other half I plan to do when Ian and Alison come in September and they can have a wee bit of garden named after them!

The month has been busy with guests from all over and I have really enjoyed their company. New Zealand cousins of Dolan also stayed a few days. Don was over for a 60th Anniversary War Reunion and Lynley accompanied him - they visited family in England, Inverness and here and did such a lot of travelling to say hello to all the family.

This month I had a “Baking phase”. It ground to a halt the other day after a visiting village dog ate two sultana cakes at the back door to cool, the tops of two fruit loaves burned to a cinder and fancy icing I tried refused to set - even in the freezer! So I am knitting in the evenings - anything rather than spend necessary time getting the annual accounts, etc. in order for the accountant!

The animals are well and Yarrow (dog) and Sponge (cat) really love it when guests appear. Yarrow has had so many walks up the village and Sponge appears from nowhere to check if new arrivals admire him! Wee Cheque (my tortoise) is safely out of hibernation and will be coming home a week on Friday. She’s not very big but is more work than the other two! I will soon be spending quite a lot of time hunting the garden for the pink shampoo bottle, attached to her by a short length of strong string, or I’d lose her under the hedge or elsewhere. I do bring her in nightly in case the “cake eating” dog decides she is worth trying........

I’ll be in touch soon again - now I’m going to save this letter! Ann.