August 13th, 2014

Computer confusions and News.

After writing and saving a letter to you, I went to put it up on the site and – lo and behold – there was Ian and Alison’s address, in bold letters, just I had written and printed off earlier in the day – and I had not saved it…..

There was and is no sign of my letter.  In my documents the title “Blog, 12 August, 2014” is there and the Australian address is all that appears.  Now, had I even saved that, I might begin to understand all of this……  All I do know that an evening’s typing and talking to you has just vanished…….

So off to bed I toddled.  Well, I’ve given that up and here I am beginning again, though it’ll likely be sometime a good bit later when I finish…….

It has been a very good month, with the family coming and going.  Sean and Daniel came at different times, Sean to do stage 3 and Daniel a revision of stage1 (last year the wind just did not blow during his course, so no actual sailing was possible) of the RYA Youth Training Scheme.  Sean did well to pass, not having the advantage of the local children, who sail regularly in club nights all summer. 

Daniel passed too and then, as he was here most of the school holidays, enjoyed sailing in a club night, crewed in an RS Vision during Regatta and was crew and sometimes ballast when the unique “local boat” fleet raced.  He will be good too.

Catriona came and went and came again.  I was delighted when Becky and Amanda Sweenie came for Regatta weekend as they are very near to Catriona in age.  And, as usual, Catriona’s friend Heather was here from Singapore, so a little gang of teenagers was around the house! 

The children, as usual, painted the sail, on a double sheet, for the Ragamuffin Race – the last race traditionally of the fortnight.  See the photo at the top of this blog post! The sail was judged the most topical and the five “artists” – from the right – Catriona, Amanda, Becky, Daniel and little friend Alistair were so chuffed. Note the spelling “mistake” which was corrected!  

 Each boat can have a maximum of five with an adult to help with the deal of rowing involved in the Ragamuffin event.  Our boat, Saranna C, had no adult to row and give advice – mistake!!!  Next year we’ll capture an unsuspecting sailor for the job!  Of the eleven boats out, Saranna C was 6^th overall – a good effort in fluky winds and with some very young helmsmen.

Going back a little in the month, Colin found time to come up and do amazing work on some bits of the garden drastically needing cut back.  Daniel was here too then and he lopped a tree and bushes at the rock, so I now have a much better view of the sailing!

Moira came for the last week.  The weather was still quite good – it had been very hot and sunny so the ground was tinder dry.  We did little travelling, though one day saw us going to Portree where we visited Margaret MacKenzie, who launched Saranna C for Dolan….   “Piglet”, our 10’ little boat, was launched and Moira, Catriona and Daniel made good use of her.  Sean all this time was preparing for a football festival in St Andrews.

The time just sped by.  Friday evening everyone went to the Regatta concert – very good as usual.  Saturday, after the Ragamuffin race ended around noon, the traditional street dance began outside Plockton Hotel.  And that evening there was more music at the Plockton Inn!

Sunday saw, I imagine, about half of the population of Plockton packing up to go!  Moira and the children left at noon and were in Edinburgh at 5.00pm.  The Sweenie parents and little Duncan came and collected Becky and Amanda in the afternoon and by evening Ruah and I were left looking at each other ……

However on Monday guests arrived and this week Kristel and Mark (Paul!) have been, Ava and John off their beautiful yacht moored just outside and tomorrow Dominik and his party arrive from Germany.  It is lovely for me to welcome so many people, for all over.

Perhaps you may think of visiting too – Ruah and I should like that very much!

Ann.

July Update from Heron's Flight

July 17^th, 2014

“When weary o’ travell’n  and takin’ in the sights

And ye’ve had enough of dodgin’ the vicious midgie’s bites

A comfy bed to rest your head in which to pass the night

Awaits ablaw the coothy roof they ca’ the Heron’s Flight.

                  

    (Thanks to Duncan and Lisbeth, Dundee)                                                   

Last month I said that Sam should enjoy himself before returning to Uni. for his fifth year.  I knew he had a stint at Dunfermline Hospital to do before that.  Well, we were phoning and he said he was on nights for the first time. I have not spoken to him since, in case I wakened him!!!

Moira and I are very pleased that Sam will do his elective training in November and December at Westmead Hospital in Sydney, Australia.   He’ll finish a week before Christmas, fly to Brisbane and then go to Toowoomba for his first visit to Ian and Alison.  During his time in Sydney he’ll be close to my niece Valerie and her family and hopefully will see them often. Nephew's more of a problem - he's in Melbourne....

Back to Plockton…..   Sean came for a week and, with five village children, did his stage3 RYA sailing, under the auspices of PSBSC.  He went home on July 3, the day before his 11^th birthday.  Moira and I met that day at Spean Bridge, she bringing Catriona and Daniel bound for Plockton!

Daniel and five children then did stage 1 RYA.  Daniel had started this last year with Malcolm, my nephew, but there was complete calm then and sailing was virtually impossible.  Having passed his tests, Daniel went out that evening, with three others, on a PSBSC club night.   He had a wonderful time and this Granny thinks he’ll be a good sailor!

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

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

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

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

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

Best wishes

Ann

Soon it'll be the longest day......

June 9, 2014

The weather has been quite mixed since I wrote and only recently has there been warmth.  That, with quite a lot of rain has made the grass and flowers “take off”…  And of course the weeds!  I am mowing the grass now twice in ten days and it could be more often.

Happily Sam has been here for some days.  He tackled the hedges and made a mountain of clippings, mostly very prickly! We strimmed and mowed and then set to, enjoying ourselves. Sam’s going into 5^th year at Edinburgh Uni. so needs to enjoy himself first!  Having spent a lot of time here over the years – his first “solo” holiday here was at the age of eighteen months – Sam knows everyone and so he has done a lot of visiting, as well as a lot of keeping me company.  

At the weekend there was a “Plockton” wedding – the bride a daughter of very good friends.  The sun shone from dawn to dusk.  The ceremony was in the village hall garden, so everyone could watch.  We had South African friends of the family, Dad, Mum and twins Reuben and Carmen staying here.  Dad was the “Official Photographer”.  Everyone else had a camera too, and thousands of snaps must have been taken!  Sam and I have a folder full……  The twins, age nine, enjoyed Ruah’s company a lot!  A photo of Carmen and Ruah has even appeared on Facebook, on Mum’s page.

 We went to a reception at the bride’s house on Saturday - a lovely afternoon with young and not so young mingling.  Sam stayed on after me and caught up with many good friends – all competitive PSBSC sailors! 

Yesterday we went to Skye, had lunch near Portree, paid a regular visit to the Weaver’s shop, to supplement Sam’s wardrobe of corduroy.  We then visited Margaret MacKenzie, whose late husband built the original Plockton clinker sailing boats (Dolan spent some time with the Mackenzie’s about fifty years ago, learning the art of clinker boat building, so he was able many years later to build “Saranna C”).Margaret, now nearly ninety, was delighted to see us and catch up on family news.  We all enjoyed the visit. 

Today is Sam’s last day and I hope he’ll find a crew and go for a sail in Saranna C.  He’ll not manage up again this summer, I fear, as hospital work before term time does take preference. 

Tomorrow we shall drive to Inverness and Sam’ll get a train to Edinburgh.  I’ll do a bit of shopping and head home, ready to meet more guests.  I had hoped to go all the way to Edinburgh and spend a day or two with the family.  But that little window has passed.

June is a busy month from now on and then it’ll be school holiday time, when the rest of the family come and go, learning more sailing skills particularly.  My nephew Malcolm is the Commodore of PSBSC this year, but he’ll have some time to fit in lessons I know.  The sailing club too does RYA instruction and both boys will be on their stage courses too, thus getting to know more local children.

If the front garden is all tidy, I’ll enjoy sitting watching all the activity on the water.  Sailing from the shore is good fun, when one knows all the skippers!

It’ll be fun too meeting all the guests coming to Heron’s Flight in the next weeks.  Do pop in!

Ann

           A shinty stick arch for the bridal couple!

Photos and memories of Amber

Amber

No room for anyone else on the kitchen chair!

She was not a small cat, nor a light one.

Ruah's best friend - we miss her.

Having pushed Ruah off the bean bag, Amber proceeds to hold on to her!..

 She was Ruah's match in every way!

Amber, with wildcat markings, camouflaged so well.

May 8th, 2014 - a busy month has just passed

May 8th, 2014.
It has been a busy month!

Catriona and Sean bounced off the night train, having enjoyed their first unaccompanied trip north. They had only three full days here, as Sean had a football match to win? on the Saturday. We did a lot of visiting, decided that it was too early in the year for crabbing (having caught only one that was far too small to be away from its Mum!) and had a trip to the Isle of Skye. Ruah and Amber were so pleased to have the children around! I was delighted that Amber was well all the time – she was Sean’s cat initially and he gave her to me a long time ago when I saw a mouse! I ran Catriona and Sean to Inverness, to catch the train south. They were home by tea time!

After a couple of days watching Amber’s condition deteriorating, I once again visited the vet who agreed that we had done all that we could for her. Her total blindness would never have been a problem, but her kidneys had failed. It is an odd house without her and little Ruah still looks for her, especially when the bean bag they shared is only half full. They were the best of friends. Amber’s forebears were almost certainly wild cats and she resembled them greatly – happily not in nature! I’ll put up a photo of her in the garden, with others and you’ll see. In the meantime my sister-in-law found this not-very-good photo of her in typical indoor pose.

Amber with Alison, 2013

Ian arrived on April 13 and the weather improved! We had a marvellous time, not really doing much but thoroughly enjoying the time together. We did do a little visiting and had friends for dinner – Ian’s Banana Pipette was a huge success! The time just flew and soon we were travelling south to Blackburn, where a cousin lives. I travelled home next morning, having had a very brief visit with Moira and the family. The house was so empty….. Ian visited an Aunt and three other cousins before flying off to Canada for another visit. He will be tired when he finally gets home to Toowoomba – he’s going via Tokyo and is looking forward to that.

Now Heron’s Flight is bustling again and I have friends Angela and Richard from Buxton in Derbyshire here for some days. They have been joined by Gordon and Karin who stay at Morar, near Mallaig. (Gordon, I got the replacement light bulb in Kyle – steps needed!!!) Rabbie’s Tour guides come and go as well. They are all young, full of enthusiasm and I very quiet guests! I am amazed by the necessary talents they show. Besides manoeuvering a fairly large (16seater) vehicle along our non-too wide and very twisty roads, they mend windscreens (with nail varnish!) and PA systems which fail! They are all very enthusiastic and their passengers, from all over the world, must enjoy themselves.

The weather is now mixed – but we did have a wonderful spell when the hoses were out!
Today I am having a visit from Anja and Stephan who have stayed here before. Now, as they bring Alba their dog, they self-cater. Saturday sees the annual visit from Ann McGregor, an older cousin on my father’s side of the family. She’ll come with one of her four grown up children. They travel on a special day trip train from Perth? to Kyle. So I nip to the station, bring them here for lunch, catch up on the McGregor news and get them back to the station in time for the train on its return journey. Ian has the middle name “McGregor”, as did our father.

Next week is quite quiet, but Marian and Grant Bamberger are returning – I look forward to seeing them and perhaps you too?
Best wishes
Ann

PS. Is there anyone out there who will come for a weekend’s “holiday” and sort out my TV system? It really needs a touch of genius, I fear…… Perhaps a weekend is not long enough – I’ll extend the offer!

April 6, 2014

April 6, 2014 I’ve just been speaking to Alison and Ian – it is 11.30 am here and 8.30 pm in Toowoomba - and been reminded that, when family visits here my blog sometimes gets pushed down the list of ”to do’s”. So I’ll get up to date today, before family does indeed arrive! 

Ruah had one of her quarterly hair trims recently and looked very neat and tidy. The weather since, till the last day or two, was magnificent, so she stayed remarkably neat, tidy and clean! But we are back into a damp spell, actually badly needed! Amber continues to visit the vet, as her sight deterioration is wrestled with. The vet is hoping that, with the various daily medicines - HPB tablet crushed with water and “scooted” into her mouth via baby syringe, eye drops four times and renal diet – she may hold on to the little sight left in her right eye. She has no sight in her left…. Ruah is kind to her happily and she manages perfectly well in the house and even follows me out to sun herself in the garden occasionally. Trips to the vet at present entail a round trip of 150 miles, to Inverness, as our local vet, on the Isle of Skye, does not have some of the specialist equipment needed. 

I have been going through the annual check of everything that has to work all summer at least! So, cleaning out of the way, I wait for some outside maintenance to happen (not much), the lawnmower is serviced, roaring into action at the first pull, the boat plant pot holder has had a face lift and the TV engineer is coming and going! The three chiming clocks have also been pronounced fit and well and the two grandfathers’ chimes dulled a little. I love them, but not all visitors can ignore them during the night! 

The village is gradually getting a little busier and, as this is the Easter holiday of two weeks for many Scottish regions, if not all, there will be more folk around. This shows in Calum’s “Sula Mhor” seal trips heading out to sea once again, four times a day, as of yesterday, Malcolm, Calum’s son, is very soon taking his “ticket” and will then be able to share the responsibility of some of the trips, because Sula Mhor is often on the water in the evenings, with fishing trips, private parties, etc. Congratulations too to Malcolm for being accepted into Glasgow School of Art – he assures us that it is not one too many iron in the fire – he is a crofter with animals (and happily the most able crofting partner!), runs sailing courses, has canoes and boats for hire and is this year’s PSBSC Commodore – an onerous duty!!! 

More imminent news – Catriona and Sean are travelling here by train (first solo trip) and will arrive tomorrow evening! They will change in Inverness and Janet, Dolan’s sister who lives there, will meet them. They’ll get here at 8.15pm. I am looking forward to that so much….. I shall take them to catch a southbound train in Inverness on Friday, so it is a short visit – but they’ll be back in the summer holidays. Then, a week today I’m tootling off to Inverness to meet Ian!!! He has finished his eight months of chemotherapy and is taking a mini world tour which includes France, Scotland and Canada – I am thrilled!!! I’ll miss Alison.

I’ll write again when the excitement dies down – well, will it I wonder as next month I shall be welcoming old friends Angela and Richard Hough and Marian and Grant Bomberger. I do hope I may meet you too? 

Ann

Spring is round the corner!

March 1^st, 2014

I’ve been back home for a week, after the Tenerife holiday, at Playa de Arena.  Everything was lovely from start to finish.We did travel a bit round the island, including to the volcano, covered in snow.  However, it was just lovely to soak up some warm sun, enjoying watching the boys in and out of the pools – and on the volcanic ash beach, where the breakers were any surfer’s dream!

Ruah was on holiday with my friend Mairi and her collie Molly.She, I am assured, was good and behaved herself. Mairi walks the dogs for miles, so probably Ruah was thankful to lie down and recover...Molly was kind enough to let Ruah share her bed – Ruah’s bean bag was ignored all week!

I was really keen to get home to Amber, who was left in the house, with friends popping in and out to see her.  On Monday we had an appointment with a feline eye specialist who visits a clinic in Inverness monthly.  I now know that Amber has no sight in her left eye and a little in her right.  She is on various medications to hopefully improve the right eye and bring her blood pressure right down.   She will also have a renal diet from now on, as her kidney function readings were bordering on high….  We go back to our local vet today to get the food and more medication.

But, in herself, Amber is apparently very content and not stressed at all.  I know which doors to leave open and she negotiates the ground floor of the house very well, just occasionally bumping into a corner and as she never moved quickly, these little bumps are gentle….  As I write both animals are sleeping at my feet.

Last month I mentioned that I had a problem as Amber’s food would have to be moved from a counter down to the floor – a gift for greedy Ruah!  Well, a baby gate has solved the problem.  Amber walks through one of the gaps and Ruah stands back, wishing she were a good bit slimmer!!!

March 1 today and I’ll very soon be thinking of welcoming this year’s visitors. Easter is late this year – April 18^th – so March may well be a quieter time than usual – much depends on the weather also….

Our winter has been wetter than usual, with several quite severe gales.  But we have not had the unbelievably bad weather endured by folk further south, especially in the south of England. A couple of years ago we had our best summer ever – the jet stream shifting was the explanation then. Now the jet stream has dealt the south a blow the people will take perhaps years to get over. I cannot imagine living week in week out with the house and surrounding area flooded…..I am very sorry for all those affected.

I’ll be in touch soon again, when spring is really here and work can begin in the garden again. 

If you are thinking of coming north, do visit Plockton!

Ann

A New Year - 2014

January 15, 2014.

I wish you all a happy and healthy 2014.

You will have had a lovely Christmas and New Year, I’m sure.   

Ruah and I spent Christmas in Edinburgh.  Sam had travelled here for a few days at the end of his term, so we travelled south to sunny Edinburgh (I joke not!) on a dreadfully stormy day, when the main route south (A9) was blocked by crashed lorries and the only other route, via Fort William and not familiar to us, had snow in places one foot deep – on the road – and we were in a long convoy, staying on the tyre tracks of the vehicles in front and seeing lorries simply stuck where they were on the long descent to Tyndrum, about half way to Edinburgh. The normal four and a half hour journey took two hours longer that day, the last two in the dark.

Edinburgh was a different world and we had sunshine over Christmas.  It was a lovely time and Moira and Catriona produced wonderful festive meals!  The boys were very happy and engrossed with all their presents, Catriona and her friends went shopping with their vouchers, while Sam stole quietly away, to study for his exams, beginning on Monday first.

Catriona came here for New Year – marvellous…..  On New Year’s Eve we went to “35”, the family home, where Dolan’s sister and brother were for a few days.  As the house is on the main street, and the main bay is just across the road, we all had a perfect view of the bonfire (lit by rocket from the shore) on the island and the very noisy colourful fireworks display.  Besides all us Plocktonians, there were probably two to three hundred visitors watching – some here in holiday homes, some in from outlying areas.

We visited a few houses on the way home and were glad to get here about 1.45am – early by some standards, as a dance in the village hall would go on for hours and some house parties would be the same.  The beauty of living here is that one can go into any house and know one is welcome!

We did just that on January 1 and 2, visiting relatives and friends – all of whom Catriona has known for years.  And the next day Catriona had to go – her first solo journey south by train, from Inverness.  We motored there, the train left on time (and got to Edinburgh on time too), I filled the car with petrol, which is so much cheaper than here and drove home.  The house has been so quiet since all the excitement and activity……

I’m taking Amber to the vet tomorrow.  We were there last Thursday.  She seemed to have forgotten how to jump up to my knee or to the place where her food is, away from greedy Ruah.  Well, her eyes seem to have deteriorated very quickly and she is on a course of Loxicom, a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug, with perhaps other beneficial properties too.  How much does one understand when reading the leaflets enclosed with veterinary medicines?

Amber has always come to visit during the night and is still doing that, in the complete darkness.  But she will not/cannot jump from a chair to the surface higher up, where her food is…..  Yet, once there she can jump down again, using the chair……  There is a major problem in bringing her food down to floor level – Ruah will just enjoy it too……  I must work out a solution……  Amber was going to come to Edinburgh with me next month, but she’ll stay here where she knows the place.  Ruah will be farmed out in friend Molly the collie’s house.  They will visit Amber daily.

I am going gallivanting with Moira, Catriona, Sean and Daniel, during the February school holiday.  I’ll let you know all about it next time I write!

Bookings for this summer are coming in nicely – I’d enjoy meeting you too!

Ann

 This taken a day or two ago, in the front garden - sun and plenty of wind!

 Amber holding on to Ruah in case Ruah falls off their shared bed, in front of the Rayburn!