Monday 11 December 2017

Sunday morning walk


No snow at Treshnish.  We had a dusting of snow-hail we call 'snail'.  We walked up to the Sitheans, past the lochan which was almost frozen over.  Normally Cap swims here, so we kept him away this time.  

The hill sheep are still in the in-by fields so we could let the dogs run about a bit.  It was beautifully still and quiet. The air was really crisp and clear and we could see Ben More on South Uist, and Macleods Tables on Skye between Canna and Rum.



We found Hare footprints in the 'snail'.


Rum, so white.



When the days are short, we take advantage of the sunshine, particularly on the weekend.


Cap loves nothing better than a snowball shower!



Walking home across the boggy hill, a layer of crunch.


Farmer and Daughter let the young Herdwicks out for the day. They careered round the field leaping and jumping!


East and Middle ready for guests arriving today.



In the evenings at the moment, Farmer is busy looking back through the farm paperwork for a group he is part of, benchmarking farms on the island against each other, to see what areas of the business can be improved.  It is not a pleasant job, adding up the costs of the hay, concentrate food and medicines compared to the lamb sales income.  

And the 'glen road' from Aros Bridge to Dervaig on Friday morning..


Wednesday 6 December 2017

Before the storm


The forecast is for a storm coming in tonight.  It has been grey and windy all day, but not wildly so.

We have had some dry and relatively calm weather.   It makes such a difference for Farmer when he is outside working.


The hill sheep are all still in the fields.  A new set of tups went out yesterday.  We do this every year - we put the first main lot of tups out for the first cycle (17 days) and then put the extras out for the second cycle.  This reduces the risk of ewes without lambs - if one of the first tups going out isn't fertile for some reason, the ewes have a second chance with the extra tup!


Not exactly clear blue skies, but bright and dry - no complaints.


On Sunday afternoon Farmer and I took the dogs for a run on the hill (as all the hill ewes are in the fields!). It was so very still and quiet.



I love looking at where we live from above.





My phone has just pinged with texts from Calmac, warning of ferry cancellations tomorrow on the Oban Craignure route and possible disruptions on the Lochaline Fishnish route.  Winter has arrived! 




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