Lewis-Hebrides

Festive season

2008-01-06T15:12:00.000+01:00

The weather was quite good during the festive season and so we were able to take a walk most of the days.

we spent a lovely afternoon on Uig Sands watching the magnificent Uig hills changing colours and reflecting in the sea

At Geshader we found walking along the shore an old trunk of a tree rotting away.

On a sunny afternoon we sat above Glen Valtos looking down to the Miavaig

It was mostly mild but turned colder towards the end of the week so on the 4th of January the Hills were covered with snow and even the mossy ground rather firm with some frost.

Hogmany

2008-01-06T15:11:00.001+01:00

...reflections of Cliff

Christmas Eve

2008-01-06T15:08:00.000+01:00

... and a rainbow across the sea

Reflections

2007-12-20T20:30:00.001+01:00

winter time, time for reflections

Waves

2007-12-20T20:27:00.001+01:00

An afternoon walk to Cliff beach fascinated by the waves‘endless advance and retreat. A group of oyster-catchers close by the water was watching as well but fly away as soon as I approached too close.

Back in Lewis

2007-12-15T19:06:00.000+01:00

Back in Lewis for a winter break
for long walks on lonely beaches, where the luminosity of a soft light glitters up the rolling waves.

Farewell

2007-09-11T18:17:00.000+01:00

The ferns and other plants are turning rusty brown and summer seems to come to an end.It is time for me once more to say FAREWELL.

Uig Sands

2007-09-11T18:09:00.000+01:00

At low tide you get a good feeling for the immensity of Uig Sands. I spent many hours yesterday afternoon walking the full length of the beach, from the Crowlista end to the sands nearest to Timsgarry and further on to Ardroil until I reached the Carnish end.
The sky was amazingly subdivided in a vast crowd of mackerel colored clouds to one half and in bright blueness to the other.
It was most pleasing to watch the gentle waves slowing approaching the land.

Light

2007-09-08T20:30:00.000+01:00

Today it was overcast but the sun managed from time to time to break through the thin layer of clouds. Penetrating those slots the light transformed the scenery dramatically and as the clouds opened up and closed continuously it was worth the while to sit down and watch the change.

Sadness

2007-09-07T18:08:00.000+01:00

On Thursday, our friend was laid at rest, a modest, sincere man, very kind and caring. Life was not easy for him, especially when his beloved wife suddenly passed away 22 years ago leaving him, his son and four daughters devastated. He was hard-working and kept his house spotless. When his neighbour died a few years later and next door became a holiday home, occupied only during a short spell in summer, John must have been very lonely. He had a good sense of humour and a strong, unwavering faith evident in the way he lived his life. I attended the funeral service with great sadness feeling that another human tie has been cut off. We are most grateful for 30 years of friendship and will keep John’s memory dear. The mist of the morning cleared by afternoon and I could not only put a washing on the line but walk among the boulders above Cliff. While sun and clouds were casting a spell on the rocky scenery I got carried away and spent hours opening my eyes and heart, contemplating.

Loch Suainavat

2007-09-07T18:07:00.001+01:00

The pattern of the weather for most of August was that a good summer‘s day would be followed by days of poor weather, drizzle, showers or mist.
Therefore much to our surprise Monday turned out to be glorious. Strolling by Loch Suainavat, scrambling over rocks, smaller ones partly covered with heather we walked on and on. The sun was warm and shining brightly. From the lower slopes of Flodraskarve Mor, Beannan a’Deas and Beannan a‘ Tuath the moorland looked magnificent, within the carpet woven of purple heather and grass turning rusty at the tips, blue lochans sparkled here and there. The light was just perfect, the colours amazing and the blueness of the lochs surpassing. We were entranced in a small world in harmony.
Earlier on we passed by a friend’s house in Adroil , but did not call. He was not to be seen outside and knowing that the lamb’s sales were going to be on Wednesday, we expected him to be very busy. Only when we reached home in the evening we heard that he has collapsed and passed away just before midday.

Coast

2007-09-06T21:48:00.001+01:00

A leisurely walk along the coast towards Aird Uig on Sunday afternoon opened magnificent vistas of the rugged coastline: The swell of the sea played gently on pebble beaches, encircled crags and steep cliffs, bathed scattered rocks of various sizes, then flowing on to caves and natural arches leaving white lines of foam on the bright blue surface.

Loch Grunavat

2007-09-05T22:19:00.000+01:00

Tuesday last week was a good day for fishing. We went to Lochcroistean by bus or on bikes and followed the peattrack to the end, then scrambled across boggy ground and over rocky hills until we reached Loch Grunavat about an hour later. A light breeze kept the midges at bay. We had to cast the line carefully, to keep it from floating with the waves towards the peebly shore where the hook would get stuck easily.

The sun was moving in and out of clouds

and at the end of an enjoyable afternoon we had caught enough brown trout for our dinner and some more for the freezer…

On our way back across the bogs I was fascinated by the luminousity of little shallow pools

Scarp

2007-09-01T12:52:00.001+01:00

A glorious day on Monday, one of the few this summer…Friends took me in their car to the upper end of Uig, to Brenish where we spent the afternoon by the shore, watching the waves breaking on big slabs of stones. An amazing vista opens here with the small Mealasta Island only a mile away and the larger Isle of Scarp 6 miles distant which belongs to Harris. On Friday I was to see Scarp again as part of an exhibition at An Lanntair celebrating the work of Robert Adam, who took photos of Scarp in 1937.

Mist

2007-08-24T18:35:00.001+01:00

This week most of the days started misty. Sometimes you could hardly see next door. The mist and drizzle could last all day, or lift slowly in the afternoon opening the curtain for some great views.

Last night when walking home from a ceilidh at friends the sky was clear and disclosed in its dazzling spaciousness a magnificent firmament of luminous stars.

On the moor

2007-08-24T18:31:00.000+01:00

A walk in the moor can be full of surprises.
On a beautiful day climbing up a small hillock often opens a magnificent view on numerous blue lochans.
Today I came across a small loch away from the nearest village which has been used as skip for various machineries and later I found vehicles dumped at the end of a track. It’s amazing how nature takes over after a while, wheels and other implements sink slowly into the soft boggy ground, as plants soon grow among the cracked parts and once smooth surfaces, now rusting, change to rough, flaky colourful textures.

Cliff Beach

2007-08-19T15:19:00.000+01:00

A week of change, friends going away and others arriving. The weather was very unsettled wet and windy most oft he time. Friday on Cliff Beach was a good day for bodyboarding.

While combing the beach I found some magnificent blue-colored jellyfish.

Seaweed

2007-08-12T19:07:00.001+01:00

On my various walks this week I found seaweed of fine colors ranging from dark, nearly black, rusty-brown to green, yellow and bright orange-yellow, and a diversity of shapes, big bubbles, long stripes with smaller bubbles, multi-fingered, broad, fine and more, gently floating in the sea…
As it was low tide, I could also reach rocks which were covered with strings of big mussels a fine appetizer for our Sunday dinner.

Ungeshader

2007-08-12T19:01:00.001+01:00

My trip took me to Ungeshader were the remains of derelict houses, only 3 used as holiday cottages for a period of the year, illustrate the decline in population in Uig very well. I spent the day by the old anchorage roaming among seaweed covered rocks, looking out towards the range of the mountains at the end of Loch Roag. The sun moved in and out of big clouds which were continuously changing their shape and color. The majestic scenery was dominated by the rusty colors of the seaweed, a windswept Rowan tree on the edge of an old walled enclosure, the greenness of the pastures and the dazzling light on the sea. When the wind seemed to have dropped the rocks and hills on the other side were reflected in a fine dramatic setting.

Baile na Cille

2007-08-12T18:51:00.000+01:00

I walked across the Glen to Uig sands to visit Baile na Cille. This old burial ground has always been regarded as a sanctuary. There is a legend that it was once bare rock and that a man called Elidhean brought the soil from a nearby hill called Cnoc Elidhean. It was carried in panniers on the back of two white horses, and a wall was built to retain the soil. Under the mound is said to be a pagan temple or a dun. There certainly are the discernible ruins of a very old chapel built after the mound was created. In this burial ground are remains of the many Uig people who were interred here over the centuries.
There are ruins of two other churches nearby, too small during the Great Revival in the 1820s for the big crowds gathering here. So in 1829 a newly built church, with seating for 1000, came in use. This building is now too big for the declining congregation and at the moment considered to be sold to the community. The Manse itself has been transformed many years ago into a hotel.
At the gate to the burial ground, no longer in use, a placard lists 34 tombstones, some standing still upright, some bending with time, others tumbled over and hardly recognizable in the long grass.
The earliest stones date back to the 1820s and the latest to the beginning of the 20 century. Old and young are gathered here alike but remarkable are two tombstones covering extreme life spans.
In 1859 a stone was erected to the memory of a 7 day old girl and in 1903 a stone was dedicated to a Centenary.
While I walked between the stones the weather changed and opaque clouds were drawing in from the SW, to be replaced soon by a veil of mist. This enhanced the solemnity of the site.
Later on I followed the shoreline to Crowlista where I found bright yellow seaweed and an abundance of cockles – a delicious dinner that night.

Mangersta Beach

2007-08-04T13:31:00.000+01:00

It was very much worthwhile to take the more than 10 km walk to Mangersta, a beach known for its majestic rocks exposed to the Atlantic Ocean. The breaking of the waves is certainly very fascinating to watch on a wild day, but today although the sea was rather smooth the light was just right. The mighty, dark clouds had a most dramatic effect on the scenery, followed shortly by a fine drizzle as changing curtain for brilliant sunshine, emphasizing the dazzling spaciousness of the bright blue sky and calm sea. The glittering rocks covered by spray added a freshness only surpassed by their beautiful reflections in pools left by the receding sea. On the vast sandy beach a seal pup was sunbathing until it was disturbed by big two-legged friends…

Big Clouds

2007-08-04T13:27:00.000+01:00

A week of mixed weather: showery at times, pure sunshine or miserably wet all day long with howling winds.
On a good day big clouds, fast moving and changing shape all the time, seem to prepare a dramatic setting for the beautiful scenery.

Summerweather

2007-07-26T19:01:00.000+01:00

I cannot complain about the weather, the sun is shining and it’s pleasantly warm with just a nice breeze to keep the midges away…
You can see quite a few sailing boats, some canoes and a few surfers. I enjoyed peace and quietness at Loch Mor , the ideal panorama for a good read!

At long last the bluebells are appearing here and there, but I am missing the corncrake which was breeding near my house among the waist-high nettles and grass. I could never see the bird but her boundless ”creic-creic” was unmistakable…

Sheep

2007-07-24T18:17:00.001+01:00

Although a little overcast in the morning the sun came out in the afternoon and it was another good day. Crofters were rounding up sheep today, their shouting and the sheep’s bleating was to be heard all afternoon as they were ferried across from the Island of Pabbay to be shorn and taken to the moors during the next days. I still remember the small boat that used to sail across many times. Nowadays the crofters use a bigger vessel, there are fewer able crofters but I suppose the same number of sheep on Pabbay.

Back in Lewis

2007-07-22T20:05:00.001+01:00

Back in Lewis and back to sunshine!!!
Seemingly the sun was shining all week while I was away on the mainland. I started clipping my hedge on Saturday and have to water my garden daily as the sandy soil has dried up. There is still a cold easterly wind but it feels like summer at last. More flowers are showing up on the fields. There is a tinge of rusty red coming from long sorrel stalks, the bluebells are still very scarce – I suppose I have to be more patient .
There are more tourists around than previous years, more caravans on beaches where they were rarely found, quite a few people are walking on the road and you can meet them at places where you used to be by yourself…

Bow Fiddle Rock

2007-07-22T12:26:00.001+01:00

It always pleases me to watch the sea, the never ending rhythm of the breaking of the waves which slowly over a long time alters the face of the rocks. A fine example of erosion is the famous Bow Fiddle Rock near Findochty.

Fordyce

2007-07-22T12:23:00.000+01:00

Fordyce, once a“ kirktoun“ of a large parish and a focal point in a farming community holding markets and fairs is now a historic villages which celebrates 500 years of history by opening the picturesque private gardens to the Public on several Sundays every year . There is also a well-restored Castle in the center of the village and a historic Kirkyard worthwhile to visit.
But the Ale-house is closed long ago, so is the little Sweet-shop and the Post-Office which once used to sell also lemonade. The old joiner’s workshop was turned into a museum.
If you walk nowadays through the village on an ordinary weekday you will hardly see a living person…

Historic Sites

2007-07-22T11:38:00.000+01:00

The East Coast of Scotland is steeped in history and rich in ancient sites.
Although the weather was poor I visited Elgin Cathedral, affectionately known as the “Lantern of the North”. One of Scotland’s most beautiful buildings is now a magnificent ruin, much of which dates back to the 13th century. Its many outstanding architectural features fascinating to admire include the country’s finest octagonal chapterhouse. The impressive building still dominates the flat and fertile Laich of Moray.

I also visited Spynie Palace, the residence of the bishops of Moray for five centuries until 1686. The gaunt ruin once on the edge of Spynie Loch represents one of the largest surviving medieval bishop’s houses in Scotland.
In Spynie stood the Cathedral until the see was transformed in 1224 to Elgin, a royal burgh since the 12th century and safer in those tumultuous times. The palace where the bishops continued to live is situated only 2 miles outside Elgin and was also used by the monarchs on their travels. On 1562 Mary Queen of Scots stayed here for two days in the course of journey through her kingdom 1562.
Nothing remains of the early palace. But the magnificent 15th century David’s Tower, 6 storeyed and thick walled, several wide-mouthed gun-holes and the remains of defensive walls can tell of difficult times.

East Coast Visit: Fishing villages

2007-07-21T20:31:00.000+01:00

The beginning of the Glasgow Fair a week ago brought many visitors to Lewis while I departed for a week on the mainland. Although I left Stornoway in bright sunshine it was pouring in Inverness and the poor weather continued for most of the week…
I visited a few of the East-Coast fishing villages : Buckie, Cullen, Portknockie, Portsoy, Findochty. Most of the fishing vessels that where around when I visited some years ago are now replaced by yachts. In Sandend a small, beautiful village down the road where my friends live, a good many of the houses are holiday homes.
But it was lovely to hear Fred the fishmonger and his son speaking Doric to me when I purchased some locally smoked fish.

Festival

2007-07-15T13:00:00.001+01:00

This week was a week of cultural extravaganza.
The Hebridean Celtic Festival in its 12th year draws about 16000 people to Stornoway each year and brings 1 Million Pounds into the local community.
This multi event of super shows in the big tent with a capacity of 5500, concerts in An Lanntair, the Islands art center, community events including venues in various parts of Lewis and Harris, ceilidhs in the local Pubs and a wide fringe programme features well known bands of Celtic background, talented young musicians and fabulous bands from as far away as Canada, Spain and Turkey.
On Saturday I went to An Lanntair for a concert featuring the Shetland fiddler Jenna Reid and the Quebecois band Genticorum. Once more the Scottish part was excellent but the Canadian band was just stunning and had the audience enthralled within seconds. For the encore both bands joined in playing spontaneously a couple of reels together which the audience and the artists enjoyed alike.
By the time I was waiting for my bus to take me back to Uig you could hear live-music by bands like Skerryvore coming out of most of the Pubs and the town was still very busy with revellers…

Weather...

2007-07-14T13:09:00.000+01:00

Cool for this time of the year, drizzly damp, but at least this keeps the midges away. There were two reasonable good days this week with sunshine and blue skies in between...

Summer???

2007-07-14T12:56:00.001+01:00

The meadows are yellow with buttercups and a few spotted orchids, but no red clover yet, no ragwort, meadow sweet or bluebells...

In my garden the weeds were up to my knees and it took me 3 days to clean my potato patch...

Farewell

2007-04-26T06:21:00.000+01:00

Farewell for a couple of weeks

Happy memories, until then..

New Born Lamb

2007-04-24T13:29:00.000+01:00

Lively newborn Sunday lamb.
The little lambkins which are skipping about remind me of a verse of the Poem
EILEAN NA H-OIGE ( Fr. Allan Macdonald):
which I translated some years back

ORAIN GHEALA FEADH NAM BEALACH
GUR E AN TEANAL GRINN IAD:
SUD IAD AGAIBH FEADH NAN LAGA
ANN AM BAIDEAN CRUINN IAD.
NALL AM MULLACH THAR AN TULLAICH,
DHAIBH IS ULLAMH SINTEAG;
DIREADH CHNOC, GEARRADH BHOC
SAOR O LOCHD 'S O MHIGEAN

White lambkins among the passes,
What a pretty gathering:
See them there among the hollows,
In a close packed flock.
Over the crest, over the hillock
Readily they skip, Climbing hills, leaping about,
Free from hurt and sadness.

Weiße Lämmchen zwischen den Klüften -
Welch eine schöne Versammlung:
Seht sie dort zwischen den Schluchten
In enggedrängten Haufen.
Über den Kamm, über den Hügel
Hüpfen sie willig,
Erklettern Berge und springen umher,
Frei von Leid und Traurigkeit

A gloomy day

2007-04-22T18:55:00.000+01:00

22.04.07

Cliff Beach is my favourite beach and watching the sea never tires me.
The change of colours and the sound of the breaking waves is always fascinating. I am missing the sheep which were scattered on the common grazing above the beach until yesterday when they were shifted to the crofts nearer to the village. Lambing will be in full swing soon.
On my way to the beach I visited the old graveyard overlooking the bay. The weathered gravestones can tell you many stories of brave sailors sailing around the world, of young women who died in childbed, of children who died in infancy and a of few who lived to a good old age.

Cliff Beach ist mein Lieblingsstrand. Das Meer zu beobachten ermüdet mich nie. Der Wechsel der Farben und der Klang der Wellen faszinieren mich immer wieder. Ich vermisse die Schafe, die auf den Hügeln über dem Strand grasten. Seit gestern sind sie in Nähe der Häuser, denn die Lammzeit steht unmittelbar bevor.
Auf meinem Weg zum Strand besuchte ich den alten Friedhof, dessen verwitterte Grabsteine viele Geschichten erzählen können, von tapferen Seeleuten, Frauen, die im Wochenbett starben, Kindern die eines frühen Todes erliegen und Männer und Frauen, die mit einem langen Leben gesegnet waren.

Bhaltos

2007-04-22T09:59:00.000+01:00

21.04.07

Heavy showers and strong winds for most of the day - at least I am getting on with my indoor chores...
Today’s photo was taken on a better day nearby where I meet the bus.

Heftige Regenschauer und kräftiger Wind den ganzen Tag - Zeit für verschiedene Arbeiten im Haus.
Das heutige Foto wurde an einem besseren Tag aufgenommen von der Stelle aus, wo ich auf den Bus warte.

Stornoway

2007-04-20T18:30:00.000+01:00

20.04.07

Cold and overcast, the ideal day to spent in Stornoway, the Capital of the Western Isles which is only an hour’s busride away from Bhaltos. I went around the shops, called at the bank and visited the library and Lanntair, the art gallery.My feet were tired, as there was a lot of walking envolved. Therefore a cup of tea and homemade pancakes at a friends house were a most welcome refreshment.

Kühl und wolkig, ein idealer Tag für Stornoway, der größten Stadt und Zentrum der Western Isles, das nur eine Stunde mit dem Postbus von Bhaltos entfernt ist. Vormittags hatte ich Verschiedenes in den Geschäften und der Bank zu erledigen und besuchte die Bücherei und Lanntair, die Galerie. Meine Füße waren ziemlich müde. Deshalb war die Einladung am Nachmittag zu Tee und frischen „pancakes“ bei einer Freundin sehr willkommen.

Timsgarry

2007-04-19T18:19:00.000+01:00

A long the coastline I continued to the part of Uig sands which is called Traigh na Cille as there is an old burialground here and a hotel, Baille na Cille, which used to be the manse of the old church of the same name.The view is just spectacular...

Die Küste entlang wanderte ich bis zu dem Teil des Uig Strandes der Traigh na Cille heißt. Hier befindet sich ein alter Friedhof und ein Hotel, Baille na Cille, das früher das Pfarrhaus der alten gleichnamigen Kirche war. Die Aussicht ist einfach spektakulär...

Crowlista

2007-04-19T18:17:00.000+01:00

From Erista where the path joins the main road I walked to Crowlista, a small village on one end of the Uig sands. Coming down the road there is a marvelous viewpoint across the sands. From here a small green hillock with a couple of stones in the middle of a green swamp by the sea can be seen, another interesting archaeological site.It was low tide so I could walk the beach Traigh nan Sruban. I took more photos of seaweed and collected enough Cockles for a delicoius dinner tonight.

Von Erista, wo der Pfad auf die Strasse triff, ging ich nach Crowlista, einem kleinem Ort an einem Ende des Strandes von Uig. Sobald die Strasse hinuntersteigt, weist ein grüner Hügel mit einigen Steinresten inmitten des Feuchtgebietes auf eine weitere interessante archäologische Stelle hin.Da es Ebbe war, konnte ich nicht nur leicht den Strand Traigh nan Sruban entlang wandern auf der Suche nach Seetang, ich konnte auch genug „Cockle“-Muscheln finden um anschließend ein köstliches Abendessen für mich zu kochen.

Footpath to Erista

2007-04-19T18:14:00.000+01:00

19.04.07

The old footpath above Glen Valtos from Cliff to Timsgarry is not too bad until you reach the last part. There is no sign of a track anymore and it is very boggy in parts. I have never seen it as bad as today, whether this was due to the heavy winter rains or to the rain we had during the last two days I do not know.
Once you reach the highest point a stunning view of the huge white sands of Uig and of the white Panorama of the Uig Hills is most rewarding.

Ein alter Fußweg führt oberhalb des Glen Valtos von Cliff nach Timsgarry. Der erste Teil ist einigermaßen gut erhalten, sobald jedoch der „track“ aufhört, ist es sehr nass und man muss sich mühsam einen Weg von Torfbank zu Torfbank suchen. Die großen Wasserlöcher können recht tief sein...
Sobald man jedoch den höchsten Punkt erreicht hat, empfängt einen eine herrliche Sicht auf den riesigen Strand von Uig und die Uig Berge.

Potatoes

2007-04-18T19:34:00.000+01:00

18.04.07

The day became miserable, wet and windy as it progressed. I managed to plant a couple of rows of potatoes before turning in at lunchtime. I am hoping for a better day tomorrow as forecasted.

Der Tag wurde zunehmend grauslich, nass und windig. Bevor ich mich um die Mittagszeit entgültig ins Haus zurückzog, konnte ich mindestens ein paar Reihen Kartoffeln pflanzen. Hoffentlich hält die Wettervorhersage morgen, was sie verspricht!

Sheep...

2007-04-18T18:13:00.000+01:00

17.04.07

As usual I took an evening stroll to watch the sunset when a small flock of sheep were chasing me... Much to the disappointment of those handfed sheep I had no nuts for them.

Auf meinem Abendspaziergang auf dem ich den Sonnenuntergang beobachten wollte, wurde ich von einer kleinen Schafherde verfolgt, die Futter von mir erwarteten....

April...

2007-04-17T18:20:00.000+01:00

17.04.07

Showers with sunny interludes - or the other way round? It was considerably cooler today, April-weather indeed. In the afternoon the showers ceased and we went to Glen Valtos. Yesterday we walked the road and today we went along the old path above the Glen. Here you can find the remains of an old mill of the norse type with horizontal millstones, which was built making use of the gradient of the stream and the terrain. Not that long ago there where many of these small mills in use, nowadays you can see their ruins scattered and the millstones taken away for garden ornaments... From here it is not far to climb up Sgailler where we had a stunning view of Miavaig, Uigen, Carishader and Geshader. Descending from the top of the hill we arrived at a stonewall by the end of Loch Sgailler

Aprilwetter wahrlich heute morgen: Regenschauer und Sonne im Wechsel und dabei war es kühler als an den vergangenen Tagen. Nachdem wir gestern im Glen Valtos die Strasse entlang liefen, wanderten wir heute auf der Höhe des Glens einen alten Fußpfad entlang. Von einer alten „Norse Mill“ mit typisch horizontalem Mühlstein sind hier Ruinen zu finden, die deutlich die 2-stöckige Bauweise und die geschickte Nutzung des Geländes zeigen. Es ist noch nicht so lange her, da waren diese kleinen Mühlen noch in Gebrauch, davon sind nur noch Ruinen übriggeblieben. Die Mühlsteine haben den Weg in Gärten gefunden...
Ein kurzer Anstieg und wir erreichten Sgailler, wo in einem herrlichen Panorama uns Miavaig, Uigen, Carishader und Geshader zu Füßen liegt.
Der Abstieg vom Hügel endet an einer Steinmauer am Ende von Loch Sgailler.

Suainaval

2007-04-16T20:15:00.000+01:00

16.04.07

Our walk today took us to Ardroil where we called on a friend who was just about to dose his sheep. Loch Suainavat, less than 4 miles long, and the hills around there are an old haunt of ours. Climbing over rocks and boggy terrain we carried on along the Loch until we came across a stream which is meandering down from Loch a’ Bheannain. At the foot of the hills Beannan a’ Deas and Beannan a’ Tuath not far from the Loch we found remains of another shieling. Had we climbed further up between these hills we would have come to the Loch which provides the fresh water for the whole area. Instead, between showers we rested for a while by the side of the shieling and marveled at the view of Suainaval, one of the highest of the Uig hills which we can see from the cottage if the weather is good enough.

Unsere Wanderung führte uns heute zunächst nach Ardroil, wo wir einen guten Bekannten besuchten, der allerdings mit seinen Schafen beschäftigt war. Die Gegend um Loch Suainavat, mit fast 5 km Länge einer der größten Seen, ist immer eines unserer Lieblingsziele. Über Felsplatten und feuchte Torfbänke ging es entlang des Sees bis wir einen kleinen mäandernden Fluss erreichten, der vom höher gelegenen Loch a’Bheannain herkommt. Am Fuß der Beannan Berge und nicht weit vom gleichnamigen Loch fanden wir die Ruinen eines “shielings”, das zur Rast einlud. Wären wir weitergestiegen, wären wir zu einem zwischen den Bergen gelegenen See gekommen, der die ganze Gegend mit Frischwasser versorgt. Wir zogen es vor, die Sicht auf Suainaval zu genießen, einen der höchsten Berge der Uig Hills, den wir bei einigermaßen gutem Wetter von der Cottage aus sehen können.

Sunday

2007-04-15T23:56:00.000+01:00

15.04.07

A day of rest. The walk on the headland in the evening was very peaceful. After the rain earlier on, the light was warm and very soft. Watching the colourful clouds forever changing shapes and passing by always sets my mind at rest.

Ein Tag der Ruhe. Der Abendspaziergang auf der Landzunge war sehr friedlich. Nach dem Regen war das Licht warm und weich. Die farbigen Wolken zu beobachten, wie sie ständig ihre Formen verändern und langsam vorbeiziehen, ist immer wieder beruhigend.

Primroses

2007-04-14T20:14:00.000+01:00

14.04.07

No doubt, spring is in the air.
I saw the first primroses today nestling close to rocks. They are dainty and scattered here and there but soon there will plenty of them - if the sheep do not get near them. In another while the little hillocks will be covered with an abundance of little yellow spring flowers....

Frühling liegt in der Luft.
Die ersten Schlüsselblümchen waren heute zwischen den Felsen zu finden. Vereinzelt nur und sehr zierliche Exemplare, aber bald werden kleinere Büschel hier und da unter den Felsplatten hervorschauen - falls die Schafe nicht zu nahe kommen...
Bald darauf wird eine Vielzahl kleiner gelber Frühlingsblumen die Hügel bedecken.

Bodh Mileabhat

2007-04-14T14:00:00.000+01:00

13.04.07

After the leisurely bus-trip yesterday we took to the moor for a 4 1/2 hours walk today. Starting at the wooden footbridge not far from the Geisiadar road-end we followed the markers uphill over flat rock slabs and broken peat bogs until we reached Loch a’ Phealuir where we used to fish for trout. It is actually two Lochs with a narrow isthmus between them which can be easily crossed over on a path of slabs. We followed a sheeptrack over the hill Orchleit which took us to the large Loch Grunabhat, another good brown trout loch. Around the loch a sheeptrack with markers is supposed to guide you to a green mossy patch with a „bodh“ or beehive dwelling. Unfortunately the markers here are no longer to make out clearly, so last time we were unable to find it. The „bodh“ is not visible from the path and you only recognize it, when you are actually there. We were more lucky this time and after crawling through a low and narrow entrance much to our surprise we could even stand upright and marvel at the ancient building with many shelves and a flatstone-floor- the best preserved bodh I have seen. Nearby there are remains of shielings, larger stone buildings with turf-roofs for the milkmaids who tended the cattle during the summermonths on a pasture in the moor while the crops on the fields of the village were growing. Although wet and boggy in places it was not any more difficult to walk than in summer. This shows how well the terrain trains if you think of the huge pools everywhere a forthnight ago due to the heavy rainfall during winter. There was no grass or heather growing yet but also no sign of midges...

Nach dem gemütlichen Ausflug gestern unternahmen wir heute eine 4 1/2 Stunden Wanderung durch das Moor. An forellenreichen Seen vorbei, geleitet durch Markierungsteine ging es durch teilweise moorig-feuchtes Gebiet bis zum “Bodh Mileabhat”, das man allerdings erst sieht, wenn man davorsteht...Dieses bienenkorbförmige altertümliche Gebäude ist sehr gut erhalten. Einer der beiden tiefliegenden sehr engen Eingänge ist geblockt, Im Innern kann man dann aufrecht stehen und die Stein-Bautechnik bewundern mit Steinplattengewölbe und eingebauten Regalen sowie einem Steinfußboden. In unmittelbarer Nachbarschaft finden sich Ruinen von “Shielings”, die während der Sommermonate den Milchmädchen als Aufenthaltsort dienten. Auf dieser grünen Weide wurde das Vieh gehalten, während auf den Feldern in Dorfnähe das Getreide heranwuchs.
Noch vor Kurzen wäre diese Wanderung nicht möglich gewesen, da die kräftigen Winterregen überall riesige „pools“ hinterließen, jedoch ist das Wasser inzwischen abgeflossen. Im Sommer ist dieser Weg durch Heide und Gras mit Ausblicken auf die zahlreichen Seen und umgebenden hohen Berge sehr reizvoll, allerdings können die Heerscharen von Stechmücken das Vergnügen recht mindern...

Daytrip to Harris (4)

2007-04-13T18:35:00.002+01:00

12.04.07

Here we left the tour and made our way on a small bus up North passing the many inlets of „the Bays“ populated by small villages. The single-track road, narrow twisting and winding through the rocked, rugged terrain is known as the Golden Road. When built in the 1940s by hand or using basic tools only it took a long time to complete, but after the war it was a most welcome employment for the men coming home. At Plocrapool we spend 2 most enjoyable hours with our good friend Katie Campbell, well known for her Harris Tweed weaving demonstrations (www.harristweedproducts.co.uk) before leaving for Lewis again.
A perfect day!

Hier verließen wir die Tour und fuhren mit einem kleinen Bus auf der “Golden Road” entlang der kurvenreichen Ostküste und passierten dabei eine Vielzahl der malerisch gelegenen Orte bis wir Plocrapool erreichten, wo wir 2 schöne Stunden bei unserer Freundin Katie Campbell verbrachten, die weltweit für ihre Arbeit mit Harris Tweed bekannt ist.
Ein perfekter Tag!

Daytrip to Harris (3)

2007-04-13T18:35:00.001+01:00

12.04.07

About 1 o’clock we reached Rodel where the church of St.Clement is well worth visiting. The oldest part, a 12th century grey stone tower shows how the builders made use of the rocky terrain. The main features of the church, built in the 16th century by Alexander Macleod of Harris and Dunvergan, are 3 tombs, among them the tomb of the builder himself with magnificient carvings in black gneiss.

Gegen 1 Uhr erreichten wir unser Ziel die Kirche St. Clement in Rodel, eines der wenigen historischen Baudenkmäler auf den Inseln. Der Turm aus dem 12. Jh. und die Kirche selbst aus dem 16. Jh. sind sehr sehenswert. Das Innere beherbergt 3 feine, reich ausgeschmückte Steingräber.

Daytrip to Harris (2)

2007-04-13T18:34:00.000+01:00

12.04.07

On leaving Tarbert our tour-bus was heading South along the West Coast. As soon as the rocks gave way to fertile croftland the bus stopped for us to take in stunning views of many sandy beaches. At Horgabost we were able to walk the magnificient beach and look across to the island of Taransay, well known among Fiddlers as the venue of the annual Fiddlers Summer-Camp. Our next stop was Leverburgh, where an inter-island vehicle ferry links Harris to North Uist, another large island to the South. Daffodils of all kinds grow in abundance here and many ewes with twin lambs were to be seen.

Mit einem Tourbus ging es bald gen Süden, der Westküste entlang, die, sobald die felsige Landschaft verlassen wird an fruchtbarem Farmland vorbeiführt. Immer wieder eröffneten sich fantastische Ausblicke auf weite Sandstrände und das blaue Meer. Den 20 minütigen Aufenthalt in Horgabost konnten wir zu einer Strandwanderung mit Blick nach Taransay nutzen, der Insel auf der alljährlich das Fiddler’s summer camp stattfindet. Weiter dann nach Leverburgh, wo eine kleine Auto-Fähre, die Verbindung zur südlich gelegenen Insel North Uist herstellt. Überall blühen Osterglocken in einer Vielzahl, das sie fast als Unkraut erscheinen und viele Schafe mit Zwillingslämmern genießen den Sonnenschein.

Daytrip to Harris (1)

2007-04-13T18:31:00.000+01:00

12.04.07

A barrier of high mountains acts as natural boundary between Harris and Lewis. We have been waiting long to go to Harris, but today we went on a day-trip. After passing Clisham (799m/2622 feet), the highest peak in the Western Isles we descended to Ardhasaig and arrived at Tarbert at about 11 o’clock, just in time to watch the ferry from Skye sailing in. The main village of Harris comprising of a main street with a range of local shops becomes very busy with people arriving and departing.

Die Barriere der hohen Harris Hills trennt Lewis und Harris. Wir haben lange auf gutes Wetter für einen Tagesausflug nach Harris gewartet. Heute war es soweit, Am Clisham, dem höchsten Berg der Western Isles führt die Strasse vorbei, bevor sie nach Ardhasaig absteigt. Gegen 11 Uhr erreichten wir Tarbert, den größte Ort auf Harris mit einer malerischen Reihe von Läden entlang der Seefront. Um diese Zeit, wenn die Fähre von Skye eintrifft ist der Ort besonders geschäftigt ist

A touch of blue skies...

2007-04-11T20:38:00.000+01:00

11.04.07

After a couple of grey and windy days tonight the dense clouds opened up to blue skies ( Pictures: Bhaltos beach across to Pabbay, and Cnip).

Nach einigen grauen, windigen Tagen, heute Abend endlich wieder blauer Himmel ( Fotos: Bhaltos Beach mit Pabbay und Cnip)

Tobh Mor Coastline

2007-04-09T18:15:00.000+01:00

9.04.07

A dreary day, grey and wet in the morning with frequent showers and a strong breeze in the afternoon.I always like on such a day to walk along the coast and scrambling among the rocks certainly helps to blow the cobwebs away. While watching surfers on the distant beach to plunge into the sea you have to be aware -if not familiar with the rhythm of the sea- of sudden huge waves rising behind you unexspectedly which would cover you with cold spray...

Ein trostloser, grauer Morgen mit einer kräftigen Brise, erst nachmittags klärte sich der Himmel von Zeit zu Zeit. Solche Tage verbringe ich gerne an der Küste, zwischen den Felsen umherzuklettern, schafft einen klaren Kopf. Wer den Rhythmus des Meeres nicht kennt und am entfernten Strand Surfer beobachtet, wie sie sich in Wasser werfen, bemerkt die hohe Welle hinter seinem Rücken oft zu spät, die ihn mit feiner, kalter Gischt überschüttet...

Dromanan

2007-04-07T18:23:00.000+01:00

7.04.07

Another fine day, the sun was shining brightly and the beechtrees in my garden are now unfolding their little leaves. All the daffodils but three are past, they were so much battered in the wind as the cottage is quite exposed.The wind makes all the difference and so with a breeze today it wasn’t as hot as you would exspect. We walked up the winding road of the Dromanan. Most of the peatbanks at the end of the track are no longer used.It is much easier to get the coal nowadays from the lorry coming round every week, if you are not on the oil anyway.The days when you could smell peatfires in every village are gone...

At the end of the peat-track you can go down to see the many cliffs where seagulls breed. The coastline is even on a day of modest waves very impresssive.

Ein weiterer sonnenreicher Tag, die Buchen in meinem Garten entfalten ihre kleinen, grünen Blättchen. Nur wenige der Osterglocken haben den Wind überstanden, der fast immer um die Cottage bläst. Auch heute kühlt die leichte Brise die Wärme der kräftigen Sonnenstrahlen ab. Unsere Wanderung führte uns heute zum Dromanan. Am Ende des kurvenreichen, steilen Weges sind die Torfbänke heute großenteils nicht mehr benutzt. Die meisten, die nicht bereits auf Öl umgestellt haben, finden es einfacher, Kohle wöchentlich geliefert zu bekommen. Der Geruch der abendlichen Torffeuer gehört seitdem der Vergangenheit an...

Die Küste mit ihrer Vielzahl von Klippen, in denen jetzt wieder die Möwen nisten, ist auch an einem Tag mit moderaten Wellen sehr beeindruckend.

Secret Cove

2007-04-06T18:46:00.000+01:00

6.04.07

After decorating one of the rooms of the cottage in the morning we were glad to get some fresh air in the afternoon. A few spots of drizzle and Secret Cove at the back of Traigh na Beerie seemed even a bit more mysterious...Drops of water were dripping off green algae - or seaweed?- which covered the dark rocks

Nachdem wir morgens einen der Räume der Cottage malten, waren wir dankbar nachmittags frische Luft schnappen zu können. Das bisschen Nieseln von Zeit zu Zeit ließ die Bucht Secret Cove nur noch etwas mysteriöser erscheinen...Grosse Wassertropfen perlten von grünen Algen, die die dunklen Felsen bedecken.

Cliff Beach

2007-04-04T18:09:00.000+01:00

4.04.07

Another day of gardening and after taking a big bag full of manure up my hill I started planting potatoes. Before the family joins me tonight I took a short walk to Cliff Beach to watch the waves breaking on the rocks.

Nachdem ich einen schweren Sack mit Dünger unseren Hügel hoch geschleppt hatte, pflanzte ich heute die ersten Kartoffeln. Bevor die Familie heute abend eintrifft, unternahm ich einen kurzen Spaziergang am nachmittag zum Cliff Beach, um die Wellen, die sich an den Felsen brechen zu beobachten.

Shell Beach

2007-04-03T18:12:00.000+01:00

3.04.07

Today I didn’t turn to the hills but continued to the very end of the white sandy beach of Traigh na Beerie. Here I crossed over the machair to a small beach, full of a variety of shells, and therefore called Shell beach. It was very low tide and I found a lot of empty, broken muirsgen or razorfish shells, a delicacy I never tasted myself. I believe you have to be born and bred on the Islands to catch this shellfish. It requires patience and knowledge where to find it- and once you have found one you need to be very quick as the shellfish disappears immediately in the sands and will not be seen again...On the upper parts of the shore lies a lot of seaweed, left there by strong winter waves. Its drying and bleaching there along with the shells of seaurchins.

The postman handed me today a leavelet for a prizedraw for a mediterranean holiday- why should I wish to swoop my Hebridean beaches?

Heute bog ich nicht vorzeitig ab, sondern wanderte ich bis ans Ende des weißen Sandstrandes Traigh na Beerie. Ein kurzer Weg über die „Machair“ führt hier zum Shell Beach, der seinen Namen durch die Vielzahl der angeschwemmten Muscheln wohl verdient. Bei Ebbe fand ich viele „muirsgan“, eine Muschelart, die wie ein Rasiermesser aussieht. Um sie lebend zu fangen, bedarf es einiger Erfahrung und Geduld. Wenn man die lebende Muschel aufgefunden hat, muss man sofort zugreifen, denn sie gräbt sich in Windeseile in den Sand ein und ist unauffindbar. Auf den höhergelegenen Teilen des Strandes liegt viel durch die Winterstürme angeschwemmter Seetang, der dort zusammen mit Seeigeln und weiterem Strandgut trocknet und bleicht.

Der Postbote hat mir ein Preisrätsel für Ferien am Mittelmeer überreicht. Warum sollte ich meine Hebriden-Strände dafür tauschen?

Gardening

2007-04-03T18:10:00.000+01:00

3.04.07

Another excellent day for gardening and other outdoor activities. Long may the good weather last!

Herrliches Gartenwetter- möge es nur recht lange andauern!

Lambing Season

2007-04-02T18:06:00.000+01:00

2.04.07

It’s lambing season, a busy time for the local crofters. The first lamb on the peninsula was born last week on the day of my arrival. If you tell somebody that you saw a lamb you will be questioned on the colour of the markings of the ewe so that they can find out whose lamb it is. It’s lovely to watch more and more little lambkins skipping about, a happy sight, but I also came across a dead lamb which was obviously attacked by crows- nature can be very cruel.

Lammzeit - das erste Lamm wurde am Tag meiner Ankunft geboren

Die Bauern sind jetzt sehr beschäftigt, wenn man jemandem von einem Lamm erzählt, wird man nach den Farben der Markierungen des Mutterschafes gefragt, daran ist zu erkennen, wessen Lamm es ist.

Es ist ein sehr erfreulicher Anblick die kleinen Lämmchen umherspringen zu sehen, daneben findet sich gelegentlich auch ein totes Lamm, das offensichtlich von Krähen attackiert wurde - die Natur kann sehr grausam sein....

Loch Triallavat

2007-04-01T18:21:00.000+01:00

1.04.07

The end of my walk took me to Loch Triallavat, a fine trout Loch which we used to fish. This reminds me of my dinner today, only the trout was caught last summer and on another loch...

Das Ende meiner Wanderung führte mich zum Loch Trialavat. Hier haben wir in den vergangen Jahren Forellen gefangen, das erinnert mich an mein Abendessen, das nicht von diesem Loch stammt, sondern im vergangenen Sommer an einem anderen Loch gefangen wurde.

Traigh na Beerie

2007-04-01T18:17:00.000+01:00

Another lovely day with lots of sunshine and not much of a breeze...

I took a walk to Traigh na Beerie the beautiful milelong beach on the Bhaltos peninsula. It is still too early for any caravans or tents but you can always see people walking the beach. I myself turned to the back of the sands and climbed some hills which opened up some stunning views. Rather than giving a panorama the 4 pictures show the half-circle from various points of my walk: beginning with Bhaltos and the small island of Pabbay (1) the beautiful white sands of Traigh na Beerie (2) Reef and across to Geshader (3) ending with Carishader and the lower slopes of Suainaval.

Ein weiterer, warmer sonniger Tag, fast windstill.

Mein Spaziergang führte mich zum Traigh na Beerie, einem herrlichen, meilenlangen Strand auf der Bhaltos Halbinsel. Noch sind keine Zelte oder Caravans zusehen, nur wenige Leute spazieren den Strand entlang. Ich machte mich auf, um die dahinterliegenden Hügel hochzuklettern, wo sich immer wieder herrliche Blickwinkel öffneten. Die 4 Bilder sollen weniger ein Panorama abbilden, als den Halbkreis von verschiedenen Punkten meiner Wanderung wiedergeben: zunächst Bhaltos und die kleine Insel Pabbay (1), der herrliche weiße Sandstrand Traigh na Beerie (2) Reef und Geshader (3) und schließlich Carishader sowie die tieferliegenden Abhänge vom Suainaval.

Experience

2007-04-01T10:08:00.001+01:00

31.03.07

A beautiful day, very mild and sunny, more like a day in May than late March. A lot of people are taking their spates out to start garden work, to turn the soil and prepare for the planting season. I spent an enjoyable hour in my garden but when going in for a cup of tea I found that there was no water running...A telephone call to neighbours confirmed that there was a burst which caused the whole parish of Uig to run dry for several hours. It took more than 6 hours until water was back here, so there was not only no teas but also a very restricted dinner consisting mainly of sandwiches... It effected my gardening insofar as I had to slip on -unloved- gloves as there was no water to clean your hands. Well, I am used and prepared for powercuts here but never in all these years was I short of water ( I suppose I will have to store now a few bottles of Highland spring water for future shortages...) You never realize the value of such basics as water and electricity until you run out of them..

Ein herrlicher Tag mild und sonnig, eher Mai als Ende März, bestens geeignet um den Spaten herauszuholen und die Erde für die Pflanzsaison vorzubereiten. Als ich nach einer Stunde Gartenarbeit ins Haus zurückging, um mir eine Tasse Tee zu zubereiten, kam kein Tropfen Wasser aus der Leitung. Nach der ersten Aufregung erfuhr ich per Telefon , dass ein Rohrbruch ganz Uig stundenlang trockenlegte. Für mich dauerte es mehr als 6 Stunden bis das Wasser wieder sprudelte und bedeutete nicht nur kein Tee sondern auch nur belegte Brote als Essen...Für meine Gartenarbeit bedeutete es, dass ich Handschuhe anziehen musste, denn es gab ja kein Wasser um die Hände zu waschen.

Ich bin Stromausfälle hier gewohnt, aber Wasser ist bisher noch nicht ausgefallen. Man erkennt den Wert von Strom und Wasser erst, wenn sie ausfallen. Ich werde wohl einige Flaschen mit Wasser für das Nötigste vorrätig halten müssen...

Feis nan Coisir

2007-03-31T10:50:00.000+01:00

FEIS NAN COISIR ,a favourite with Gaelic music enthusiasts, started with an Afternoon Ceilidh in the Town Hall, where young local soloists and groups, singers and instrumentalists showed the high standard of their various talents. This event was ably hosted by the inimitable John Murdo Morrison. The best where invited to the stage of the Evening Concert.

The main choral event was held in the beautiful setting of An Lanntair and was hosted by Radio and TV celebrities Morag Domhnallach and Ian MacIllemhicheil. It started of with the Lewis and Harris Pipe Band followed by the Performance of the island’s senior choirs, together with songs from Anne Lorne Gilles, and Catriona Watt, the young Scottish traditional musician of the year, a Lewis teenager with a beautiful voice.

I couldn’t take part in the dance with the popular band Skerrymore which rounded off thge event, much to my regret, but my bus taking me home to Uig left at 11 o’clock.

A most enjoyble day out!

FEIS NAN COISIR ist seit Jahren ein Höhepunkt für Freunde gälischer Musik in Lewis. Ich besuchte 2 Konzerte, die „Afternoon Ceilidh“ auf der sich 3 Stunden lang, die jungen Talente, Sänger, Instrumentalisten und Gruppen vorstellten. Das Abend-Konzert, eingeleitet durch einen Auftritt der „Lewis and Harris Pipe Band“, stand im Zeichen der Chöre, die ihr Können abwechselnd mit den Gewinnern des nachmittäglichen Wettbewerbs darboten. Als Stargast trat Anne Lorne Gilles auf und Catriona Watt, die junge, einheimische Sängerin, die kürzlich als „young Scottish traditional musician of the year“ ausgezeichnet wurde. Den Tanz der populären Band Skerryvore konnte ich leider nicht besuchen, da mein Bus um 11 Uhr nach Uig zurückfuhr.

Stornoway

2007-03-31T10:47:00.000+01:00

30.03.07

Before attending the afternoon concert of FEIS NAN COISIR at the town hall I walked along North Beach- a lovely sight of many local boats mooring there

Vor Beginn des nachmittäglichen Konzertes in der Town Hall schlenderte ich entlang North Beach - die bunten Boote bieten immer einen erfreulichen Anblick.

Sunset, Gallan Head, 9.09 pm

2007-03-28T20:09:00.000+01:00

Projects

2007-03-28T18:56:00.000+01:00

28.03.07

As forecasted there is drizzle in the air from time to time with temperatures above 13°C in the morning. Time to relax, to go ceilidhing and to think about projects for the next 4 weeks. I will try to collect more views of SEAWEED and of JETSAM & FLOTSAM, and ofcourse there are still majestic boulders waiting to be discovered. I would also like to catch a view snaps of the wide open skies above me - this is always fascinating for a „towny“ who is usually surrounded and narrowed in by buildings..

In the afternoon the sunshine took over and it turned out to be a lovely, sunny Spring day.

Das Wetter hält sich an die Vorhersage, ab und zu nieselt es, ist allerdings auch recht mild mit mehr als 13°C. Zeit zum Entspannen, zum Besuchen der Nachbarn und über Projekte der nächsten 4 Wochen nachzudenken. Ich hoffe meiner Fotosammlung über SEAWEED und JETSAM & FLOTSAM neue Aufnahmen hinzufügen zu können, daneben gibt es sicher noch weitere Felsblöcke zu entdecken. Ich habe mir vorgenommen, die Weite des Himmels fotografisch einzufangen, die mich als Stadtmensch immer wieder fasziniert. Nachmittags brach die Sonne durch und verwandelte den grauen Morgen in einen lieblichen, sonnigen Frühlingstag.

Approaching Stornoway

2007-03-28T18:39:00.000+01:00

The plane was with about 28 of 37 seats well occuppied. and is approaching Stornoway Airport on the first picture. A huge wooden carved model of the famous Uig Chessman welcomes you while you wait for the luggage.

It was a beautiful sunny day with a fair amount of haze and sunshine. After arrival on the postbus just after 7 o’clock I found the house in good shape, the upstair room were cosy with the warmth of the sunshine. Once I managed to open up the water I was able to put a coalfire into my dear old Rayburn stove.

Das gut besetzte kleine Flugzeug ist auf dem ersten Bild im Landeanflug auf Stornoway zu sehen, wo man im Flughafen bei der Gepäckausgabe von einem riesigen in Holz geschnitzten Model der Uig Chessmen begrüßt wird. Der Tag war frühligshaft warm, Die Sonne schien, jedoch war die Landschaft mit einem Dunstschleier überzogen.Bei meiner Ankunft in Bhaltos fand ich das Haus in einem guten Zustand vor, die oberen Räume waren durch die Sonneneinstrahlung herrlich warm und bald konnte ich, kaum war das Wasser angestellt, ein Kohlefeuer in meinen guten, alten Rayburn-Herd anzünden.

Back in Lewis

2007-03-28T18:37:00.000+01:00

27.03.07

A long journey , 16 hours between the two homes came to an end. Although dead tired during the 4 hours of waiting at Glasgow airport, I was quite fit as soon as I arrived in Lewis. Whether it was the fresh air or the pleasure of being back I do not know. It was hazy all day, so the visibilty during the flights was not too great, most of the snow on the Highland hills has melted and only the ridges are still white.

Eine lange Reise ging nach 16 Stunden zu Ende. Obwohl ich, besonders während der 4 stündigen Wartezeit auf den Anschlussflug in Glasgow todmüde war, fühlte ich mich sofort frisch nachdem wir in Lewis gelandet waren. Leider war die Sicht durch den Dunst behindert, jedoch konnte man sehen, dass der Schnee von den Bergen des Highlands geschmolzen war oder sich bis auf kleine Grate zurückgezogen hat.

An Ataireachd Ard

2007-03-25T15:43:00.001+01:00

I am longing for Cliff Sands, with a famous Uig song in my mind..............

AN ATAIREACHD ARD - The Swelling of the Sea

An ataireachd bhuan
Cluinn fuaim na h-ataireachd ard
Cha torann a' chuain
Mar chualas leam-s' 'nam phaisd
Gun mhuthadh, gun truas
A' sluaisreadh gainneimh na tragh'd
An ataireachd bhuan
Cluinn fuaim na h-ataireachd ard

Sna coilltean a siar
Chan iarrain fuireach gu brath
Bha m' intinn 's mo mhiann
A riamh air lagan a' bhaigh
Ach iadsan bha fial
An gniomh, an caidreamh 's an agh
Air sgapadh gun dion
Mar thriallas ealtainn roimh namh...

The everlasting surge of the sea
Hear the roar of the mighty surge
The thundering of the ocean's
As I heard in my childhood
Without change, without pity
Sweeping up the sands on the shore
The everlasting surge of the sea
Hear the roar of the mighty surge

In the woods of the west
I would not want to wait for ever
My mind and wish
We recover in the little hollow by the cove
But those who were gracious
In act, in friendship and in birth
Are scattered without protection
Like a flock of birds before an enemy

Background

Donald MacIver's An Ataireachd Ard (The Swelling of the Sea)is an emigrant's lament for his beloved island home of Lewis.

Next trip to Lewis

2007-03-25T11:37:00.000+01:00

I am longing for the wide, open skies...

SEAWEED

2007-03-25T10:19:00.000+01:00

Ich arbeite an einer neuen Mappe, die ersten Fotos können vorab in der Blog-Galerie angechaut werden.

I am working on a new folder. You can view the first pictures in my Blog-gallery

2007-01-10T19:11:00.000+01:00

10.1.07 A better morning until halfway up to Garynahine heavy snowshowers kept the wipers of the Postbus constantly busy. Luckily it stopped when we hit the main road at Cameron Terrace. At midday the sun came out and turned everything into a beautiful light. On my return journey the roads were clear and only the tops of the hills still slightly powdered. Although quite cold the day turned out to be pleasant. But according to the forcast we will be back to gales again by tonight...

Auf der Fahrt nach Stornoway wurden wir von kräftigen Schneeschauern überrascht, die jedoch ab Cameron Terrace aufhörten. Um die Mittagszeit schaffte die Sonne den Durchbruch und tauchte alles in warmes Licht. Nur noch die Spitzen der höheren Berge waren mit weißem Puder bestäubt. Heute Nacht soll nach Wettervorhersage der nächste kräftige Sturm einsetzen...

2007-01-09T19:02:00.000+01:00

9.1.07 It’s certainly winter with gales and plenty of rain.

I was going to meet a friend from Harris in Stornoway today, but the wind was still very strong and the rain lashing down in Plocrapool, whereas the wind had eased here and the perpetual rain was reduced to some showers. When we heard on the radio, that the ferry out of Stornoway was cancelled again we decided to wait another day.

In the afternoon I took a walk to the TOBH. The crofts are at the moment sotten with water. I was caught in a shower of very fine sleet but was also rewarded with a beautiful rainbow. The sun peeping through the clouds covered the beach with a magical light.

Der Winter brachte reichlich Regen und Sturm während der vergangenen Tage.

Das Treffen mit einer Bekannten aus Harris in Stornoway mussten wir verschieben, in Plockrapool stürmte und regnete es immer noch kräftig. In Stornoway konnte die Fähre e zum Festland nicht auslaufen.

Hier hatte der Wind seit dem frühen Morgen nachgelassen und der Regen reduzierte sich auf gelegentliche Schauer. Auf meinem nachmittäglichen Spaziergang zum TOBH über Felder, in denen das Wasser knöcheltief stand, ging feiner Hagel auf mich nieder. Als Ausgleich dafür war ein herrlicher Regenbogen zu sehen. Die Sonne, die immer wieder hinter dicken Wolken hervorschaute, verzauberte gar mit ihren Strahlen den Strand von CLIFF, an dem sich kräftige Wellen brachen.

2007-01-07T16:07:00.000+01:00

7.1.07

After a day of tidying and washing - and fighting the strong winds which eventually broke my washingline... I was staying in today as it is Sunday.

I watched early in the morning (9.15 a.m.) the sun rising over the hill. There were a few showers which became more persistent in the late afternoon.

Nach einem Gross-Putz und-Waschtag gestern, blieb ich heute im Haus.

Gegen 9.15 Uhr ging die Sonne über den Hügeln auf. Erst am späteren Nachmittag nahmen die Regenschauer wieder zu.

2007-01-07T16:05:00.000+01:00

5.1.07 Today I received a letter from a friend, who not only is an artist in her own right but also an excellent poetess. I took pictures of a great variety of seaweed all summer but was stuck for words to go with it. Sheena Watson came to Lewis a few years ago and we both remember clearly our walks on the beaches. Her poem seems to be inspired by the sea around us:

Sea Wisdom

Seaweed gather on the edge of Hebridean oceans

as luminosity glitters up from the depths

where fish swim gape-mouthedat the dryness of air
above the perpetually wind-plucked surface.
Volumes of phosphoresence light up
as escaping air is held suspended
ice cold bubbles cylinder flow in staccato form
nothing is crisp all things fluid permeate and mingle.
Fronds waft gently arranging themselves to perform
their linear sea embroidery through sunrays
each trapped in shafts of light which glint
trying to caress liquid filled secret hollows.
They weave silently in coloured costumes
fringes which slip glide onto land to abondon
the everlasting embrace of the ocean.
Flotsam released with every wave
that washes the sand from the shores of our souls.
sheena watson 28.12.06

Heute erhielt ich einen Brief meiner Freundin Sheena Watson, die mich vor einigen Jahren hier besuchte. Ihr Gedicht SEA WISDOM, das Sie in Erinnerung an unsere gemeinsamen Strandspaziergänge schrieb, könnte der lang gesuchte Text für meine neue Mappe werden...

2007-01-05T19:13:00.000+01:00

4.1.07 Galeforce winds and heavy rains for 2 days, more severe on the other side of the Minch, kept the ferry, storm-bound in Ullapool, from sailing. The shelves in the supermarket were empty today, no bread, no fresh milk,the local produces were sold out in the morning and it took until the late afternoon to get stock in. More luxury foods, like salmon salar was still not available. But it’s mild and in between the showers today you were able to get a washing dry.

Kräftige Stürme und heftiger Regen währten fast zwei Tage lang. Auf der anderen Seite des MINCH lag die Fähre wegen des rauen Wetters fest. Wer heute einkaufen wollte, stand deshalb vor gähnend leeren Regalen. Es gab kein Brot und keine Frischmilch, was hier produziert wird, war bereits am Morgen ausverkauft. Erst am späten Nachmittag kam Nachschub mit der Fähre, allerdings waren Delikatessen, wie Salmon Salar nicht erhältlich.

Es ist immer noch mild und zwischen den Regenschauern konnte man sogar einen großen Teil der Wäsche trocken bekommen.

2007-01-03T00:45:00.000+01:00

2.1.07 Today the funeral of a 101 year old lady from Valtos took place, who died on one of the last days of 2006. As it is custom, after the service the men were called up to take a turn and carry the coffin between themselves some distance before the hearse takes over and drives slowly, followed by a great line up of cars to the graveyard overlooking the sands of CLIFF. This is a fine tribute to the deceased.

As it was a sunny but brisk day with very little wind I walked up the winding path of the DROMANAN until I reached LOCH MOR, a fine freshwater loch by the roadside where you will find people fishing during the fishing season.

Heute fand die Beerdigung einer 101-jährigen Frau aus Valtos statt, die .in den letzten Tagen des alten Jahres gestorben ist. Nach der Trauerfeier wurden, wie es hier Sitte ist,

die Männer aufgerufen, untereinander abwechselnd, den Sarg ein Stück des Weges zu tragen, bis er vom Leichenwagen übernommen wird, der dann langsam, gefolgt von einer langen Auto-Schlange, zum Friedhof fuhr, der den herrlichen Strand von CLIFF überblickt.

Da es ein sonniger, allerdings recht frischer Tag war, folgte ich dem kurvenreichen Pfad des DROMANAN, bis ich LOCH MOR erreichte, einen großen Süßwassersee, an dem während der Angelsaison gefischt wird mit mäßigem Erfolg.

2007-01-01T19:16:00.000+01:00

1.1.07 BLIADHNA MHATH UR

In the early afternoon I was caught in a heavy sleet-shower up the DROMANAN road and so returned to CLIFF beach, a beach well known among surfers. There were two today trying to ride the waves but had to give up, I suppose the waves were just unpredictable. But from my point of view although my fingers were cold the clouds were as majestic as ever.

Ein kräftiger Hagelschauer prasselte auf mich nieder und ließ mich zum Strand von CLIFF zurückkehren. Der Strand ist unter Surfern recht bekannt und so wunderte ich mich nicht, 2 Gestalten in ihren “wet-suits” ins Meer steigen zu sehen. Allerdings trugen die Wellen die Surfer nur eine kurze Strecke, deshalb gaben sie nach einiger Zeit auf.

Obwohl meine Finger vor Kälte klamm waren, konnte ich mich nicht Sattsehen an den herrlichen Wolken.

2007-01-01T19:14:00.000+01:00

31.12.06 The New Year tradition of first footing is definitely a thing of the past . There were private parties in the village but no longer spondaneous visits of your neighbours in the early hours of New year morning. We were very welcome in the two houses which we visited and went to bed only at 4 o’clock.

Neujahrsbräuche verschwinden auch hier und die Besuche bei den Nachbarn in den frühen Morgenstunden des Neuen Jahres wurden von Parties abgelöst, zu der man eingeladen sein muss. Noch stört hier kein Feuerwerk die Stille der Nacht. Wir besuchten 2 Häuser und kehrten gegen 4 Uhr morgens heim.

2006-12-30T17:22:00.000+01:00

30.12. On a windy day LOCH TRIALLAVAT, a freshwater loch in our neigbourhood is a great place to go to. Surrounded by hills you can always find shelter there. When the children were small they used to launch their wooden boats on the loch and waited patiently on the other side for the ship to land. Sometimes it would take longer when a gust of wind had broken the little sail and the small vessel depended on the waves to carry her ashore- but we never lost any of the wooden boats.

In later years the boys were fishing for trout on Loch Triallavat, another outdoor-activity which requires a lot of patience.

I soon left the loch and climbed crosscountry among hillocks and rocks where the sun rising after some heavy rainshowers opened some beautiful vistas to REEF BEACH or the small island off the coast.

An einem windigen Tag findet man am LOCH TRIALLAVAT, einem Süßwassersee in der näheren Umgebung immer Windschutz. Als die Kinder klein waren, haben sie hier ihre Boote vom Stapel gelassen. Manchmal, wenn eine Böje das Segel beschädigte, konnte es eine Weile dauern bis das kleine Schiff am gegenüberliegenden Ufer anlegte. In den letzten Jahren allerdings lockte der See mehr zum Forellen-Angeln, eine weitere Aktivität, die reichlich Geduld verlangt.

Ich verließ heute bald das Ufer des Sees und kletterte querfeldein zwischen kleinen Hügeln und Felsen umher. Nach heftigen Regenschauern eröffnete die Sonne interessante Ausblicke auf den Strand von REEF oder die kleinen Inseln vor der Küste.

2006-12-30T09:22:00.001+01:00

29.12. The heavy rain of the morning eased after midday and the strong wind dropped slightly. At this time of the year walks are restrained by slippery ground or the shortness of daylight. So naturally we went to CLIFF beach again today and enjoyed watching the waves breaking on the sands. There is a saying that 7 big waves are followed by a lull. I can never proof it, I am too fascinated ...

Even the sun came out for a while.

Der morgendliche Dauerregen und der kräftige Wind ließen um die Mittagszeit nach. Um diese Jahreszeit beschränken das feuchte Gelände und vor allem die Kürze des Tageslichtes Wanderungen auf die nähere Umgebung. Deshalb ging es heute wieder nach CLIFF, wo wir die Wellen beobachteten. Zwar sollen auf 7 große Wellen kleinere folgen, aber ich bin jedes Mal so fasziniert, dass ich keinen Rhythmus herausfinden kann.

Selbst die Sonne schaute kurzzeitig zu.

2006-12-29T00:02:00.000+01:00

28.12. While today light winds were shaking my washing on the line we took another walk to the end of CLIFF beach where the emerald green sea washes lots of driftwood, floats and various kinds of jetsam and flotsam ashore. I love beachcombing.

Ein leichter Wind ließ meine Wäsche flattern, während wir einen weiteren Spaziergang zum Strand von CLIFF unternahmen. Das tiefgrüne Meer spült am Ende der abgelegenen Bucht große Mengen an Holz, immer wieder Boien und eine Vielfalt anderes Strandgut an. Angeschwemmte Gegenständen zu sammeln oder zu betrachten, die ihre eigene Geschichte erzählen, ist eine meiner Lieblingsbeschäftigungen.

2006-12-27T00:39:00.001+01:00

26.12. Yesterday’s Christmas dinner was delicious, the turkey succulent with all the trimmings and the Christmas-pudding rich in taste. Today’s dinner will be a turkey-salad which should be quite tasty with some of the lamb-lettuce which grows in my garden here. I decided that I should better walk off some of the excess food of this festive season. So I set off for the Dromanan, a steep, winding road above CLIFF.

I met on the road with „ the Jogger“ an eccentric American who lives in Uig. He was jogging down the road with a small radio around his wrist which was blaring some classical music. Ever now and then he stopped, put his radio down, unfolded a black bin-liner and placing it in the middle of the road practised a couple of press-ups. That’s some exercise for you ...

I left the road before it turnes to the right and walked cross-country to the so-called Goose Loch through one of my favourite landscapes, full of huge boulders of all shapes, where one can imagine once upon a time giants playing their ballgames...

It’s still mild and the wind has dropped since a couple of days. As it is overcast the views are not so bright as on a brisk winter day.

Das Weihnachtsessen, Truthahn mit traditionellen Beilagen war köstlich und der Christmas-Pudding reichhaltig. Heute wird es einen Salat aus den Resten geben, der sicherlich gut schmeckt, denn ich kann Feldsalat beisteuern, der hier in meinem Garten wächst. Nach so viel Festtagsessen war heute ein Spaziergang angesagt, der mich zum Dromanan, einer steilen, kurvenreichen Strasse oberhalb von CLIFF führte.

Hier traf ich auf den „Jogger“, einen exzentrischen Amerikaner, der seit Jahren in Uig lebt. Mit einem kleinen Radio um sein rechtes Handgelenk, aus dem klassische Musik dröhnte, joggte er mir entgegen. In kürzeren Abschnitten hielt er immer wieder an, legte das Radio am Strassenrand ab, entfaltete eine schwarze Plastiktüte, die eigentlich für Abfalltonnen gedacht ist, legte diese mitten auf die Straße und ließ sich darauf zu mehreren Liegestützen nieder...

Ich verließ die Straße, bevor sie auf der ersten Anhöhe nach rechts abbiegt und machte mich querfeldein zum Gänse-See auf, durch eine Landschaft, die ich besonders liebe. Hier finden sich so viele riesige Felsen verschiedener Formen, dass man sich leicht vorstellen kann, wie hier die Riesen der Urzeit Ball spielten...

Es ist immer noch sehr mild und der Wind hat seit Tagen nachgelassen. Es ist allerdings zumeist bewölkt ohne die klare Sicht eines frischen, sonnigen Wintertages.

2006-12-26T00:40:00.000+01:00

25.12.

Christmas Day: we were not the only ones who took a walk on Reef Beach before the Christmas Dinner. I counted about a dozen people and 2 dogs, and this included us five. At the end of the one-mile-long beach we crossed over to a smaller beach, abound with shells, therefore also known as SHELL BEACH.

1. Weihnachtstag: Wir waren nicht die einzigen, die vor dem grossen Festessen einen Spaziergang zum Reef Beach unternahmen, ich konnte bis zu einem Dutzend Leute und 2 Hunde zählen - und da sind wir fünf schon mitgezählt.

Am Ende des ein-meilen-langen Strandes führte uns ein Pfad zu einem weiteren, kleineren Strand, der reich an Muscheln ist und deshalb auch SHELL Beach genannt wird.

2006-12-24T17:08:00.000+01:00

22./23./24.12.

The family arrived safely on Saturday afternoon.

Our first walk at midday on Christmas Eve took us to the TOBH, our favourite headland of the Bhaltos Peninsula. Lateron we went to the Community Center to attend a Carol Service which was followed by a Cup of Tea and Mince Pies- a lovely occasion to meet with people and wishing them a happy festive Season. It was mainly an occasion for newcomers to the aerea or visitors as it never was a custom here until recent years.

Samstag-Nachmittag ist auch der Rest der Familie angekommen.

Am 24. gingen wir alle zusammen in den TOBH, einer unserer Lieblingsplätze auf der Bhaltos Halbinsel und dann zum Community Center zu einem Weihnacht-Gottesdienst. Bei einer Tasse Tee und „mince pies“ konnte man anschliessend Freunde treffen und ihnen frohe Festtage wünschen. Allerdings nahmen daran nur jüngere Leute oder „Newcomers“ teil, da dies früher hier nicht Sitte war.

2006-12-24T17:06:00.000+01:00

20.12.

A special day for various reasons...

I got the telephone line mended, and after some hickups even the washing-machine seems to be running today. If I am lucky Somerfields will deliver the messages in time and I can go to the Play which is put on by the local School at the Community center. We will see..

Ein ganz besonderer Tag für mich...

Die Telefonleitung wurde repariert und selbst die Waschmaschine scheint nach Anfangsschwierigkeiten zu funktionieren. Falls die Lebensmittel-Lieferung rechtzeitig kommt, könnte ich sogar zum Weihnachtsspiel der Schule gehen, das im Community center stattfindet...

2006-12-24T17:04:00.000+01:00

19.12. Today is my main Christmas-shopping expedition to STORNOWAY. The load of messages will be delivered tomorrow to the house, so I can go round the shops, buy myself a smaller teapot, fetch more books out of the library and get a dozen scallops at Harbour Seafood. I even met a friend at the bus station and we exchanged presents.

Back home I helped Mor to clean her windows. It was mostly dry with only a few spots of rain ever now and then. In the evening I managed to assemble the new chair and got on with putting up the Christmas-decorations.

Rechtzeitig vor dem großen Ansturm fuhr ich nach STORNOWAY um meine Lebensmittel einzukaufen und nutzte gleichzeitig aus, dass einmal pro Woche die Waren frei-Haus geliefert werden können. Unbeschwert schlenderte ich durch die Läden, kaufte eine kleinere Teekanne und ein Dutzend Jakobsmuscheln bei “Harbour-Seafood”. Ich traf kurz vor der Rückfahrt eine Freundin, um Geschenke auszutauschen. Ein angenehmer Tag, nur ab und zu fielen ein paar Regentropfen.

Zuhause half ich einer älteren Nachbarin Fenster putzen und baute am späteren Abend den neuen Sessel zusammen.

2006-12-24T12:30:00.000+01:00

18.12. No wind, no rain - just sunshine. The Valtos crofters had been waiting long enough for such a good day to ferry their sheep over to Pabbay Beag for the winter grazing. I took a walk to CARISHADER to pay my potatoes and passed MIAVAIG with its fishfactory and a small jetty, where only a few boats are tied up at this time of year.

Herrliches Wetter: kein Wind, kein Regen - nur Sonnenschein. Die Bauern der Halbinsel hatten lange auf einen so guten Tag gewartet, um ihre Schafe mit einem kleinen Boot zur Winterweide auf Pabbay Beag übersetzen zu können. Mein Spaziergang führte mich nach CARISHADER, wo ich meine Kartoffeln bezahlte, vorbei an der Fischfabrik in MIAVAIG mit dem kleinen Hafen, wo um diese Jahreszeit nur wenige Boote vor Anker liegen.

17.12. A day of much needed rest. I read Sarah Water’s book „Affinity“ and listened to Orhan Pamuk’s Nobelprize lecture on the radio. The wind dropped and it stayed dry for most of the day.

Der kräftige Wind hat aufgehört und es blieb fast den ganzen Tag trocken. Ich habe mich ausgeruht, Sarah Waters’ Buch „Affinity“ gelesen und mir Orhan Pamuk’s Nobelpreisrede im Radio angehört.

2006-12-24T12:26:00.000+01:00

16.12. Today I went to STORNOWAY on the Postbus. Unless I meet up with somebody I tend to do my messages as quick as possible and return home at midday. I managed within an hour and half to buy a Camping light - an electrical gadget which will come in handy when we get the next powercut - to take three books out of the local Library, and also to do my first big Xmas grocery-shopping at the Coop. You have to be very smart as you do not know how long it will take at the checkout. Next week it will be more difficult, when people are filling up their trolleys as if they would never be able to shop again and are also blocking the aisles of the supermarket. The bus was full of parcels and mail and only with great difficulties I was able to squeeze in with 4 other passengers. There were showers on and off all day. At midday the sun came out so I was itching to go for a walk. By the time I had my messages stored away it looked pretty dark at the back of the house so I took the road to REEF beach. I had avoided the beautiful mile-long beach all summer as it was very busy this year with campers and tourists alike. When I was past KNEEP at the top of the road I got caught in a shower but just carried on. I knew from experience that the showers don’t last forever and that you get the most rewarding views once they clear away. The light after a short shower is always special, and the way it reflects in the water and multicolours the majestic clouds is just stunning.

Heute ging es mit dem Postbus nach STORNOWAY. Wenn ich mich nicht mit jemandem treffe, versuche ich meine Ausflüge in die 56 km entfernte Hauptstadt der Insel Lewis kurz zu halten, um möglichst um Mittag wieder zurück zu sein. In 1 1/2 Stunden habe ich eine Campinglampe gekauft, Bücher aus der örtlichen Bücherei entliehen und meinen ersten weihnachtlichen Grosseinkauf getätigt. Die Zeit, die man im Supermarkt verbringt ist vor Weihnachten schwer abzuschätzen. Die Schlangen an den Kassen sind groß und die Wägen, die so voll gefüllt sind, als ob es demnächst nichts mehr zu kaufen gäbe, blockieren die Gänge. Ich erreichte gerade noch den Bus, der auf der Rückfahrt so vollgepackt mit Post, Paketen, Zeitungen und einem Tannenbaum war, dass ich nur mit größeren Schwierigkeiten einen Platz ergattern konnte. Es regnete immer wieder kurz, am Nachmittag kam sogar die Sonne zum Vorschein. Als ich meine Einkäufe verstaut und einen Bissen gegessen hatte, entschloss ich mich nach REEF aufzumachen. Kurz vor der Anhöhe, die zum Strand führt, der im Sommer von Touristen überlaufen ist, holte mich der Regen ein. Aus Erfahrung weiß ich, dass nach kurzen Schauern das Licht besonders eindrucksvoll sich im Wasser spiegelt und die majestätischen Wolken wunderbar bunt färbt. Heute hatte ich den herrlichen, kilometerlangen Strand für mich ganz allein.

2006-12-24T12:23:00.000+01:00

15.12. Rain and wind continued for most of the day.

I sorted out various things, ordered coal for next Tuesday, and also a chair - my Xmas present for the family - which caused some problems to get it delivered. The last chair I took over on the bus on a wild, rainy day, but there was the family waiting for me to take the box up the hill. When I inspected my front garden I noticed the telephone line had come down. I reported this immediately and the case was classed as hazardious once I told them, that the wire was down on a field with sheep grazing. I hope this helps and I will get it fixed before the line breaks and I am cut off altogether.

I managed a short walk to CLIFF beach before it turned dark.

Es regnete und stürmte heute fast den ganzen Tag. Ich las meine Post und kümmerte mich um einige praktische Dinge, bestellte Kohle und das Weihnachtsgeschenk für die Familie, einen weiteren Sessel. Da das Geschäft in Stornoway nicht rechtzeitig liefern kann und ich das Paket bei diesem Wetter nicht mit dem Bus anschleppen möchte, musste ich Nachbarn um Hilfe bitten.

Als ich meinem Vorgarten inspizierte, sah ich, dass das Telefonkabel herunterhing. Der Fall wurde nach meinem Anruf bei BT als „hazardious“ eingestuft, nachdem auf dem Feld vor dem%

2006-12-24T12:07:00.000+01:00

14.12. Lashing rain and strong winds: what a welcome...

Murdo was very kind and not only turned the water on for me and took over a bag of potatoes, but also switched the outdoor-light on, so I didn't have to find my way to the house in this kind of weather with my torch. Once I had the fire kindled and had settled in, I went over to Mor for a Ceilidh. In the middle of it the light went off, reminding me to check on my candles as blackouts are very common here at this time of the year.

I slept well, I never mind the howling of the wind or the rattling of the slates.

Es stürmt und regnet in Strömen - welche eine Begrüßung!

Murdo hat nicht nur das Wasser aufgedreht für mich und einen Sack Kartoffeln besorgt, er ließ auch das Außenlicht an, so dass ich mir den Weg zum Haus nicht erst mühsam mit einer Taschenlampe bahnen musste.

Nachdem ich das Feuer angezündet und ausgepackt hatte, besuchte ich Nachbarn. Mitten in unserer Ceilidh ging das Licht aus und wir saßen völlig im Dunkeln, bis uns eine Campingleuchte notdürftig Licht spendete. Das Fußballspiel im Fernsehen wurde gerade an der spannendsten Stelle abgebrochen... Ich muss morgen meinen Vorrat an Kerzen überprüfen, denn Stromausfall ist im Winter durchaus üblich.

Ich schlief gut und ließ mich weder durch das Heulen des Windes noch durch das Rattern der Dachschiefer stören.