Fishing - on a grand scale (pun fully intended ...)

Dotted around the islands are sculptures designed to make you explore and appreciate the landscape. Himself had discovered there was a mackerel sculpture near Loch Na Madda, (Loch Maddy) and wanted to find it.
We parked up in the small coastal ferry town and followed the instructions. Dotted around were wind turbines and their blades wined and screamed through the brisk breeze upsetting Moss.

We will never know about her history however certain noises frighten Moss - we are at the moment fighting off the vacuum-monster which terrorises her greatly on a daily basis.

Youngest kept a firm hold of her lead and constantly reassured her - with support we are overcoming her fears but it will take time.

Our route took us along a rose lined path around a small forgotten stony harbour filled with rusty chains and cracked buoys. In places a board walk added to the lovely airy feel of the short walk.

We found our catch and spent quite a while admiring the artwork. The eyes and some of the scales were made with sea glass while the mosaic patterns of the fish scales were in locally collected grey and silvery-white pebbles while the detailing and shadows were created with the darker brown and black pebbles.

I decided that the board walk with its wooden planks and wire netting was beautiful too - the geometric lines contrasting deliciously with the rock and wafting grasses.

It was a delightful part of our afternoon and apart from the wind-turbine-terror-demons we loved it.

In which Moss 'n me find the sea!

Sometimes, in those brief moments when my mind is still, it flits back to special times and special places. It finds images that I have stored away to retrieve when I need them.

Then my head is filled with the colours of my memories, the tastes of sea and sky, the sounds of the birds and the winds. I can feel the sand beneath my feet or the pull of the far far horizon from the dizzying heights of dramatic sea cliffs.

We did so many soul cleansing walks on our holiday and I keep trying to share them with you here however as soon as I start to pour over my pictures I find that I am drawn in and relive that particular day or that wonderful walk or that beautiful evening sky. Then suddenly I haven't chosen any images or the story that accompanies them.

Today I shall attempt again - here goes...

The day before had been a busy one filled with a lot of  'hurry up and wait' while we queued for the ferry leaving Skye for a distant cloud covered blue island. A story in itself, which I shall leave for the moment, our ferry journey soon ended as we landed on the wet wet island of North Uist.

Described as ... 'The sea is all islands and the land all lochs, that which is not rock is sand and that which is not mud is bog, and that which is not bog is loch and that which is not loch is sea' ...  which perfectly encompasses Uist.

After a drive along single track roads we found our campsite - a full and brightly coloured field.We quickly set up and, as it was by now dark, soon fell asleep ready for the next day.

I was woken by a firm 'stub' by a border collie nose. Moss - thank goodness - does not lick but when she wants attention she prods firmly with her nose then asks with her eyes.

It was 6.30am.

Bleary eyed, I dragged myself out of my sleeping bag, whispered to Himself that I was going to find the beach with the dog, quietly got dressed and left. We slipped through the sleeping campsite towards the sea.

My heart and my eyes were filled by this ...

 The little pathway from the campsite through the machar to the beach.

Moss not wanting to wait ran on ahead.

The tide was out but on the turn 

 The view through the machar towards our home for the next few precious days.

 The machar is an amazing living tapestry of wild flowers and grasses - filled with delicate scents, salty air and the buzzing of insects.

And, after a glorious 45 minutes of solitude, sea and silly dog - we went back for breakfast. Miss Moss had her's in bed :) Then spent a few happy minutes washing her feet with her eyes closed -  a happy dog.

As soon as we could, I dragged  my three very willing men back out with Moss leading the way - we knew what lay out there for us!

Bring on the day :)

I have only one thing to say ...

Brilliant!!

PS well done my boy - so very proud of you :)

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For those who are not sure what I am yelling from the roof tops is about - Eldest has received his A level results and he did fantastically well and has been offered a place at an amazing uni to do a Masters in an Earth and Environmental Sciences degree! (Not sure where he has got his brains from but it is certainly not me!!!) I am not one to shout about things like this - but in this case I will be making an exception :)

So now will be a flurry of sorting out equipment and books as well as the sort of stuff he will need to survive on his own ... don't forget the can opener!

(At this point I might be having a little cry ... so proud but we will all miss him fiercely while he is away!)

It does mean I might/probably lose my photo-companion for our scavenger hunt :( but he will be too busy doing really exciting new things. Any hoo -  a recap (with a slight alteration and the missing dates - sorry, there has been an awful lot going on in the hawthorn household recently).

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A photograph inspired by a word, words inspired by the photos - August's Scavenger photo-hunt list - enjoy!

1. Blue
2. Eye
3. Button
4. Favourite
5. Feet
6. Glass
7. Green
8. Floor
9. Knitted/crocheted/sewn/hand made
10. My own choice

Remember to think laterally, interpret as YOU fancy, be it a current photo or a favourite one from your past. We'll reconvene and post our words and photos August 31st -  have fun!

August's Words - bit late - oops!

I have had several reminders that I've not posted our words for August (sorry!! still recovering from a brilliant holiday then going straight back into a busy working day )

1. Blue
2. Eye
3. Button
4. Favourite
5. Feet
6. Glass
7. Green
8. Floor
9. Knitted/Crocheted
10. My own choice

 

I'd watched and heard the small but 'busy' flock of sheep coming down the road. They 'baa-ed' and snatched at grass as they purposely filled the small road. At the back a woman and a red car followed and I could see that there was a steady dialogue between the walker and the driver.

 By the time most of the sheep had walked passed me (I was leaning up against the car watching this little scene) I spoke to the woman saying.... 'Most shepherds use a border collie to help them move the flock - you had a little red Renault!' 
She laughed back and waved goodbye to the car as she walked over to me. She said in the most beautifully lilting Scottish accent ...'Aye, I din ken* who they are - they were so patient and followed my girls with nay bother' (didn't know)
The sheep continued down the road unaccompanied by their shepherd as she carried on chatting to me.
She explained that her sheep used to leave the road and continue across the bay and along the beach back home until a couple of years ago a dog had chased them across the sands into the oncoming tide.

Ever since that day the flock steadfastly stuck to the road, regardless of any traffic about.  I watched as they continued to the T junction, turn right and then turn left into their farm. Their shepherd proudly told me that if left, they would return home by themselves along 2km road. She was only there to open and close the gates! She laughed again, wished me a good holiday and trotted after them, they were almost home at that point and needed a gate unlatching!

That 'string' of white specks are the sheep as they returned to their farm, behind the bay they used to walk across.

Now, if you'll excuse me - I am off to watch a bit more of the Olympics!

The textures of the forgotten

High up on the coast road, Himself spotted these sleeping beasts. 

We drove down and parked. 

Others - I think German and Italian, had also been drawn to these wooden shells.

The vessels had been repeatedly repaired and patched 

but eventually even the make do and mend was not enough to keep these retired hulks viable.

So they sleep,

quietly rot and continue to attract visitors and their cameras.

Over the seas to Skye ...

Early, and I mean early for me - 6.30am - I was awoken by a fidgety Miss Moss.

She was on holiday and wanted to get out and play!

Stumbling out of our 'van, it seemed that everyone else at our first stop in Perth, Scotland,

was still fast asleep.

 However, MM and I were out, me with my camera and

mug of steaming hot tea, 

MM exploring and taking in the cool early morning air. 

Later on, moving further north, away away.

We were our way to Skye.

  At lunch time, we stopped to eat and let Moss stretch her legs.

We stepped out of the car and into the view - the mountains were growing bigger,

were coming closer.

We were getting more excited.

The road verges seemed drenched with flowers and attractive grass heads.

Then...

then...

this loomed into our view!

The Skye Bridge.

There is so so much more, but work at the moment seems to be taking up all my energy and by the time I am able to sit down and blog .... my stories just dry up and my blogging mojo fades.

But there is much much more to follow :) I promise x

Hello - remember me?

We've been away.

Far north, to islands small and wind swept. To beaches of white white shell grit and dunes so high they tower above abandoned cottages. Where skies are huge and crofts are small.

Far north, where the sunsets fill the sky with fireworks of orange and pink and whales quietly feed as you watch from a rocky cliff shore.

Far north - where I have left my heart and long to return.

I will show you and share stories once my head and my heart have come to terms that life has returned to normality and waking up to the sound of the waves, the smell of the moorland and the taste of the salty air have been replaced by driving to work, listening to the rain and waiting for the washing machine to finish chewing through the holiday washing...

Until then, a quick round up of July's photos - thank you everyone who joined in, I know a lot of you were away on hols (thanks for the emails to say you were away and not joining in :) ) but to those die hards who still managed to find the time AND the photos - thank you!!

Wildaboutwords has a wonderful eye and has used her summer holiday to collect some excellent pictures, my favourite is 'Secret'.

Jak's Tales has a lovely selection too - I have to admit to having a favourite one - also 'Secret' but then, that little blondie in the greenery is my Youngest.

Lovely Lady of Threads through my Life has captured an amazing image with her 'Reflection' I love how the bridge and it's mirror image make a perfect circle.

Granny Smith again has joined in and quite coincidentally took a photo at the same place and the same year as Eldest at the Lakeland Motor Museum - how amazing is that, especially when you realise she lives in Australia!

Eldest again joined in and I have to admit to being a very proud mum when I see his photos - my favourite being his lamb picture for 'Soft' he has managed to get a really close up shot of it's face.

Julie from Julie's Scrapbook had me chuckling with 'My own Choice' and story, despite all her blogging issues I am delighted to see she managed to join in! Well done Julie :)

If I have missed you off - my apologies,with being away I am a little out of the loop.

Just one last photo from our holidays - to whet your appetite and to remind me of a wonderful wonderful fortnight  we had xx Speak soon.

July Scavenger Photo Hunt

A photograph inspired by a word, words inspired by the photos - July's Scavenger photo-hunt list - enjoy!

reflections

A few years ago, one warm and summery holiday in Northumberland, we drove over to St Abbs just over the Scottish border. It is a sweet little harbour with glorious views and we try and make an effort to visit each time. This one occasion we drove over the hills down towards the sea and were stopped in our tracks. By the site of hundreds of pigs!  Huge big pink pigs in each field, each with their own pig hutch and some with piglets at their feet. We just had to stop and take photos! Including one of a roadside converse mirror, those pigs don't look much smaller than my car!

Reflection - Eldest

 Driving around with my parents, sitting in the back of our 2CV.

 Stripe

Last weekend we walked on a lovely sunny day, throwing the most gorgeous shadows. As we started to walk over this foot bridge, I noticed the heavy striations made by the sun - voila! Perfect for 'Stripe'

Stripe - Eldest

A very handsome caterpiller we found on a path near Stroan Bridge in Glen Trool.

Secret

Why is this a secret? 
Well, there is a little lane we walk on - known locally as 'old Joe's lane' with a number of split and cracked fence posts and as you walk along the way, you start to notice feathers adorning the tops of the posts. Quietly quietly, the posts are spreading their wings and learning to fly ... so why is it secret? Coz only I know who is giving the posts the ability to dream...

Secret - Eldest

A barn hidden in the trees, seems just like a secret.

Red

Why is it that red roses often don't have a scent? I did try and do a bit of research but the answers were either rather 'waffy' or too scientific and I quickly glazed over! This rose was one of many languishing over a stone wall looking glorious and sadly smelling of ... nothing! 

Red - Eldest

My grandparents took my younger brother and I to the lakeland motor museum last summer, I took loads of photographs - this was fits the bill for red.

Contrast

How stark a contrast - a pastural animal frolicking on the black sands near Portree Skye. It made us laugh at the time and still makes me smile when I see the images of the ewe and her two lambs as they trundled across the bay.

Contrast - Eldest

 A day walking with my Dad - a contrast of weather, sunshine and snow-showers.

Forgotten

In the grass below Vaternish lighthouse, a length of forgotten rope. Wonder who left it there? Miles away from anywhere and a long way up the rocky coastline to be any use for anything.

Forgotten - Eldest

We saw this cottage on the same walk in Scotland as the caterpiller, it is called Dalane cottage, also in Glen Trool.

Soft

This lock of a bull's tail hair was strangely silky soft - I had stroked it expecting it to be quite coarse but it was surprisingly soft and flaxen.

Soft - Eldest

A lamb from this year's spring.

Cold

On a whim, a few cold winters ago, we joined a 'jolly out' with other 2CV enthusiasts and drove up the the 'highest pub in England' It was a long day, a long drive and despite the sun and the heating in the car on full - it was rather cold!

Cold - Eldest

My Dad and I went walking on Bowland Fell, when we were up there we found one of the war graves from an air crash. While we were up there it started to snow.

Seat

Hidden in a hedge, two wooden seats positioned perfectly to allow the walker a prime spot high up above a riding school and arena. So if you were horse-ily inclined and needed a stop, I'd recommend this one, just remember to bring something to sit on, the moss was rather damp! 

Seat - Eldest

Pepper showing her 'war face'.

My own choice

My man, reflected in the water of a farm water trough.

My own choice -  Eldest

We don't live far from Hebden Bridge and the road to get there is a bumpy narrow tarred road with reservoirs and loose sheep on the road. We drive there quite a lot.

Don't forget to leave a comment and a link if you have joined in 
then we call all visit and see what everyone has been  up to! 
Right, I'm off to see your lovely photos - cheerio!

Purple Threads
Jak's Tales