Oh, I do care

 

Look, it's nearly the end of another year, Christmas is on it's way again. Hopefully I'll cope. I'm currently supping some Somerset Apple Brandy which is hitting the spot - especially since I don't usually imbibe alcohol too much.

Had a fine break from,, what I usually do - which isn't much. Had people call in which was lovely but mostly we cuddled Keith and Hungry the cat was in the house somewhere too. I think.

I may actually take some snaps again soon. watch this space.

All the very best for 2024 to my reader and anyone else who happens upon this page. Many thanks for coming this way.

Right, I'm off to bed.

Waiting for the hoards on Skye

 It's probably quiet now.

Have not been for ages. We used to travel to the mainland via Skye as the ferry was better then. Now we rarely go to the mainland. It's better that way

Embedded

 

I am tempted to get out of bed soon.

that reminds me..

 

Bout time I went down to see the crofter and his clan. The 995 is no longer with them these days but been adopted by Mr Four Tractors I'm led to believe. 

This is that day

 

Best wishes to my reader - whoever you are. Many thanks for visiting the blog from time to time.

May this day be the best day that you want it to be.

Eve, I and Keith are thinking positive vibes for 2024.

soon

 

Snap from years back doon sooth near Manc. Pig Dyke Molly.

Did I tell you it has been damp?

 

It has been damp. Well, wet really. As I write this - sometime before you read this and sometime after I snapped this snap, it's lashing down and has been all day. Keith has come in like and otter several times occasionally accompanied by his pal Hungry who surely can't be on account of the huge amount of Keith's food he snaffles.

Big

 

There is this 'ere big beach near home. It is called Big Beach or in the local Traigh Mhor. [if you click on the link you can see a pixelled up representation of the place. Gosh there is even a photographers tip if you want snaps like everyone else].

Anyway, one recent strollette with Eve we came across remodelled sand. No idea how this happens but it was lovely and interesting.

just had one of my most disastrous film development sessions. The developing film in the tank fell on the floor breaking the lid and spilling the developer and film out. Ouch!

Good job it wasn't anything important and I do have another tank.

walls and sticks

 

Down over there [vaguely pointing down t'road ] is this there pile of rock, and some sticks in the ground. 

Why?

I have no idea.

still here

 

It may have been sunny when Keith was wondering whether he was going to bother following Eve down t'road, but now it's howling. Rain, wind and disrupted ferries.

And yes I am still using the old Perkeo folding camera for this snap.

a wedding

 

I thought it was nice

 

walls

 

winter sun

 

Yes we do have sun and in winter it is just marvelous. It was like this a week ago for a few days and we revelled in it. Now the wind and rain has returned and we are hunkered up or is it down at home.

reflecting

 

St Kida island by aforementioned Alex Boyd now a resident of Australia after a few years in the village up the road.

Coow

 

This is a coowlette. A coow in training or something.

no reflections

 

I broke the glass, sorry Lucrecia.  

It's by Flynne Hunter [known by me as Lucrecia].

A fine artist / photog now teaching in Switzerland. Not at all jealous, honest.

animules

 

I have it on great authority that these are sheeps. Or were sheeps since this was taken a few years back when I visited The Crofter a lot. I mean I do still make visitations to the crofter - as I did this morning as it happens - but he's busy and I'm tired.

real reflections

 

A lovely print by Ragnar Axelsson on Iceland. I had the pleasure of meeting this fine fellow when Alex Boyd organised an exhibition in An Lanntair in Stornoway. What a lovely man and brilliant work. Any of these books by him are work worth yur time looking at.

I cannot tell you how I came by the print. Please don't ask.

please don't overdo the holiday music

 

Too much festive music does my head in. 

Sorry and all that.

Just visit your neighbour and be nice to everyone.

reflections again

 

Another long time hanging in our summer parlour, a painting by Chris Cyprus who works in the old mill opposite our former house in Mossley Lancs many years ago.

forgive me

 

I have had a torrid few days.

Teeth? etc. Pain; had two out then implants started. I mean, the dentist is good, the people there nice and they did a good job but I am a tad sore. I can't eat properly and had to miss a bowls-club ladies dinner out. 

Still, I have always liked this slightly altered print from a while back so I thought it about the right time to show it again.

reflections too

 

A recent acquisition from Christine Morrison all the way from a couple of villages up t'road. Really like this work and like all the other non-me works, hangs in our summer parlour [lounge/sitting room].

Something really speaks to me in this piece. I love it

off we go

 

Have not been on the bike for ages - not even the Electric one. Me old bod doesn't seem to like it much these days. It doesn't really like much really. Bowls is just a bout ok as long as I don't overdo it. It's a pity because I love cycling.

reflex

 

Another local artist who made the pigments from local peat. I wish I remember her name.

reflections in a curved window

 

A wonderful work by locally based photog Colin Myers.

reflecting times

 

Masha, a Russian/Ukrainian who once resided on the island here working in the hospital. Now based near Edinburgh, Has a such an eye for classic lighting seen here with this photograph.

anada ants women

 

blue reflections

 

A fav of mine. Work by Katie Harris Macleod formerly of this rock and now on another rock. Really nice lady to spend time with.

A cyanotype .

now, don't please tell me I don't show you the best tourist spots

 

I know, I know. 

Just calm yourself and when I get back from lunch I tell you where this isn't.

Every now and again treat myself to a little trippette down the rock and see what's not happening there. At this time of year the weather is excellent - all wind and rain with clouded skies and the occasional burst of sunshine. And just sometime I get my camera out.

This was/is down in North Lochs area of Lewis don't you know.

Marvelous. 

some more reflections

 

A lovely print by photog and dentist Colin Robertson from across the bay here.

The stuff underneath I couldn't be bothered to move are mine and a wonder cyanotype print by a internet sensation whose name escapes me - on account of my age.

on our way

 

Eve was on her way anyway. off to see whatever was over that way just past the ruined 'castle' we visited. To be honest, I was expecting a bit of battling, clashing of swords, splashing of hot oil off the battlements and the like. And all there were was a pile of old stones.

reflections

 

A lovely painting I have had for decades by French painter Michel Maurice of Laval.

Badly phone snapped with accompanying reflections in the summer parlour

out and about

 

ooof, I like it.

 

A quick and dirty print on Ilford RC I got out the other day before exhaustion overwhelmed me. It might be from a wedding I went to this year. I like it whatever it is.

I won't bore you

 I'm not the only one who like this type of snap. I mean, see Olga Karlovac, or Igor Pozner for two examples.

lens

 

yes, of course I used a lens but I shan't tell you which one in case you rush and get one.

in the cafe

 

this may not be Eve's fav snap of her but I rather like it.

old lifeboat station

 

when away east

 

Flags

 

scotland home of the year 2022

 

Yes, Tom Hickman;s fine gaff and studio located in New Tolsta next to North Tolsta don't you know. A fine artist and home maker feted by the TV program. I would love to show you the inside but Tom prefers to keep a low profile and I'm not about to change that. Needless to say he is a fine friend.

And so, back to the island

 

Leeds, it rains there I remember

 

Dearest Eve hails from Leeds. Well, she was brought up there and all. Dad was director of parks and that's why it's so green. I mean have you been to Roundhay park forr example. Lovely grass, just the right green and everything plus The West Riding grass track cycle league where yours truly has graced the back of the races on a few occasions back in the day.

It does rain there though. I think it shows in this snap from 2019

Hale Stones

 

Just before the wedding of Gerald and Sue at the town hall in Stornoway in 2017. A small but lovely occasion.  How time flies !

As you may realise colour is not me !

The Viking

 

Not seen Keith the Viking for ages. Must pop over to see him and his wife in lovely Lemreway. 

Valasay

 

Valasay, such a lovely place but it's a pity for the community that most of the houses seem to be short term rental. It is though a lovely place to rest a while and enjoy the changing light over the water and mountains.

Victor

 

Here he is checking out the bridge at Valasay. Tis a fine place to visit on a nice day - and it was.  And if one feels up to it start of a great walk to Tobson and on to Bosta via some fine old lobster ponds.

somewhere

 

Somewhere on the mainland. Can't remember where exactly but i suspect Aberdeen. Eve will tell me when she gets back from her bike ride in the sunshine.

archives

 

2011 don't you know