Going all Docherty

Mr Windy going all Docherty

"Mum, does Dad have to look like that?"

Mr Windy and his lovely wife Deanne was at the Rat-Pack concert last Friday evening enjoying the music and the company no doubt. I'm really not sure what was said between Jake Windy and Deanne since my ears were all tinitused up from the over-worked PA in the place combined with a high C from a singer and the tightly puckered trumpet player. But it doesn't look too approving! Eh?? Still Mr Windy was enjoying the attention. I might add here that the ciggi in his mouth was real but not his, not lit and not on a Sunday either :-)

For those of you who reside south of Watford / equator, you may [not] know that the island has had another unusual dump of snow overnight. So much so that the darkroom door was plastered with the ghastly stuff - as was the bedroom window which led me to initially think that the snow was deeper than it really was when I woke up. Thankfully, twas only a dusting of a few inches.

For those Leicafile forum-ites, there a bit for you over on my Island Crofter blog.

It's all about M.E.

I do M.E. or CFS - whatever yo want to call it. I'm in my 10th year so I am quite good at it. However, it has rather got the better of me of late - creaking bones, sore muscles and non-working tum. I have not been so productive on the snapping front as a result. Been a bit touchy and weepy too. But I'm getting better by the day. Meditation helps a lot.

This images of Emily cheers me no end. I took it at the recent Rat-Pack big band evening and I posted the original snap earlier. Now I've enlarged the neg on the pooter, printed it to very cheap OHP film and made this Vandyke. I just love the image. I have several versions of this - none of which are perfect but when I get the perfect print of it I'll varnish it and look at it from time to time and it will cheer me immensely and help me heal myself.

Francis Albert and admirer

Mr Windy

Francis Albert and admirer

Plotting

Of course Frank Sinatra was there - up on the wall in the movies. Apt, since the place we were in used be a cinema now moved to the more salubrious and well-supported an Lanntair art centre.

Mr Windy was there too as were these two young gentlemen no doubt plotting the downfall of CnES.

Murdo Sinatra & Co

Two young singers await their turn

Contemplation

Three snaps from the Big Band rat-pack evening at the British Legion last night.

The evening was based in the 1960s and some were dressed for the occasion hair-do's and all. A nice few hours with some good music, lovely singers but sadly, missing a bit of the atmosphere of the Glen McMillar theme last year.

I took the Zorki6 and Kiev 4 Soviet rangefinders and this is the first roll of film from the Zorki. Hp5 rated at 1600 asa.

BTW; The filming that took place in our little home a few months ago is for the Adventure programme on BBC Scotland on 27th Dec @ 19.00. I'm seen the bit I'm in so i don't feel quite so bad about it!

snow sheeps

Look, that's a proper snowy snap!

We have had a bit snow round these parts. Only an inch or two - unlike the mainland - but it is very cold. The roads are like ice-rinks and I may have to venture out on a job tonight. Luckily, I'm all Reiki-ed up at the moment after a lovely session with my friend here on the island so I'm feeling good and able to cope with the worst of the conditions. Rather like the Hebridean sheeps that are living over the road from me on a lovely croft :-)

Perkeo

Wicker

No wicker

I'm always reading that this or that camera is better than the other. There's new imaging devices out there that mimic cross-processed film at the push of a button and they are tiny - or huge - like the DSLR's you see people hawking around with a huge great lens hanging off the front.

I don't have electronic cameras just film ones and this one I like very much. It's is small and simple, takes medium format film yet folds up and fits in my pocket or bag. And it was given to me by a kind American gent.

I took it out for a spin the other day and came back with these two among other images.

Outside

It's cold here - but I think its cold all over Europe so really shouldn't complain. The fire is burning brightly and keeping us cosy and there's a glass of something golden by my side that I shall sip when I come of shift for work.

I took a snap today - getting the asa wrong and overdeveloping as well. Still, the image is nice I think. Its out behind the village here.

Tis 'orrible

Tis 'orrible out there at the moment. Wet, cold and very windy. The old Tub MV Muirnag has not ventured which is no surprise at all but neither has the MV Isle of Lewis ferry gone out this afternoon.

This morning the village was coated with hailstones that had thrown themselves from the sky early doors - just before I took the community shop van into town for the papers - which didn't arrive. The plane didn't leave where-ever it was coming from! Still, this only takes the village back to where it was before the planes started bringing the papers over anyway so not much of a loss. Although I do rather miss the Guardian - I shall just read it on-line now.

This was the scene on the stroll back home for the shop this morning. Not half as bad as the mainland.

Sunshine

We are experiencing some wonderful weather at the moment. Today the sun was shining and the air warm. The Crofter was taking sheep from there and putting over here [pointing uselessly] with the help from his parents.

I on the other hand was walking up there [looking to my left ] to the old peat tracks along with a plastic panoramic toycamera. Couldn't resist snapping here and there despite the fact the the snaps will be blurred and less than ideal in some peoples' eyes. As I got home as the sun was dipping down, I threw the film in some developer and got these;

walls

Sam takes a stroll

A wall

Another wall

We took a walk the other weekend - as you do. Paid our respects at the grave of the very brave Linda Norgrove in Ardroil then took off across the dunes to the beach. Such a wonderful place. Miles of sea, sand dunes and mountains a nere a person to be seen all day. The walls on this island always amaze me. The hours they must have taken to build in the first place and the incredible routes they take. My favourite wall is on the isle of Great Bernera - but I have not come across that snap yet so these will have to do.

My chum

Roy is always game for a snap. Well, he doesn't mind when I take pictures when I call in for a cuppa anyway. The light in his residence is grand and Ziggy the doggie always is interesting.

Phew!

If you like Scotland and you like cycling, check this out

BTW; today [Wednesday] there's an exhibition about the proposed Lewis wind farm in Stornoway - free biscuits and tea too. I don't like having turbines here but if we don't do something about emissions soon there will be no habitat and no fauna to save!

A grand day out

Visitor Victor in North Tolsta

On Bosta

The sun was out, we had a visitor up from t'mainland so it seemed a day out was in order. Time we got out of bed, we only had the necessary daylight to see Bosta in all it's beauty. So there we were, bathing in the winter-ish light, looking at the Iron-age house reconstruction, looking but not hearing the bell in the sea and seeing a Gold Eagle flying over checking us out to see if we expired on the beach. Twas lovely.

On the way back over the moor the light was tremendous - a wonderful purple-ish glow.

I took some snaps - with this new to me fil ; rollei Retro 400s. I like it

Sam and I

Being a top-quality cheap-skate, I acquired some Rollei-Retro 400s film that only cost three shillings twopence ha-penny a roll or something equivalent to that. Probably.

The film originated as Aviphot 400 made for spying on us all I should imaginet. Now the spying is done digitally - no doubt GCHQ will be reading this before I post it - the film has been confectioned as 35mm film that fits snugly in my collection of slr's and rangefinders. This sunny day - not today since most of the day it has rained, although it started well with a wonderful sun-rise over the mainland mountains. Anyway, this sunny day recently well, fairly recently, I took Sam who was staying for a few days on a sort of holiday or maybe punishment, out on the beach dunes for a stroll where I took the snap with the OM10.

Today, while the rain poured, I dropped the film into some rodinal - roughly 50:1 - about 20C and after shaking it around a bit left it while I got on with life. I did agitate the developing tank periodically during the next 30mins [by shouting "Digital"- loudly] and then, once fixed found I had some images. This was one of them.

So, been busy doing nothing much. But I felt the need to shoot a glass-plate or two. This is a snap of Victor defending his ears against our music! Ah well, I like the music anyway. The print is a cyanotype toned with green tea.

Mate'

LAst week I shot a couple of Ilford 4x5 glass plates and developed them in Rodinal 1:100 - as you do. They are a but overcooked as it happens but I think i'm going to get a decent cyanotype for them. this is one from the first batch - bleached in weak washing soda and toned in mate' tea.

the beach

Since there's a few beaches here abouts, and there's always a dog willing to come for a walk with me, I go along them quite often - although not as often as Tecwyne who walks the length of Traigh Mhor and back along the road twice a day. Yes, twice!

Anyway, I usually take a camera to catch the mood of the day. And here's two from a recent bright day on Traigh Mhor with the OM10. Printed on Ilford MG-rc for goodness sakes! And toned.

Darkroom again

The Crofter, yes im of the Grazing Committee, chairman of the Community shop.

Despite the ventilation not being sorted in the darkroom yet, I ventured in for a spot of printing since I had some nice negs that wouldn't wait. Soon, a local electrician will re-wire the darkroom in prep for the ventilation system - to go with the three story vertical extension that I have planned [in my dreams!].

Anyway, since I'd been taking a few portraits with the old Kowa 6 camera, I'd got some nice negs to work with and after a quick expose' onto some ForteCooltone RC paper I got some prints. Here's one. Tis of the Crofter prior to him venturing out into the weather! I shall pay a visit later on to see if he can wade through the mud that is his 'lawn' to get to the piggies!

I'm listening to 'Late Junction' with Max Reinhardt on the BBC iPlayer at the moment. A brilliant if eclectic mix of music to feast your ears on. Do give it a try. Radio3 at 11.15pm

Birthday

Stephan checking he hasn't been caught eating more cake.

I got along to a birthday party the other day - only there was no jelly and ice-cream, no pass the parcel and no other games either. Still, I did enjoy myself even if I did miss most of it due having to work that evening. Such is life.

Happy birthday Stephan.

Ask your MP/MSP

This is a great analysis of the current economic situation. Great to watch as well as listening too. Do watch then start penning some letters to your MP/MSPs .
Crises Of Capitalism

Nuffin much

Been doing a few things that mean I haven't really got much new to show you at the mo. Sill, I found this snap fro,m a trip a few years back and it brought back wonderful memories. From the island of Cuba. Lovely place and terrific people. I you have not been its a must see place before it changes and becomes obsessed by consumerism like everywhere else!

Tolsta, on glass

Another Ilford plate I shot today - looking over part of the village!

I'm getting the hang of this :-) At least I think so.

Plate

Now I have a 4x5 on loan from the Good Mr Toots, I have shot a couple of Ilford Glass plates - just testing them to get exposure just right. Or rightish I should say. This is my Atget period :-)

Murray

After yesterday's diabolics which I'm still trying to get my head around, here's a much nicer subject; Murray, man about village. When he's not herding sheeps, knitting peat or making wonderful wooden things he's drinking tea. Nice.

Did anyone hear Radio Scotland's Scotland at Prayer programme last Saturday morning? I must admit its not my usual listening but I woke up early and turned the radio on. I was astonished to hear a local [born of the Isle of Lewis] spokesman for himself aire his views slagging off 'incomers' , Sunday ferries, planes and the good 'pagan' people of Berwickshire. Astonished!

Ere e is

Mr Batty. Met im today, had a natter as you do, enquired about his good wife Nora [Aka; Anna] and went home and promptly fell over the paper-neg snap of the fella taken a while back and posted earlier on this blog. I think its due another outing since it does show Mr Batty's caring side.

Infinity

I was out shooting some film with the Perkeo 6x6 which has been out of action for some time after I .... never mind. Anyway, Coelyne managed to sort the shutter for me dripping some positive vibes into the mechanism and I, yes I all on my lonesome, nearly have managed to get somewhere near infinity on the focus. Sort of.

Anyway, the weather was a tad uneven today and I got caught in a heavy hail-shower soon after. Still, the snap is quite nice me thinks.

Nice stroll

A fine little gaff

Eve and I took off last Saturday for a light stroll in the otherlands and decided, after a quick consultation with the Mrs BacPharmacist as to where to go to head off towards Huisinis. Tis a wonderful little drive along this road, bounding as it does, the ragged coastline of this area in North Harris. After countless bends and turns which opened up the wonderful vistas and then just as quickly closed them again, the road arrives at the boundary of Amhuinnsuidhe Castle, a fine edifice in a tremendous setting where one can enjoy corporate events, get married or kill things in the name of 'sport'. We didn't go in - we wern't dressed for the part. We didn't pass through the gate either but parked up and walked up the nearby road towards the fish-farm and the little hydro-electric power station. The track passes alongside a loch and rises up to a reservoir before running along the waters edge. Its a wonderful place to be and well worth the stroll up. We enjoyed, had a snack and came home.

Jura eh? That was May!

Just had a fine visitation from Toots and the Coelyns. It seems we are about to make a book of Lewis Photographica's trip to the Isle of Jura earlier this year. No doubt it will be a grand affair with a classy cover and images to match. And mine will be nestling in there too. Like this one.

Tea was drunk, Tunnocks eaten and a walk taken. All good then.

I meant to say.....

The other day these chaps arrived bearing technology. It seems I was to be interviewed. An incomer in North Tolsta? “Why here?” they asked. And I sat, waiting for inspiration. But it didn’t come, I faltered. The people are wonderful in the village I ventured – but of course I wasn’t to know that before I lived here. We bought a lovely little house here – that’s why really. It’s nice and small in a quiet village without a through road. You can walk down the road and no-one’s there [just like Cream sang] and, and. I sat a bit, smiled and wondered what to say. The technology bearing people were very nice, they make lovely TV programmes I’m told [we have no TV and will not have one until I know the technology is going to catch on J] and I tried be interesting. I failed. Miserably and I’m annoyed with myself.

Perhaps this is what I should have said;

When you sit and listen – you hear nothing but the flapping of seabirds’ wings and the distant roar of the sea on the beaches. Unless there is a bit of a blow when the rain comes in from the sea, the wind roars across Tolsta Head and plays a tune on your roof tiles. Or it snows and the village is transformed for a few days or weeks – the crofters out on their old Massy Fergusons to feed the sheep and cows.

When the sun comes up, it glows gently behind Stac Polly on the mainland across the Minch lighting up a jagged line of mountains from the top of Scotland to Skye. As it rises further it lights up the heather on the peat-moor behind the village and the old peat tracks stand out like rivers of stone and mud. And you are reminded of the old island ways.

Then the sun’s rays reach the golden sand on the lovely beaches – beaches where your just as likely to meet no-one on your walk, rain or shine.

Whatever the weather – and it varies a lot and regularly, it’s a wonderful place to be.

It’s something like that I wanted to say. So, if you happen to see the programme sometime, just remember what I meant to say!

When Home is just where you are

I found these beings looking for all the world so at home in what is some human's former home - an old black-house in the village. And they have nice view of The Minch as they munch.

The Slaughterhouse three

Sadly, these three Pilgrim sheeps are on their way not to return soon. They will become 'unstuck in time'.

Taken on the HOLGA for WTCD

To the fank

Stepping out boldly my feet damp from being washed by soggy peat underfoot, I'm coming over from SmitVaal. The dog is screeching at me cause I didn't take her for a walk while the sun shone. And I don't care. This day is for me, my selfish me. So, I walk faster ignoring her stroppy shouting. Over there is the sea, the Minch deep blue under the bright sun but oh so cold. So very cold. To my left is the fank where the good folk of North Tolsta are gathering to catch up on the news, bask in the sun and, if there's time to dip a few hundred sheep. But where's The Crofter? No, he's not there yet. Probably seeing to another crises over on The Croft.

Maybe I will go back and take Ghriet out for a walk after all.

Assynt

In the Frigate cafe'.

Assynt sea

We had some fine fun that weekend. Deanne, Sonja, Cailean and I while Eve, Stephan and Mr Windy slogged round the hills on the bicycles. And when all were together too we had fun too. Fun in the cafe, in the restaurant, in Ullapool, Lochinver and elsewhere too. It's a wonder there is so much fun to be had up here.

Dave Macleod

Spent a nice evening in Stornoway in some soul-less hotel room getting frightened, inspired and amazed as Great CLIMB climber Dave Macleod regaled us with tales from rock. And things. Goodness sakes, the man is off his rocker! I mean, there he was hanging from one arm 600ft in mid-air on some wet rock in North Harris with a gale bowing and all that and he saying " How wonderful it is to be here". Brilliant evening and just the thing while the wind blows still outside! Check out Mr Macleod's blog.

Meanwhile, some of you might like to meet Maisey whom we feed since her mum moved away and her step-dad Alasdair passed on. She's a lovely albeit wildish creature who is happy to take the food but less keen to make friends. Ah well, she's happy.