The Barking Dog is there somewhere but I think she may not have squeezed through the pinhole

 Outside nicely sucked in through the pinhole.

Inside less nicely in through the pinhole.

The Barking Dog is there somewhere. Trust me. She was doing my head in barking in that cave on Garry Beach while I patiently awaited the exposure - carefully calculated so as to get something on the film without TBD bringing the tinnitus on. I'm in the tother snap. See me there, posing oh so demurely. Or something.

It's amazing what fun one can have with a tiny hole in tin-foil and a box with film in it. Eh? I think the lith developer awaits when the weather cools off a bit. Yes, it's like southern Europe here this morning !

Had a fine meal in t'campervan of The Watson's down by the beach last night. How much fun was that? A lot of fun as it happens!

For the last few days there have been a shoal of fishing boats bobbing about in the North Minch and no doubt they will be there till the fish that are there are all gone! [and half of the catch has gone overboard as waste. What a way to treat the world's resources.]

I notice I have a few visitors most days. Please do feel free to leave your paw-print in the coments. Always nice to see something there and hear from others.

More Snaps

Yay! The sun is shining and it's lovely and warm. Tempted me out on the old Argos road bike this morning  for a quick pootle round the village which was very nice indeed. Not sure the legs appreciated it mind you.

Prints on the table

As a result, the next darkroom session will be put back as I hate wasting good sunshine by sitting in the dark! Oh, well, the snaps from the wedding I recently went to will have to wait. I have a few prints done already thank goodness.

Mr Posse is back home asnd soon to be wandering down to Wales for the weekend. Mr Posse does nothing but surprise us! And recently has been no exception :-)

Mr Posse in the Summer Parlour

Crash in Tolsta

Crash in North Tolsta

Yes, a crash in North Tolsta. Happily, the vehicle was soon back on it's wheels and no-one got hurt. It all happened so quick you know. One moment the vehicle was happily going along, then the next it was on it's side. As I looked over I saw an up-turned air plane  too - but apparently that had landed earlier and was under inspection.  And I didn't manage to focus properly. Phew!

 Eve and David walking up/down from/to Bowglass

 David and Anne looking happy about almost seeing Golden Eagles

 Up here we were. 

David follows me down

The day before we had a wonderful stroll up from Bowglass and here's some snaps to prove it!

Watching eagles

 Hill St

There's almost a hill here. Maybe just a slope masquerading as a hill. But it is a street - North Tolsta style. I took these snaps on a stroll back from delivering the shoppe van to the next days driver. You can see what the village is s like if you are coming this way. And why shouldn't you? Well, if you were coming from this way you would have had to come across the moor. Eh?

 Just near there.

We have friends you know. And two of them are on-island as I write - although not in t'village since they reside in a campervan somewhere Valtos way tonight. Which is very nice. We met them today at Bowglass, North Harris as they were keen to see some Golden Eagles who live down that way. After a leisurely drive down - it's about thirty five miles don't you know - we arrived in the little car-park with two eagles circling above - one rather low and very visible. They are a magnificent bird which we do see regularly, living in these parts as we do. There's a pair who have a hutch just up the coast from the village here as it happens.

 Bus shelter. Should withstand a hurricane or a stroppy ram.

Twas lovely watching the birds circle round and then our friends arrived, we looked up again and the birds had gone! Of course we told Anne and Dave we had seen the birds - been hand feeding them in fact [I didn't tell them that but should have :-) ]. We walked up the path to look over loch Langavat  but only saw a couple of eagles high in the sky. Then it clouded over, we sat and took coffee then descended.  A terrific walk with lovely company.

The bus shelter

A walk round the village here is very nice too. The sea is very obvious - all wet and shiny and over there, just behind the bus shelter. Yes, that's sun creeping through the clouds. There's houses, peat stacks, a shoppe and post-office, a couple of churches [please don't read this if it's Sunday! ] and at least three old charabancs rusting away behind houses or out in a field!

 Peat stack, fence and the ubiquitous cement mixer

The sea, again.

Beaches

Did I tell you there are beaches here? No? Well, there are beaches here. No longer can you suggest I have not told you there beaches here. My work is done.

Snap; no crackle, no pop.

This snap was taken behind the beach here near the village. You'll just have to imagine the beach all white and,..... and well, sandy I suppose. I took this snap here because that's where I was walking with The Dog that barks. I felt a picture coming on and gave into it. I have little ability to give up the opportunity to snap up something when it presents itself to me - even if it isn't a beach. Actually, particularly when it's not a beach. At least you see something here. There's not horizontal rain and howling wind. Come to think of it, the wind may have been howling hence the walk behind the beach!

I spent the morning today firstly playing with a little man while his mum chatted to her OU examiner on t'dog and bone. A hour well spent if I may say so since Mum did well, I got paid for being there and everyone was happy. Except for Thomas the Tank Engine whom I noticed on the tv there seems to have got himself in a spot of bother - in water actually. Must have been the news programme I suppose!

Secondly I visited the nice quack who listened to my tummy and found no end of abstract tunes. Nice tunes though I'm told - so that's alright then.

And the sun is shining. Remember that ?

Oiseval and The Coelyns

The Coelyns [one day I may take a sharp snap - but then why should I? ]

Yes, yes, I did go over to the gallery in Brue. Why not? I get a lovely welcome, drink their tea and get to meet Mr & Mrs Smith who used to run the place. The Smiths came over for a little respite from mainland England where they now reside, to see chums and, do some work - taking pictures and what have you.

Had a grand time, thank you very much for asking. Ate cake too - the creamy gooey kind that is so popular in these parts. Met a nice cyclist lurking in a bus shelter eating. For the first day on his Barra - Butt cycling trip he hadn't had a headwind - or driving rain. Still, he wasn't to be disappointed as it threw it down not long after. I snapped the camera at him whilst the sun was momentarily shining - it's what proper photographers do you know. How many snaps have you seen of this place when it's pouring down eh? None. I rest my case Mi Lord.

Today the sun is shining [at the moment], Pushkin is dozing and I'm going out for a stroll to see The Crofter and find out what havoc is afoot.

toodle doo

PS. Late addition to the blog today. My dear Eve, backing singer in our band "Nine ways to wind people up". Wabi-Sabi shot from the UW&S.

Normal

Yes, it is May. You wouldn't believe it really. I took off to Stornoway this morning in the shop van for the paper / coop run in lovely sunshine. Granted it showed only 3C on the dashboard but at least the sun was shining. I turned my back on it to warm up whilst waiting for Billy to count out the P&J's. No doubt my pals in their camper in the Uists would have woken with a light mood for the day ahead. Well, that will have been dashed as on my walk around the village recently from there to there and then here, the almost snowy rain started. And it's still cold. Very cold

A Scalpay lighthouse chair on which I didn't sit.

Mr Bentham was on good form this morning - doling out the Jaffa cakes like they were going out of fashion.   He lives there. He hasn't been checking on here to see what I have been saying about him or what photos of him I have posted - obviously. 

The Tolsta Shoppe supremo, Mrs 'Up Yours' MacIver is in the chicken-house though. It seems that everyone bar me has read her new sci-fi novelette. Apparently I'm deemed 'too intellectual' ! Imagine!

I was flooded with three comments from yesterdays posts - thanks to Ms ook, Iain and Ian for this - I shall remember you in my will :-) . I staying with 'normal' on the blog front - as if I knew what normal was.

I came down these. I could have gone up too. 

So, now as I write I wonder if Mr Pushkin will come back to sleep off his morning stroll in front of the fire. Will I go over to the Oiseval Gallery after my morning meditation? I think I might.

My dance teacher doesn't rate me

My dance teacher makes sure my dear Eve is not frightened in The Cave.

I used to look forward to my classes; thirty secs of teaching every two months or so. I could take that, it didn't over-burden me and my little old leggies. Only that thirty seconds seems to have plummeted somewhat. Perhaps it's because Ms Smit, for that is her name, disapproves of my 'moves'. I'm not smooth enough, elegant enough or doing the right steps. Apart from that she is very pleased with my dancing, I think.

Ms Smit explains how rock is made.

To be completely honest, Ms Smit doesn't rate me at all and that hurts. I am a sensitive soul under this ragged exterior you know. Maybe I should start learning photography instead !

On that note; I was wondering which direction - if any - this little bloggertte should go. Do you want to read and see what I eat? What I hear? What I think? Or shall I go on as 'normal' - whatever that is!

BTW; I note folks at the Butty Bus has been looking here. Pay them a a visit when you are passing by.

Summer is coming !

You can tell when summer is on its way when the wet weather gear comes out again after being put away for a week or so.
The rain lashed down yesterday, the wind blew hard too but surprise surprise, the ferry went to the mainland and back - not I'd have wanted to be on it though.

 Eve and Mr Posse enjoy the windy walk!

Down to the beach.

Mr Posse was still here so, we chatted the morning away, did some 'stuff' and then ventured out when the rain eased a bit. Twas lovely - the walk down cemetery road to a beach hereabouts. Breezy but really lovely.

Had a text message from some pals who are on their way up here from the southern isles " marooned on Barra; force 10 gales and no ferries". Ah well, at least they are getting the full island experience!

Saturday was a little better - as it is today. Warmish too. Eve and Mr Posse took to their bikes then and we met Mr Windy in The Woodlands cafe after a lovely coffee with Mr & Mrs Toots! How lovely was that?

 Before the ride,or was it after?

 Mr Windy casts a critical eye into my Olympus XA2

Hopefully the weather will have settled to our usual [whatever that is] by the time Ms ook arrives!

Stornoway sunshine

See, the sun can shine [for a short time ]

All gale-y

 Slumbering

Wondering

All cosied up he was, that nice Mr Possee. 

I'd ventured downstairs eventually as the gale raged outside and peeped into the Summer Parlour where he was still slumbering. And why not since the day is horrible outside. He did get up and as I write he's tinkering with bikes - just for a change. Eve sits reading the paper in front of t'fire, Pushkin is sleeping off his morning stroll round the kitchen in front of the Rayburn while I eye the Giro and their lovely weather!

Lith walk

I managed a few moments in the darkroom yesterday and this was one of the test prints. I love it. Mrs Toots to be walks into the registrars office with her handsome son Jamie.

Taken with an OM1n with Orwo n4 film developed in lc29. Printed on old Orwo bn11 paper with Rollei Creative Lith developer.

Do you like it?

Nothing

No, nothing!
You see, I have been in the darkroom Lith printing of all things. Before that I was out with Mrs Toots doing important things. Obviusly I have had no time to look at any images today - apart from those in the darkroom - and they are not dry yet. And I have a couple of miscreants to see tonight. Eh?

Apart from that I have nothing. Apart from that.


 Oh, and this. From that walk. Obviously.

Unsuspecting cove walks into obscurity

I took a stroll

 I saw this man

The urbane delights of Stornoway drew me today. I needed a change in scenery away from sheeps and grass but didn't have the time to get off-island. The sun was shining and the people only had four layers of clothing on. I took the Kodak Retinette 1a for company loaded with some really slow Fine Grained Positive film. Why not?

 People, doing things, but not many things.

I strolled this way and that. Took refreshment in the lantern and snapped a few images. This is some of they.

The old boat had moved - a bit.

 Boats were being painted all over the harbour.

See, new paint and what have you.

yep, it was time to go home!

Oh dear, somehow it wasn't meant to be

It might be raining.....

Of course I meant it this way! How dare you suggest otherwise. Ok the rain wasn't meant to be there - or the scratches but I love those now. All wabi sabi and what have you.

At least I finished the film and got it developed!

Yes, yes, Mr & Mrs Toots are happy !

Toots Wilson

Anne Wilson

Yes, they are happy - as well they should be!

The Wedding of Mr & Mrs Toots

Yes, it went well. The snow started in the morning then the sun came out. Anne and Toots were married, the band played as they left the registrars office and we went off to a lovely hotel meal for the most intimate and lovely wedding I have ever been too.

The couple are lovely - of course they are. Anne looked wonderful, Mr Toots was terrifically elegant in his kilted outfit, everyone smiled, cried and were happy. We all talked, we admired Sophie the flower girl and then we all went home satisfied the day was great.

The lovely Mr & Mrs Toots Wilson

Mr & Mrs Toots have now gone off to an exotic island for a well-deserved honeymoon. We wish them all the luck and love in the world.

It's here, The Wedding Day

There will be no going back at 4pm today at Stornoway Registry Office when Mr & Mrs Toots-to-be do the decent thing and get married. We shall be there cameras at the ready, best frocks and all - despite the cold and windy weather that seems to have arrived!. Best of luck you two!

Since I may have overdone the Toots' images, here some from strolls on the island with krappy cameras !

Louder than a saxophone!

 Untidier than the office

 "Oh no, what have you done!"

Peace and tranquillity

The day before the wedding...

Is it Roy or is it Clint?

... and all is well. Clothes are all ready, cake finished, cameras primed. The weather. Mmmm, best not say that - yet! Remember, 4pm, Stornoway Registry Office. Be there! [if you can!]

I visited my pal Royston yesterday -or was it the day before - and he showed me this image from a book he'd acquired from the charity shop. The other image is of Royston in his younger days. Which is which? I can't remember :-) And I can't see very well since I shot this with the Recesky diy TLR in low light. I like it though do you?

Under two days now......

.. and the finishing touches are being made for the kake - for the Toots' wedding on Friday @ 4pm.

Eve, the kake artiste

It's only a day or two...

....till the Toots' wedding.

Friday at the registry office @ 4pm.

I'll be there :-) Will you?

Warmth

The dog 

Nice innit?

The dog and I thought so. That''s why we went for a slight strollation on the road to nowhere today - enjoying the fine weather. Twas really quite warmish so we stopped and looked at the sea for a bit before I took the dog to her home and came back to ours. There was rubbish over the road as the dustbin operatives seem to have decided to throw our bin around a bit before getting to the truck. Had a nice five minutes picking it all up :-( Such is life.

Walked past here too. Twice.

Lovely

Sheeps; homage to Jack Spencer

Yes, the sun is still shining here while the rest of the UK seems to be disappearing under floods and deluges. The doors are open, the windows too. Pushkin is out enjoying himself somewhere and I'm going out for a stroll in the [relative] warmth. Too nice to spend time in the darkroom so you'll have to make do with this till the clouds come over and I feel I want to shut myself up in a dark-room again.