Testing, testing

 What't'you try to tell me ? Eh?

I was testing ok? Ran two different films through the old Kodak Retinette today then developed them in Multigrade Developer. Why? I was testing.

It wasn't a good test as it happens but still got these two masterpieces.

Eh?

The Zigster

The Zigster

The beach beckoned this afternoon. It's still sunny up here you see - albeit with a cool NE wind to accompany it. Yes, I know but we put up with it.

I went with The Zigster and his human Roy. Had a magnum on the way home bought from the local shoppe - Buth Tholastadh. We could had a hot drink too but it was way too nice for that!

Flamin Lewis

Photo courtesy of Mr Pip Taylor [second bike here]

Many years ago, even before I worked at the Manchester Velodrome, I was involved in cycling running the Floyds Bistro, Bedouin cycling team. I raced too in those days. Here's my team pal Shaun leading Pip Taylor in a race in Feltham - wherever that is! Good eh?

I post this as I hear the flame thing for London sports day has been on the island this morning. It was carried by Welsh-woman Kirsty Wade through Callanish Stones at sunrise [4am !]. The flame went out in the wee breeze, twice apparently. Luckily, a local produced his Swan Vestas and the day was saved. [probably].

I was out doing the shoppe run in van.  The village is celebrating by having the mains water off for a wee while. What's that all about then?

How can you not like living here; especially when the sun is shining [which to be honest is not usually that often]

A neighbour

"I've not got sheep any more" he told me. "Got a great price for them at the sales though. They bought anything that was alive". Such was our conversation as I passed his gaff just up the road from here. The sun was shining again see and I'd been out around the village with a camera - as I do.

More neighbours

Oh look, there's Rose and her lad who live o'er the road. "Hello and everything". I say taking the yoof parlance [as I see it anyway].

I'd been down to snap up Hector's newly built peats as I said I would. As usual they look lovely. Really nice stack in between the previous years effort out side his house. I think Iseabail does most of the stack building to be honest.

 New stack

I mean, how lovely is that? I can't believe anyone doesn't marvel at these constructions. Surely they should engaged Iseabail and Hector to build a peat-stack at the Olympic park or something. Better than seeing the torch at some un-worldly hour as it trapses through Stornoway this coming Monday. If it doesn't get blown out in the brisk winds we have at the mo that is.

New between older

 Tractor and trailer [go together like Norman and Mailor]

Of course, one can't snap up Hector's stacks without snapping the tractor too. Complete with the ubiquitous double wheels for the peat moor.

A stack in situe

The sun has gone - hopefully not for long

Brevig

After some weeks, the sun has gone, a few drops of rain came down and the wind is blowing. I went to Brevig Harbour and snapped it up. I should have gone in the darkroom but didn't feel up to it.

The house is growing

Despite the continuing dry and warmish weather, the new house just t'road is growing by the moment. The first floor is already done it seems and no doubt they will be moving in at the weekend. The builders seem to give me funny looks as I take snaps of the build every day. Surely they should know if one works in North Tolsta one is like to get snapped up!

The bus stop remains were it was. A hurricane didn't move it some years back. Probably it will still be there when we have eliminated ourselves from this planet - as surely we will do.

BTW; there's a nice blog started by Mr Windy who resides here on t'island. All about bikes and cameras! Look here

I hate to say this but the sun is shining here

 Mrs someone I can't remember her name but I'm sure Mrs 'Up Yours' will put me right.

I met a new Tolsta resident yesterday at the Shoppe / PO . Very nice she is too - fielding Mrs 'Up Yours'  weird reposts with charm and calm understanding. I can't remember her name though. Rather remiss of me for which many apologies . But rest assured she related to Mrs new-house-up-the-road in some way or other that doesn't make sense to me. Still, welcome.

Pushkin

Meanwhile, back at Cragro Towers, Pushkin was taking in the air, sniffing Eve's old boot and wondering where he should lie to get away from the smell. He chose his usual spot just outside under the window out of the cool wind. Wise move.

But the sun is still shining!

Raising a house

There was a crane in the village today. Raising a house walls. Hopefully, it will take a shorter time to finish than it's neighbour did.

Duel at dawn

My dear Eve contemplates the future

Pah! You 'Up Yours' Mrs woman!

A duel eh? At dawn? Not sure I can get up that early at this time of year as it happens. When is dawn anyway? 

4.25 am !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You have got to be joking. I'm still snuggled up to Lord Wiesmier and Eve at that time of morning. Otherwise your head would be as wet as that seal I saw in the sea yesterday. And he was wet, believe me. And your hat as tat as that whatever you were trying to sell me.

There. Be suitably warned Mrs 'Up Yours'. !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Five years on, a normal day on the island.

 Mrs  'Up Yours' MacIver tries to sell me some tat.

No, I didn't buy it. Do I look daft? We may be celebrating five wonderful years in North-Tolsta but this we didn't need. At least, I don't think I need it only I'm not actually sure what I was being sold. Tat obviously, but what sort of tat I don't know.

 The school walks to the beach

Meanwhile, back home I notice the school walking to a beach to have a barbi or perhaps roast a teacher on a spit or something like that. The held up the car that was trying to go down the road anyway.  They are just passing the Crofter's pad on the left - that's why they are all walking quickly :-)

 The Crofter basks in the sun while earning a crust - so someone can bite a crust!

The Crofter waves as they pass [feels like Blue Velvet movie as I write] and the school breaks en-masse into a trot.

Knowledge and Safety

Stuart wasn't impressed. Neither was the rabbit in his garden - or his son for that matter. Their garden is almost cleared ready for the trampoline - no doubt concreted in to stop it disappearing into the sea behind the house.

Iseabail making the peat-stack

I notice that Iseabail and Hector have almost finished their lovely peat-stacks ready for my annual picture taking of the beasts. They are, it has to be said, a work of art.

Royston and Ziggy

Meanwhile, a quick visit to Royston and Ziggy to see they were well as can be. They were I'm pleased to say.

Such was my morning five years after arriving here.

We are still here.... 5 years on.

Sun on roof

What do you mean, I'm running out of ideas? I haven't even started yet!

No doubt a week looking at the images of Mr Coelyne teased this one out. Nothing like his mind, merely the essence of Coelyne here.

And no I didn't look at / listen to the concert that was happening in London last night since you ask. But I am listening to Jazz on 3 on the play-it-again-Sam thing of the BBC see here. Robert Glasper don't you know. I didn't.

It's now My time!

There's a new house just arrived up t'road on the back of a lorry. In bits. You know the sort of thing, wood panels soon to be looking like a housey shape. I'm assured the housey will be proper Island shape and not one of those nondescript affairs that proliferate these days. Nevertheless, the lorry blocked the road for an hour to unload. Just as well it's quiet round here!

 Homage to Donata Wenders

I now have my life back after a pleasant week selling wonderful prints and chatting to visitors at the Oiseval Gallery. I love the chatting to visitors bit especially. Such interesting people in the main. Obviously, I had a few moments to myself from time to time so I took the Recesky tlr 'camera' and some Polypan-f film. No doubt The Coelyns will be after these images for the gallery!

 The Gallery is OPEN. So good I snapped it thrice

 The flag is flying

The things are not doing anything

Crakin aren't they? 

How to open a gallery with a Kodak twin20 [and re-spooled film] in your hand

To be honest, I'm back home. The opening happened earlier and now the closing has happened too. Only for the night mind you, I shall repeat the exercise again in the morning. At the Oiseval Gallery that is

It is quite exciting - the first time. And that was as Mr Coelyne showed how it was done. The door is opened - with a key and everything. Then another key is obtained from a secret place and another door opened. It's complicated isn't it?

Then the closed sign is removed and replaced with one that indicates opened. It says OPEN on it just to make sure there is no mistake. The other sign doesn't say that at all. Just as well.

And now the big moment; the flag of Scotland is raised - with a little hep from nautical knots, a few rapid hand movements and a salute. Like this. See that? No, well, you will just have imagine that since I didn't take a snap of that. It's not easy being a documentary reporter with a Kodak Twin20 camera loaded with partially used and re-spooled film [don't ask!].

It obviously worked well as I have sold things. Eh? How did that happen?

Meanwhile, my phone has turned up at Royston's - many thanks for the info Sir. I shall collect it soon.

White rabbits

 Eve

Yes, it was this hot on the Isle of Lewis last weekend. The beach felt very Mediterranean and caught me without the exposure meter which meant I overexposed. Ah well, rather looks like a lith print now so can't be all bad. Gone somewhat colder now but still lovely - talking of which Eve has cycled to work again today.

Anne sings the Bird Book

Our intended next visitor is somewhat in disposed at present so we are wishing her a fine rest with The Pirate. [all code you see]. Our last visitors are now at home in Yorkshire from whence they came via Barra. I presume Anne has got the tune right now.

I seem to have hit a less than adventurous strain of blogging of late. Maybe it's because I lost my phone, or Pushkin is unwell again, or perhaps because I'm pre-occupied with the Oiseval Gallery at Brue. I shall endeavour to bring some interest into this in the near future. Bear with me.

The Hulk

 Lucky eh? Yes, Chinese Lucky colour film that I managed to scan incorrectly making somewhat like old IR colour film. I like it and the Farrier was a hulk too :-)

Pushkin is unwell

I didn't know what to say. They looked so at ease with life.

Lamblettes

Wandering up the road through the village with the sun on my back, breeze in my hair and no midges to deal with, I came across these two little fellows. 

"Hello" I said in my best lambese. They cocked their pretty little heads and looked quizzically at me. 

"Who are you" they suggested.  I told them I was the only vegetarian in the village [which isn't exactly true since to be totally honest I am currently a pescatarian and so is Eve but I figured that being so young the little lamblettes wouldn't know what I meant and I was trying to put them at their ease and not frighten them and all that]. 

"Oh" they replied not moving out of their cool spot in the shade. 

I didn't tell them of life and things. Of non vegetarians, of nine months down the line and what have you. I saw no need. They seemed so content with life just sat their looking while mum looked on from afar.

"Please can you let the world know of our plight" came the surprising request as I turned to leave. 

"I'll do what I can but I'm not sure who reads the stuff I write these days as none leave messages on the blog".

"What's a blog?" The Tolsta two asked. I tried to explain about it being a place where I write things down and post pictures but I could see they hadn't a clue.

I wished them well, took their picture and left.

Van the woman [or something equally witty - you'll just have to make it up yerself!]

A crazed woman shot out the back door of the shoppe/Post Office. She looked rather like the post mistress to me. Wide eyed, grinning like a Cheshire cat sort of crazed. "Have you got the van key?" she demanded of me then pushing past with a pile of boxes in her arms. The key was in the ignition I ventured guardedly. .

John A the councillor sprang into action - coffee in hand, bought in the shoppe that morning. "Now hold on there" he said with a smidgin of concern upon hearing me ask if the post woman lady person can drive.

Mrs 'Up Yours' MacIver shot into the road, checking for traffic to warn as the van kangaroed up the road threatening to spill it's contents all over the road! Another day in North Tolsta had begun!

Just down t'road, Ben the Vet [Pushkin's private physician ] was soothing a stroppy horse as the farrier fitted new shoes.

Perkeo in North Tolsta

The Perkeo in question is a camera - what else? It is very nice. Compact and all that and nice. Did I say it is nice?

Put some Fomapan 100 film in it, point it at your partner and shoot into the sun. Might as well while we have some sun.

I am currently inhabiting the Oiseval Gallery in Brue here on the island. That's nice too. Come in and have a look.

Dourdoigne, Dugast. Lovely

Monsieur Dugast then of Dourdoigne Boyaux and good family friend Desire Almy.

Back when I was young - a long time ago it now seems, I used to race bicycles. See, I had a life once!

Anyway, the family Ingram, of which I am a member had long time friends who lived in Normandy - that's in France and everything. This French family are lovely and none more so than Desire Almy who must be at least ninety now and used to race bicycles too in his younger days. This lured me over to race in the area riding for a local club there and generally having a good time.

We even got round to visiting the  Dourdoigne Tubulars 'factory' in a garage somewhere near Granville in France. That's French France. There was a outdoor velodrome there too so all my boxes were ticked that day. 

Are you following this? Nothing to do with the island here or photography much - except that I found this snap lurking yesterday and it made me remember 'things' Eh?

Scroll on a few years from the pre-1977 snap above - and I'm in Sheffield trying to do a PhD and I see Dugast tubulars on bikes at the worlds in Manchester Velodrome where, a couple of years later I take up the post of Velodrome coach. We are talking 1999 now! Sir Chris Hoy is merely a boy and just another up and coming sprinter. Victoria Pendleton is still a kid and I'm now importing hand-made Dugast tubulars [special stick on tyres for racing bicycles] and selling them on. It supplemented my grant at the time. Then, when working at the Velodrome I sold a pair of special tubulars to Jason Queally. He went on to win the Olympic gold medal in Sydney. Then I was supplying the GB team at the Velodrome and, Chris Boardman for his hour records. Lovely white or pink treaded tyres made of silk and rubber. Mmmm. Even my Eve won her World Masters title on pink Dugast tubulars - which as it happens are lurking up in the loft as I write. Latterly, Mr Dugast had retired and sold the company to a Dutch chap Richard Nieuwhuis who came over to stay with us in Mossley, Lancs while visiting the Manchester Velodrome for big events. Our lovely Dutch friend Carine - called him a 'talking chair' - I am sure you get the idea.

So, there you are,  a little history all from one snap Eve found while looking through a box!

Wave alert!

Oh dear. Just came home from working and I noticed someone has taken the waves! There wasn't one there at all. All smooth like they have melted in the sun or something.

Don't panic, I probably will come across the cove who has taken them .

Yes, it's hot here too

 Looking into the mist [ as Sammi the seal juggles six balls in the sea below]

Our friends Anne and David were up this way recently, so I took them for a stroll round Tolsta Head. If you haven't been round there, you should do. Birds and everything to be seen. I can see it as I write to be quite honest.

Hopefully you won't get bonxed by the Arctic Skuas or fall off the steep cliffs where the sheeps sometimes go to their demise. Hopefully you'll be able to see the mainland - although if you can see it clearly then head home as there will be bad weather coming in. Probably. This day it was hot. Very hot for here - and close. Did I tell you it was hot as well?

 Clocks [with summer hat! ] and Beinn

Even Clocks has taken a summer look and he looks years younger than he looked before. And Beinn the doggie followed him round all the same. When I say 'followed', what I really mean is that he walks around the village with Clocks wondering where he is.

Hector's peats

The peat cutting is doing well this year - but we haven't cut this year, the first year since we have been here  we haven't. We'll be back next year though. These are Hector's peats all nicely stacked in front of t'neighbours house. Yes, that's not Hector's house behind.  Makes me tired just looking at it!

Road

Road

This is a road - of which we do have a few. Even double ones like this main road. Luckily they are without too much traffic. Unless you are on the road when the ferry comes in at Tarbert. This was not one of these moments.

There is another big road down Uig way. You go down loads of single track then all of a sudden there's a road like a motorway for a few miles before that too suddenly goes back into single track. Well, I suppose they have to waste EU money somehow!

Barking, just barking

 Barking dog almost made it through the pinhole

And then she was gone

I wasn't sure the barking dog had made it through the pinhole but she had. Almost. Seems like she may have got her head stuck and tilted the world to one side in her attempts to get all the way through. It's ok, the world is straight again now, the sun is still shining and all is well.

Apart from it's too hot to go into the darkroom. A first up here!