Thursday

 

I rested yesterday - whilst wearing my new 'seeing' glasses, I like them. At this rate I'll be buying some new 'looking' glasses as well.

Yes, yes this is an old snap I posted. Colour as well. Please forgive me while I recover the monotones. It's a bike anyway. Not Eve i might add.

easterly

 

The bitter easterly wind we have been having recently has thankfully abated. Maybe Keith and Hungry will venture out more soon. I think Hungry may have forgotten what it's like out there.

Actually the sun is almost shining as I tap nonchalantly at the keyboard whilst hoping inspiration strikes.

oops

 I'm currently not walking on the beach as much as I did pre stroke. Despite it thankfully being slight it has affected me more than I first thought. Not quite so keen on uneven ground at the moment. Sleep is affected by me not knowing where I am when I first awake and then, the other day I fell in the loo at a cafe and I struggled somewhat to get up from being wedged in a corner. 

All of of a sudden I feel really old and vulnerable. Oh well.

old old

 

We went into town to visit the opticians and now both Eve and I have new glasses coming soonish. The frame on my new glasses being pink and blue and why not?

Yes it was bitterly cold with the east wind drawing all the warmth. As we  could barely see because of the eye drops that were used we retreated to a nearby cafe to warm up so Eve could safely drive home {I am currently forbidden to drive because of my recent stroke.]. 

I took a snap with the reto UW&S /HP5 combo.

winter fuel

 

Not everyone cuts peat up here for fuel.  In fact fewer and fewer peeps do. Some like these where we often get our eggs from use wood. And gas probably.

All trix film which I must admit is rather nice.

 

1600

 

Feb already.

I had a Minolta A3 camera from the year of my birth loaded with Kentmere 400 and rated at 1600 which needed to be used up. I surprised myself by developing it in Rodinal 1:25 and had some nice images. Like this one from the crofter's [doon the roads] dental lab. I should use this camera more ooften only, it does weigh a great deal.

towards Cromor

 Lovely and everything.

Always lovely going down there.

Except when it's icy or something.

It's all up hill from here

 

It feels like it anyway.

It's cold and windy but at least the sun is shining. 

Here is the road up then down to my good pal William's place in South Lochs. It is the most wonderful area although the roads are somewhat tortuous at times. I think it#s there anyway. looks like his road - a first gear approach and what have you.

we have a tree place

 

Not really sure if it is a wood or a forest. I do know there are trees as this is they depicted above. Lady Matheson, her of the drug baron husband helped plant the tress after importing soil as ballast in hubby's ships. not sure if they imported the rhododendrons that invaded the castle grounds but thankfully they have been temporally controlled.

The Tri-x handled the view with admirable something. Having said that I'm not really sure what I should be looking of in a film. It works well, develops easily and captures what I point the camera at rather well. So does HP5 though.

I think this is what one is meant to do

 

The sun was there as was the bus shelter.

HP5+

In other news; I'm feeling somewhat better after my recent hospital stay and the German visitor made it off the island on the ferry before the next storm rolled in. Thankfully, the wind has now died down and quietude and returned.

these two

 

Ken and Moni making sure we leave their premises and looking rather startled after the on-camera flash [I was using a nearly modern camera at the time] went off rather unexpectedly.  Moni and Ken live over there on that penninsula of land that sticks out a bit on the other side of this here bay where ships come to shelter in the storms. It's called Point or An Rubha or even the Eye peninsula  [the land that is] and I notice Wikki or whatever it is doesn't even mention them which is terribly remiss as they are by all/most accounts, notable peeps.

stream

 

There's a fine stream down this way. Or it might be that way. Anyway it's here for you to see to save you the bother of going looking for it. Just as well since it is blowing a minor hooli and you might end up in the Minch. Our island ferry is on the Minch somewhere tucked up against the wind and afraid to go out to play in the breeze. Our guest may well be staying longer than he thought. Ah well, he is a nice chap so that's ok.

tri-x

 

I used this film [gifted by secret Shaun] before. I didn't like it. No idea why since this snap I took over the festival of over consumption turned out just dandy.  Perhaps I got the exposure wrong  before or the development or something. I shot this at 800 and sloshed it about in Rodinal, like I do.

It's a nice lit snap of pal Colin from Engerland here for a break with Coelyne over on the west side. This was in Vatisker at artist Christine's gaff. It was Coelyne's birthday bash - lovely food, great company and pass the imaginary parcel. 

Yes the camera was af, which just as well since at thee moment my eyes not as sharp as the could be.

But I am back

apologies

 Had a short but necessary sojourn in the local hospital for a slew of test and more test to figure out why I'd been dribbling [more than usual]. Turns out I have had a stroke. All okish now thanks to our fine NHS and the local staff therin. 

I might even get out with a camera soonish.

boat

 

We used to have a little boat here - well, parked in Stormoway most of the time either out on a free mooring or else snuggled up in the harbour marina. We gave the thing away in the end. We did use the tub quite a bit in the outer harbour and down the coast of the island but in the end the upkeep did us in. Scraping the barnacles off and repainting bottom was too much. Then the flippin outboard played up and that was that.

Still fun times were had as you see here.

crests

 

The sheeps were following their crofter dad down to what they thought might be food. Only it wasn't to be, they were just being led to another part of this croft. 

The cemetry road was my route coming back from one of my strolls. The trouble with this road is that it seems never ending as you stroll back up. It presents false crests all the way dashing my hopes of the celebratory cup of tea till I eventually reached home.

Again, this is a Perkeo/kentmere snap.

6x6

 

I am so lucky to have both Bronica and a Hassie but I must admit the 6x6 camera I use most is the little and old Perkeo. A Voigtlander of this parish and used by me for many years. It did get soaked on an ill fated hike up the Clisham, sand in its workings on Traigh Mhor beach and I had to disable to double exposure preventer but it is still a fine camera.

Used Kentmere 200 @ 400 and miscalculated Rodinal development for this !

grass

 

I don't usually do snaps like this. My eyes are not so sharp as they used to be and I was working with a manual focus camera [om2n] and HP5. Obvs the HP5 won't make much difference only it was rated at 800 so a small aperture [and hence good depth of field] was required. Reads like I know what I am talking about but I just wing it to be honest.

Anyway, eat your heart out Kenna.

there was snow

 

There was snow here. A substantial covering rendering the outdoors somewhat exciting and not encouraging Keith and Hungry to venture out. Having said that Hungry disappeared for a few days but now 'home'  has not yet ventured out again. The snow has just about gone but there is wind and the little furry creatures are not keen on that.

I took off for a stroll down the cemetry road with the Perkeo [camera]in hand loaded with Kentmere 200 and once I have finished the roll I shall chuck it in suitable chemicals and maybe show one here.

coows

 

sunlight

 

The light at this time of year up here in the northish part of the UK is just dany. Low sun when the sun shines at all .

I like this light although I have not been out and about much of late what with the snow and my on-going tiredness. 

Badger

 

Miss Emily, one of the little crofters down the road from here told me this fella is Badger. I think it was Badger anyway. Might have been something else but Badger will be ok for here.

Badger lives on the croft with his hareem who are all available for petting at certain times. He is a mini goat I think - but I do know he was snapped using  Nikon J1 camera [d*g*tal] which I don't like if I'm honest.

I shall dig out the new Tri-x very kindly gifted to me, shove it in a proper camera and try again.

Urbanism

 

Of course there is a little urbanism on the island - mainly in Stormoway. Quite brutal designs too but they do house people so that's alright. We  go up here occasionally as the post office there is open when others aren't and the people there are nice.

The place is bit of a maze and used to puzzle me somewhat if I had to find a particular residence whilst doing my old job. 

Down to see The Crofter

 

We have a little snow here. Hungry the cat has gone awol for some reason so we popped down to see crofter and his lovely family. Keith came too as he is really missing his furry pal.

As we arrived Paul and Emily were down at the barn tickling the coos and new born calves - Nickolas and the other one who name is yuletide themed but escapes me now.

Isobel the youngest crofterette showed us how to climb up their slide covered in snow but didn't and clonked her bonce on the hard plastic and sports a fine blue bruise - which mum put peas on. Why she didn't use tinned peas I don't know!.

It doesn't change much

 

The track out to 'our' peat bank is lovely if a bit rough. I have been on the back of Donald Four Tractors trailer once, years back, out into the little loch as the track doesn't as far as the bank. Look you can see some peat banks freshly cut on the opposite side of the lochette. Love the patterns the cutting leaves - much much more back in the day way before we came to the island. There's still a couple of families cutting peat in the village but mainly it's not done much.

Haven't been out there for a long time but I might just take the time and energy to get out there again soonish.

windy

 

Mr Windy here and his lovely wife Deanne are not island dwellers any more. I miss them. They reside in a self-refurbished cottage near Dumfries. Tis lovely down there. 

We attended a wedding of one of their children the other while back [Alex and his bride Elissa] . That was lovelee, taking place in a woodland glade by a lake in the dappled sunshine. I shan't forget that one in a hurry. Meanwhile another of their children gets married soon and we are off down [Dundee this time] to celebrate with Beth and her Hubbi to be Grant. So looking forward to seeing them all again. Hopefully I will energised enough to enjoy it.

In the meantime best wishes to all for a fine and peaceful 2026

all over

 

Well that's it then. Another year passed and we are still here [Not here as in the snap because that is Cromarty], here in North Tolsta. 

Been a warm and breezy year which is unsurprising as the climate changes. Eve is still riding her bike  and me too from time to time with electric help. Still taking snaps and still keeping the blog going for what it's worth. I like looking back in it just to see if I was alive and kicking 10 years ago. I was as it happens.

Thanks for coming here whoever you are. Have a wonderful 2026 and I'll do my best to keep this interesting.

over there

 

This wasn't this week or last but a while back. Over the other side or somewhere like that, up a small road and everything.

I rather like the shot so I'd thought I sort of start bringing the year to close with a nice snap.

south

 

We used to spend part of this time of year in Somerset. The Levels to be precise. My late mum used to live nearby and my elder sister still does. It's peat land in the main now the land has been drained so the roads often meanders softly go up and down due to the unstable ground. The roads are also often straight and beset with winds off the nearby Severn Estuary - and it's wet, often flooded . Lovely place though with little traffic and abundant wildlife. 

This might have been a Christmas snap.

reto

 

look, I paid about £20 for this camera so I am going to use it. Here at the bowls club where we played inside last Wednesday.

Pass the mince pies please

Greetings all

 

Greetings from the mild NW of Scotland. Lovely Eve here would like to wish our reader a very happy festival of over-consumption such as it is. 

The sun has been shining a bit of late so the Reto UW&S camera got an outing loaded with HP5. Lovely camera it is too. People were rushing hither and thither [mainly Hither] while we sauntered along having acquired our sprout and free range neep. 

We shall spend the day doing a little light exercise, eating a spot of lunch and generally being nice to each other.

We do hope you are having a fine day whoever and where ever you are.

pedestrianisation

 

Stormoway for all it's sins, and there are many has pedestrianised the town centre. Well several roads anyway. as you can see here it is a great success allowing more cars to park or drive along there than usual. The town was heaving the other day despite the rain. 

Donald or was it Murdo doing their best to keep the shelves full in the coop. The weather haas held up so ferry deliveries are still happening.

Using my Polypan-f film again.

And I must hereby wish my reader a very lovely few days whatever it means to you. Oh and thank my Secret Santa for the film. _loverly

The crofter

 

I shall call down to see The Crofter et al on Christmas day. It's a tradition now. They will pose in their fancy jumpers while I snap them up.

I took this snap a while back, The tractor is now gone to Donald four tractors to add to his collection. The barn and mud is still there.

keith

 

This is Keith at Christmas [not Keith Christmas ] who was making a right nuisance of himself the other morning. The sun shone after days of rain, the sky red and radiant over the bay earlier. Eve went out for a much needed bike ride and I had decided to go out for a stroll and sing a few off-key carols just to annoy the neighbours. Only Keith decided to come along just as the days cars appeared and luckily stropped to let the furry fella do what he wanted - cross the road [with the chicken]. Keith went across then sat in the middle making sure everyone knew was boss. I was so up-fed I came home.

Boris etc

 This Boris another four legged creature in the village. A lovely fella here with his human taking the air.

Timbukthree loop

 Here's little and quick snap taken on a stroll round the Timbukthree loop. Coming up from Tom Hickmans lovely abode this is what you might see. Sea to your left at the end or the croft - beyond the sand dunes and what have you. You'll pass the plumbers place, the councilors place and Timbukthree - only it's not called that now which rather confuses things, Tis a fine short stroll with plenty of fresh air.

But yesterday we spent the afternoon with Toots Wilson while his wife Anne did necessary things in the a very wet town. Twas lovely. In addition to the tea drinking and cake eating Toots and I discussed the work of Icelandeer Rax [and Faces of the North in particular] - whose work I love and am honoured to have met

cats

 

There are a lot of feline creatures here on the island and this is a snap from 2016 down in North Lochs and a lovely lady who lived with these cats right down in the most delightful spot by sea edge.

Of course we have two of the lovekly things here at home with a third wanting in every day. And in the next village is a lady - who runs fine shoppe in Stormoway - who has 23 cats at home. Ooof

it has been cold

 

Despite our global position we don't get much snow these days. We rarely get a hard frost but, we did the other day which froze the windscreen of our little red car. I'd forgotten how lovely ice patterns are.

sheeps

 

We have sheeps here. Did you know that?

I presume they are still here since we have had another blow the other night. I will go and check.

Yes, they are still here.

NO, NOT D*G*TAL

 

Yes sorry but I won't be using it much if at all. The thing is for some reason I was won over by constant advertising on the web and although it's not quite the Leica I lust after I paid good money for the Campsnap. 

If we're being honest here, it does do what it says on the box - takes snaps, is lightweight and easy to use but the resulting images are less that lovely. Having said that this snap is of my lovely Eve dressed in her Friday best off to accompany Keith the cat on his daily stroll down the back track - in a gale. The cat in the snap is not Keith but Gordon  who supposedly lives elsewhere but spends most of his precious time trying to get in the hoose as soon as we open the doors/ windows. He'll be at the window shouting for his mate Keith in the daytime and the nighttime too if I am in the warming room in the middle of the night. Lovely creature I might add.

Anyway, not sure why I acquired this less then useful camera. I shall have to give it away.

sleepless in Tolsta

 I don't sleep very well - if at all some nights. If I get too physically tired that stops me sleeping. If i'm not tired enough, that too. It's a pain.

Oh yes I take magnesium supplements, count sheeps [ there are plenty here to count] and meditate but the night carries on without me sleeping often.

Perhaps next year will be better.

and the lights are ooop

 

The lights are OOP! The lights are oop! And Emily and Isabel are getting dizzy.

Paul still has a pile of work to finish and kindly allowed me to snap him in his lab with the totally unsuitable camera and film [XA and foma200] I had with me that day. Gemma meanwhile still has a few more teaching days to get through. Hopefully I'll get down over Christmas for the obligatory snap.

sat sitting

 

I do hope we still have a roof over our heads as last night night was meant to be a bit of a breeze. It wouldn't be the first time we have lost tiles and chimney pots.  

I hear M OoK got over to the mainland safely on the last ferry out for a few days. I am sure she is luxuriating in her own bed this morning. One day she was here we took ourselves off to Valtos to visit her old cycle racing coach Angus, someone I met at their local beach some years aback and didn't recognise him from 40 years ago - although he did remember me! So it goes. Need less to say it was lovely visit - soup and all.

Dave

 

He didn't have a hat on this time unlike eighteen years or so ago at the short lived island photographic club where I think I attempted a 13x 18 large format snap with the old old FKD.

Eve's current coach

 

At this time of year what with the rain wind and sometimes snow, Eve [and me occasionally] take to a bit of indoor cycling in the potting shed. Inevitably Keith pops himself on the window shelf to make sure one doesn't slack. Although of a certain age Keith is still lovely - except for the fact that I am now allergic to him.

BTW: if one is on the island atm, go and see the wonderful Tom Hickman exhibition in An Lanntair. Really wonderful.

Mr Hickman

 

We just having a cuppa when there's a soft tapping on the front door and in walks Tom. An extra cup is found and we sit for a chat. Tom has a got a new exhibition coming up at An Lanntair with the opening on Friday, which to be sure we'll be attending - free drinkies and everything.  What with all the prep Tom has been real busy. I decided to snap him up but perhaps it's not his best side or else it is the excessive grain. It is him I can assure you.

another fine morning

 

Another fresh and fine morning here on the island. There's a busy week ahead so I am up and about earlier than usual.

Lunch date with Eve's old boss who is lovely then preparations for our guest - Mrs Ook?! .

I want to finish scanning this roll of film - HP5+ shot on the EOS & 40mm [it has autofocus so I can usually get that right at least these days]. Maybe Rodinal was not the best developer for the job but it just came to hand at the time. 

Anyway, on with the day,