Chris Mackie

There's a new exhibition with some lovely photographs going up in An Lanntair as I write. They are by Chris Mackie who is currently in travelling in NZ for while.

Sheeping - or something like that!

I was proceeding in a northerly direction, minding my own business, looking at the darkening sky and wondering what to make for tea when I spotted Murray getting all togged up outside of his pal's barn. "What you up to Sir" I asked respectfully. It's the sort of thing I've got used to asking in my present line of work with the island's miscreanti.

It seemed that Murray and Murdo, Murray's pal were about to do a bit of sheep hair curling so the little lambs with straighter wool didn't feel out of place. Or was it a bit of dosing of the sheeps? Can't remember rightly but it was one or the other. We all descended into Blind Billy's shed where a contraption was prepared.

I apologise for my vagueness on the events of the day but to be honest I have not much idea what was happening on the other side of my camera lens. They moved or didn't and I shot. Or didn't. That's the way it went. I know it's hardly Ragnar Axelsson [who I might add, has had a wonderful film on BBC about him which is a must to watch] but it is North Tolsta !

 Murray 

 Murdo

 In Blind Billy's shed

Doing something sheep.

Next there was a lot of running about the croft, whistling for the sheeps who obediently came for a look-see and possible feed then disobediently shot off again with Murray chasing behind. I stood and watched, picked up a piece of fence stuff with which I thought I might help then put it down again as the next door crofter's jolly good sheep dog  came along to round up the sheeps [No, not Blind Billy who was still having his mid-morning sleep before his midday sleep.] In no time at all the sheeps were playfully trying to headbutt their way out of the little fank now they had figured something was up.

Then it rained.

Out came the curling tongs and the sheeps relaxed. But this was merely distraction and soon a dose of something which looked horrible and probably tasted horrible was administered.

I ran out of film, out of the croft and into the darkroom. Eh? Ragnar Axelsson, eat your heart out!

A tribute to rider 108

Very sad day at the Giro D'Italia yesterday when Belgian Wouter Weylandt died after a terrible crash on stage 3. Lovely tribute by the riders at the race today.

The long and winding ......

Although I did not know the rider, having spent 10 years of my working life in the sport, I really feel the loss.
Rest in Peace .

Sisters

Mr & Mrs Eve's sister and Eve

Sister is here. Eve's sister that is. Sister and her hubby are staying outside the village since we have no room for visitors to sleep - unless they sleep in the coal bunker that is. And, the bunker is full of coal. Eve and family took off oop north to Ness on t'road to see things while I stayed here flat on my back wondering what's happened to cause me this agony. I can barely see the screen here as I can't bend my back enough!!!
I managed to meet them in Stornoway for a lovely meal in the Park Guest House restaurant but then had to stagger back to the car bent double. Perhaps the morning will bring respite.

Her loveliness

Eve in all her loveliness on t'beach.

The weather is still good. It wasn't so good this morning as I took a light stroll up the village to see my pal for coffee. When I came back i ensconced myself in the darkroom to make a minor masterpiece and came out an hour or so later blinking in the blazing sunshine. How did that happen? Immediately I took off to The Crofter as I was sure they'd be sunning themselves again waiting for the sheeps to baa or something. I was mistaken as The Crofter was inside gossiping to another villager and making teeth - as one does to make ends meet. 

It did pop into my mind that I mind take out the bicycle for a spin this afternoon so I laid down and luckily the feeling soon passed. My dear Eve's sister and husband of that parish is arriving this evening for a tootle around the island. No doubt Mr Eve's Sister will be looking around with an eye to buy up a croft or three in the village for a little business venture :-). 

tootledoo

Bishop's Bottom

Mum's doing Ok since you ask.

 B&B Ullapool views

Frigate

On the way back from doon sooth, my dear Eve came over to Inverness to meet me off the biplane and it wasn't long before we found ourselves ensconced in the Blackfriars pub supping on some fine proper ale. As it happens, Eve' was not Bishops Bottom but something strong from Orkney while I risked all with a half of Hector  [ale; so you North Tolstaonian's don't get the wrong idea] . Lovely it twas too. The walk along the canal to the Tomnahurich cemetery was great too. One can waste a great deal of time exploring this fascinating place - the headstones often include the occupation of the deceased. We saw engineers, ship master, prison governor, tweed manufacturer, an iron turner, military people of all sorts but we missed the lion tamer that is [allegedly] there.
We tootled over to Ullapool on t'charabanc where we spent a fine evening enjoying the foodie delights and the views from the excellent B&B [although I am less enthused with the 'memory mattress' in the place that seemed to know the size of my deriere but forget my back].

Burnham

"Cup of tea Ernest?"

...on Sea that is. I was there last week whilst visiting Mater in hospital. Since you ask Mater is doing well which is rather grand. Had bunting round her hospital chair whilst sat watching a wedding on TV the other day with her special home-made hat on.

Reminds of the time we went to Buck Pal a few years back for a garden 'party' [don't ask]. Mater made this really lovely little pill-box type hat for the occasion and it looked terrific - as did Mater. Only thing was it rained. Poured actually and the people who live in that huge palace made us stay in the garden with not enough tentage to stay dry under. So, we go wet and Mater's hat sagged, the dye ran down her cheek and in the end the hat went in the dustbin. Mater had a nice day though.

In Burnham-on-Sea I strolled around in the sun aimlessly shooting the day away with no particular idea in mind. Maybe this snap could be part of my 'Whatever it is ...... it's overrated' project.

Uphill

On visiting Mater last week, in between times on the hospital ward, I took time to explore the area near the place. The hospital in question is situated in Uphill near Weston super Mare. Taking off along the road i soon found an entrance to a path that lead up the hill across a lovely field towards an old church. The views were stupendous looking out over Brean Down and the Levels.

 The old church on the hill

One perspective of the boatyard

Just below there's the River Axe with its muddy banks and little tributaries where on one of those there's a nice boatyard - although how they get boats in and out must be limited.
Here's two snaps from one walk - taken with the Zorki6/Jupiter8/Rollei400s/Rodinal

The Big Day is near

Yep, it's Mater's birthday in a day or two. She maybe still in hospital, still a bit weak but she is doing well and about to celebrate her 88th . Just want to say thank you for being there for everyone - always.


Apologies for the lack of photographic content of late but Mum has being occupying my mind of late. And I have started cutting the peats - and the darkroom ventilation needs putting in, the front wall painting, the house clearing up ............

Mater

I'm back from a few days in a very hot Somerset visiting Mater in hospital where she is recovering from a couple of falls and subsequent injuries - which are somewhat serious. One thing I always get from mater is a sense of  the positive. Despite all Mater's troubles she still talks of getting a pedal tricycle when she gets stronger and tells me that she won't cook quite so many pancakes [as the 100 she did this year] for next years charity pancake party.
Now Mater is still in hospital, having countless tests, resting and healing -aiding the latter with meditation and visualisation.

Lynne in her orchard - with Goblina

Had a lovely time seeing Mater and my sisters. Jill lives in Nam - Cheltenham that is - while Lynne lives in a lovely old cottage on the Levels of Somerset surrounded by her orchard and bees hives.

I took this snap with the old Ilford Sporti.

Mater

My dear Mother is not well. Not well at all so this may be quiet for a few days while I go to England to see her.

Mum is 88 years young and been really active helping everyone - and I mean everyone all through her life. If I could be half the woman she has been, I would be very content. I took this picture of her in her favourite sea-front cafe in Burnham-onSea in January.

Old

Somehow, I acquired some old Agfa Gevert Portiga paper to play with - for which I am most grateful.. It is fogged a tad but for me it makes lovely prints. Here's one of the first on it - with the scratch on the neg cloned out :-(  . From a Cromor walk

New project

I like to have a few photographic subjects bubbling under as they say - although I'm not really sure who 'they' are in that context. An early project that still lies somewhat unfulfilled - apart from the snappy title was/is "Fanks for the memory". The best bit was the title trust me. Gives you an idea of the quality of the snaps doesn't it.

Now I have a new project. I even have two images to start it off. So let me present, without a drum roll, the new project, complete with snappy title;

"Whatever it is........ it's overrated"

 Whatever it is........ it's overrated-1

Whatever it is........ it's overrated-2

More here

Better

Gratuitous nodding daffs snap

What a change a day makes. Now it's Monday and all seems rosier. Apart from having to work this week that is. Took off to An Lanntair for the usual Lewis Photographica Movement gatheration where Colin the Grass ['grass' in that he cuts the stuff for a living not smokes it] brought in his new Voigtlander Bessa Rangefinder camera. Brand new proper film camera too - wow, that's great to see. Tis a fine camera and I expect to see some lovely images from Colin soon. Actually, to tell the truth I rather lust after such a camera myself one day.

The day hadn't started so well as I took off in the mist of the morning in the village to take some moody snaps with the Crown Graphic. Then the sun came out which rather scuppered my plans. I shot off the roll anyway then promptly under-developed the thing. Ah well, such is life. The snap above is one - from a thin neg scan.

I notice that there are three lovely silver gelatin prints on display in An Lanntair at the mo. All by the wonderful Calum Angus Mackay. One image called something like 'Hair clam' is absolutely mesmerising. It is one of the best prints I have seen for a very long time and well worth the cost of a Mocha in order to justify going in to see the print - although you could as easily just go and see the print without the drink - but why waste a fine cafe-stop opportunity?

Another day

I seem to have come down off the high of Friday nights wonderful concert with a bump for some reason. Did potter to Toots' on the bike with Eve on Saturday for morning tea but today I can hardly raise myself to do anything. Ah well, there's always another shot from Friday to show.

Mission accomplished

Last evening, Finsbay with the Mission House Studio awaiting

If Nickolai and Beka Globe of the Mission House Studio in Finsbay wanted to make a statement of excellence last night, then they certainly should be pleased with themselves. Eve, Toots and I went off down to their wonderful studio set as it is in the superb Harris countryside overlooking the Minch for the first in the Kyle Quartet's series of Beethoven Quartets that run throughout the year. It was, without a shadow of a doubt, the musical coup of the century for the island.
The Studio is a wonderful venue for the this charity event and all tickets were sold. Some had like us, come from Lewis, another from Benbecula - walking through from Leverburgh to be there on time. The mood was expectant, the light soft and glowing, the free glass of wine as you entered a lovely touch. The quartet, professional musicians of the highest calibre were outstanding, playing with passion and skill that left the audience spellbound. Even Toots only  nodded off for a few bars in the second quartet of the three. We were all left speechless at the end, the only disappointment was there was no encore but in fairness, I suspect the quartet were exhausted. We will go again for certain.
Book your place soon to avoid disappointment - but not before we do please.

Two

Ok, since its a week or two since I snapped these two, they have probably forgotten about and anyway, I saw Hector's car out near his peats this morning which suggests to me he might be cutting peats already.
This is a local fashion show with Hector and Murdo in the latest in crofting garb. Hector on the left is modelling a fetching blue overall with matching jacket - blue. It was blue, trust me. At least I think it was blue. On the right Murdo shows off the warm fleece top. But oh dear, he's only got his second best wellies on it seems. Rather spoils the look I think. Still, it was a fine if short show and gave me a chance to shoot with the newly acquired Crown Graphic camera.

Is a thing lost........

Is a thing lost ...... when you know where it is?

No idea what it refers to but it is the title of an excellent exhibition in an Lanntair at the moment. We went to the opening -as you do and this 'ere chap, all bekilted up danced around the place pointing to this and that while ap Stephen looked on.

BTW: don't forget the Beethoven String Quartet series starts in Finsbay this week.

New kid on the block

Roy of Tolsta Moor, him of Ziggy fame, has now started his own blog here of memories and thoughts. Well worth the look.

This is not a test

Yes, it's a landscape

Ok, I've snapped it up before. Yes it's not a world breaker or something and yes it does look like a moulting cat rolled on the scanner before I put the neg in but hey, it's a landscape! I might even do some more of these - put them onto paper in the darkroom and everything. But first I need a new scape! And less sun. Apart from that, this was ideal.