bin off island

 

Back now after a nice few days away

them there

 

Machair or dunes or both.

Just behind the big beach hereabouts, called Traigh Mhor. The path here is usually a bit sheltered from the wind and the wind has been been bitterly cold of late.

home

 

Our little house nestled as it were.

We like it.

You can even see me snapping it with the Reto UW&S and Foma 200 @ 400. the camera didn't know I was shooting at 400 so I developed it longer.

when t'boat comes in

 

It's not always like this let me tell you. For example it's blowing a bit today and Baltic. The sea may have a few ripples on it and then sometimes the driver of the boat doesn't want to play.

And the there boatee on the left is apparently not even seaworthy and is impounded or something. On it's way to Africa for a spot of fishing it was.

Eve used to like sailing our little yatchette in these conditions because mainly we just bobbed around. But one did have to keep an eye open for the ferries as they tooted their horn at you if you got in their way. 

hedging my bets - as it were

 

We are off island soon for a few days. If weather doesn't upset the ferry driver. If that is likely we may take an earlier ferry.

Keith will be off to "prison" whilst our lovely neighbour Moira will feed Hungry.

shingling

 

Eve was in  town this morning collecting her new glasses. Obviously not as fashionable as mine but probably more practical. Whilst there she met Gerald here with Sue at their marriage/hand fasting session in Stornoway a few years back. We like Gerald and Sue but just do not get to see them much.

Had a shingles jag the other day. It's a good thing and that but gosh didn't I stagger round as the jag took affect. [yes I did] Was like a weak 100 year old and felt the end was nearish. Luckily Eve kept me from face planting and generally making a fool of myself. Now rested at home I feel much better now you ask.

One or the other

 

Glasgow.

I think I prefer Edinburgh - more refined and what have you.

wedding

We are off to another Scottish wedding soon and I'm taking a camera hoping to catch a few of my unique wedding images. Somewhere there is a stash of images from other weddings I've attended so perhaps they will do. you will be pleased to know I have decided upon the cameras to take; simple, lightweight and above all, fashionable [in some circles].

Oh and I have yet to decide which gorgeous outfit to wear at the occasion. Shall I wear my fladden sailing suit on account of all the rain down there or, an anglo/Western Isles Shalwar kemeez type of confection that I am, I must admit rather partial to.

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.