On Tiree the wind scale is a tad skewed.
What might be called "windy" on the mainland is called "breezy" on Tiree.
"Breeze" has a wider range up here. Up to about 18mph is generally referred to by locals as "breezy". I have noticed very few completely calm days and have already managed to adjust my mental scale of winds. "breezy" isn't really an event on the island, folk carry on as usual, even the frailer ones still consider the wind to be weak enough to let them outside.
Above this and up to around 40mph is considered "windy" and usually "gusty". The average person who doesn't need to be outside generally won't be. The wind brings tears to the eyes almost instantly and the frailer folk stay indoors or look around for a kind soul to block some of the wind. I can get a walk in up to around the 25mph mark, after that I get blinded by tears.
Above 40mph is allowed to be "very windy" and sometimes even as far as "gales". The Glasgow plane starts to be unpredictable, the ferry may not get past Coll and life on the island generally moves indoors if at all possible.
But the second biggest factor after speed is direction. A nice tail wind can shave a good 10-15 minutes off the flight time from Glasgow while a head wind can add as much as 30 minutes.
Our ferries aren't exactly small, they can take a couple of HGV's and a good couple dozen cars in one run. The Lord of the Isles even has stabilisers (not wheels, big fins on hydraulics to ease the roll). So the sea being rough isn't necessarily a guarantee of no running. What does determine the ferry coming in is the direction of the wind in relation to the pier. From what I've heard; if the waves are coming in at the length of the pier, or side, then docking is possible. But if the waves are hitting the end, then the offloading ramp can't stay put. Or it could be the other way, I'm not sure as yet.
Of course the ferry not getting in sees a sudden rush to the Co and Macleod's for bread and milk. A cancellation of the plane means no mail and no people coming back or visiting. What I love though, is that no mail doesn't create a big fuss. No mail today? Okay, it'll be in tomorrow, probably. No mail for a day on the mainland? All heck is let loose. Even in the little village of Todmorden a one day delay could have a week long knock on effect. Here it might knock something back two days.
Right now my little browser plugin says the winds are around 43mph from the SSE. I believe this is the average of sustained and gusts, but I'm not sure. What I can tell you is that right now having the bedroom window open 1cm, not even past the frame, creates enough howl to drown out anything but someone in shoes walking past the door. Other observations include: the water in the toilet has a fairly good wave system going. The house is COLD and even though the heater is on 4 I am having to wear thick socks and a jumper to stay warm. There's also a fair howl coming down the chimney.
We don't like Southerlies or 'Sou'westerlies' in our house, they hit the front of the house and have a horrible knack of finding all the tiny holes and getting in. They also lift the lino, even though I've blocked off all but 1/5 of each air brick.
Still, could be worse...I won't say how, Murphy and Sod may be listening.
I dearly hope all my friends and family on the mainland are taking care, staying warm and avoiding the snow. Take care all!
Thursday, 17 January 2013
Friday, 11 January 2013
A little more
I joined a "photo per week" group on Facebook and have been playing with the camera. Today I trotted down to the beach and had a play, thought I'd share the results.
A quiet rock pool:
This little plant was in another rock pool; neatly wrapped around that rock. yes, the water really was that clear!
The tide was just on its way in, slow and steady.
A quiet rock pool:
This little plant was in another rock pool; neatly wrapped around that rock. yes, the water really was that clear!
The tide was just on its way in, slow and steady.
Thursday, 10 January 2013
Just some photos
It was fairly calm yesterday morning so Pippa and I went for a walk to the beach. Sunrise was beautiful!
January, and not only is it mild, the sun is here already. Admittedly, the rain still visits, but...SUN!!!!!
There were also lots of stranded jellyfish along the tideline, the biggest I saw was about 4" across.
Also saw this plantpot. Just a plastic pot that had been underwater long enough to get it's own eco-system
These creels are down on the beach and were in a neatish pile before winter. Now they've been rearranged and moved about 10 feet along the beach. Considering the amount of rusty steel in there, just goes to show how strong the waves have been over winter. I was rather amused by the perfectly beached margarine tub on top.
Just to prove that we have had rain too. This is a field down the road; yes, field, not pond, tarn or loch.
Sunshine is popping in and out today. The birds are singing, Spring is on the way. That means the lawnmower will be back out soon! ;)
January, and not only is it mild, the sun is here already. Admittedly, the rain still visits, but...SUN!!!!!
There were also lots of stranded jellyfish along the tideline, the biggest I saw was about 4" across.
Also saw this plantpot. Just a plastic pot that had been underwater long enough to get it's own eco-system
These creels are down on the beach and were in a neatish pile before winter. Now they've been rearranged and moved about 10 feet along the beach. Considering the amount of rusty steel in there, just goes to show how strong the waves have been over winter. I was rather amused by the perfectly beached margarine tub on top.
Just to prove that we have had rain too. This is a field down the road; yes, field, not pond, tarn or loch.
Sunshine is popping in and out today. The birds are singing, Spring is on the way. That means the lawnmower will be back out soon! ;)
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
War!
Remember those cute, furry little uninvited guests? Well, nearly 2 weeks ago I declared war.
Two snap traps and one night later: 2 ex-mice.
Then it went quiet for a week.
Two nights ago I noticed that the baking tray cupboard was gaining extra poop. Moved 1 trap into that cupboard, 1 mouse that night.
What I wasn't expecting was the following evening.
I went to bed, heard the trap snap, found a mouse. Dispatched it (alas, the trap caught it by the leg rather than the neck). 15 minutes later, another snap, another one needing to be killed. And yet another while I was asleep.
4 mice in 24 hours?!
Surely that has to be all of them? Surely 6 mice is all?
So I sit quietly in the living room, deciding if I want to watch a DVD or listen to music...
pitter patter, pitter patter
You have GOT to be kidding!
More lead boots in the loft!
I'm thinking I need to buy more traps.
Still, mice in the house is better than four directional damp in previous rents.
Two snap traps and one night later: 2 ex-mice.
Then it went quiet for a week.
Two nights ago I noticed that the baking tray cupboard was gaining extra poop. Moved 1 trap into that cupboard, 1 mouse that night.
What I wasn't expecting was the following evening.
I went to bed, heard the trap snap, found a mouse. Dispatched it (alas, the trap caught it by the leg rather than the neck). 15 minutes later, another snap, another one needing to be killed. And yet another while I was asleep.
4 mice in 24 hours?!
Surely that has to be all of them? Surely 6 mice is all?
So I sit quietly in the living room, deciding if I want to watch a DVD or listen to music...
pitter patter, pitter patter
You have GOT to be kidding!
More lead boots in the loft!
I'm thinking I need to buy more traps.
Still, mice in the house is better than four directional damp in previous rents.
Thursday, 3 January 2013
2013, 151, 135
Well, it's 2013. I'm saving the year review for the end of January/start of February when we'll have been here a whole year.
151 and 135?
I've been working on a blanket. It's made by knitting lots of little "hexipuffs", hexagonal puffs that are hollow, and then stuffing them with a little bit of stuffing and sewing them closed. When I started each puff took about an hour, now they take about 30-40 minutes, depending if I make an oops.
151 puffs are now complete:
Total area now covered? 20x30 inches, or approximately 4.16 square feet. (20x30=600 12x12=144 600/144 = 4.16)
The 135 is my approximation on time taken. Yep, 135 hours of knitting. Here they are all laid out with a mug for comparison:
And, just to give you an idea on time, remember this shawl?
This is approximately 25-30 hours of knitting time. In the time I've taken to knit 151 tiny little stuffed puffs I could have knit this (beads included!) between 5 and 6 times.
Anyway, back to knitting the other 200+ puffs required for a nice sized blanket...
Happy 2013!
151 and 135?
I've been working on a blanket. It's made by knitting lots of little "hexipuffs", hexagonal puffs that are hollow, and then stuffing them with a little bit of stuffing and sewing them closed. When I started each puff took about an hour, now they take about 30-40 minutes, depending if I make an oops.
151 puffs are now complete:
Total area now covered? 20x30 inches, or approximately 4.16 square feet. (20x30=600 12x12=144 600/144 = 4.16)
The 135 is my approximation on time taken. Yep, 135 hours of knitting. Here they are all laid out with a mug for comparison:
And, just to give you an idea on time, remember this shawl?
This is approximately 25-30 hours of knitting time. In the time I've taken to knit 151 tiny little stuffed puffs I could have knit this (beads included!) between 5 and 6 times.
Anyway, back to knitting the other 200+ puffs required for a nice sized blanket...
Happy 2013!
Saturday, 29 December 2012
Happy Holidays!
Christmas has been and gone, we had a huge lunch and a quiet afternoon opening pressies and digesting.
Our parents clubbed together and sent us money to get a dishwasher, so that should be with us in the new year.
All pretty quiet here. We're enjoying the rest, Jo is playing on his computer, I'm knitting and taking care of odd jobs.
Bike's been up on bricks again. We got a new inner tube due to the current back one having punctured twice (yes, I did swear at it the second time). So I spent an hour this evening taking the back wheel off, changing tube, pumping tyre, refitting wheel, cleaning and re-lubing chain, blah blah. Bike probably hates me by now.
Madam doglet is on antibiotics. We gave her the turkey giblets on Christmas day, there was lots of crunching, then yesterday she was really lethargic. Didn't even do her usual insane dance when I said "dinnertime!". Andrew from next door kindly took Madam and myself to the vet, after lots of screaming(from the dog), restraining and the vet prodding and picking, turns out she'd cracked a bit more off a broken canine and it was infected. Gave her the first of ten tablets last night, this afternoon she was back to her sweary self. Dinner was far too slow at being served! She's also had her yearly vaccinations done, so that's ticked off the to-do list.
Madam's now also on very limited exercise. She *wants* to walk, but her joints don't, she'll settle for a few rounds of tug and a wrap in her blankie though. We did get a good walk in on a calm day, how? I made her PJ's.
They still need a bit of work, some poppers we think, as one leg falls down and exposes her knee. Yes, she looks silly, but she loves the freedom offered by them and that's what matters. We even met some collies a few days ago, they were tag-teaming; one would sniff one end of Pippa while one sniffed the other. They also weren't keen on going back when their boss called them.
Oh yes, Christmas eve, got up as usual, got dog on her leash to go out for morning relief, opened door, let dog out, looked up...
Erm. Hmmm. No, those cows were not meant to be there. The white one was the leader and had discovered a gap and led a group to, quite literally, greener pastures. I did find how they'd gotten out of the common grazing: there's a gate from that patch of land to the common grazing land, it's knackered, rusted hinges, rotting wood, the works. Between the strong winds and the cows, it had come open and the ladies had helped themselves. A bit of rope from our coil and me very unladylikely hopping the fence saw that sorted before any more got out.
But what of the escacows? Well, they paid a visit to Beachcomber, got chased off, paid a visit to postie/farmer across the road, wandered down a bit. Got followed by me and two were returned to the grazing. But 6 more were free.
Thing is...cows run away from humans trotting along, especially guilty cows. So, I could get to a gate and open it, but the cows weren't going to back track to go in the field and the ones in the field weren't going to stay there when the gate was open. I rang Alan to ask him to herd from his end, alas, the remaining ones took that time to go wandering again. Fortunately they went to what I'm told is an old camp ground, so they were off the road and out of harm's way.
Guess what we saw in the land behind us on Christmas day? Yep, whitey and her pals. Their owner or some other soul got them back to the common grazing before the day was over though. Now the cows come to check the broken gate at least once a day and if I'm visible they like to moo at me in annoyance.
That's about it for now. Happy holidays and I hope everyone who reads this had a lovely Christmas and will have a brilliant 2013!
Our parents clubbed together and sent us money to get a dishwasher, so that should be with us in the new year.
All pretty quiet here. We're enjoying the rest, Jo is playing on his computer, I'm knitting and taking care of odd jobs.
Bike's been up on bricks again. We got a new inner tube due to the current back one having punctured twice (yes, I did swear at it the second time). So I spent an hour this evening taking the back wheel off, changing tube, pumping tyre, refitting wheel, cleaning and re-lubing chain, blah blah. Bike probably hates me by now.
Madam doglet is on antibiotics. We gave her the turkey giblets on Christmas day, there was lots of crunching, then yesterday she was really lethargic. Didn't even do her usual insane dance when I said "dinnertime!". Andrew from next door kindly took Madam and myself to the vet, after lots of screaming(from the dog), restraining and the vet prodding and picking, turns out she'd cracked a bit more off a broken canine and it was infected. Gave her the first of ten tablets last night, this afternoon she was back to her sweary self. Dinner was far too slow at being served! She's also had her yearly vaccinations done, so that's ticked off the to-do list.
Madam's now also on very limited exercise. She *wants* to walk, but her joints don't, she'll settle for a few rounds of tug and a wrap in her blankie though. We did get a good walk in on a calm day, how? I made her PJ's.
They still need a bit of work, some poppers we think, as one leg falls down and exposes her knee. Yes, she looks silly, but she loves the freedom offered by them and that's what matters. We even met some collies a few days ago, they were tag-teaming; one would sniff one end of Pippa while one sniffed the other. They also weren't keen on going back when their boss called them.
Oh yes, Christmas eve, got up as usual, got dog on her leash to go out for morning relief, opened door, let dog out, looked up...
Erm. Hmmm. No, those cows were not meant to be there. The white one was the leader and had discovered a gap and led a group to, quite literally, greener pastures. I did find how they'd gotten out of the common grazing: there's a gate from that patch of land to the common grazing land, it's knackered, rusted hinges, rotting wood, the works. Between the strong winds and the cows, it had come open and the ladies had helped themselves. A bit of rope from our coil and me very unladylikely hopping the fence saw that sorted before any more got out.
But what of the escacows? Well, they paid a visit to Beachcomber, got chased off, paid a visit to postie/farmer across the road, wandered down a bit. Got followed by me and two were returned to the grazing. But 6 more were free.
Thing is...cows run away from humans trotting along, especially guilty cows. So, I could get to a gate and open it, but the cows weren't going to back track to go in the field and the ones in the field weren't going to stay there when the gate was open. I rang Alan to ask him to herd from his end, alas, the remaining ones took that time to go wandering again. Fortunately they went to what I'm told is an old camp ground, so they were off the road and out of harm's way.
Guess what we saw in the land behind us on Christmas day? Yep, whitey and her pals. Their owner or some other soul got them back to the common grazing before the day was over though. Now the cows come to check the broken gate at least once a day and if I'm visible they like to moo at me in annoyance.
That's about it for now. Happy holidays and I hope everyone who reads this had a lovely Christmas and will have a brilliant 2013!
Thursday, 29 November 2012
Home again, home again,
Collapse in a heap!
I've spent the past 2 and two half days in Glasgow and I can truly say I do not envy those who live in that busy place.
I said I was going to write a flying from Tiree post months ago and this time I have the photos I want to go with it.
We have a little plane that serves Tiree from Glasgow. It seats 21 passengers maximum and has two three blade propellors. Here it is coming in to land:
It really is wee, that's a Transit sized van parked there. You have to be very careful getting on that you don't thwack your head, I usually end up almost bent double, my Dad would be able to inspect his knees judging by various tall men. It's not a plane for the inflexible.
Just to give you an idea, this is a standard sized "jumbo jet" with a Transit van next to it:
And this is our little Otter behind the fueling lorry:
But there are bonuses. How many planes do you travel on where you can see the pilot and all the instruments?
And, of course, you get amazing views!
Some people worry that such a small plane isn't very safe. Au contraire, smaller planes can stay airborne at slower speeds and while, yes, there can be turbulence, it's no worse than a bus going over a bump. Give me a little otter over a 747 any day.
I didn't take any photos in Glasgow, partly because I forgot I'd taken the camera and partly because I was with my Mum and enjoying a good chat most of the time. But I had to take this one, the last bullet point is in desperate need of punctuation. Whenever I read it I wonder how mobility issues will be happy to help.
Mum booked us both into the Breahead Travelodge, double rooms with a nice bit of empty floor and a pretty gradiented painting:
I had to giggle at this, Santa looks ever so happy to have all those lovely women pulling his sleigh, dirty old man!
Glasgow was good, mostly got results I wanted and shouldn't have to go visiting again for quite some time I hope!
We did take advantage of some of the sights. We initially planned on the Tuesday to find the Rembrandt exhibition in a gallery on the university campus grounds. So, we trotted up the hill, couldn't see any signs for it, trotted down, had lunch, found some directions...Trotted back up the hill, round a bit, up some stairs, round a bit more... We were about to give up when we saw some large banners for the exhibition, one more try we agree, walk to a likely looking building...it turns out to be a church. Oh well, Rembrandt remained unseen.
We did find some bits and bobs in the various shops though. I got some Christmas cards and saved a small fortune in postage by writing them that evening and giving them to Mum to hand over at various family gatherings. Mum found some flat wrapping paper (she hates the rolls) and we had a lovely lunch.
Wednesday we decided to invade Ikea. Mum had never been to one and I had a few bits I was hoping to find. Note to all: wooden chopping boards are surprisingly heavy and should not be purchased with the plan to stick them in your rucksack to take home, your back WILL complain. Still, we went round, found some pressies, got lost (seeing a theme?) and had a good lunch. Back to our hotel for a bit and then dinner at Pizza hut. They do a main, side and all you can eat salad for £6 per person before 5pm, we got our 5 a day that evening!
Thursday morning we parted company, Mum off to get the train and me off to fly again.
It wasn't as sunny when I got home. But Tiree is beautiful from the air regardless.
So now I'm home for the rest of the year (barring emergencies). Just got to fill out my expenses form and send that off and then I can chill and listen to the cows. Angus the bus driver has been teaching me about how cows and sheep behave and how they stay in their herds/flocks so it's fairly easy to separate them off when the common grazing time is over. It really is a fascinating thing.
I shall leave you with one of our little uninvited guests that's currently residing in a tub (with air holes, water and a bit of food!) until I can take it to the Reef tomorrow.
It's a very pretty guest, shades of grey and brown and quite cooperative for the camera. Shame it keeps a pair of lead boots in the loft!
I've spent the past 2 and two half days in Glasgow and I can truly say I do not envy those who live in that busy place.
I said I was going to write a flying from Tiree post months ago and this time I have the photos I want to go with it.
We have a little plane that serves Tiree from Glasgow. It seats 21 passengers maximum and has two three blade propellors. Here it is coming in to land:
It really is wee, that's a Transit sized van parked there. You have to be very careful getting on that you don't thwack your head, I usually end up almost bent double, my Dad would be able to inspect his knees judging by various tall men. It's not a plane for the inflexible.
Just to give you an idea, this is a standard sized "jumbo jet" with a Transit van next to it:
And this is our little Otter behind the fueling lorry:
But there are bonuses. How many planes do you travel on where you can see the pilot and all the instruments?
And, of course, you get amazing views!
Some people worry that such a small plane isn't very safe. Au contraire, smaller planes can stay airborne at slower speeds and while, yes, there can be turbulence, it's no worse than a bus going over a bump. Give me a little otter over a 747 any day.
I didn't take any photos in Glasgow, partly because I forgot I'd taken the camera and partly because I was with my Mum and enjoying a good chat most of the time. But I had to take this one, the last bullet point is in desperate need of punctuation. Whenever I read it I wonder how mobility issues will be happy to help.
Mum booked us both into the Breahead Travelodge, double rooms with a nice bit of empty floor and a pretty gradiented painting:
I had to giggle at this, Santa looks ever so happy to have all those lovely women pulling his sleigh, dirty old man!
Glasgow was good, mostly got results I wanted and shouldn't have to go visiting again for quite some time I hope!
We did take advantage of some of the sights. We initially planned on the Tuesday to find the Rembrandt exhibition in a gallery on the university campus grounds. So, we trotted up the hill, couldn't see any signs for it, trotted down, had lunch, found some directions...Trotted back up the hill, round a bit, up some stairs, round a bit more... We were about to give up when we saw some large banners for the exhibition, one more try we agree, walk to a likely looking building...it turns out to be a church. Oh well, Rembrandt remained unseen.
We did find some bits and bobs in the various shops though. I got some Christmas cards and saved a small fortune in postage by writing them that evening and giving them to Mum to hand over at various family gatherings. Mum found some flat wrapping paper (she hates the rolls) and we had a lovely lunch.
Wednesday we decided to invade Ikea. Mum had never been to one and I had a few bits I was hoping to find. Note to all: wooden chopping boards are surprisingly heavy and should not be purchased with the plan to stick them in your rucksack to take home, your back WILL complain. Still, we went round, found some pressies, got lost (seeing a theme?) and had a good lunch. Back to our hotel for a bit and then dinner at Pizza hut. They do a main, side and all you can eat salad for £6 per person before 5pm, we got our 5 a day that evening!
Thursday morning we parted company, Mum off to get the train and me off to fly again.
It wasn't as sunny when I got home. But Tiree is beautiful from the air regardless.
So now I'm home for the rest of the year (barring emergencies). Just got to fill out my expenses form and send that off and then I can chill and listen to the cows. Angus the bus driver has been teaching me about how cows and sheep behave and how they stay in their herds/flocks so it's fairly easy to separate them off when the common grazing time is over. It really is a fascinating thing.
I shall leave you with one of our little uninvited guests that's currently residing in a tub (with air holes, water and a bit of food!) until I can take it to the Reef tomorrow.
It's a very pretty guest, shades of grey and brown and quite cooperative for the camera. Shame it keeps a pair of lead boots in the loft!
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