Happy Easter

Alright, I'm a day early; but this weekend's photo competition was "Spring" and what better than spring lambs?  This little gathering are actually 1 week+ old and were being moved off to new grazing so the owner could walk along without tripping over them ;)



They were very laid back sheep with their lambs and I was kindly allowed to go closer and get some better shots.


Alas, lambs are rather camera-shy.



Today is gloriously sunny but very cold.  The Easterly wind (think I got that right; it's coming from the East anyway  EDIT: sorry, SOUTHERLY wind.  Serves me right for not checking) is flippin' cold, but the views are worth wrapping up for.  Ben Hough was getting some sun on its lower slopes:


Crossapol bay; almost looks good enough for a swim.




Across the sea to...erm...Mull! 


My mental map of the island and where things are in relation to each other is improving; but where the island is in relation to that view, not so much.

Alan (he who plans to walk around Wales) has kindly loaned me an old iPhone to play about with the Tiree Mobile App.  I'm also doing my own bit for it, but that's a secret for now (mainly because I might make a right mess of it!)  But I can tell you that the coming months will hopefully see some photos from further afield!

Happy Easter weekend to all.  I need to go feed the dog before she tells me off for being late again.

Oh, and don't forget Brits; the clocks go forward tonight!  So 2 am will be skipped and go straight to 3am.  Jo's going to the dawn service tomorrow, what a rotten time to move the clocks.

Island of sun

Apologies to all those on the mainland, we have stolen the Spring sun.  It does keep trying to snow up here, but the island takes one look at it and laughs.  It has been bitterly cold though and we did have gales last week.

Oh, and we have a new way of measuring the strength of the wind: clothing.  Jo came to see me this morning waving his collar at me and saying something about drying the clothes in strong winds.  I couldn't see the problem, until he pointed out that it was a button down collar.  Yep, the wind had ripped the buttons clean off (thread and all).  Only the buttonholes on the collar and two tiny holes in the shirt confirmed their previous existence.

On the plus side, it's been great weather for laundry and there's the added bonus of gorgeously soft clothes and bedding. 

The Isle of Tiree Facebook page shared this amazing image today:

Yep, so sunny we need sunglasses.


Madam Doglet has been sunbathing this week, not that you'd think she appreciates it:

"Hmph"


"I'm not looking at you"


"le sigh"


There's just no pleasing grumpy old women ;)

The Wednesday crafters started a new class today, one of our members has dared to try and teach us to smock.  "Smocking Baubles" is now my favourite exclamation; it's completely polite yet satisfying to shout.  I'm keeping that for Wednesdays though, far too many things to do by dates.

So, I must run off and do!

Tiree Tech Wave 5

What a weekend!

Tech wave 5 is now over.  Folk have gone home or are headed that way and the island is back to its usual population count.

The weekend itself went wonderfully (at least; I think it did).  The weather was lovely for 4 of 5 days and only a little mizzly for the other.





Lots of folk were in and out.  Bicycles were hired; walks were done.  I believe many photos were taken.  There is even a Flickr group where all are invited to share their photos.

The daffodils were out in full force along the road too.  The ones in our garden are just considering blooming.



Due to the large number of folk, we took over the auction hall for the weekend as well as the rural centre.  Numbers in each varied; folks mingled a lot and many new contacts were made.  I think it was better than last TTW in that respect.  No one group sat and avoided contact.











I might have enjoyed the "hot chocolate with everything" from the Cobbled Cow one morning.


Speaking of food.  I think it is safe to say that techies are hungry folk.  Trays of sarnies, cakes and snacks were laid out, but if you didn't get there in 10 minutes you had slim pickings:

There was also a choice of two different soups that only lasted about 20 minutes before the pots were near empty.

Techies also rather enjoy their booze.  This is the recycling I brought home from one evening meal.


And this is the leftovers from the App Launch on Saturday evening:


I am informed the launch went very well with a fairly even mix of techies and islanders.  Our very own Gromitty drew this fantastic poster of someone using their smartphone and being completely lost.


The touchtable is going well.  It was actually projecting things instead of being truly confused.







One of the Cardiff bunch brought this contraption.  It's the makings of a 3D printer.  I'm not sure if he got any further with it though.


So, that's the photos.  I think the island economy got a great boost even if we did all confuse the regulars at the Scarinish on Friday night by filling the bar before enjoying a wonderful dinner.

A good time had by all; plans set in motion and laughs galore.

The next wave is in October.  Keep an eye on the TTW website for booking details.  I imagine it will be around August time as Alan of the beard is off to walk the coastline of Wales next month for 3.5 months.

Another Tech Wave

Tech wave 5 is upon us!

I've been to 3, 4 and now 5.  The numbers have gone from 6 to 20 to 30 odd.  The island's population has temporarily increased by 5%!

Yesterday was introductions and a general getting to know you.  Today groups formed and people did things.  I'll do a proper TTW post once it's over and I've got my thoughts in line.

For now I just have to share what the weather is doing:


(that's a gull; not a confused bat!)  There is just a teeny rainbow over by the twin turbines.  I'm not sure where that area is; I just call it twin turbines house.

I did finally get to look around An Iodhlann today.  So much information!  Shall definitely need to visit again and have a chat to folk who work there.  This island's history truly fascinates me.

This evening we're all descending on the Scarrinish hotel for dinner and then tomorrow evening the Tiree Heritage App (Link to Alan's blog about it) is being launched!  Those with smartphones will be able to wander the island and use it to find out information about points around the place.  I'm *almost* convinced to get a smartphone...almost.  I did hear that you will be able to use it online aswell, so at least those of us who have "bricks" instead of "smartphones" can have a play.

Right, I've got half an hour to unwind and freshen up then it's out for dinner!

TTFN

More photos

Alas, I can't share my latest craftwork as it's still Dad's birthday work.  So, let me feed your eyes this morning:

This little crocus has flowered both years by our front door.  Very fortunate to get the photos this year; we get it flowered for 1 day and then it falls over.



According to an island botanist, this is "tangle" seaweed.  It grows in great forests out at sea and then the storms rip it up and it gets dumped on the beach. 





I have no real idea what this is.  I *think* it's an improvised creel, there was another with some netting over that giant hole.  But really?  No clue.



Another crocus.  This time at the GP surgery.  Photographed quite early in the morning, with just a hint of dew on the petals.




2 Fridays ago it was *glorious* outside so I spent a while on the beach, walking and sitting.  And doodling in the sand.  I was just moving the sand back and forth when that "eye" lump fell in and suddenly I saw a...

Dolphin!

And lastly, apologies to my long-suffering distant Dad...choc muffins!


There was a house clearance sale, erm, 3 weekends ago I think, and the tapestry group were doing lunch.  I baked 30-odd muffins and 20-odd didn't collapse (why a muffin would collapse like a souffle I still don't know).  Of the 20-odd I took to the lunch, 4 returned.  I think they went down well ;)

As for why the blog's been quiet and some of these photos are old: the island gained a chest cold.  Yes, the island.  Well, the humans on it.  Quite the impressive spread too.  But don't worry!  The bug has done it's worst and while there's still the odd barking cough; most are done and back to normal (whatever that is!).

That's about it really.  I've been allowed to knit Jo another pair of socks (the last ones felted slightly due to the wool ball band lieing(lying?)!)  So, this is the yarn I'm knitting from when I'm not knitting my SWRI competition socks; Dad's gift; lace shawl; SWRI comp. stocking or some other UFO (UnFinished Object):





Busy here, very busy.  Spring is coming.  I have plans to dig over the ground under the front window in the hopes of planting bulbs for next year.  I'm going to try and avoid digging up the crocus.  Jo's Mum has very kindly agreed to go raid the bulb markets in Lincolnshire for me and bring some up when they come to visit.  My parents are coming up at the start of May and Jo and I are going down to Lancaster to see a pair of good friends get married in September.

Yep, many things happening!

Good Morning

Misty cows




Misty airport


Sunrise with the tower




Morning sun