Sunday morning walk

No snow at Treshnish.  We had a dusting of snow-hail we call 'snail'.  We walked up to the Sitheans, past the lochan which was almost frozen over.  Normally Cap swims here, so we kept him away this time.  

The hill sheep are still in the in-by fields so we could let the dogs run about a bit.  It was beautifully still and quiet. The air was really crisp and clear and we could see Ben More on South Uist, and Macleods Tables on Skye between Canna and Rum.

We found Hare footprints in the 'snail'.

Rum, so white.

When the days are short, we take advantage of the sunshine, particularly on the weekend.

Cap loves nothing better than a snowball shower!

Walking home across the boggy hill, a layer of crunch.

Farmer and Daughter let the young Herdwicks out for the day. They careered round the field leaping and jumping!

East and Middle ready for guests arriving today.

In the evenings at the moment, Farmer is busy looking back through the farm paperwork for a group he is part of, benchmarking farms on the island against each other, to see what areas of the business can be improved.  It is not a pleasant job, adding up the costs of the hay, concentrate food and medicines compared to the lamb sales income.  

And the 'glen road' from Aros Bridge to Dervaig on Friday morning..

Before the storm

The forecast is for a storm coming in tonight.  It has been grey and windy all day, but not wildly so.

We have had some dry and relatively calm weather.   It makes such a difference for Farmer when he is outside working.

The hill sheep are all still in the fields.  A new set of tups went out yesterday.  We do this every year - we put the first main lot of tups out for the first cycle (17 days) and then put the extras out for the second cycle.  This reduces the risk of ewes without lambs - if one of the first tups going out isn't fertile for some reason, the ewes have a second chance with the extra tup!

Not exactly clear blue skies, but bright and dry - no complaints.

On Sunday afternoon Farmer and I took the dogs for a run on the hill (as all the hill ewes are in the fields!). It was so very still and quiet.

I love looking at where we live from above.

My phone has just pinged with texts from Calmac, warning of ferry cancellations tomorrow on the Oban Craignure route and possible disruptions on the Lochaline Fishnish route.  Winter has arrived! 

Rainbow month

Brownie

Brownie and one of the wedders enjoying the sun.

Searching for crumbs.

Brownie is just not interested in saying hello when he knows there is not any food for him.

For the most part the weather over the last few weeks has been pretty dire.  Every now and then though you get a wonderful day.  This was one of them.  It was so very very quiet.  I could hear the conversation the fishermen were having on their boat below the house.

Mid morning and the sun was burnishing Calgary with golden colours.

The Rosa rugosa has nearly lost all its leaves but it is still a very important Sparrow habitat.

Yes, not every day is blue sky.   And now that the clocks are well and truly back, it is a shock how early it gets dark in the evening.

On Sunday Farmer was helping with some sheep on another farm.  Daughter was doing an English essay and I had some errands to run on the Ross of Mull.  I could not have picked a better day.

As you know I am not a Birder and I didn't even take binoculars with me.  I had a lovely sighting of a female Hen harrier hunting very close to the road at one point and I saw dozens of Buzzards hunting and sitting on posts!

This boat lies across the road from the Pennyghael Stores.  The posts in the background indicate the route across the top of the loch at low tide.  I would not recommend it now, as I have no idea if there are in the same place as they were before, and besides there is a perfectly good road.

I have been across it twice. Once on my 'honeymoon' when  Farmer drove across it as a rash newly-wed in a 4x4 - and promptly washed the car to get the salt off it the next day!  The other time was a long time before that.  My father drove across it at low tide in his pride and joy, an old Citreon DS. As children we were both really excited and a little nervous at the same time - sharing my mothers anxiety perhaps!

The view up to Burg with Ulva beyond.

And peaceful bliss at Uisken.  No one else there. Picnic in the sun. Coffee in an old tin cup walking the strand line.

This is Castaways.  Did you know they have a 24 hour book shed round the back?  You can literally buy a book at any time of day or night!

The highlight of my day, sightings wise, were these two Otter pups.  I did report them to the Mull Otter Group though as I was concerned they were out on the road and there seemed to be no sign of the mother.

Back home and another day.  Damp and dark.  Such is November on Mull.  You need to enjoy the sunshine while you can.