Monday 30 August 2010

The Europa

The cruise ship leaving gairloch this afternoon,
destination? perhaps Ullapool next.

About to leave the loch & enter the minch


where she stops & a couple of her "RIB's" go for a play.
Strangely, the only time ashore is spent in a coach which does a 3 hour tour of the area. This is a closed trip (doesn't stop) so the local businesses gain nothing & the visitors don't get a chance to try out any of the local offerings.



The Europa

After a night moored outside the harbour, the Europa leaves Gairloch this afternoon.
A couple of blasts of her foghorn & she's off.




Slowly passing behind Fraoch-eilean



Dwarfing the local boat which appeared to be scuttling out of the way.




Saturday 28 August 2010

Sunny Saturday (to start with)

Jamilla's breath can be seen on this autumnal morning.
Yacht at anchor in the loch, enjoying the sunshine. Unfortunately, a couple of hours later it clouded over & the rain returned.

Thursday was a great day

Just before 9am, best morning for ages.
12 hours later & it's been the best day this summer.

Lovely ending, pity the nights are closing in so rapidly.


Sunday 22 August 2010

Wilderness Challenge day

On Saturday Andy helped to Marshall a checkpoint on the Wilderness Challenge event. It started with a rough drive up tracks and then a 2 mile walk into the real wilderness.
Our check point had runners and walker doing either a 13 & 25 mile route, we provided water and directions to them over the day.
Here are some of the walkers finally reaching us after their 18 mile trek, just 7 more to go

A competitor slipped just after leaving us and broke her ankle, we had 3 mountain rescue Marshall's with us and they called in the helicopter to assist. We kept the area clear until it took off again


A quick way home for some treatment. We had to walk out later once the last competitor had left our area. A very windy day, not good for runners but it kept the midges away for us.



Wednesday 18 August 2010

Pics from Sunday

From Carr Point
Out to Skye

A "Bonxy" (great skua)



The face in the rock.


Walkies

The trees are starting to turn.......
Max posing for camera.

Nibs can't keep still.


Jamilla's not in the mood for having her pic taken.



Monday 16 August 2010

Kayaks on the loch







Kayaks on loch Tollaidh

Summer at last? Sunday was lovely & warm but as the midges are so bad at present, we decided the best place to be was on the water.
This is a freshwater loch between Gairloch & Poolewe.

Andy disappearing into the sunset.


Saturday 14 August 2010

The weather's improving

Visitor in the greenhouse a couple of days ago.
Across loch Tollaidh this evening

Close up of the same. The midges are horrendous at the present as there's no breeze at all, having to vacuum the window sills twice a day! Yuk.


Wednesday 11 August 2010

Beinn Eighe Walk

Our friends from Perthshire came to stay in Gairloch the other week and the weather was like summer for a change, so it was watersports and plenty of days out. Andy joined mum, dad the three boys and their dog for a big walk up Beinn Eighe, it was a hard 12 miles with 2 summits over 3000 ft (munros).
The way to the first summit

A scramble to reach the first top before lunch. However during our lunch break the mist came down we did not get any more views,


The way down from the second summit started with a steep scree slope, then a series of large steps each with waterfalls running down them. it was like being in the lost land of the dinosaurs.
There were bits of an old WW2 bomber scattered about , it crashed into the mountain over 65 years ago


Finally back to the road and a view of our big mountain, well done to everybody for such a long walk and for not getting lost in the mist.




Monday 2 August 2010

Beinn Airgh Charr

Plant very near the summit. Anyone identify it? Rock rose?
Loch Maree on the left, Loch Kernsary in the centre & Loch Ewe on the right. Beyond, the Minch & Western isles.

Tea stop. Where we left the bikes.


Beinn Airgh Charr at last

Margot & Anna finally made it at the third attempt today. Anna can see the hill from home & called to say it was clear so off we went. Cycled in from Poolewe towards Ardlair (missed the path off as we were too busy chatting! Retraced our tyre tracks & got back on course. Left the bikes where the proper track finished & began the ascent.


A happy Anna on the way down - Queen of the Hill today.


Sunday 1 August 2010

Inverewe walk

Beinn Ariagh Charr which we had hoped to ascend today has remained hidden in mist so we opted for a walk at Inverewe pinewoods.
Tolly having a rare pause.

Scarecrow in one of the flower meadows.


Flowerdale on Sunday

Jamilla & Tolly take to the water
Under the old bridge towards the harbour