I am feeling almost human again. I could do with a nights sleep but at long last the wind has died down, the power is on more often than it’s off and the sleet, snow and hail squalls are interspersed with sunshine. It is much colder. I had a very wet and miserable walk with the dogs this morning and our post lunch promenade was no better. Tomorrow I'm moving down to Oban for a few days and then I intend coming back as Loch Creran is unique round here. It has sponges, giant mussels, red seaweeds and special worms plus lots of birds for a Scottish Loch. It is also a grand place to sit and stare.
Earlier on whilst struggling to stand up I was passed by a flock of what looked like Fieldfare. They were flying at subsonic speed but only just. They could have been anything but that is what came to mind when I saw them. I was thawing out and enjoying a mug of tea in the van when I noticed several Thrushes. Some big ones and some small ones. They are Thrushes, shall I risk getting closer? In for a penny.
Enjoy what is left of the weekend. I’ll catch up tomorrow when I should have power and a good internet service.
And are those sheep by the loch? I hope your winter eases off.
ReplyDeleteJoanne, yes they are sheep I'm surrounded by them. These are hoggits or last years lambs. They live in the mountains during the summer so this is luxury for them.
DeleteThe third shot is stunning and I hope the weather improves for you so you can see it like this again. Have a great weekend and stay warm.
ReplyDeleteThanks Margaret. It is worth the aggravation for a glimpse of a good scene once a week.
DeleteI saw the weather reports and had visions of you and your truck akin to the scene in the Wizard of Oz. Glad you're OK, the Winterwatch team lost the roof to their building!!
ReplyDeleteAgain I like the stormy scene in the first image but the third one does show the beauty of your location, keep safe.
Douglas, I park bow or stern on to the wind. The only bits vulnerable are the heads and shower room vents. I Gaffer tape them shut for the winter.
DeleteI hope Michaela didn't need rescuing in my absence. I would have enjoyed groping around under a pile of slates and felt till I felt her.
I must be better I got the Redwing ID'd. There are quite a few birds here. Shags, Common Gull, two sorts of geese, Fieldfare, Oystercatchers and several sorts of ducks. I'll head back.
The two geese species sounds interesting, I'm sure one will be Pink Footed Geese, curious to second species have a hunch but no certain look forward to more
DeleteDouglas, there are three species. Canada, I think Brent but the others were miles away. I was going back tomorrow but looking at the forecast I'll stop where I am.
DeleteGood luck with your moving, even with the weather. Great catching the Mistle Thrush and Redwing.
ReplyDeleteBob, moved fine. The site is owned by an English man from Matlock. He asked for a fortune per night but we settled on merely extortionate. I am in Oban or a couple of miles outside it for three nights. If he drops the price a bit more then I may make it five.
DeleteEs un reportatge molt guapo,Adrian. Bon cap de setmana a tu tu també.
ReplyDeleteUna abraçada.
Jordi, em veig obligat a utilitzar Google per escriure això com jo parlo basc i espanyol i una mica de Potuguese. El català és molt diferent a l'espanyol, basc és molt dur amb tot º XXXXXX de. Vaig a utilitzar Google per ajudar, però si és una ximpleria i corregir si us plau.
DeleteGràcies, que hauria d'haver dit gràcies però veig que és gairebé el mateix.
I am not sure that living in a campervan with intermittent power by a windswept Scottish loch is the best way to get rid of colds and chestiness. Maybe you should be snuggled up by a warm fire with hot totty/hot toddy (take your pick). But then again you are a tough old boot Adrian
ReplyDeleteYP, add damp dogs and damp everything and I have to concur. I dislike getting home to a damp truck that fair reeks of wet animals but then the sun pops out and I'm happy. The boats could be wet for months in the North Atlantic and being steel running in it. A trip down to Mexico was wonderful but the weather was pretty much the same. Too hot I found it.
DeletePS should that be 'Fair.' or Fare?
"fair". You got it right! Gold star for you my lad!
DeleteHope Fort William has helped you on the road to recovery !! ... never thought I'd ever say that !!
ReplyDeleteJim, I am getting tired of writing Jay or J. I wouldn't mind James. Jimmy is a bit awkward but I can live with awkward.
DeleteFort William is just a stop off like Mallaig or Ullapool. I need food. Inverness is best but it gets a bit counter productive driving a hundred and twenty miles for fresh food.
There was a reason why an ex GF from the south west in my real travelling days called me Jay and it's stuck. J looks better in print though which is why I opted for that. I remember explaining where the rest of the title came from some time ago.
Deletehttp://jayzspaze.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/post-50-birth-and-early-journey-of-blog.html
fortunately it goes better.
ReplyDeleteBas, it is good and bad. The winds are now an acceptable thirty miles an hour but the rain is still raining.
DeleteVery pretty indeed ~ no one would blame you for just sitting and staring.
ReplyDeleteCarol, it is a wet, cold, windy part of the world but I have tried several other places and like it.
Deleteglad you're feeling better. Hugs to Alf and Mol.
ReplyDeleteR. Mac. You can hug them. The dirty little sods rolled in Otter crap this morning....it may have been seal shit. I have scrubbed them under the tap but the van stinks of fish. It's go out again for another scrubbing session or get used to the smell. It's driving sleet outside so fish don't smell too bad to me.
DeleteThat is a beautiful scene in any weather and definitely worth waiting for the clearing. The weather sounds frightful. Stay warm.
ReplyDeletePauline, it is Scotland. It is barely gloves weather. It is Jacket and outside trousers weather. A woolly hat made of Yak hairs keeps my head warm. It is an expensive hat and waterproof. I think they come from Patagonia, it could be made of Lama fur. The animal is like a sheep but has very long legs.
DeleteGood that things are starting to turn around for you. But it's only January so there's lots more to winter. However , it would be nice to get some decent days to stay out for a while.
ReplyDeleteKeith, the country is tiny. I am hoping to move eighty miles east for proper winter. This windy weather is going to last a week. It is what it is. It is really raining now.
DeleteWhat a stunning view. I don't envy your conditions though. Feel better!
ReplyDeleteHilary, west coast winters are wet and wild. It's bearable.
DeleteThe wind has come here - the southern coast of Victoria (Port Fairy) - and it is supposed to be our summer. At least recent rains delay the fire risk. How you recover thoroughly. Oban sounded good on the 'Town' series? Jean
ReplyDeleteJean, Oban is a fine town, it is primarily a ferry port but is more interesting than most of that ilk.
DeleteWhat a lovely view- hope you are feeling better soon, and that the temps warm up and power stays on! Have a wonderful Sunday.
ReplyDeleteTerri, no internet yesterday today is about to start. Tomorrow looks horrendous again so I think I will delay departing from here.
DeleteMe gustan los raros momentos en los que ves más;))
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
Laura, yo también
DeleteAt least the skies clear up for a moment for you to take some gorgeous landscapes. But even in rainy weather these regions offer themselves up nicely for photography.
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
Mersad, some days they do. I didn't go far from the van for these.
Delete