Jackies April Hebridean Post

Hallo everyone from a sunny sunny day in Stornoway. There is a lively arts centre here where it is easy to e mail. Its about an hours drive from the house. I'm intending to post my news once a month with some photos if I can work out the technology which isnt' my strong point.

Well....here is the news,

We have completed the first two out of six concerts in the Beethoven String Quartet cycle that I'm putting on in a Sculptor's studio on the East coast of Harris. It exceeded all my expectations and was an extraordinary event. It sold out, and was a very strong, intimate experience for all involved. we had readings from Beethoven's letters, and we played an early, middle and late Quartet in each concert....so far
Op18 no 2,  Op95,  Op 130
Op18 no 1, Op 74,  Op 131

People came from other islands and from all over. We had 3 very nice reviews! We worked intensively for a week before each concert...about 8 hours a day.  It is incredible to immerse oneself completely in the work of one composer.......quite a different experience.

Practising Beethoven on the boat

The Quartet working hard at Beethoven

Nickolai and Beka who own and live in the studio where we play are incredible artists. He makes wonderful bowls and she photographs the surrounding landscape. Google The Mission House Isle of Harris to check out their work.

Now the quartet has gone and Gav and I are alone for the first time since arriving. Gav had a dream trip up here , coming through the Caledonian canal, and arrived in perfect sailing weather, screaming across from the Sound of Harris, and came in to the loch down the road from our house playing 'over the sea to Skye' on the viola!!!  Very romantic.

We took 'Kyle' for a couple of days to Loch Resort, which is a few hours around the headland. There was quite an Atlantic swell coming into the Loch and we nearly turned back. It was quite calm at the end of the loch where we anchored and walked ashore. no roads anywhere near this remote landscape. It was misty and very atmospheric. A desolate place in that weather. Its cosy on Kyle though and we can light the wood burning stove and cook up delicious food...then all is well.

The Atlantic swell

Cold and misty at Loch Resort

After a few days back at the house we set off for the Shiant Isles...arriving on a balmy sunny evening..and it was calm enough to anchor in a beautiful bay and easy to get ashore. What a place!  Adam Nicholson has written a wonderful book about the islands called 'Sea Room'.  A great read.

At Adam Nicholson's deserted croft

It was exhilarating arriving amongst thousands of seabirds.....puffins everywhere, razorbills, Gannets....seals swimming alongside us to welcome us, and 2 pairs of sea eagles up on the cliff with their chicks. Incredible. It was here that I dropped my mobile phone in the sea!

A sea eagle

The sea littered with birds

Next we are sailing to The Isle of Canna, and on to Coll to visit a friend. Then we will wait for a weather window for St Kilda.

It is a truly inspiring experience being at sea......the light, the rythym of the waves.....the beautiful rocking to sleep at night...the sound of the wind in the halliards, the awesome strength of the swell, like being on a living breathing creature.

Coming to Stornoway to write this is like coming to a big metropolis. I had a delicious lunch of chips and curry sauce from Camerons fish shop.

We have a creel on board Kyle and have been trying for lobster, but no luck do far. we have had some tips from locals now though...rotting fish apparently as bait, and drop it down near shelving rock...a reef is ideal. I will let you know in my next instalment if we master the art. Would be grateful for any tried and tested lobster recipes.

Well......I'll be away now

More soon,

Much love to you all,

Jackie   x