Well its mid May and we are waiting for a fair wind and a wee bit of sun to set sail for the Faroes. We had an incredible week exploring the inner Hebrides in seven days of hot hot sun with the occasional breeze. We left Finsbay after a good supper with Piers Hellawell and arrived at Canna on a beautiful evening.....there is a very good restaurant there ...wild garlic scallops, saffron risotto...that sort of deliciousness run by a smiley couple.....the island is magical.....green, green, green, after the rocky coast of Harris......next we visited Coll which we know well ......clear translucent water and white beaches...I went for a long walk and stumbled over a gooses nest....seals everywhere...... I forgot to mention listening to the Royal Wedding mid Minch on a millpond of silvery blue sea toasting them with chilled fizz ...I will never forget the power of the music and just floating around in our bubble of beauty. Then on to Tobermory on Mull for diesel and water.........Ardtoe, singing sands, and the majestic Loch Nevis, where, at the head of the loch I collected rocks for my collection, mica studded quartz, utterly and staggeringly beautiful. The next night on Skye near the Talisker distllery and back to Harris eventually on Sunday.
Strange to be back on land and living within the confines of our little house at Amhuinnsuidhe after the water....sounds strange doesnt it? as being on a boat is in some ways much more restricted, but in another way so much more free....the far horizon, the change in rhythm of the waves, the ever changing light.
Now we are back on the still land, plaintive lapwings calling and the sheep and young lambs wandering the gentle hillsides. Its forty minutes walk to a secret lagoon over the hill in front of the house where the sea pours in and out of a sandy bowl and leaves cowries amongst piles of sea shells. I love rummaging and gently stroking away the layers to find the cowries....always two together pink and precious, hiding it seems...I always feel a childlike rush of excitement when I find them.
We bought squid from the fisherman's co operative in Stornoway and cleaned them and cut them up and made delicious calamares. I love Stornoway. I will take photos of all the pub fronts and work out how to publish them here. So far its thanks to Claire at Britten Sinfonia....she has been posting the photos that I send her. I will write more soon.
Love to all,
Jackie
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