seaside crofting: April 2022

April 2022 and a bit of May

Well a lot has happened since our March blog posting ! We are now on our faraway island off the northeast coast of Orkney Mainland.

The move, involving two ferry crossings, went smoothly thanks to some remarkable people.

Apart from our animals, "Joycie", known along the trip as our Golden Girl, was our number one priority and she caused much amusement and made many friends !!

We know she will be very much missed in Wester Ross.

In safe hands

Thank you Shaun and Cameron of Littlejohn Removals, you made it happen

Eric Gillie horse transport collected Zara in style and made sure that she travelled safely and comfortably.

Thank you Alan and Katie for your professionalism and calmness, you are the very best !!!

When all our possessions and Zara had been driven away it was our turn to leave, with Wilma in her crate and little Tilly cat in her basket !

After travelling to John O' Groats and our first ferry crossing to Orkney Mainland we all had B&B in Kirkwall, including stabling for Zara, ready for the second crossing the next day.

Here we go ....

Joycie waited patiently on the pier side with our first three containers

In safe hands again

Individual treatment

Driving onto the ferry is a smooth operation ...

still smiling

There was a bit of a glitch in that the ferry company didn't tell Eric Gillies that the beautiful lorry that was transporting Zara was too big to be craned off at the North Ronaldsay end of the ferry crossing !

But at very short notice they sourced a trailer and managed to complete the mission !!

Eric Gillie - true professionals !!

Thank you.

This is where things get a bit different~

unloading on North Ronaldsay, here comes the first of our three containers

Here comes Zara ....

staying cool, calm and collected

safe landing by the brilliant ferry handling crew

then comes our car with Wilma and Tilly on board

and big thanks to Olly and Sian for taking Zara from the pier to our new home

looking relaxed and ready to go

and eager to see what's going on

Now being on an island the unloading of the containers is down to us, it's at this point you wish you hadn't packed so much !

especially when you've moved to a one bedroomed cottage

Now where's the kettle ?

taking time out between unloading in the sunshine

Far from trying to keep Tilly in to get used to her new surroundings, we couldn't get her out, she thought it a good excuse to sample the bed and just look out of the window.

Tilly did eventually venture outside with the aid of Zara

Zara seems completely at home in her new surroundings

I think she'd quite like to come in for some tea.

This is Nouster Beach where I have had my first Sunday10am swim, it may well be my favorite Sunday beach but need to explore the other beaches too.

Wilma thought it was great

It was hard leaving our wonderful friends made in Wester Ross but we shall keep in touch !

Elaine , Gary and Zeida,

what can I say ? you made us smile for days !

We tried our best not to run over one of our greatest fans !!

and of course I shall miss the watery adventures of the Ewe Wild Swimmers !

Never let the cold and rain and wind stop you from dancing and laughing ! !

playing

eating

having fun

keeping warm

feeling free

being daft

being crazy

going for it

loving life

thank you for the party xx

Biggest of hugs to my first Wester Ross Mermaid-Janette back in 2014

over 300 Sunday morning swims together !

and yes you all made me cry with my amazing gift, with all your mermaid names on the back -

you are fantastic !

Thank you Andi for making this fabulous plate !

andi Neate (middle) can be found at her ceramics studio "Prickly Fish" in sand Passage, Laide, Wester Ross, also at Kinlochewe and Poolewe Markets, Wester Ross.

You may also recognise her songs and voice from the international stage, see her on YouTube.