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.

and finally this month all I have to say to my gorgeous mermaid and mermen friends is...

I luv ya 💙💙💙💙💙💙

March 2022

Welcome to our March blog, grab a cup of tea and a biscuit for a three minute read ....

Snow has come again making the beautiful daffodils droop a little

Zara isn't bothered as long as there is hay to munch

nothing bothers the geese

Tilly thinks it's just another opportunity to sleep

as does Wilma,

 in this photo though she looks like a dog on a stick !

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Book of the month

Thank you Gary for our copy of this book,

 we may live forever !!

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Sorting through our books I came across this lovely bookmark...

made me laugh anyway !

and packing away books ready to move I found a small lizard that I disturbed from the warmth behind the shelves !

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Pause for thought

(from Scottish Women's Institute Facebook page)

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 When the sun shines it's time to get back in the water, water temperature at the moment 8 degrees.

(thank you Tom and Fiona for this photo, good to see you both)

Oh ! how I love my mermaid friends !!

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Us glamorous Sunday morning swimmers think these beach shoes are just fab !!!

 we all want some, thanks Steve for bringing our attention to these.

(From Wild swimming - Scotland facebook page)

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Poem of the month

Soldier, Soldier

Do ya really wanna fight ?

Soldier, Soldier

Ya know it ain't right.

Soldier, Soldier,

What will you gain ?

I'll tell you Soldier,

Just rubble and pain.

Soldier, Son,

I hear your mother say,

"Didn't I teach you right from wrong ?

Put your hands together and pray"

Soldier, Brother,

Gently lay down your arms.

Soldier, Friend,

let's do no more harm.

Soldier, Father,

Go back to your family.

Soldier, Boy,

Go home for your tea.

June Purvis

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Website of the month

If you feel the need for some inspiration and some global coming-togetherness you may find this interesting.

https:unitethelight.global/.

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Quote of the month

(from Tao & Zen Facebook page)

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wishing you all a peaceful April wherever you happen to be

Malcolm & June

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