More Holiday?

Normal (building) service will be resumed as soon as possible.

My daughter came for a week and I planned to keep work to a minimum, but the weather forecast was poor, typical when someone says they’re coming. As it turns out the forecast was wrong, and though a bit colder we had no rain all the time she was here. The sun shone, off and on and apart from a morning and an afternoon when we did some planning (lists, measuring, drawing) it was a work-free week.

I expected the electricians to begin the first fix and our photovoltaic delivery and installation to happen, but they didn’t; the electricians awaiting delivery of sub-main cable to carry our permanent supply from workshop to house and the photovoltaics (for us and neighbour) held up along the way, finally arriving on Friday via a national but locally notorious carrier – out of twenty four panels three were smashed. This time it seems the damage occurred earlier, the load having been strapped down far too tightly. The palette had collapsed and the wrapping had let water in. Hopefully our inverter and the other kit is unaffected…

We drove round the area, getting out to the sights and walks I’d not taken either of my children to on their working visit last August:

Skipness (winkles, ramson, views of Arran);

Dun Skeig (three ancient duns high perched over the mouth of our loch) and a circular and varied (hill, coast, river) walk.

Loch Caolisport – circular hill walk, great coastal views, waterfalls;

our local coast – red squirrels, caves, badger setts, fishing otters, basking seals, more duns;

Kilmartin Glen – stones – standing, circles, cairns, cists, chambers). Apparently there are over eight hundred ancient monuments up to five thousand years old within six miles of Kilmartin village;

Whether or not you visit Kilmartin’s other ancient monuments it’s worth climbing the airy and isolated crag of Dunadd, high (well, a few storeys) above the river Add and Mòine Mhòr (great moss,) its boggy flood plain, just for the sense of place and panoramic views;

North Knapdale, wooded lochs & beavers – plentiful signs of, but no sightings as yet.

Despite persistently chill air more cuckoos are calling, primrose, wood anemone, marsh marigold and ladies’ smock are flourishing and a few swallows and martins swoop and skim. Hopefully many more to come.

Tomorrow I’m back to building and the electrical first fix begins. After tidying up to ensure the electricians have the access they need I’ll start building the low side walls – one in each bedroom – to hide plumbing and wiring and provide storage.

Watch this space…