Swallow and swallow again

Friday 6 August: mid morning – we should be arriving in Coll just about now on the six a.m. ferry from Oban. Our London trip demanded considerably more time and effort, of all kinds, than anticipated; things that could not be left. The ferry to and from Coll and Tiree is infrequent and, despite having all our kayaking and camping gear packed and ready to go, we just ran out of time and energy. The brief holiday is postponed and we’re at home, with the car still heavily laden.

The expected basking sharks we’d planned to coincide with appear to have postponed their visits too; perhaps we can get together later.

In London we were just in time to admire the high flying swifts, a joy rendered poignant by the realisation that they were leaving. Back home, in the porch, we were greeted by the sight of a new swallows’ nest. I wonder whether they can successfully raise a brood before autumn closes in but whether or not they manage it we’re just happy to see them around. At one point ten lined up, chattering on the roof ridge, with another five swooping round. Wonderful!

Sunday: The allure of Lochgiphead dump is irresistible and after making our contribution of land fill and recycling we drove up towards Crinan to walk by the higher tidal section of the river Add, verges and meadow edges still awash with pink swathes of rosebay willow herb, the darker hue of purple loosestrife and a creamy froth of meadowsweet.

Monday: we took the scaffolding tower apart in the living room and reassembled it in the stair well to give access to the skylight there. The sloping ceiling over the space didn’t allow two full lifts so I extemporised, ending up with the ladder threaded diagonally through it and the decking part supported on the first floor. I lined the internal reveals of the last skylight. Tomorrow we have a consolation trip to Gigha planned – car, ferry, bicycles – then on Wednesday morning I’ll tape the stairwell skylight and take the scaffold tower out ready to fix the last barge board on the workshop. The stairs should arrive, as should Lottie, Martin and later David.

Friday 13: The stair delivery van broke down; he’d be with us around six in the evening. The timing promised to be interesting as at half five I was due to collect David from the ferry, but Martin and Lottie might have arrived – or not. At six the delivery was somewhere near Mallaig, miles north. He’d be with us tomorrow, the last of three drops.

…and at midday he was. The straight flights came fully assembled with the winding section in kit form. Newly arrived guests David, Martin and Lottie helped cary the bits in then David and I continued with the last bargeboard on the workshop. We’d fitted its opposite number together a few weeks back so had that as a model – a relief not to have to reinvent the numerous pieces of timber to support it on the overhang and an even greater relief to seal the edge of the roof, hiding and protecting that faded pink waterproof membrane.

While we were at it we put on the fascia board – the finishing touch will be the guttering.

The arrival of the stairs is the symbolic end of the ladder up which every body and every piece of material has had to go. The ladder will assume back-up duties and be semi-retired, indoors at least.

The phone just rang – the wood burning stoves will be with us by ten o’clock.