My First Corncrake

Monday started with torrential rail and 40mph gales so it was early afternoon before we ventured out of the house. I went a walk in the rain and got drenched and within half an hour of me getting back the rain had gone and blue sky's prevailed. I went 2 miles up the road to a nature reserve and had an amazing walk with birds flying everywhere. On my way out of the reserve in the car I noticed this Corncrake in a field crossing between two patches of Iris beds. I quickly used my phone and got this. He started calling soon after and even although he was within feet of me I never saw him again. They really are very elusive these Corncrakes but everywhere we go in the evening you can hear them calling. 

The beach at Balranaid Nature Reserve. It was busy with the Camping site there full of Camper Vans with mostly Bird Spotters.

Later in the evening I went my regular walk near the house and this field planted with grass seed I think has freshened up after a morning rain.

Another view of the beach at the Nature Reserve

My evening beach walk at 8.30pm

 A Lapwing on my evening walk and there were loads of them about and their cry's were wonderful in the late evening sunshine.

Islands no 57 and 58 on Outer Hebrides at Last

I last visited Scottish inhabited Islands in 2018 so it was a real pleasure today to complete the last 2 islands in the Outer Hebrides since my visit there many years ago. This is Flodaigh on Benbecula and it's a very small island with only very few inhabitants but easily reached by causeway.

Flodaigh and many variations on how to spell it but this is from the OS map.

Parked up and on our way to Seal Point but there was only 1 Seal and it dived as soon as I took my camera out of its case. 

This is the lovely beach at Baleshare Island on North Uist

Next to the beach is the Machair and it is ploughed ready for planting potatoes by the Crofters who share the work.

On Flodaigh John was thinking of buying a car but decided to give this one the Thumbs Down.

Gaye, John and Sandria on the windswept beach at Baleshare.

A thatched holiday cottage. We met the occupants who have rented it for 2 weeks every year for 20 years.

This inlet on Flodaigh is quite a distance from the open sea

The Causeway to Flodaigh

The Machair on Baleshare ready for planting potatoes

A windswept trio on Baleshare.

The long beach on Baleshare protected by a high mound of pebbles.

John and Sandria on the top of the barrier of large pebbles.

 

The Causeway to Baleshare.

Our 75th Birthday Island Adventure Starts

Five years ago my friend John and I were 70 and celebrated by going to Orkney for a week with Gaye and Sandria. It is now our 75th year so to celebrate this we are heading to the Outer Hebrides and have a cottage booked for a week on North Uist. It's a long drive to the ferry which leaves from Uig in northern Skye so Gaye and I headed up to Fort William to break the journey and after a 5 hour drive we are staying in a lovely B & B near where the Caledonian Canal enters the sea. After a nice Fish and Chip supper I headed along the canal to walk to Neptunes Staircase along one side of the canal and back along the opposite side. The Cruise Ship anchored in the canal basin at the start of the Caledonian Canal is The Lord of the Glens a luxury vessel with capacity for 54 people.

The start of the Caledonian canal, which of course was built by a Langholm man Thomas Telford between 1802 and 1823.

One of the many Locks on the canal. This is on Neptunes Staircase a series of 8 Locks lifting the canal up 64ft. 

The Lord of the Glens and the best way to see the Inner Hebrides and the Caledonian Canal if you have a considerable amount of money.

The road and the railway pass over the Caledonian Canal just after Neptunes Staircase and from there its just another 2 locks before it reaches the sea. 

Another of the Locks on Neptunes Staircase

Ben Nevis shrouded in clouds from the canal. 

Neptunes Staircase and the series of 8 Locks

Taken from our bedroom window as the Jacobite Steam Train passes by on its way to Fort Willian from Mallaig. Tomorrow we have another 3 hour drive up to Skye and the Ferry Terminal at Uig. Then an hour and three quarters Ferry to North Uist followed by a short drive to our cottage by the Atlantic. we arrive about 4.30pm so hopefully a nice walk along a beautiful beach before our evening meal.

 

Our First Birthday Walk for 2 Years

Our first Birthday walk for over 2 years. With Niall back from 2 years exile in Australia it was great for us all to be back together again. John was absent due to a sore knee and Niall was limping, also with a sore knee as a result of a fall recently on a walk in Western Australia. He has 2 new hips since we last saw him and those are performing well. It was Martin's Birthday we were celebrating and his planned walks are always interesting. We did this same walk a few years ago and then the route in places was covered in deep snow. 

 

Crossing the River Tweed.

Neidpath Castle next to the River Tweed

A gradual climb up the hill. Niall did well despite his sore knee.

Tom stops to talk to Ken and have a breather. He is still recovering from COVID and was very tired by the time we got to the top but his recovery was quick for the downhill section of the walk.

Among the Gorse. 

There were places where the path was difficult due to the amount of gorse 

Peebles lies below us. An excellent walk in good company.

Our 50th Wedding Anniversary (Early) and a Family Visit

The Graham Family on the day they departed back to California.

Making my Speech at the Wedding Anniversary Afternoon Tea in The Buccleuch Centre

Out for a walk with Gaye

Our 5 Grandchildren, Hannah, Eleanor, Leo, Thomas, and Elliot.

Eleanor, Thomas, and Elliot out playing Soccer on Thursday evening with local Club

Mother & Daughter

Brothers in Law

Our Best Man John making his speech.

The Graham and Weatherstone families together.

The MacDiarmid Memorial and a lovely walk to the Monument

49 years and 8 months married. We will have a very quiet function in August.

Father, Son and Daughter at the Monument