JANUARY SNOW IN STRATHPEFFER

 As always all the seasons of the year are a surprise especially more recently

with the insidious formal creeping of global warming.

Mid January I was over in Strathpeffer, later joined my friend, Lesley.

Unfortunately our visit was untimely with the arrival of snow 

- and lots of it over a period of several days. 

Here are a few photographs to illustrate on what scale 'the white stuff' descended!!

Can you believe that we saw this Clematis flower on a cold frosty walk around 

Strrathpeffer Station the day before?

The following day it came down in earnest whilst over in Inverness on 16th;  it snowed for 6 hours!

Below is Lesley initially enjoying the novelty!!

The next day I was out and about with my phone 'capturing' special moments!

The photo below was actually taken from the kitchen window at The Bakery;

Brrrr, it makes me feel cold just looking at it!

Unfortunately our plans to travel back to Skye the following day faded fast

as the snow continued to fall!   

We were marooned there until 20th which was both frustrating but quite enjoyable.

As the snow continued to fall my phone and I became great friends... :)

Above is the view from the back door of 'The Old Bakery.'

The snow was c. 10/11" deep but the effect was really quite stunning!

A walk further down away from the village gave me this wonderful vision

of snow encrusted natural and man made surfaces.

Above the Strathpeffer shops with snow encrusted vehicles outside!

Amazingly most of the shops were still open too.....

A little later .. (actually about 1030 one evening) I took off again with my phone!

The village streetlights enabled me to 'capture' these temporarily snow drenched views....

How beautiful were the trees and hedges sparkling in their snow coatings -

courtesy of the old Victorian streetlights.  Really quite magical and SO quiet!

...... I was the only nutter going for a walk at that time of night

but it was certainly worth it despite the sub zero temperatures and my soggy, leaking shoes!!

Below, any Cromartie House residents just happening to look out of their windows

would have had a fabulous view of the snowy surroundings in the lamplight.

But perhaps my favourite photograph is this one below.

It was taken the following day and the view is simply a snow covered garden

seen over the top of an ornamental wrought iron gate.  A breathtaking view.......

Oh, the joys of Mother Nature and global warming eh?   :)

Back soon .....

BACK AGAIN!

My apologies this blog post has been a long time coming!

I just cannot believe where the months have gone and appreciate 

in the meantime that past readers might well be wondering

if this would ever get off the ground again!

Well it has and it's going to continue :) 

I believe that Richard would have wanted it to be so

-  as life on Skye continues for the lovely Cupar and myself!

It's been both a very difficult and anxious time but there have been 

some relaxing interludes with special friends as well as my lovely sister Helen.

She and I spent several days together back in the summer 

over at The Old Bakery in Strathpeffer.... 

Most days saw us out for a walk even if it was an amble down 

the beautiful streets in the village....

Above Big Sis with Cupar by the Pavilion.

Below a view of the village shops with the The Highland Hotel looming in the background!

This dates back to 1896 and was used during the First World War 

for wounded Servicemen.

.... and how could we NOT resist the temptations of a 

cream tea down at the Railway Cafe!

The tea and scones with homemade strawberry jam were just amazing!

We also had a stroll down towards the grounds of Castle Leod shown above.

This magnificent building has been the seat of Clan Mackenzie for 

the last 500 years and is definitely worth a visit!

Finally, below is a photograph looking towards Knockfarrel - 

a picturesque Iron Age Hill Fort close to the town of Dingwall.

Richard and I climbed up it twice;  

once back in 2006 whilst staying down the road at Rose Cottage 

about two miles away from Strathpeffer and then again c.2020 

accommpanied by our energetic pooch, Cupar!

There are magnificent views from the top I can assure you.

It's well worth the climb!   :)  

 'REMEMBERING RICHARD'

My apologies for the long silence on this blog.

However, I am now returning and intend to do so for the future as I just know Richard 

would be delighted to know of it's continuation....

Life has been hectic for the past few weeks.

According to his wishes Richard was cremated earlier this month and 

instead of one of the more traditional Services I organised 

that family and close friends got together up at Summer Cottage last Tuesday 31st May.

Images of Richard throughout the years here on Skye and photographs 

from his very early years until more recently were dotted about the cottage 

whilst his favourite music - including his beloved 'Dire Straits' - were 

audible in the background throughout.

It was wonderful!  I related many of my own memories of our 26 years

together and gradually many others were also shared whilst we sat 

enjoying the warmth of the atmosphere plus the tea and home baking!

He would have loved it - and somehow I do feel that he did!

Afterwards his ashes were taken down to Roskhill Barn where 

some were sprinkled underneath the wee oak tree that he planted 

on our allotment ten years ago.  This was also his desired wish.............

whilst the remainder will be poured into the River Roskhill from where 

they will drift into the sea around this beautiful island that he loved so much.

Above Richard and dearest Basil relaxing in our lounge back in 2010

following a long afternoon walk in Dunvegan Woods!

The other two above were also taken that same year - the top one

in our garden and the other whilst on a walk over near Neist Point 

on a fabulous summer's day!! 

 FAREWELL MY LOVE 

It is with great sadness and regret 

that I have to announce the passing of my wonderful Richard,

- greatest friend, companion and husband 

for the past 26 years!

It was with him that I shared much laughter, happiness,

life in both Kent and then living the dream up here on the magical Isle of Skye

for the past 13 years where we operated both a successful B&B 

and our holiday cottage business.

We loved each other, the work and the times we shared together.

Thank you Richard SO much for all the dreams we were able to fulfill.

You will be greatly missed.....

Richard on his birthday in 2011 !!

The grin says it all :)

(18.3.1951 - 8.5.2022)