Dorrell in Devon (again)

Sue spent her Christmas with her family in London. She has now returned to Skye as she has to be back to work. I am still in Devon, having spent Christmas with my sister and family who live on the edge of Dartmoor. I am now staying with my long-term friend in Torquay. 

While I am here, I have a shopping list to attend to which includes things like dog food and a bath (!) (yes - a big white thing).

I also have Basil-the-dog with me, so there is the need to take him for walkies. It's the last day of 2008 today.  We've been down to Meadfoot - busy in the summer, but virtually deserted today - not surprising - it's VERY cold here!

Meadfoot beach, Torquay - 31.12.08

Merry Christmas everyone

Sue is currently in Worcestershire, visiting an old friend, before making her way to Kent and then London to celebrate Christmas with her family.

I am still at the Barn, which gives me a day or two to do my Christmas shopping (!) before I make my way down to Devon to spend Christmas with my sister and family. 

I'm going to be busy tomorrow, so I am posting a Christmas card to everyone today. (The picture is in the Cuillin, near Sligachan, but was taken last year)!

Have a great Christmas everyone, and I hope that 2009 is as kind to you as 2008 has been to us.

Blog now 'open'

A number of our invited readers have reported difficulty in seeing this blog, so I have removed the 'restricted access'. This means anyone in the world should now be able to access the blog on:

 

http://skyecalling.blogspot.com/ 

Daylight - or the lack of it

Summer nights when it never gets fully dark are of course complemented by winter days when it never gets very light.  As we approach the 'shortest day', the fully daylight hours here are about 8.15am to about 4.15pm.

This isn't a problem for us, and Basil has become happily adjusted to having his 'evening' walk mid afternoon.

Something I do wonder at, though, is how the wildlife copes with the reduction in foraging time. Our birds are frenetic on the feeders from the first glimmers of dawn until it gets too dark for them to see, but they still only get eight or so hours to feed, and then have to cope with 16 hours of often cold, wet and windy darkness. The same must apply to all the wild animals.

Isn't nature wonderful!

Second coming???

I've just taken a booking for a three night stay at the barn, starting on Boxing Day, from a gentleman named Joseph.

If it turns out his wife is called Mary, and he asks if we have a cot, I'll be ringing the papers!

More wonderful clouds

Is this sunset or moonrise...?

... and here is a picture taken earlier today

 - clearly a flying saucer...

Beautiful Skye

It's not difficult to be in the right place at the right time to take some stunning photos here - especially when there is snow on the hills. 

I can't understand why we don't see more winter visitors!

Marsco, from near Sligachan - 29.11.08