A New Cottage

With the sale of Rowan Cottage done and dusted, we were keen to re-invest our capital in another property. The original plan was to buy a modern house in Inverness that we would long-let through a letting agency. Much thinking, and a couple of trips to Inverness later, and the plan changed at least a couple of times, with the end result being that we have spent a bit more than half our available capital on an older property that we will keep as a holiday home for us, and possibly occasionally holiday-let as well... and here it is:

The Old Bakery, Strathpeffer

The house is called The Old Bakery - a clue to its past perhaps...? It stands pretty much in the centre of the large and attractive village of Strathpeffer. Local shops are just 'round the corner', and Strathpeffer is about 5 miles from the town of Dingwall, with Inverness an 18-mile, half-hour drive away.

It is a slightly quirky little house. On the ground floor is a hallway, bathroom and two bedrooms, while on the first floor is the kitchen and L-shaped lounge/diner. Because of the sloping site, a back door opens from the garden area directly into the kitchen. We are really excited with our purchase. The house dates from about 1900, but needs little doing to it. As sods law would have it, we gave away much of our spare furniture to the first-time buyer who bought Rowan Cottage, so we now have the task of sourcing suitable furnishings for The Old Bakery. We should be getting the keys at the end of August, so more updates will follow here in due course. Below, I'll add a couple of wider views to show the house in context.

At some future date, we still hope to buy a small flat in Inverness which we will long-let.

SUE'S SPONSORED CANCER RESEARCH WALK!

"THE WALK"

(click on any photograph to enlarge it)

Gracious me - now here's a change - it's Sue here for 

the first time in nearly a year!

I wanted to document a sponsored walk done for Cancer Research

on Saturday 7th July 2018.
In the main I did it on my own but one of my neighbours, Sue,
very kindly came along and joined me for 6 miles for moral support!

The weather was absolutely ideal, not too hot and for most of
the day there was some sunshine and a light breeze.
Starting at 0600 hours there was simply nobody about and
some fabulous views as I headed off towards Dunvegan!

Both these views look towards Roag, the Tables and the sea!

At 0900 hours Sue and I then set off from Roskhill Barn
and did the 'Harlosh Loop' together. 
This is one of the views on the way round.  Look at that blue sky!!!!

Towards the end of the loop the Tables loomed into view again!
The wild flowers were also resplendent in the sunshine....

Leaving Sue back at Roskhill I then headed off towards
Orbost and then on towards Glendale
before then turning off en-route to Dunvegan and
stopping for lunch on a bench overlooking the Loch!

This was taken shortly after turning right at the the Orbost T-junction
and looks back towards the coast through the trees.
(See if you can spot the Yurt!)
Below is the tree lined lane with sun dappled trees and vegetation!

This is the view I had over Loch Dunvegan whilst having lunch!
A tad cloudy at that time though....

Then it was down into the village and up through
Dunvegan Woods and over moorland to the main road.

Below is the view along the track as it opens out into open countryside.

.... and here looking back
across the moorland towards Dunvegan Woods

The last stretch took me along the main road and then
across the single track section in the direction of Roskhill again.
My 26 miles had been done in just over 10 hours!
What a remarkable day and with no ill effects either .....
apart from the odd blister !!!! :)

Sparkling Skye

Most of the UK is basking in glorious summer sunshine at the moment - and for once, so are we, here on Skye! The island is just stunning right now. The vegetation has benefited from the warm, dry weather and gale-free spring, and the tall grasses and wild flowers are better than ever. The sea is impossibly blue, while the hills and moors are as green as they ever get.

Thankfully, we are not roasting in the 30C+ temperatures being experienced in some parts. Our northerly latitude, and a gentle breeze off the Atlantic keeps things sensible here, but we are becoming accustomed to going out without a waterproof jacket, and seldom need a fleece either...!!!

I've taken a few photos around our garden and allotment today, and also took Puss out for a stretch of her wheels...