Thursday morning escapes me but I know I made soup. I think I may have done some painting, but then again maybe I didn’t. After lunch Ady and I went down to the hostel to meet the scouts. We had a group of Explorer Scouts (12-15 years old) and their three leaders over on a visit wanting to get involved in volunteer projects that helped the community and had a conservation or eco slant to them. I’ve been exchanging emails with the leader for about 2 months and had in my head a stereotypical image of a scout leader crossed with Mr Claypole from Rentaghost because his name was Tom Claypole. It really floored me when not only was he much younger and more attractive than I’d pictured him he was also not wearing a jesters outfit!
Initially we’d planned to do a beach clean around the village and some working with Ranger Mike doing rhodie bashing but Mike ended up being away on a course this week so I had to summon up some other tasks. I came up with further litter picking around the village and campsite and putting a path through the community polytunnel. We joined them on the beach – Davies and Scarlett came down and Vikki came along too. They were like litter locusts and did an amazing job of clearing everything they touched. We were done way quicker than I’d expected so Ady went home to feed the animals, the kids went round to Casey’s to watch a film and I had a cup of tea and chat with Vikki about bunkhouse stuff. Then Ady and I went to Casey’s for dinner and had a very entertaining evening where we all wore hats all night and kept swapping and rotating them.
Friday morning Ady and I walked down to the village to see the scouts again and tell them about the polytunnel. We came home for lunch and as it then tipped down with rain we didn’t end up going to help as we had limited buckets and spades for rock gathering anyway so we watched from up here while they did the polytunnel – and what an amazing job they did too – superhero scouts!
I made pizza dough and then I walked down to Fliss’ to do crochet afternoon, or as we call it Crafternoon with her and Casey. I debated not having any social involvement with her any more but it is just not feasible in such a small place so I am being cautious but friendly. Shortly after we sat down the helicopter went over and landed. Much speculation about why it was in and a text message from Ady to check I was okay (you always fret about your family members if they are not with you when the copter comes in). We decided the most likely reason was Laura in labour. Sure enough we soon got word that that was the case, then we watched the charter boat come in for Gav (which will set him back £300 ouch!) – harsh reality of island living… Not to keep you in suspense Gav borrowed Big Dave’s car (Rum regular visitor, almost honourory resident, here this week so his car was at Mallaig) and got to Inverness in time. Baby Maggie born safe and well just before midnight. No further news but all well and a decent weight of over 6lbs despite being nearly 3 weeks early.
Ady came down just before 5 and had a coffee and a chat with Sandy, then we all walked round to the hall together for the Directors Quiz Night which was an idea Lesley had a while ago to have an open, ask us anything type event where everyone was invited to come and meet the directors and learn more about the trust and how it all works. It was fairly well attended and we started with a quiz for all the people who came along – trivia questions about the trust mostly. Then we took their questions. Unfortunately Fliss who is no longer a director but was a founding director and very instrumental in the early years took over rather and was defensive and a bit aggressive with some answers – inappropriate because she shouldn’t have been answering anyway and a shame because the idea was it was an event in the spirit of transperent leadership and openness. But never mind. Everyone said it was useful and I think it has at least aired a few of the things people mutter about down at the shop but never actually ask properly.
We came home for pizza and again managed to dodge the rain.
Today I worked this morning which I am still really enjoying. It was pretty quiet but I like standing there and playing shop and post office 🙂 I drank lots of tea and had a nice chat with Jinty when she came down. I also had in Neil, Lesley, Norman, Derek, Steve, Ross and Fliss so was far from bored. Mike hailed me as I walked past their house so I went in for a cup of tea with him and Casey and a chat. Then I came home for a late lunch and missed the rain again. I had plans to head outside later and finish painting and plant up some lavender which arrived in the post on Thursday but it hasn’t stopped raining all evening, including some spectacular hail storms and even a smidge of thunder and lightning. I am making full use of my extra bonus hour by staying up on the basis I can hear the wind turbine whizzing around so the internet and lights are all free power and it’s far too noisy to sleep anyway!