Originally drafted: April 2005, revised February 2016
I
was amazed at the colours at sunset these past days. And at sunrise as
well. Normally, I expect light to start to fail 25 minutes after sunset,
but at this latitude this is extended to 40 minutes. I am not a native
of the islands, but one of the reasons I have come here is the natural
beauty. Whether it is in the images shown on Flickr, at a time of good weather - or in bad.
Being
caught up in a thunder, hail, snow, sleet (and kitchensink) shower back
in January 2005, whilst going down the Lochs Road at Leurbost, with the
bus driver being forced to reduce speed to a crawl. No snow or ice at
the next village, Keose.
The many rainbows in the spring, going down the Lochs road.
The joy at seeing the first green shoots, in April, out at Keose.
Hearing
the first bleating of lambs in a pasture at Breascleit late in March.
Walking the island in the bitter winds of February, and seeing the sad
remains of the sheep that did not make it through the winter. Or the
sheep that was knocked down at the Marybank cattlegrid in April '05, and was
slowly decomposing in peace in the ditch that it was dumped in over a
period of 6 months.
Seeing the days lengthen to an incredible
extent, sunset at 22.30, with the light lingering to the nadir of the
night at 01.30, then returning fully at 03.30. But also shortening of
the days, with the daylight hours of 09.15 to 15.35 at Christmas.
The
howling of the gales. Clattering of hail and thumping of the wind
against the window at night - waking up in the middle of the night
because there is no noise.
Watching the breathtaking coastal
scenery at Filiscleitir, or the stunning mountain scenery from Rapaire,
Teileasbhal, Mullach an Langa. Or beautiful Glen Langadale, where I'm
forever fording that river under the frown of Stulabhal. The little
mouse on the slopes of that mountain, the one that allowed me to stroke
it.
The yellow grasses on the moors of South Lochs, finding your
way in amongst a myriad of lochs, streams and bogs. Loch nan Eilean,
south of Garyvard.
Place seems to have gotten under my skin.
