See also The Big Garden Blog > Events and OffersEriskay Ponies at work
Throughout December - February. Free
Help us collect seaweed from the beach for fertilizing the soil the traditional way, working with our Eriskay ponies. Help as little or as much as you want to. Dependent on weather and tides. Phone Jonathan for more details - 01878 700828 ‘Croft-sitters’ sought
Opportunity for responsible person or couple for a working holiday keeping our croft, garden and holiday cottages running while we’re away visiting family for a week or two. Free accommodation in exchange for feeding animals, other routine tasks and perhaps a special project, depending on capabilities and interest. For more information and to express an interest, contact Jonathan. |
Jonathan’s Eriskay Blog26 February 2012
Despite so many other demands on my time and the frustrations of such exceptionally bad weather this winter, I’ve managed to get a number of outdoor tasks completed. I’ve also added another pole to double the length of washing line, but - would you believe it! - the wind snatched away the fittings I left beside the newly erected pole, and I can’t find them in the long grass. Without them I’ve no choice but to order another pole! Spring will soon be here and I must get on with pruning the bushes before they start to put on new growth. 29 January 2012
Denise and I have now finished redecorating all three bedrooms, and freshening them up with new and rather more stylish bedside lamps, and also some new bedding. No dramatic changes, but enough to keep the rooms fresh and cared for. The oak joinery and furniture throughout the house has been lavished with furniture oils which prevent the wood drying out and fading, but also enhance the colour and feel - lovely! 17th December 2011
It’s four days yet to the winter solstice, but already it feels that the year is turning. The storms of late autumn (since my previous blog a storm - the worst for 7 years - caused a great deal of damage across the islands) have given way to the more solemn mood of winter, the damp and bitter cold days relieved by occasional wan light of a clear sky; the hens feel sufficiently good about the days ahead to start laying again - albeit fitfully; and for that most mysterious of all things, the barometer of health and happiness is rising again. 15th November 2011
After weeks of dreary wind and rain, the fast-shortening days have at last settled into that pattern of weather so typical of the Hebrides: short, blustry showers, clouds of every shade of grey, tinged with pinks and gold, spells of sunshine that last half a day or fade even before they’ve begun. It’s a special joy to work outdoors in such weather: caught by a shower of rain feels more privilege than punishment. Such a pity then that so few visitors come to Uist at this time of year. Carrick has been empty for a week now, and it’ll be another fortnight before a family are here for a short break. Scottish Water have fitted a meter: from which I have realized there’s a drip-drip leak somewhere along the pipe to the house - another job to fix during the winter along with the redecorating and other maintenance work. But right now I’m busy enough completing building work at our own house, keeping an eye on 17 new Hebridean sheep. 9th October 2011
October started with glorious sunshine and mild sea breezes, and although that didn’t last more than a couple of days, most guests at this time of year seem to be regular visitors to the islands and know how to make the best of the sunshine-and-showers weather. They arrive with good outdoor gear, binoculars and a field guide to wildlife, and as often as not with one or two dogs - very often Labrador Retrievers, who seem to love it here, rain or shine, as long as they are outdoors in the fresh air. I’m happy enough working outdoors myself on fencing or other croft work: if a shower’s on its way there’s always some wee job in the store needs doing! 12th September 2011
September can usually be relied on for warm sunshine, mild sea breezes and that unmistakable and poignant scent of coming autumn. But this September has proved as unseasonal as was May, with a series of gales and driving rain. Inbetween, however, we’ve brought in our best ever harvest of apples: just 30 paces from the beach and the full force of the Atlantic it’s nothing short of a miracle! The machair flowers - as plentiful and long-lasting as anyone can remember, are all but spent, and even the glorious heather is fading. Let’s hope the honey bees have put by sufficient stores to take them through another long cold winter! 14th August 2011
The skies cleared this morning after four or five days of dreich. Today a blustry south-westerly brought fresh mild air in off the sea - and the result is a sparkling light that burns the skin! This afternoon Denise and I were outside harvesting and podding peas and broad beans, and we made a first lift of onions. Despite the damage done by the dreadful weather right through May, the harvest for legumes and onions looks to be good: the freezers are already getting full, and there’s lots more to come: we’ll have to transfer some to the big freezer at the croft store. 12th July 2011
A warm dazzlingly sunny day, and scarce a breath of wind. Probably not the ideal day for mucking out the hen houses and clearing weeds with a flame gun from the drive and paths around the house; and then down on my knees amongst the fruit bushes picking fruit. Hot and perspiring, those pesky little flies that know full well you’ve got your hands full, so they’re buzzing in your ears, tickling the hairs on your arm, or even up your nose! But back at home with a full bowl of blackcurrants, an armful of rhubarb and a couple of dozen eggs, it all seems worthwhile! 12th June 2011
Glorious blue skies, warm sunshine, light breezes: and what a relief after four whole weeks of unceasing wind and rain - completely out of character for May. But now the croft is pink with countless orchids, and the sky filled with the song of skylarks. The summer visitors are here in greater numbers than ever - due to changes in their winter habitats far away to the south: yes definitely more cylcists and walkers than last year. ;~) 7th May 2011
Nearly a month of uninterrupted sunshine has given way to changeable weather. We’re glad for the rain, as our lambs and goslings need the lush grass to grow! After Easter and Royal Wedding/Mayday long weekends, there’s fewer visitors around, but they’ve got the loveliest time of year to enjoy in peace and quiet. Soon, demand for our eggs will out-strip supply and the lemon curd season will be over, to start again next spring. 10th April 2011
The sun is blazing down and desptie a fresh breeze it’s a gloriously warm spring day. Lapwings soaring and diving, skylarks calling and the air ringing with the bleat of newborn lambs. Wonderful! Not so wonderful: working on additional tiling in the shower room, a box of tiles got broken ... and then the replacements came the wrong size! The new worktop freezer in the utility is proving a boon to our guests it seems. 14th March 2011
The first guests enjoyed an exceptionally sunny and gentle last week of February - only one day of rain; but this past week has been a return to winter, with unrelenting cold winds bringing hail and driving rain from Scandinavia. Sheep look wistfully through the garden fence at the bulbs and budding shrubs, and our geese are straying wider in search of tender green growth - they have started laying eggs and are hungry! But this coming week we’ll be repainting the the cladding at the windows, and the additional tiling in kitchen and shower room is underway. 20th February 2011
A brutal storm on the 3rd: since then mostly mild, grey and windy, but with several days of very welcome warming sunshine. The first guests of the new season a week today: by then we have to finish replacing the internal doors and furniture, fit the new concealed sliding door to the west wing and redecorate. Outside, there’s still finishing work to do around the windows, but until the weather improves there’s no chance of that! 18th January 2011
A mild, wet south-westerly gale, or still bright sunshine and cold nights - and this is the time of year for maintenance and repair! Outside, we’re replacing the original copper-covered window cills with standard Nordan extension cills, and modifying the larch cladding around the windows and doors. Very very time-consuming - and all outside in the cold wind! | 
