Tree Surgeon at Work

The multi trunks and quite low branches meant it was easy for M to demolish the tree using ropes and a chain saw.  Fortunately the weather was very kind and as the tree stood alone in quite a large open space it was a straightforward task.

Half of the top gone

I don’t have a hard hat so was not allowed anywhere near until all had been made safe, but it was fascinating to watch either from the house or up on the top road.

The tree looked amazing when all the branches were spread out on the grass.  The photograph above does not do justice to the beautiful colours of the lichen which encased every branch and twig.

The Rotten Core

On closer inspection of the sawn up trunk it became clear that we had taken the right decision to cut down this tree.  You can see above how much of the centre of the trunk was no longer viable.  Sadly it was so rotten I couldn’t count the rings to see how old the rowan was.  I thought I would feel very sad at having had a part in the destruction of such a venerable living feature.  There was a tinge of sadness mingled with the fascination of seeing the process and the clear evidence revealed – euthanasia rather than murder.

And of course the positive is that when all the logs have gone to dry out for a log burner and the smaller branches been reduced to chippings I will have a wonderful empty space for not only my ‘mini orchard’ but a couple of large specimen shrubs or a small slow growing tree.  Should I plant another rowan tree?  Perhaps the witches will get me if I don’t.

Space for Seven Fruit Trees

Working at the apple tree roots

The old apple tree was removed.  It was in very poor condition and had canker but is going to be replaced by two eating apple varieties and one cooking type.

Remains of the apple tree

In the above photo you can see how few leaves have been left on the beech hedge after all the gales of the last month.  The gate and gate post in the fence were removed to let the digger through to the top part of the garden.

Grubbing for roots

The privet hedge along the wall was cut down and then the digger grubbed up the roots.  Across the top edge of the garden three or four self seeded sapling trees and large bushes were cut down and the stumps will be poisoned.

I have been doing a lot of internet searching for suitable varieties of fruit trees for our climate bearing in mind the violence of the storms recently.  At the moment the plan is for at least 3 apple trees, a pear, a plum, a cherry and I have an irrational desire for a hazelnut tree.

A Blank Canvas

Framework for the Fence

Once the fence has been erected I will plant a mixed shrub border in front of it.  We had a very interesting debate about which way round the fence should go – should the ‘finished’ side be facing into the garden our out onto the road.  I lost the vote and it is facing out!

When the gardeners were working last week they pointed out that the huge big rowan tree was in quite poor condition and they reckoned it would only survive another few years (rowans seemingly have quite a short lifespan in tree terms).  Not sure whether to grasp the nettle and get it removed now before we plant out the new trees or leave it be for a few years.

Looking peaceful but old

Yesterday the sun shone for the first time in ten days so in spite of a bitter cold wind we walked into town just to get out for a bit.  We saw only one shop open – a small Spar grocers with a dozen folk queuing along the pavement outside.  I was shocked at my own reaction – an immediate desire to go and enquire what the queue was for, fully intending to join in, then I remembered I didn’t actually need anything.  The shop owner was very sensibly escorting one customer at a time around his depleted shelves by candlelight.  Later in the afternoon ‘news’ began to circulate (source unknown of course) that soup kitchens were being set up and our revered leader himself (Alex Salmond) was expected in the morning to sort it all out.  As in most rumours there was an element of truth, as by late afternoon Scottish Hydro (the power company) had shipped in two generators and were providing free hot food in various locations – a steak burger kiosk in the centre, fish and chips in St Andrew’s church hall and burgers and chips at Craigmore Bowling Club.

Friends who live in a farm house well out of Rothesay and were without electricity for the entire 48 hour period were made an offer of an overnight hotel stay and hot meal by the electricity company.  So, together with all the linesmen and other employees who have worked for days through appalling weather to get Bute reconnected to the national grid, I think the company did quite a good job.  My only complaint would be the distinct lack of reliable factual information.  From Tuesday morning until after teatime yesterday there was only very vague recorded messages (usually saying phone back in 4 – 6 hours) on Scottish Hydro’s telephone.  The last time we phoned we spoke to a real person who very politely checked our address and directed us to the nearest ‘soup kitchen’ where we could get free hot food, he still was giving no indication of when our electricity would be back on.  The power returned about 7pm last night and has stayed that way for 24 hours now (fingers twitching to cross again).

Although I am joking about the situation over the last four days I know a lot of people have had a very miserable and worrying time.  I can imagine the problem of keeping elderly, less mobile folk and small children warm in all electric houses; not to mention preventing younger teenagers from killing their siblings in frustration at being unable to play with the essential electronic gadgets.  All the friendly residents of Bute have a great topic of conversation which will last us for months to come.  To all who have contacted us or sent messages – thank you very much for your concern but we don’t need the food parcels – yet!

The electricity was reconnected about one o’clock this morning and lasted until just after breakfast before disappearing again for a further three hours (while we were tucked up in bed and not needing it except for the freezers).  The supermarket has been closed since Hogmanay and the ferries have been off nearly all of that time too so bread and milk supplies were becoming an issue for some people.  Only a couple of the tiny wee newsagent / corner shops have been opened but were depleted of essentials (except fags!).  I had started to ration milk and worry about providing two packed meals for our temporary lodger every day – plenty of cooked and raw main meals in the freezer but no cold meats or fresh fruit for a packed lunch.

Within ten minutes of the electricity returning at noon we broached the horizontal lashing rain and shot along to the supermarket.  We were not alone  – the car park was rapidly filling up and about twenty or so folk were crammed under the shelter of the entrance canopy.  The lights were on inside the shop and a staff member came out and explained it would take at least another 15 minutes to power up the systems and log on the tills and scanners.  I’ve never queued to get into a supermarket before and it was all very jolly.  Eventually when the doors opened everyone rushed in like I’ve seen at Harrod’s Sale on TV.  People quickly calmed down when we saw that there was plenty of bread and milk which were clearly the purchases of choice.

Later, stowing away the fruit and milk I reflected that as a society we are becoming wimps – getting upset when our cushy existence of continuous good quality food and dependable transport is ‘disrupted’.  It wasn’t an earthquake or a tsunami, just a stronger than usual wind, but I do like to flick a switch to get light rather than bumble about wearing a head torch.  Do you think I could uncross my fingers now?

On Boxing Day we had a very bouncy crossing and the Calmac captain managed to berth at Wemyss Bay amidst crashing waves and rolling seas – all other sailings went to Gourock.  This meant we were able to attend a very joyful family party at Lenzie – although at least one guest was a bit dubious.

Is she really related to us?

A delightful day – lots of toys to play with, too much food and great fun and laughter.  The youngest member of the family had the right idea – if it all gets too much just go to sleep on the spot.

Our immediate family were all returning to Rothesay with us and all day we read the text messages from Calmac about the deteriorating weather.  I am glad to say that the two car loads of us caught the last boat at 7 o’clock from Gourock.

In my last post I mentioned the swimmer we saw on Christmas Day – well he was in the water again on Tuesday so this time we stopped for a chat with his supporters.

27th December 2011

The gentleman, who lives in England, has relatives here and is in training to swim the English Channel next August to raise funds for Calum’s Cabin.  I take my hat off to him.

In Rothesay Bay

The above photograph is not the best quality but I wanted to show the swimmer was really at Rothesay.  The boats were severely disrupted again on Wednesday and Keith and Nicky had to go off on the wee ferry at the Rhubodach – Colintraive crossing and drive the long way around to Glasgow.  Fortunately they did not encounter any fallen trees or landslips on the way.  By the afternoon, at high tide, the waves were crashing on the shore in front of our house and the wind was whipping the spray right across the road.  This is the most dramatic I have seen it in our three and half years here.  The following photograph had to be taken from inside the porch as it was impossible to stand up outside.

A Very Salty Day

The red plastic fencing is supposedly to protect pedestrians from tripping over the temporary sewage pipes laid along the pavement.  The workmen started before Christmas on some planned work but the weather and holidays have caused an interruption.  They could not get the fence to stand up for longer than about ten minutes at a time before bits began to blow over so eventually the panels were placed on top of the pipes and anchored with sandbags.

Family at Scalpsie Bay, December 2011

A Bracing Walk

As we drove back from church at about noon I saw half a dozen folk standing on the esplanade near our house looking down into the water.  They suddenly started to applaud and my first fleeting thought was that they were scattering a loved one’s ashes but as I looked back I saw that a man was swimming in the sea – that must have been some bet!

The weather was very wild when we went for a quick walk at Ettrick Bay.  The tide was quite high and the spray was being whipped up the beach mingling with the horizontal rain.  It wasn’t very cold and we were all well protected from the elements.  At first I thought I wouldn’t be able to scratch my traditional greeting on the sand but on the way back I found a little space above the tide line.  I wish you and all your loved ones a Very Happy Christmas.

Christmas 2011

Nativity Story

Our wonderful children at church performed their version of the Christmas story on Sunday.  They are small in number, of a wide age range and all performed to their best ability.  Owain Jones (our minister) was emphasising that the retelling of the Christmas story every year is very important – that no matter how many times it is told there is always something new to hear.  I raise my hat to the Sunday School leaders who managed a bit of theological adaptation to accommodate the dilemma of having not one but two baby boys available for the starring role.  Solution – Mary’s cousin Elizabeth visited her and baby Jesus in the stable with her own baby boy (John the Baptist).  Result – two adorable babies fast asleep in their car seats (hay in mangers is far too prickly).  Last year’s baby Jesus was a wobbly just toddling shepherd this year.  Not a dry eye in the church – and hopefully these children will remember and understand the story of Christmas in years to come.

Sea Spray at Ettrick Bay

‘Christmas Dinners‘ or How to Avoid Turkey

We were out five nights in a row (12th – 16th) four of which involved a meal; and I made a concerted effort not to jump the gun and have turkey.  Monday saw us at the Advice Centre dinner in Cannon House (I chose the vegetarian option), Tuesday was the North Buteshire Literary Society dinner at the Victoria Hotel (salmon this time), Thursday was the Rotary dinner at the Kingarth Hotel (vegetarian again I think, can’t remember, but it wasn’t turkey) and finally on Friday was the Macmillan Cancer Support Centenary Dinner and Dance at the Glenburn Hotel (roast beef) – all of this food was delicious and I hope my turkey on Sunday is as good.

The Macmillan ‘Ball’ was a much anticipated occasion – having a dinner dance on the island is now a rare event, it was a full dress up affair (and don’t we all scrub up well when called to) and we were in the newly refurbished ballroom of the Glenburn.  It was wonderful – delightful company, delicious food, lots of fun and laughter, excellent dancing to Jimmy Duncan’s New Ceilidh Band and I won a prize in the raffle (a very acceptable voucher, donated by Calmac, for a car and four passengers return tickets to Wemyss Bay – I would have accepted it even if it had been for the Caribbean).  The Glenburn is only two minutes walk from our house and fortunately it wasn’t slippy underfoot when we strolled home at one in the morning.  The ladies of the Macmillan committee had worked very hard and have raised approximately £2,400 for a very good cause.

A Very High Tide - Ferry Nearly ON the Pier

Music at Christmas

There have been at least two notable musical events.  On the 14th was the Community Christmas Carol Concert at Rothesay Joint Campus.  What a fantastic variety of musical talent was on show, and it really was a community affair, from the five year olds playing recorders and singing, through the teenage ‘pop’ group and Academy Swing Band, right up to the adults (more than a few with bus passes) who were in choirs and the newly formed Community Wind Band.  For the finale all the performers (well over a hundred) came together in a great squash to sing and play Homeward Bound and White Christmas – tears again, I seem to be crying quite a lot just now, either tears of laughter or tears of emotion, joy and happiness.

Crashing Waves at Ettrick Bay

The second noteworthy musical event was the annual Carols by Candlelight in the Marble Chapel at Mount Stuart.  We have been before, but it is always a very moving service of readings and carols in an awesome setting.  It is always freezing cold in the chapel but somehow the icy shine from all the polished glistening marble is softened by the many flickering candles.  The choir who come together for this occasion are superb and they start by processing into the chapel with a single beautiful soprano voice singing the first verse of Once in Royal David’ City – yet another lump in my throat.

Pier at Port Bannatyne

The photograph above shows the stone pier and Port Bannatyne almost submerged – the small horizontal piece of wood barely visible above the water is the top of the old wreck which is tied up rotting to the pier.  The picture below shows how it can look in summer.

Port Bannatyne in August

The weather is again becoming quite wild tonight and already Calmac are posting amber warnings for possible disruption on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day (no service on Christmas Day).  Jane arrived here safely yesterday and I pray that all others who are trying to get home for Christmas do so safely.  We will be watching the weather forecast and service status carefully as we plan  a trip to the mainland on Monday and Keith and Nicky will be coming back with us.

Making for Shelter

As in the last few years, once again UCB hosted groups of children who were challenged to decorate a Christmas tree with home made decorations.  Now that this event is well established the children, their parents and leaders know what is expected and clearly have spent time, and made much effort in advance preparations.

Work in Progress

The church is full of noise and laughter as the children hang their carefully made decorations on their trees.  Each year the ideas become more inventive with ever more copious quantities of glitter and glue involved.

The Traditional Design

I can visualise the tongue protruding concentration needed with all this cutting and colouring and glittering.  One group had gone for the naturalists approach and started off by collecting their raw materials from the seashore.

Decorated Sea Shells

The shells were then decorated with multi coloured shiny ‘confetti’.  They chose not to put fairy lights on their tree but continued the natural theme by festooning it with teased out strands of old sun bleached rope.  The effect was ethereal and a friend dubbed it the Miss Haversham tree.  This was my favourite,  but unfortunately the photograph does not do it full justice.  As in previous years I was very, very glad not to be involved in the judging – that pleasure / short straw fell to the minister of Trinity Church.  The decorators of all the second placed trees didn’t seem too disappointed as everyone was having such a good time.

The 'Miss Haversham' Tree

While the judging was taking place all the children and adults joined in singing carols and Christmas songs.  The highlight of this was undoubtedly the very tiny tots of the Apple Tree Nursery.  Not only did the 8 three and four year olds sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star loud enough to be heard they then went on to sing it again but this time in Spanish – wow!

A Variety of Styles

After all that hard work the hungry hordes repaired to the church hall for a sumptuous spread of cakes and goodies washed down with gallons of juice and tea.

The Reindeer Cupcakes were Scrumptious

Altogether it was a very happy, noisy, joyful occasion and already a few of the Leaders of some of the  Children’s Organisations  have marked the date in their diaries for next year.  There is Light in Rothesay.

The Smiles Say It All

From the comfort of the house it was fascinating watching  the very choppy sea in the Bay  and by afternoon the windows were well coated with salt from the spectacular spray blowing off the waves.  Thankfully we personally didn’t suffer any damage and throughout the island it seems to have been slates, a few chimneys, and trees blown down over on the more exposed side of Bute.  The biggest problem was many hours without electricity.  Three times during the day and evening the power went off for a few hours each time.  We very fortunately have a gas fire in one room which can be lit with a long match and also a gas hob – together with candles, torches and a battery radio we were very cosy.  I felt very sorry for the shops and businesses who must have lost so much business but at least the hospital’s emergency generators had a good testing and functioned perfectly.

Calm after the storm

I haven’t posted many photographs recently mostly because the weather has been so grey but on Friday we went round to Port Bannatyne Post Office for coffee and took the camera.  This is the fast disappearing remains of the old pier.  I wonder how many more winters it will survive.

This week is going to be very, very busy – a genuine ‘out every night’ spell – four Christmas Dinners and a Concert.  I’ve been having a think about what to wear each night and have decided that my four outfits will be worn in descending order of tightness because I may just possibly have gained a few pounds by Friday.  It would be nice to think that I could practically stop eating the following week but realistically I know that is not going to happen.

I’ve just looked at XCWeather and tomorrow looks like being another ‘ferry disrupted day’.  I’ll just go and batten down the hatches once more and pinpoint the torch.

At the moment I can’t see across the Bay, the horizontal rain has obliterated the Cowal shore and Loch Striven.  The ferries are working normally for the moment but are on amber warning for more ‘disruption’ (Calmac speak for going to Gourock instead of Wemyss Bay or not going at all).  At times this week the weather and non operating boats have been the sole topic of conversation on the island.  It has been a bad spell, compounded by having the replacement vessel, the Coruisk, while our regular boats, the Bute and the Argyle, take turns for their annual maintenance up at Greenock.  Local opinion very firmly believes that the Coruisk gives up much more quickly in the face of south westerly wind.  Certainly watching the pattern over the last three days at each ‘disruption’ the Coruisk ties up to Rothesay pier while the Bute makes one or two more crossings before she too stays sheltered at Rothesay.

On Thursday I had a three o’clock appointment at Clydebank and with the weather forecast showing the wind increasing considerably in the afternoon we opted to leave mid morning and go ‘the long way round’ ie Rhubodach – Colintraive ferry, up Loch Fyne, across the Rest and be Thankful and back down Loch Lomond.  This was a good decision as the Rothesay – Wemyss Bay boat we should have been on was cancelled.  It is more expensive doing this journey.  The saving on the cheaper ferry fare is easily wiped out by the extra fuel cost for the longer drive.  We came back the same way as the ‘wee ferry’ is only very, very rarely affected by weather (we did have an overnight bag in the car).

I feel very sorry for all the folks here who have had their plans ‘disrupted’ by the weather.  Some people complain vociferously but Calmac are in a no win situation.  Some passengers get genuinely frightened when the ferry bounces about and waves crash over her bow and the Captain always has to put the safety of the crew and travellers first.  This time last year it wasn’t wind that was the problem it was the first of the heavy falls of snow.  Maybe it would be a good idea just to cancel November altogether.

That wouldn’t work either because then I would have missed a couple of good nights out.  Last Saturday we were at the 150th Anniversary Dinner of Bute Curling Club.  The Club started in 1861 and apart from one 13 year gap has functioned ever since.  The after dinner speeches were excellent and at times very, very funny.  The current President, Donnie MacLeod, read the Curler’s Grace.  In all the reminiscing and retelling of history, the fact I found most fascinating was that the first meeting in 1861 to set up the Curling Club took place in the Victoria Hotel, Rothesay, the very venue where we were celebrating 150 years of the roaring game on Bute.  Our house was built about this time too and I wonder if Mr Moodie, the Vet, was a curler too.

The winter season of the Film Club has been very good and last week’s offering particularly so.  I didn’t much fancy the film from the short blurb – a thriller set in Argentina with English sub titles – but it was a brilliant story and the   sub titling actually worked very well because the dialogue was quite sparing.  I think the film may have won an Oscar for Best Foreign Film, so look out for The Secret in Their Eyes.

The last of the November ‘events’ is tonight when the Friends of Rothesay Castle hold a St Andrew’s Night Celebration.  I am looking forward to this but having a bit of a wardrobe crisis – how to look smart but still manage to keep warm.  The Great Hall of the castle doesn’t have much in the way of the niceties of central heating and the enormous fireplace hasn’t seen a roaring fire in centuries.  The thermal vest is essential but dare I don my thermal leggings and roll the legs up so they don’t show beneath my frock?