Update!!!!! Harvest 91热爆
Posted: Monday, 16 October 2006 |
Just thought I would keep everyone up to speed on the happennings at Barebraes. Mr Barebraes has returned from his course and is glad to be out of the thick black smoke and the Big Smoke of Inverness. Course over he can now concentrate on the next task in hand, No not starting another batch of homebrew or what to wear for the oncoming Harvest 91热爆 celebrations but to get full steam ahead in reaching the dividing wall with the new roof and managing to secure it all in time for the bad weather.
Bad weather you ask I am sure that the Runestone Weather Station on Sanday can tell you of the very settled weather we are having for this time of year. I was even sunbathing in the garden at the weekend (all be it fully clothed) soaking up the warm Orkney Sun. A local farmer mentioned that because it had been very dry then the cow might even be out for a little longer this year. You know its winter when all you can hear are mooing cow from inside the byres. the silage has been collected and all the bales are stored ready for the winter feeding. From Barebraes we can see a hay bale house perfectly built and from a distance you would beleive that smoke could be rising from the roof on a winters night.
The spoils of the summer are all stored, jams made, vegetables ready and tatties dug up and placed in dark barns. Its this time when we have our Harvest 91热爆 Dance and all don smart dancin shoes and head for the Community Hall in Shapinsay. Last year was our first and this year at least we will know how to Strip the Willow. And no we wont be taking our own willow!
The ducklings that we tried so hard to give a chance of life are now down to only 2 and they seem to be thriving. The chick that hatched has grown to a healthy size and will soon enjoy its first winter of short days and dark nights huddled in the coop.
We have achieved a lot and learnt a lot this year. Lets hope that the oncoming year is as challenging and rewarding as this one has been.
Bad weather you ask I am sure that the Runestone Weather Station on Sanday can tell you of the very settled weather we are having for this time of year. I was even sunbathing in the garden at the weekend (all be it fully clothed) soaking up the warm Orkney Sun. A local farmer mentioned that because it had been very dry then the cow might even be out for a little longer this year. You know its winter when all you can hear are mooing cow from inside the byres. the silage has been collected and all the bales are stored ready for the winter feeding. From Barebraes we can see a hay bale house perfectly built and from a distance you would beleive that smoke could be rising from the roof on a winters night.
The spoils of the summer are all stored, jams made, vegetables ready and tatties dug up and placed in dark barns. Its this time when we have our Harvest 91热爆 Dance and all don smart dancin shoes and head for the Community Hall in Shapinsay. Last year was our first and this year at least we will know how to Strip the Willow. And no we wont be taking our own willow!
The ducklings that we tried so hard to give a chance of life are now down to only 2 and they seem to be thriving. The chick that hatched has grown to a healthy size and will soon enjoy its first winter of short days and dark nights huddled in the coop.
We have achieved a lot and learnt a lot this year. Lets hope that the oncoming year is as challenging and rewarding as this one has been.
Comments
Sunbathing? Lucky you! Seems me and The Boy brought the bad weather back with us then - we've had thunderstorms and powercuts here. Duckies are looking rather cute though, so that's put a smile back on my face. So has The Odinstone's Raspberry Jam slapped on this wodge of bread actually - it's yummmmy! I'd recommend it to anyone! :-)) Hope you enjoy a good boogie with the strippers at the Harvest 91热爆 Dance - don't forget to take the camera!
The Daughter from Not-So-Sunny-Southend
Whatever happened to the other ducklings? Hooch at it? (Probably not. Too small to be worth the bother!). Rustlers in the night? # 91热爆 made jam, eh? Are you going to upgrade to (organic?) preserves next year? What kind of fruit did you harvest? # Veggies: cabbage, turnips, rutabagas (eh?!), potatoes - the standard winter crops? Did you not can/freeze beans? tomatoes? Got your own freezer? or are you planning on renting space from Runestone/s??! # Glad to note that the Herr is back from his wanderings. I don't see how the return of the wanderer would deserve a romantic dinner, including home made puddings. Barebraes must be a real softie.
mjc from NM,USA
It's Runestone who got the romantic dinner. And he did not even go to risk life and limb on the mainland!! I would not blame the flame thrower (I misspoke: I meant the fire dowser) from Shapinsay if he were to pop over to look at the anemometer (the word sounds like a medical procedure I would avoid) at Sanday, and ... partake of Tiramisu leftovers.
mjc from NM,USA
Daughter Dearest, Glad to hear that the Jam was scrummy. I will tell Mrs Odinstone when I see her regarding the fame of her preserves and to all other bloggers check out the link to the best preserves on Shapinsay.
Barebraes from Shapinsay
We are thinking of taking the plunge and buying a derelict house in Sanday. Wondered how easy it is to get builders and materials on the Orkney Islands or are you doing most of the work yourself?
Kaz from Cheshire
The link for Odinstone does not seem to be working. Anyway, I googled Odinstone, got the phone number and three jars are being forwarded to my daughter at Somerville College down south for her birthday. The lady at Odinstone was a pleasure to deal with. Thank you for revealing one of the treasures of Shapinsay. I did mention to the lady that I got it from a 91热爆 blog/Shapinsay blogger, and she sounded pleasantly surprised.
mjc from NM,USA
Kaz: Why buy a shack in ruinous condition if you are not up to the challenge of doing it yourself? I hear (listening to conch shells again) the Runestones could be persuaded to sell you a piece of their front garden (if the price is right): 'tis true, you will need to build the house on pilotis or pontoons ...
mjc from NM,USA
Kaz To be honest you can get most building materials from Kirkwall the only drawback is transportation which can become expensive if you have a lot of large items to buy. There ae carriers who transport things at a rate ( eg 16 ton lorry = 拢200 plus vat ) but that is from kirkwall to shapinsay obviously Sanday is a further island and the cost may differ. If you need any other info then i can supply an email address somehow . Good Luck
Barebraes from Shapinsay
Glad to hear that you managed to get your Shapinsay goodies from Mrs Odinstone. I am sure that Runestone would be glad of a neighbour at least then she would have someone to take in the freezer and bath when it arrives.
Barebraes from Shapinsay
Yes, daughter got the goodies from Odinstone already (ordered Monday evening your time, received Thursday: not bad!). In fact she was so pleased with the gift basket/three big jars of goodies that she picked up the telephone and called! A prompt "thank you" goes a long way ...
mjc from NM,USA
Just checked the Orcadian: gale force winds force 8 predicted for tonight, with West Mainland cut off. Now I understand why the brochs on the islands had thick stone walls!! Hope the construction work in Shapinsay holds, and that Runestone's new domain does not become Runestone Landing. 50mph winds are nothing to write about, but 80+ mph - that's getting serious (and with cold rain, it can be nasty). Whatever you folks do, I hope you are not thinking of fixing/securing things up on the roof. Are you sleeping with the floating vests on Runestones? # I think the abode in ruinous state that Kaz was dreaming about is probably now floating towards Kirkwall in bits and pieces. # Tell me, is the term "in ruinous state," which my wife and I first encountered in the northern isles, standard UK expression or is it a particularity of the islands? Is something in a ruinous state a so-called fixer-upper or is it quite prosaically a dump?
mjc from NM,USA
Well we weathered the storm and roof was intact, Yes the winds were fierce and lasted all day and night. Balfour Village was underwater in places and Mr Barebraes and The Shapinsay Fire Crew were called out a number of times to pump out and fend off the rising water. Thankfully the wind has abated and were picking up the debris. Ruinous as far as I see it means a number of things from total rebuild to in need of a bulldozer.
Barebraes from Shapinsay
Sorry to hear about the wind/water damage. Is the water damage most from rain water/flash flood because of drainage problems? Kirkwall would be an example, I assume. Or is flooding also due to sea lashing at the islands?
mjc from NM,USA
The water came from a combination of high tides and the volume of rain as far as we can tell. The dykes filled with water and caused an artificial fast running stream. I have spoken to a few people and they cant remember it that bad before.
Barebraes from Shapinsay
We moved here in September 05 and have met many good friends. What more could you want from life.
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