Island Wanderer

I often wonder when Climate change is mentioned how many people are convinced as to its reality as a latter day phenomenon. As I look back to the seasional occupations on the croft, I can't help but wonder how much work could have been completd In such weather as we have knowledge of today.

In the month of March so many years ago part of required work consited of manuring the land and I remember seaweed being of consderable importance. It was then hauled from the shore in horse drawn carts which were emptied on the grassland in proportinate heaps, completely suitable for spreading later. A horse drawn cart would take five of those heaps and after many visits to the seashore it was surprising how the gathering increased. The spreading would take place later by hand using a grape and in surprising precision.

So what part did the weather play in all this? Good dry weather as required and indeed sunshine often did prevail. But with todays weather pattern many seasional tasks would be impossible compared with so many years ago. I am sure that many unbelievers would deem me old fhasioned and also too ready to believe what modern day weather accounts exist.

To all those who commented on my previous blog. Thanks, but I can't comment in return. There is something amiss with the system. I must get in touch with Carol.

Now that we are in the Spring of the year and as one thinks back many memories surface from the past. Having been brought up to the crofting way of life springtime has always had its special connection with the other seasons, as regards the crofter's calendar of progress.

It was never an exception to experience some winter conditions at this time of renewal. The cattle were still housed and being fed from the abundance of the barn. The barn itself was regurally stowed straight from the stackyard. This was a task which I took some pleasure in on a a good day, hauling hay and corn into the barn where it would be handy to fed the animals confined to the byre. You would hardly imagine the warming effect this labour had on all worked at it,even on a cold day.

The methods peculiar to crofting years ago required simple physical effort that gave a certain toughness to young and old. Could it be that we miss the active efforts of the agrarian toilers of the past.

When you live on an island, it is understood that life has got to be different from that of the mainland, it always has been. I live in a shelter house and daily I gaze from my front window towards the east over a small bay and over the vast sea to "Mull of the cold high bens"

Three days a week I can see Cal/Macs ferry appear in the distance and so into the harbour at Scarinish. Some days it is a gentle placid matter. Other days a heaving motion prevails. Then other days the breakers and white horses constitute the scene. So the onlooker is not without diversity as regards the sea.

The Summer brings a pleasant variation, a mood of contentment seems to prevade the ferry as passengers enjoy the freedom of the upper decks.

I consider myself blessed compared to those confined to the towns and the cities, where nature and the need for it to be part of ones life does not exist to trill the spirit of man.

My last blog online was on the 23rd of January. This time I'm not sure what my curtailing factor was other than the trials of life at a bad time of year. For the present I shall just be brief with my blog and indulge in day to day happenings rather than get boggd down with such gloomy issues as Climate Change and Global Warming; never mind Nuclear Power. Such subjects don't seem to be what island bloggers appreciate a lot. I'd like to mention, though, the importance of all these in our present world affairs.

Never mind, earlier this week, I did my first trip this year to Oban on board Cal/Macs ferry the Lord of the Isles. Outward bound the weather was quite congenial but two days later it was a different matter; even in the sound of Mull, rather uncomfertable to say the least. Open waters were more alarming so that a pier landing was uppermost in my mind.

Surely the weather will be improving as we progress into the Spring when my intention will be to travel well into the Summer.

In good weather there remain few places which give me the joy that a sail through the Sound Mull entertains me with.

There is a full new year before us. I have recently had more computer problems sorted out and this time I hope that I shall be online for a good long time.

The festive season festivities are behind us now and the year is advancing. In Tiree at one time we celebrated the old new year on the 13th of January; the day had advanced then by a noticable degree; as the old people would say: by one step by a strutting cockrel.

As I prepare this blog it is a sunny day. Other days as I look out the window the aspect can be less pleasing. Didn't some one say once that you do not actually see clearly in the mirror but darkly. This must be equally true when one looks through a window on a gloomy day.

Indeed I'd hate to be considered a hargbinger of dulness around the world or even in our minds. But in spite of this there seems to be such a boiling pot of unrest all around. I hope nobody would have the audacity to say no.

Our planet has been well explored and all that has been learned is far from edifying as I consider aspects such as Climate Change and Global Warming.

Honestly, should we really be objecting so vehemently about the erecting of wind farms up and down the country. If this has an adverse effect on the tourist trade, for example, should we not consider more seriously the role of our country in a time of desparate need even world wide. Sacrifices have got to be made and I hardly see that wind turbines can be scars more than the country has sustained over the years already.

What scars, may I ask, are future generations likely to come up against even in spirit and mind if we neglect to have a go.