Thrift

If I were to choose one plant to be the Flower of the Outer Hebrides it would be the Thrift (Armeria maritima).



Thrift, also called sea-pink, is a very common, conspicuous and beautiful member of the coastal floras. The plant can be found in the wild in coastal areas across the Northern Hemisphere, especially in Europe, but also occurs in parts of South America.


It can grow in dry, sandy, saline conditions such as those at beaches as well as on salt marshes.


It is also found on the machair of the Hebrides where it can form dense carpets like this one.

Cultivated varieties can also be found.
 

Stornoway for the last time... (for now)

Monday 16th June 2008
Although it was a grey start to the day, even the grey skies can be beautiful here.



But the barometer is dropping drastically. Having claimed that the good weather throughout May and early June was due to my presence I decided it was time to depart before my reputation got damaged. So tomorrow I leave the island.



As if to confirm the decision the rain began in earnest.



We went into Stornoway and the rain stopped long enough for me to photograph the seals and gulls in the harbour.




On the quayside the fishermen had their nets laid out and at first I thought they were mending them but then I realised they were measuring them for some reason.




Most of the fishing boats in the harbour are registered in Stornoway (SY) but this was a visiting Ullapool (UL) boat.







Pastel shades around the harbour.



Ever since doing blog postings about the cast iron railings and gates around Stornoway I have noticed ever more and more. Even the railings at the harbour where we parked the car today had three different types of spike.





For the past week or so, each time we have gone into the castle grounds we have passed some Jackdaws. Today this one posed for me.



And a Starling did, too.



Despite all my trips into the castle grounds I have not mentioned the Rhododendrons. There are plenty of them in the grounds. Although they can be a nuisance, blocking out the light and thereby killing all the native flora, I like them and at this time of year they add a wonderful splash of colour to all the castle pathways.



At the Woodlands Centre we had the table by the bird feeders again. Collared Doves were there and our white-cheeked Blackbird who was chasing a female around. A Siskin, a Robin and a Blue Tit also came but not as many birds as the other day.







The Thrift on the Briagh was so good today that I got out of the car and photographed it in the rain.



We're off on the early ferry tomorrow. Our journey to the Wirral down the mainland of Scotland and Northern England will on my Pensby et al blog.

In the meantime, Lewis will not be forgotten in my blog postings on Rambles from my Chair. There are still pictures I haven't posted and blog ideas floating around in my brain somewhere.

The things I shall miss most when back on Merseyside will be GB's excellent company, the sky, the sea, the calm, the quiet, the countryside, going out in the car most days (even if it's only into the castle grounds for a coffee) and the people who have been so hospitable. This five and a half weeks has been by far the longest holiday I have ever had in my life. I shall miss Lewis enormously. In the brief time I've been here I have been made to feel so at home. Where else could you go and be recognised and made welcome by someone who works on a till in a supermarket serving a population of 20,000 people.

So here is a big



to Pat and Dave (and Briagha), Fiona, Carol & Iain, Christine and Norman, Barry and Ena, Ann, Steve, and everyone else who has been so hospitable and made the holiday so brilliant.

I don't know if this is a threat or a promise but I'LL BE BACK!
 

Around and about

Wednesday 4th June 2008
Another beautiful day- just how long can this last? On the moor between Bayble and Garrabost people are still cutting, drying and bagging their peats - making winter fuel while the sun shines.



And a Hooded Crow flew over as we drove along.



While GB was shopping I spent some time at the harbour photographing boats. Then GB joined me and we had a go at capturing the Terns on film again. Don’t they fly quickly!!! (Of course, the term "On film" is now inaccurate since cameras don't use film nowadays but saying we tried to digitally register the terns sounds a bit like taking a census of them). A fishing boat came in and the seals and gulls were attracted by it - but in vain, it hadn’t been out fishing so there were no scraps for the scavengers.









During the last few days the Thrift on the Braigh has come out in full and is now at its peak.



The tidal range today was considerable - high tide being well up the beach and low tide almost round the end of the jetty.




In the evening the children were enjoying the warmth and jumping into the water from the jetty - mad and fun are synonymous when you are young!