Posie's Blog. Tales of island life on a hebridean hill farm

Posie's Blog. Tales of island life on a hebridean hill farm

Monday 28 May 2007

Music, malt and 'May'... hem





The farmhouse is filled with children just now, my nephew and niece are over to stay for a week, at the weekend we had seven children staying as the kids had pals over too. The sun has been shining constantly and it is the stuff that childhood dreams are made of, as they all make out of the door, clutching lambs' bottles, making their way to the shed to get feed for the pigs and chickens, the happy farmer can retire at this rate!




They have been lovingly grooming Hansel each day, helping him to get settled into his new surroundings, taking him out for a canter through the fields.




Youngest daughter has been reclaiming the small garden shed as her den, and has been busy clutching old kettles and lobster pots, traipsing across the fields to the garden with them, as she sets up a new home for her and her pals. Of course the happy farmer is getting nagged to move out all of the horse paraphernalia and his secret stash of lager, to accommodate all of the junk she has found lying across the farm as she turns her den into a ‘home’.

The island is buzzing again. This week it is festival of malt and music. Yesterday we went over to Bruichladdich to listen to the pipe bands, watch the highland dancers, taste the oysters and of course sample some of the island’s malt whisky. The happy farmer supping away on whisky cocktails, as the children gorged on Islay tablet, soaking up the atmosphere.

The farmhouse kitchen has been busy, welcoming friends and family. We have so many visitors calling by at this time of year. Next week we will be bursting at the seams as family and friends make the pilgrimage over to celebrate my 40th. I am panicking slightly about accommodating them all. The happy farmer, as laid back as ever, smiled ever so sweetly and reminded me that they can always sleep in the horse box, it is clean and dry after all, and he wonders why I am panicking!!

Until next time…

11 comments:

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

sounds great. we have just had a houseful and are now quiet again. I love it. I like the sound of your daughter's den. Have a good day.

Bluestocking Mum said...

I have missed your blogs.

How lovely to have farmhouse filled with children-just as it should be. Liked to think of youngest reclaiming the shed as her den.

Lovely to have you back Posie.

warm wishes
x

bodran... said...

I wish i could come to your festival it sounds a treat.. Get all your friends to bring tents to sleep in or better still stay up all night..and if i miss it happy 40th.xxoo

toady said...

The den sounds great, just right for little girls.

annakarenin said...

Sounds rather idyllic. Mine were supposed to be sorting out one of the sheds and turning it into a den with their dad but once again the weather and all sorts of things have plotted against it happening.

Elizabethd said...

Brings back happy memories of ceilidhs on Islay.

muddyboots said...

great to see you back! is that blue sky l see in your pics?

Suffolkmum said...

What a lovely few days you have had. Great to have children all over the place, the den sounds perfect. Happy 40th if you don't blog before then! I missed your one below, glad you had a good time, the horse is lovely.

MILLY said...

Hello Posie Rosie,
Lovely to hear from you .I have been watching Spring Watch tonight, from Islay , and saw your beautiful island. I thought about you ,and then found your message!
Your weather, blue sky, sounds lovely, enjoy the holiday week with the children. Hows the painting coming on? MILLY X

Chris Stovell said...

I have been locked out so it's lovely to catch up. I'm rather fond of malts - love Talisker and the peaty malts.

Pondside said...

What a lovely blog, Posie. You took me right back to my childhood on Cape Breton - all about us children, fires, music and eating. I also had a 'den' in th woods with my cousins and we furnished much as your daughter has done. You brought the weekend to life in your blog.