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

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

Friday 3 August 2007

Island Treasures




I was sat on the bench in the sunshine, enjoying a morning cup of coffee with the happy farmer, when ‘sploosh’, a beaker full of icy cold water came hurtling through the air, and soaked me, followed by giggles from a certain little monkey grinning out of the window, and some guffawing from a certain happy farmer,
‘It was meant to get dad,’ was the apology! I haven’t got my own back…yet!!

There were no takers for the beach today; the happy farmer was busy in his shed, the children quite happy pottering about, the eldest saddled up her horse and away she went.

I took the dogs, then went to check on the vegetable patch, and got totally carried away. I dug up a shaw of potatoes and found to my delight some absolute beauties; they were well and truly ready. Feeling like I had struck gold, several shaws later, and I was up to my ankles in mud, and finally decided these croc ‘shoes’ are fantastic on the beach but I must stop wearing them in the vegetable patch, the mud falls through all of the little holes. The horde of vegetables hanging proudly from my arms, in two baskets I squidged my way back across the garden to the house. The downside to the home grown produce is of course all of the cleaning up after, there was more mud on me than on the potatoes, so a shower full of grit and mud later, I was sorted. An organised gardener would of course wear wellies and thick gardening gloves, of which I have both!

The happy farmer came in delighted, armed with fresh fillets of home smoked mackerel courtesy of the skipper on the Jura ferry boat. Tonight we will have a true ‘island’ feast.

Until next time…

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Sounds yummy!! Can I come for tea please??

snailbeachshepherdess said...

Tell funkymunky to get a bus trip sorted ...I'm coming as well! That was lovely and lovely pictures as well.

Pondside said...

Hi Posie - I love to visit your island, and really enjoyed the photos on your last few blogs. I'm glad you enjoyed the trip to Toronto! I loved to hear about your raspberry picking expedition and the fun of having visiting friends with children. I remember those sleep-overs with beds and pallets everywhere! Your summer sounds gorgeous!

Bluestocking Mum said...

I love the thought of a true island feast...

Am glad the summer is being kind to you there...

warmest wishes
xx

Suffolkmum said...

So know what you mean about crocs - I keep gardening in mine as well. Hey, I'll come to the beach with you! And stay for tea!! I doubt I would be terribly forgiving if I'd been drenched in icy water ...

bradan said...

Oh, I love smoked mackerel! You are doing well with your tatties. (Do they call them tatties where you are?) Lovely pics.

Elizabethd said...

There is nothing like eating your own garden produce, is ther.
Every time I read your blogs I am transported back to Islay!

Anonymous said...

Aren't home grown potatoes just divine! I'll come on that bus trip.

Crystal xx

muddyboots said...

any going spare?

patsy said...

Oh Posie, what a wonderful summer you are having with friends and family all about you.
You describe everything so well, I can almost smell the damp earth on your potatoes.
Always a delight to read your blogs and see your photos.
Isn't your eldest lucky to have such freedom to ride her pony in such unspoilt countryside?
Best wishes
Patsy x

laurie said...

what a great day! except for the cold water bath.

love the flowers on the table.

and now i want some potatoes for my dinner.

Woozle1967 said...

Oh, Posie, I do adore your photos! Am jealous of your veggies - some of mine have ben a disaster this year what with all the wet we've had around here. Didn't think my pots were ready yet, but will have to check reading this! And I like a good blether too - my step dad's from Dundee and he accuses me of blethering all the time! ;-))