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 23 April 2012

'What's new Pussy Cat...'


The weekend was spent overseas; we had been invited to three days of celebrations for a good friend’s birthday. The events were to take place on the neighbouring Isle, and as usual it was no mean feat getting ourselves organised and onto that ferry boat, although we did have to succumb to a slightly reduced ‘party time table’, missing out on a clay pigeon shoot and cask visit.
The mad dash there involved getting everything in place, from lambers, to cottage changeovers, meals for hungry children, hens and dogs and feeding/walking routines, and a last minute visit from the local farrier to shoe the horses’ feet, and Muffin just was refusing to be shod, playfully galloping off around the fields as eldest tried in vain to catch him, and all as our ferry awaited to take us away to our ‘other island’ destination. So, we left in our usual melee of madness, not in the least bit organised, despite our best efforts, but realising that things would take care of themselves, especially as we were leaving teenage children at home to hold the fort for the first time (no sweat there then as eldest was madly texting near and far to announce she had an ‘empty’).
Naturally once you step off the little ferry boat all of your troubles and worries melt away aided of course by a large glass of something very tasty, with or without bubbles.
The celebrations took place in the village hall, tables were all laid beautifully, and guests from all over the world had made the journey to this remote location to celebrate with their friend. Of course the obligatory power cut happened right at the crucial moment when the food needed to be heated and just as everyone was taking their seats. Visiting guests were concerned as we sat in candlelight, but the hosts and locals were not in the least bit ‘phased’ – this is island life, power cuts happen on a regular basis, and reassuringly, after a few drams or so, the power flicked back on and the most wonderful food was served. This was followed by a ceilidh that went on well into the wee small hours as everyone hurled and burled around the hall, dancing the traditional Scottish reels, a true Highland celebration. When the band retired, they were replaced by another guitarist, who took to the stage and sang and played to his heart’s content, as the dancing continued. He apparently, honestly, did not hurt himself when he fell flat to the floor with an almighty bang, as he vacated the stage. The partying did not stop there, ipod located and partying went on. We rolled up the hill to our beds around 4.00am, the dancing still going strong, but the party goers gradually dwindling in numbers.
The following day, beach events were cancelled due to the inclement weather, but the partying continued with a BBQ and house party, with lashings of food and drink, more music and more hilarity. The happy farmer excelled with his performances of Tom Jones and Freddie Mercury, yet again the farmer’s wife finally had to sweep him up and prise him away mid performance as she made a mad dash to catch the final ferry home.
Lambs and children intact, normality resumed.
Until next  time…..

11 comments:

Martha said...

Oh, how I adore your blog!! I can just see the horse running about the fields, causing as much trouble as possible! And those babies in the header are just precious!!

Molly said...

Posie your trip looked very energetic but brilliant fun. What a canastrophie (as my granddaughter used to say) to have a power cut just when the hot food was about to be served. Glad the lights weren't off for too long all the same.

Maggie Christie said...

Gosh that birthday sounds fun! Naughty Muffin! I know all too well the fury of chasing an errant equine that just will not be caught. You certainly know how to party in the Isles (as my Dad is now finding out on Mull!)

bayou said...

lol, Posie - I wonder why we were not invited - EG would have done some performances of Tommy Cooper
:-)))
Love the scene of "eldest madly texting she had an 'empty'" rofl

Fennie said...

Sounds like a grand party, Posie. You know how to enjoy yourselves in that part of the world. I wonder where the power comes from? Does each island have its own power? Or is there some kind of cable?

Posie said...

Fennie, the power comes via a cable across the sea bed from the mainland.

Elizabethd said...

Oh what fun Posie!

Melanie said...

Hi Posie. What a great life you seem to have up there, although no doubt stressful and hard work, but fun with all the animals. Your post on the dogs eating the eggs made me laugh. I suggested to my husband a couple of years ago that we should move to Scotland and have a little farm. He wasn't as enthusiastic as me, unfortunately, so for now I'll have to make do with our two dogs and rabbits in the town.

Claire said...

Sounds like this event will go down in island history and they'll be talking about it in years to come Posie.......what a hoot....

An 'empty' does that mean parents are away?....

I can imagine the chaos trying to get everything sorted before you caught the ferry........no thanks to Muffin.

Have a great weekend, hope the weather is nice and sunny...

Claire :}

MILLY said...

Just love your photographs of the views. It is such a beautiful area. The lambs look so tiny and yet they grow so quickly don't they.
Hope the blue sky continues. Have a relaxing weekend after such a busy one.

Cathy at PotterJotter said...

Wow - it sounds so wonderful. I hoped you were going to say you had a Ceilidh and you did! The happy farmer sounds particularly 'happy' at this party!