(Nick here, guest blogging while Frances is in Norway)

In September I joined the Guild of Photographers on a tour of Lewis and Harris (well, mostly Harris if I’m honest). Despite the name, Lewis and Harris is a single island, located off the west coast of Scotland. Its location (green pin) relative to Shetland (red pin) can be seen in the map below:

I was due to travel on the ferry from Uig on Skye to Tarbert, at the narrowest point of the island, but the day before the sailing, as I was collecting my hire car, I was told by the ferry operator that the boat I was due to sail on had been damaged and the crossing had been suspended. Thankfully I was able to re-book for free on the Ullapool to Stornway service (both towns can be seen on the map above). This turned out to be a real boon, as the journey from Edinburgh (my overnight stop) to Ullapool was easier than the route to Uig, the ferry was later in the day so I didn’t have to leave at 6am, and the road from Inverness to Ullapool is one of the most beautiful roads I have driven on. Sadly, as I was on a timetable, I didn’t have time to stop and photograph this road.

I met some friends who were also on the tour at Ullapool, picked up some beer (we were warned that alcohol was expensive on the island) and caught the ferry just before sunset. The views from the boat were pretty special.

It was properly dark by the time we arrived at Stornoway, and the drive to our accommodation was quite a long one, so I had to knuckle down and get on with it, watching out for sheep along the way. Seeing a herd of sheep in the middle of the road, illuminated only by your headlights, looks a little like this (without the metal railings):

Stolen from Twitter

I was shown to my room and, exhausted, fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Over the following days, we explored the coast of Harris, the southernmost part of the island, even visiting one of the eminent weavers of the world famous Harris Tweed, a lovely chap called Donald John Mackay. He allowed us in to take a portrait of him in his workshop.

His workshop sits right next to Luskentyre Bay, one of the most famous beaches in the Hebrides, if not the whole of Scotland, and it’s easy to see why. The peat-tinted water that flows off the moors onto the white sand, mixing with the green seawater, creates a whole palette of colours that, combined with the ever changing light, create an ever-varying and ever-interesting scene that draws photographers from all over the world.

This post is turning out to be quite long – I do waffle on – so I’ll leave you with a photo of one of the most spectacular sunsets I’ve witnessed, taken just south of Luskentyre, over the rocks at Rubha Romagraich near Horgabost beach.

The colours really were that bright – I’ve not done anything to them in Photoshop!

Yesterday’s guinea pig photos were popular, it seems, so I’ll write some more about them tomorrow, and we’ll return to Lewis and Harris on Wednesday. Have a great week!

Hello everyone, it’s Nick here again. As Frances said yesterday, she’s off for a jaunt to Norway with Daisy so has, in her wisdom (or folly) left me in charge while she is away.

It’s nearly three years since I last posted, commenting on the emergence of spring here in Watford. I believe I’ve introduced you to our menagerie, including the star of the show, Danny (seen here in August, on a trip to Dartmoor):

He is three years old now and has matured into a wonderful companion; friendly, playful, intelligent, and affectionate. He gets on well with (most) other dogs, though he has issues with the short-snouted varieties such as French Bulldogs and Pugs, and loves children, who almost invariably want to stroke him when they see him.

In his current state (he hasn’t had a haircut for a few months now) he is barely recognisable as a dog beneath all that hair, but we brush him regularly and I’m really tempted to keep the fuzz that clings to the brush as it’s as soft as cashmere wool and would make a lovely jumper!

You might also recall Rosie and Cinnamon, our two chickens, from my previous posts. Sadly we have had to say goodbye to Rosie this past week, who developed a tumour on her liver. Cinnamon however is a picture of health, and we are looking into getting another chicken to keep her company. She doesn’t seem too distressed by the loss of her friend but I think it would be fair to give her some more company so we are in contact with someone local who is downsizing their flock. She is still laying on an almost daily basis – there is nothing to compare with a fresh poached egg for lunch.

Then there are the guinea pigs – 10 of them, no less. We brought them inside recently for the cold weather, but as it’s much milder now they will be returned to their outdoor hutches very soon. Archie, on the left, is the patriarch and father to most of the others, and Fergus, on the right, lives with him.

That’s all for now! Tomorrow I’ll tell you about a recent photography trip to the isle of Lewis and Harris, in the Outer Hebrides. This will contain proper photos, not iPhone snaps, as I know Frances has been building me up considerably!

Well this is my last blog post for a while.  My friend, Nick Miners, will be taking over in my absence.

From Rise Art ‘s website – “Nick is a freelance photographer obsessed with Iceland. He travels there as often as he can in search of the elusive perfect photo, despite knowing that it probably doesn’t exist. A side product of this search is an growing portfolio of landscape photography from Iceland, some of which was taken from an altitude of 6,000 feet. He is also fascinated by architecture, especially the mixed emotions generated by the brutalist movement.“

Anywho, Daisy and I have packed, Daisy has made extensive lists for OH and I have agonised about every animal who lives here.

OH will be fine.  Basically, throw silage at everyone.

Some get a hard feed as well.  Some don’t.

And some shouldn’t but, well, Gypsy would be very upset and they are travelling south when we get back so a bit extra won’t hurt.  They can run up thin after the ferry trip.

Little Albie is, at long last, weaned.  Huzzah!  He is not happy about this situation.  It was virtually white water and he was barely bothering but now it has gone completely, he stomps around following anyone he can find of the human variety to ask for his milk back.  Sorry Albie.  Not going to happen.  Big boy now.

BeAnne went into a decline when she saw the suitcase come out.

Anywho, we will be back on next Monday morning and, if you are interested, we are going to The Røros Winter Fair (Rørosmartnan, Sør-Trøndelag), then to Maihaughen Museum, Lillehammer and on to Oslo.

I have packed every camera I own!

Once in a blue moon, a certain person gets to come indoors.

He is loved very, very much.

Caddy (orphan) lambs soon stop being cute and then turn into a “muckle” (big) sheep.

And I really don’t care.  Honestly, I don’t.

I love Lambie for being Lambie.

A little known fact – Lambie loves classical music.

He was brought up listening to the music I love the most.

Obviously, Lambie’s favourite music is Sheep May Safely Graze by JS Baaaaa(ch).

That is a given.

Every so often, Lambie wants to spend time with me.  His Muzzah.

‘Ster and ‘Bert are all very well but they ask for more of my time and attention.  Lambie never does that.

Lambie is generous – he always takes the back seat.

And I see that.

So this is why I know I must give Lambie his own time with me.

I will always be Lambie’s Muzzah.  Forever.  We are imprinted on each other.  It is not a one-way street.

Lambie is not outside.  He is indoors being a sheep-(dog!)

(I may have had gin!)

Today, we are all in a bit of a quandary.

Look what we found!

Not sure what to do.

I mean, what would you do?

We’ve only just noticed!

Will they sprout wings next?

Should we call the vet?

Is this going to be a problem?

(Albie could have someone’s eye out with that!)

Newt always thought he was different!

Best day ever – I always knew my ponies are magical!