So much for my intention of a monthly blog this year! It has morphed into a seasonal blog instead...
Here are a few photos of events over the last few months:
September was the month for gathering in the harvest - potatoes, pumpkins and onions are now stored for winter use, whilst other veg such as carrots, parsnips, leeks and greens are left in the ground to be picked fresh when needed.
A major change for us has been the purchase of a cottage in Rhiw, and our house in Conwy has been put on the market. Tan y Garn is in a beautiful location on a hillside in Rhiw which has the name "Allt Salem" or hill of peace. It has a stunning view over Porth Neigwl (Hell's mouth). The last couple of months have therefore incorporated quite a bit of to-ing and fro-ing by both of us, to sort things out in Conwy, and move into the cottage. The intention is to use this as a base for when we are off the island, and for Rachel and Ben too. It has exciting prospects with various outbuildings and a small field behind.
Tan y Garn
A couple of sun rise shots from the bedroom window!
Squill asleep in the front garden
Our first night with a log fire!
We have enjoyed having Chris Thorpe to stay for a few weeks at the end of his pilgrimage walk. He has been fun to have around and incredibly helpful with farm work such as fencing. His fishing expertise has also been enjoyed as lobster has been on the menu a few times. He kindly gave Sian and I a fishing lesson....although nothing was biting that day!
Chris on Pen Cristin point.
Snowdrop has had to be weaned, as she was freely drinking from both her mother, Morwenna and her auntie Eira - so there wasn't much milk left for us. Weaning is not proving to be an easy process, and even after a week, her plaintive cries can still be heard from her seclusion in the Rick yard. It has taken many attempts to stop her escaping - and finally 4 lengths of electric fencing have proven to be the only way of enclosing her in the paddock!
Eira took revenge on us after Snowdrop had spent 2 days of no escapes - by eating the quad bike key! After much searching in the yard for the pulled out key, this has to be the only conclusion, according to Steve. "My" goats are in bad books again. Thankfully a spare quad key from Cwrt has worked to get the quad going again, and is now tied on with thick string.
Despite the lovely autumn weather, the conditions have not been suitable for much para gliding. This shot is of Steve enjoying a quick flight one saturday afternoon when the easterly winds did settle to a suitable strength (look quite high up in the sky!)
The cattle have been moved onto the mountain for their winter grazing regime. Two of them have had GPS collars fitted so that we can track the movement of the herd and determine how much grazing they are doing in the heathland areas.
A beautiful cloud inversion in the Sound, taken from Mynydd Enlli.
Rachel was really pleased to have some of her paintings selected for the SWLA exhibition at the Mall gallery in London....and was even more pleased to sell a couple of them!
