August on Isle of Lewis - Part I

This is my first August on Lewis.  I hoped to experience the dreaded midge but they only appeared in numbers on one day towards the end of my holiday.  Jenny and Murdo, my hosts surpassed themselves - I was out every day with lots of subjects to photograph.  My thanks to Charlie, Jonathan, Angus and Tracy (great niece, great nephew, nephew and niece of J & M) for the opportunity to take photos of them.

The B & B at "Ghinda" is up and running at Lochganvich, Isle of Lewis.  I recommend you book in.  I promise you won't have a better (or cheaper stay) on Lewis.  Being a friend, I would say that but it is backed up by their paying guests too.

Arrived on Thursday and went to a great concert by Alli and Phil at An Lanntair.  On Friday, Jenny took me on a walk to the deserted village at Stiomrabhagh on South Lochs. 

Red dragonfly posing while we lunched

River to loch

Overview of houses

Looking out to sea

Jenny setting up a chessman shot

This made picture of the week in Stornoway Gazette.  The local bakery, Stag Bakeries, has just introduced seaweed flavoured crackers so it seemed appropriate.  I liked the way the seaweed was moving from side to side.

On Sunday we tried out Pol's Pantry for Sunday lunch - not recommended!  A walk down to the loch at "Ghinda" in the afternoon.

Mickey

Neve

Charlotte

Jonathon and Charlotte

"Ghinda" from the loch

Off to Cliasmol in Harris on the Huishnish road for a walk to the beehive dwellings on Monday. Spotted a red throated diver and chick on the loch near the dwellings.

Jenny spotted this diadem spider on the web.  It then turned around and went on to the rock where it was camoflaged.

Roof of beehive dwelling

Two beehive dwellings

Looking through the doorway

Fishing hut in Lewis on the way back

On Tuesday, Jenny had arranged a workshop with Rachel at Ness and Europie.  A good day out except my camera decided not to work.  Rachel was very helpful and suggested putting it on manual, which sorted it out.

Jenny and Rachel

Copying Jenny's pic which featured as Pic of the week in Stornoway Gazette.  We were lucky to see 3 couples with red clothing.

Helpful bunny who posed for us

Chain at Port of Ness

Panorama pic of Ness harbour

Went to Tolsta to see the family and had a stroll on Traigh Mohr

Me first, dad.

Bee on knapweed

Dragonfly

Mickey with Neve in background

Charlie with Jenny in background

Having a shake

Oystercatchers in flight

Pattern on sand left by the foam.  I added the green colour

Shells on the beach

Walking along

Charlie's hand in sand

Oystercatcher with sandpipers

Neve

Mickey

Neve with Jonathon in the background

Jonathon

Off with the shoes

Love the ponytail

Murdo and Tracy watching with Mickey

To the sea

Mussels

Is this a wheatear?

Jonathon

Bodysurfing

Jenny and I stopped off at a house in Liurbost to photograph the deserted interiors.  I could have spent hours in here - so many stories to be had.

Entrance around the back

There were newspapers from 1968.  This one was 1972 and a plea to the Prime Minister re the Vietnam War.

I did rearrange the top to make this image.  I suspect much in the kitchen area had been rearranged by past photographers.

To Harris on Thursday - images in Part II