Sober Island Archeology dig June 2022

 I volunteered for a few days on the exploratory dig which was fascinating.  Sober Island is part of Lews Castle grounds and it was thought there might be a medieval fortification on it as the old castle was across the water now under a pier.  No fortifications found but lots of exciting finds like iron age pottery, flint parts, arrowheads and a crushed pot.  There were a couple of structures found in two trenches.  Enough to try for funding for a bigger dig next year.

Plenty of time for breaks with lots of information passed

This is the tool I found which was star find until the next star find was found

One of the many boat skeletons in the bay 17th and 18th century 

 

The dig was featured on BBC Alba on Friday 10th 7pm on An La.  Lots of physical work but all very enjoyable.

Lewis and Somerset with friends

 I was in Lewis for about 2 weeks with Debbie so we tried to get as much photography in as possible.

First day was a visit to Vatisker beach with a pleasant morning with the dunlin and knot.

Artic tern on my wetland survey

Bluebells in Lews castle grounds

Tree cover in Lews castle grounds

Then a trip to Harris with an overnight at Horgabost in Nyah.

A lamb by the waterfall on the Rhenigidale road

Sheep at Northton

A lovely day around Uig with images of both deer and white tailed eagles.

Bog bean

Beach at Mealasta

Adult with one year old juvenile

We had a trip to Callanish.  I tried out some multiple exposures on the stones.

If you look closely there is a peacock near the top of the bus

Last day out was to Ness.  Butt of Lewis, St Moluags church then a walk on Eoropie beach

Gold

or Silver

A tortieshell butterfly at the window

Then we drove down to Somerset stopping off at Slimbridge.  I stayed with Debbie in Chard and she kindly took me into Taunton so I could meet a few friends.  On Friday Debbie, Linda and I went to find Burnt tip orchids.  A lovely day on the nature reserve.  On Saturday I met up with my family.  My nephew James and his fiancee Zoe had come over from Canada.  Then another day of photography on the Somerset Levels.

First time I have seen a ruff

Kingfishers have returned to Slimbridge

Wild cranes at Slimbridge

Skylark

Burnt tip orchids

Corn bunting

Common orchid with 6 spot burnet moth

Glastonbury from the Somerset levels

Marsh harrier

The same grebe having a shake

Look carefully as the bittern dives in the reeds

Marsh harrier

At last I captured a wren

Damesel 

I flew back from Exeter via Glasgow.  Slight problem at Glasgow as Loganair had changed my 'direct flight' to Monday which I accepted.  Apparently I should have also accepted the second bit to Stornoway - so I found the flight to Stornoway was on the original day of Tuesday!!!!! Luckily I managed to squeeze on the Monday flight and returned safely.  

Have spent the past couple of weeks on an archeologic dig on Sober Island which was very interesting and I appeared on BBC Alba - photos on the next post.