First off, apologies for not getting something on the site sooner – I do have an excellent excuse though. I have been based for the last few months in a tiny crofting cottage on the west coast of Scotland, right in the bullseye of some of the most remarkable wildlife and scenery in Europe. This is very much achieving a dream that has occupied me for many years – to follow in the footsteps of Gavin Maxwell (author of Ring of Bright Water) and live on a beach for a whole season and watch it all unfold before me. It’s proved to be better than I ever could have hoped for, remarkable stuff. In an attempt to explore the crofting lifestyle, I am now the proud owner of two pigs (bloody great big things - wild boar / Tamworth crosses - that chase me round the enclosure every time I feed them), sheep and chickens. I look out every day on a wide sea channel that leads to the dark mountains of the Isle of Skye, and life is pretty dam good. It’s hard graft mind, I’ve lost about a stone in weight since I’ve been up here – nothing a few flapjacks and ginsters won’t sort out when I get back Bristol. I’ve recently bought a RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) that I use to charge around the islands with a big cheese eating grin on my face – it really is one of the most beautiful landscape on earth – all sugar white sand, dark heather, huge deer, nice locals, crystal clear water, and .......midges. Millions and millions of midges.
The best is yet to come, as the leviathans that are the basking sharks will move into the channel very soon, as will minke whales, dolphins, orca’s (possibly!), and a plethora of other poster boy style wildlife.
If you are maddened by boredom in the next few weeks try to catch “All About Dung” on the History Channel. I know this sounds a tad weird, but this really was one of the most enjoyable bits of tv I’ve filmed for years. Interesting stuff, poo. Anyway, I shall try to write a little more often, assuming I’m not completely consumed by midges in the interim.
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