Feeling lucky to be looking out at our first rainbow and having finished a delicious breakfast , we set about getting all our belongings and work things sorted.
With two bedrooms at the top of the cottage, it seemed sensible to use the little landing between the rooms to set up a working space . The window on the roof afforded nice light and I could also watch the plane coming and going from Glasgow to Barra twice daily. This became quite a feature as the days rolled by. In no time at all I had a light and comfortable working space and Archie rigged up some lighting with some daylight bulbs as the days were very short.
Studio set up
Our computer is very important these days for us and Barra boasts great wifi so the computer was set up in the lounge for easy access. Hey we were sorted
My favourite window, just loving the view , and close to my darling hubby too !
Our friends Eileen and Jackson and Thai , soon appeared ready to take us out walking, so we happily set about getting the right gear on and as I had bought a pair of red boots in Oban on the way I had christened them my Barra boots. They were now on and ready to go.
Red Barra Boots
The four of us were so happy to be together again on the island . Friendship is a precious thing and spending time with these two Ayrshire folk who had decided to take a year out to live on Barra was to become a great source of joy for us over the next two months
Our Barra Buddies
Eileen and Jackson superb photography #barragapyear
Now, although we had brought some food stuffs with us, it was now time to visit the nearest shop, the COOP and it was 8 miles away ! So no running out of milk.! I had difficulty with knowing when the fresh food would be on the shelves as it depended whether the ferry was running or not .We had no problem with getting what we needed but I would be making some soups to freeze just in case. Archie would be getting some bread making classes from Jackson who had become very proficient at making bread with fennel, yummy so delicious.
It is a different way of life here, and it was very comforting to hear Archie in the kitchen making this and that as I painted up stairs in my studio . The aroma of fresh fruit scones wafting its way up the stairs was delightful and tasted amazingly good .
Yummy Archies first ever scones
We soon settled into this quiet and simple way of life and although the days were short we packed a huge amount of things in. The main reason for me coming to Barra was to get quiet time to observe and reflect on Barra”s intoxicatingly magnificent landscape. I was so happy to immerse myself in it .
It reminded me of how it felt to be a student. So here I was a student on Barra and loving it. Sometimes it was just wonderful to just sit quietly and watch the tides coming and going and to observe the change of the small things that occur round the shoreline . Crannag sits on a peninsula and is almost surrounded by the sea. The tides coming and going on the golden sands are incredible. I had a sketch book on the window sill and enjoyed dipping in and out of my visual feast . Everytime I passed the window, the view had changed and I was certain I would ever get tired of watching the oystercatchers, gulls, small birds flitting to and fro and the Eriskay Ferry coming and going steadily across the sound. The sound of the Loganair Twin Otter plane passing by, before landing and soaring skyward on its return trip to Glasgow never seized to amaze us.
Birds on the shore
The cottage was cosy and warm and I felt very secure in it, which was fortunate, for after we had been out to Castlebay to watch the firework display on returning, we came home to darkness. No electric light, nothing , total darkness, no street lights outside either. Torches at the ready and mobile telephones to the rescue, some time and a few candles later we still couldn't work out what was tripping the fuses. However we got it down to an outside light in the end. Archie was going back to the mainland in a few days time so I was particularly pleased to have found out what to do Incase of an emergency. I was to have four days on my own so, at least, I would know how to throw the switch etc . It must have been a very different way of life before electricity! My, It doesn’t bear thinking of.
The only real contact with cockles prior to coming to Barra was seeing them in small jars in the fish and chip shop. But here I was (its me Archie writing now! on the edge of a large expanse of beach called Traigh Mhor ( the Barra Airport “runway’ ) renowned for its variety of shell fish and oyster frames. I had been advised by our friend Jackson that they were easy to harvest and were so simple to cook. Rake in hand and with my wellies on I set out to find cockles on ‘The Cockle Strand’ as it is known locally. Although there was ample evidence of their presence with empty razorfish, winkles and cockle shells they proved just that little bit more elusive than I had first imagined.
The Oyster Bed frames on the south edge of Traigh Mhor.and a few shots of the rakes progress!
My strenuous efforts with the rake attracted the attention of hungry or may be just curious sea birds and as I was being watched, I gradually got the hang of cockling. I settled for two dozen being ample in my bright orange bucket.
The practicalities of preparing cockles was quite simple. Leave them over night in a bucket of sea water to allow them to carry on filtering and ridding themselves of any particles of sand prior to cooking.
‘Master Chef’ preparing cockles in the small but well appointed Crannog Cottage kitchen.
Wine, some garlic and perhaps a few slices of onion at the ready, meant I was almost at the point of creating my seafood dish. Shells soon opened, which is the sign they are safe to eat and with a slice or two of hot buttered toast they were generously spooned on the top and a little seasoning applied.
I am biased for sure, but they looked good, smelled good and tasted lovely! Well worth the effort was my conclusion. This would not be my only cockling foray!
Whilst all this creativity was going on in the kitchen Irene was busy enjoying painting and decided to try to paint Vatersay beach and the view from our window
View from the community centre end .
Still working on this one but here it is in its raw state
Painting al fresco was very challenging. However she did try to work from the tailgate of her car which provided just enough shelter to enable her to complete her task..
The view from Crannog Cottage, looking over to the airport
Crannag
The owner of the cottage, Gerry Murnin has a wonderful folder with everything you need to know about the Island and where to go. It looks idyllic in the summer, however, I ( its me again Irene ) am so enjoying the small space around the cottage, collecting shells and sketching when the tide goes out. There is a special thrill of walking on the shore after the water recedes, when you know you are the first person to make footprints in the newly washed sand . You never know what you may find. I particularly like cockle shells that have opened and are intact.
Razor shells, delicate tiny crabs and shells with mother of pearl
Oyster shells displaying gorgeous related lines and subtle colours of blues and purple
Shore finds of various things slate, pottery and corroded metal
My adoring fans and my wee corner of heaven
As our first week came to a close we found ourselves very contented.
Some panorama wobbly shots but nevertheless stunning.