At the start of the gorge beyond the hen houses, where the croft really begins to slope downwards to the loch side is the first mini-waterfall. We've burnt so much wood these last few weeks that we are running out. There's a few dead trees still lying about so we set too on Friday gathering them in. It was stunningly cold, where simple pleasures are the best: removing your wellies & kicking your chilblains against the stove is somehow exquisitely pleasurable.
The mini-waterfall feeds a deep pool. In the Summer it makes a wonderful bathtub when the midges are absent! It's quite lovely at the moment with its fringe of icicles.
Since the freeze came I haven't walked down to the Mother fall where there's a 20 metre drop. It will no doubt be stupendously gorgeous & frozen at the edges. But it's too dangerous a descent at the moment. We hope to have a micro-hydro system rigged up for the house from it & that can't come too soon for me!
Hi there Caroline
ReplyDeleteIt sounds idyllic, believe it or not, though I'm sure it isn't some of the time. I'd like to get a lungful of that cold, fresh air (and then go back inside quite quickly). Would love to hear more about your generator (if that's what the micro-hydro thing is) - is there a website?
Haven't had a chilblain since I was a kid (in Scotland!)
Pete
The cold has become a curse. It thawed then snowed again & has thawed but the wind is off the artic & we have storms forecast again for this week. It's been too long, too harsh & even though we've shovelled hay & supplements into the sheep they are in poorish condition. I'm pleased we didn't put a ram in. I'm pleased we won't be lambing - even though I'll miss it in a way.
ReplyDeleteSheep are becoming an expensive pastime & I'm going to be curtailing the flock - not expanding.
I must do more (record more) on the house build even though it's going very slow. The micro hydro system isn't in place - will be one of the last things to do, but I should do a blog on just the house stuff...............
How are you doing? Is it still arctic?
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and the beasties,
J x
Hi Jen,
ReplyDeleteIt's very cold but gloriously bright.
Hope you are well.
I must update as I took some photies today.
All the best
Caroline.