Another quiet day on the island. Emma has kept the fire going for into the third day, so some time was spent getting it going again for day, stoking up the hot coals and refilling the skuttle from the coal shed.
We had a little wander down through the woods and then explored the gardens of Eilean Shona house. Rose came out of the house to chase us away until we explained that Alistair had said that after Sunday it was okay ato. But apparently people have a habitg of coming ashore from yachts and snooping around inside the house. The gardens are beautiful and lead us down to the shore, and the quay. We potter on the beach for shells and driftwood.
Returning to our little red-roofed cottage in the woods for lunch we finish up the Alsager oatcakes (they’ve lasted well!), the herring and the mushrooms.
As Emma has an afternoon sleep I settle back in my chair with a view of the loch and write postcards. I note that it is raining on the mainland but still perfectly dry on our totally peaceful and tranquil island.
It’s been a fantastic stay here this past week. Such a beautiful island, only 2½ miles long and ½ mile wide you can go for days if you choose without seeing a single other soul. We’ve seen a pair of buzzards, two red deer, logts of smaller birds (including some very greedy chaffinches) and pine martins who come to visit us almost every evening for nuts, and cake, eggs, cheese and even the occasional beef olive!
It’s been an inspirational place too. J.M. Barrie was apparently inspired to create Neverland by coming here, and with its little islands, inlets, lochs and castles I can well believe it. I’ve begun writing my next novel here, the curious one about Mr Tumnal. It’s all very restful and I’m not sure that we want to leave. We certainly would like to come back here, and maybe bring my parents with us for I’m sure Barney would love it here.
