Late summer miscellany

The last couple of weeks have been busy, plus I had a spell of being unwell.  Much better now, and trying to get back on track.  The last 8 months have been really hectic with work, but things are slowing down now (thankfully) so hopefully a bit more time to myself and to do some of the things I've missed over recent months.

Above were some glowering clouds over Hoy on a morning sail home today.  You can just see a tiny rainbow to the right of the island.  I'd been over to Stromness for a night out with friends. Due to no "late boat" home I'd stayed in the town and got the morning boat home, sailing via Hoy before arriving at Graemsay.

The last week or so has been very changeable weatherwise.  I am actually typing this with the wind rattling around outside. A gale forecast for tonight.  I'll have to "batten hatches" - or at least the cat flap, tonight.  Of course Button has just gone out for her evening entertainment so I can't go to bed till she returns (well I could, but I'm a mad cat lady so I won't!).

Meanwhile, before I fall asleep at the keyboard, here are some photos taken over recent days......

I had breakfast on the bench outside watching a lovely cloud display.

Button enjoyed a bit of sunshine too.

The hens are laying but several are going broody so I'm having to hunt for eggs.  Meanwhile one of the hens had a bit of a mishap and laid a VERY tiny egg ........

Some of the wildflowers I grew in the garden. This packet of seeds went in quite late so they are just blooming now.  Very pretty though and the bees love them.

Raindrops on borage flowers from the recent showers.

Another one of the wildflowers (no doubt about to be battered by the gale, sigh).

And this afternoon I popped up to see Ethel (the oldest Graemsay resident who was born and bred on the island). I never like to visit empty handed so took along a posy of flowers from the garden. Not many left now as most flowers have "gone oer", but a few still giving some summer colour.

And while in the garden I took a few more photos.  Neighbour Sue is helping me in the garden doing some digging and tidying up.  This border is looking very smart now.  Well weeded, ready for some manure and then leaving for the winter.

The broad beans have been very slow this summer, though I've not helped them as I didn't water them much, and it's been a very dry spell (great for the farmers to get the silage and hay in though!). Under the green netting are salad leaves.  I used an old pallet retrieved from builders. Another neighbour, Bobby, made the cover out of a pallet and some netting. Great for keeping the hens off!  And I did some companion planting of the nasturtiums as they, in theory, help keep the black fly off the broad beans. But I think the hens help with that task too!

And then there are the garden ornaments...... a lovely hare by the fruit bushes, and Button on the black plastic!  (I use black plastic over areas I want to dig so the weeds die back and it's easier to dig. I try and avoid using any weed killer in the garden as far as possible. No pesticides either - the only pests are the pesky hens and Button!!).

Meanwhile there have been some lovely sunsets recently.  The sun slowly moving back across the sky....

And here a cloud dancing with the last of the suns rays

And this photo from some weeks ago..... I may have shared this before but I just love this photo so forgive me if you've seen it before!  (Too tired and lazy to go back and check!)

Button has finally decided to return so that's us both off to bed for the night!  Sweet dreams everyone!