Moving house - Almost done!

The blog has been a bit neglected,

Because we have been busy moving house.

To a different island,

with different beaches,

which, of course, we have had to stop and explore.

There has been lots to do and think about.

This is our new view,

pretty awesome.

Our new garden.

A football playing hatchling,

did very well at his tournament.

And there has been

many a back garden football game

played on our new the shaggy lawn.

We are still adventuring,

lots of playing on the beach,

is this not

completely spectacular?

And look,

just across the water, see those tiny houses, well the one third from the left, with the white boat beside it...

that is our new home!

Well, we are digging our selves out of our house moving rut, and will be back sharing adventures.

And hopefully soon, I will do a series on our home renovations, because we have so much we want to do with this new place. 

Wishing you happy days.

First dinner

We made it to the other side of our move, and even managed to find enough cook ware to cook with. Except for forks... 

Anyways, I set up the dining room table in the conservatory, which is actually quite long, this just just the one end of it.

It really couldn't be helped.

With views like these.

That wind turbine is working hard to keep me in free electricity. So happy!

One of the most wonderful parts of living out on these islands, is being able to wake up each day and look outside. It makes you feel like you are on holiday, somewhere really special, everyday. 

It doesn't really seem to matter where you are, or which island you are on, the landscape is breath taking.

On a side note, have you ever moved house with chickens?

 Our hens took the empty house to be an open invitation.

This hatchling worked tirelessly all day to keep turfing them back outside.

Not that they minded. 

And when we thought we'd lost Dolly,

we found her in a kitchen cupboard.

Wishing you a very happy weekend!

A year has passed by

And it is not that I haven't noticed. 

The little lambs are all out in the field across the road. 

Little wobbly legs, blue painted numbers on their sides to match their mamas. 

This year has been full of wonderful changes. 

A whole lot of growth. 

Nonetheless, it just doesn't seem possible that we are doing this again.

This house moving lark. Those are the boxes of last April.

And these are today's.

(Stop laughing! I am completely capable of packing a box properly... I have simply lost my ability to care. Did I just write that?) 

So, we are moving again. As if the last time wasn't traumatic enough. Though my handsome helper is not going to be here, so perhaps there was enough trauma to ensure he is sensible enough to steer clear.

(This guy says he's driving us there, and there will be tears if I try to put his car in a big bad box.)

So, when's this move taking place?

4 days, just 4 more days.

Before the hatchlings and I, not forgetting our furred and feather family members, (whom are not insignificant in their numbers), pick up and adventure off to explore a whole new island. 

New beaches to explore, a garden to work on, and lots of hatchling requests for new projects, specifically of the animal variety.

Hatchling no1's friend brought us some of her goose eggs and her family's fresh honey. A lovely yummy gift.

Hatchling no4 spotted the goose eggs and declared, 'I am going to eat d'at one. Put the others in the incubator, and when my dinos hatch then I can have 'normous eggs for breakfast everyday!'

I hope he won't be too disappointed, when they hatch out as goslings. Perhaps, he could name then Pterodactyl and the like.

The hatchlings have already signed up for new groups and activities, and are plotting their summer.

The girls have made a few good friends and there are many plans to make the most of the inter - island ferries for sleepovers and back garden camp outs.

I can't wait for this to be over, but much like last year, it is all about keeping perspective. So much is waiting for us just over the horizon, and there is plenty of happiness to be found in the now. 

Perhaps, there is just enough time for one last play on our favourite beach.

Before we bid a fond farewell, to our wind turbine laden island. 

Thank you for a wonderful year.

No doubt, we'll visit you again,

but these boots were made for exploring. 

A new adventure is calling on the wind.

(I may have limited internet for about a week from next Wednesday, so if there isn't a post for a bit, we'll be back, and hopefully more regular as per last year.)

The Journey

This should come with a disclaimer. Don't try this at home. Honest, it is not because you can't, it is simply because loading five small children, ducklings, dogs and chickens into a car and traveling hundreds and hundreds of miles, taking two ferries,... 

Well just imagine one dog being car sick, the toddler grumbles, the baby crying, another dog whining, the ducklings cheeping, and I sadly kid not, the rooster begins crowing... and for a while you start to think you are staring in the funny farm.

Let's start at the beginning.

First we bathed some ducks

because lets face it, the next people want a clean tub.

Then the hatchlings ate their body weight in ice cream, 

while they patiently waited

for the biggest moving van I'd ever seen to be filled up.

Then we scrubbed,

and scrubbed,

before having the carpets shampooed by two, very friendly, dread lock clad carpet cleaning uh dudes.

At last it was time to board the ark!

We drove all day, and most of the night. 

The journey made more challenging... I mean fun, yes fun, by the petrol strikes.

It was like playing the lotto, as to if the next station would have any petrol or diesel.

We had a slightly nail biting experience around Inverness. Thankfully, a full truck, carrying the only diesel for miles, pulled up, at 10:45pm, and we were back on the road.

We arrived a few hours ahead of our first ferry.

So, hatchling no4 took the wheel.

At last our ferry arrives,

and excitement shines through the tired.

Then it all starts to become a lot more real.

This

is

what 

we have 

been

journeying

towards.

Of course moving in would be too easy,

if it did not snow!

At least our moving van 

came by tractor.