Midsummer
Here we are: Midsummer (although it’s only the beginning of summer really). The nights here are very short in terms of darkness, and I think it affects Joe as he’s not going to sleep until late; he’s going to get a big shock when school starts again in August.
We’re still plodding on with homeschooling and it’ll be a relief when the summer holidays start in three weeks. But we’re also having a lot of fun. The weather has been good so there have been beach trips and time in the garden, and the odd socially-distanced meetup with friends outdoors.
One of the eateries in the village have started selling Italian gelato in a rainbow of flavours, with lots of toppings to go with them. We sat out in the sun with ours last week (it was a blisteringly hot afternoon) and Joe enjoyed his vanilla, raspberry ripple and chocolate combo with sprinkles, ‘fudgery doo’ and salted caramel sauce (!) while I went for a scoop each of pistachio and espresso. Sometimes, living here is like being on holiday - even when the tourists aren’t around.
The local police are out patrolling areas where people from further afield might try and visit/sleep in their cars (it’s happening). The five mile radius for exercise rule is a guideline and the police are fine with locals travelling a bit more, within reason. Of course, living somewhere remote means you have to travel to reach places, and that’s just how it is.
So we’ve been to a few of our favourite beaches for the first time in months. It’s still very quiet. Many local people are suspicious of others, with the odd one being hostile if they assume you’re not from Skye. It’s understandable considering there are those who’ve decided to travel here during lockdown to take up residence in holiday homes, and a few others are arriving here to go camping.
There’s also this assumption that if you’re out with a camera, you must be a tourist. And I generally have a camera about my person. So that’s fun.
But for the most part, people do recognise you and if they don’t, they’re happy to chat. It’s a strange situation in that many are keen to welcome back tourists as soon as it’s safe, but there’s also a need to stay cautious and follow the guidelines. As I mentioned last time, the easing of lockdown is a far more gradual process here in Scotland. Which is a good thing.
I’d love to visit the beaches down at the south of the island again, but can’t justify a long journey until we’re given the go ahead. So we’re staying up here in the north west, and there’s a lot to enjoy.
People have been looking after one another. There was a fundraiser a few weeks ago for Skye Community Response (coffee and homemade cake and donuts) at The Dunvegan, and afterwards Joe’s teacher took him out for the afternoon so we got a break. We have food banks and people shopping for elderly neighbours and those who are vulnerable. There’s a real appreciation for key workers and NHS staff too.
And Jay’s back at work. This is a big relief. It was nice to have him home with us, but at least we know he still has a job and he’s busy there.
At home, I’ve been writing up an old folktale my mum used to tell me. I might illustrate it too. I have lots of things to work on, workshop sessions to plan, and I’m looking forward to trying out some new Winsor and Newton inks, those ones that come in dinky little glass bottles.
We made meringues, they were a success, and I’m looking for a new dessert to try baking. In the meantime, we’re enjoying local eggs (the yolks are so yellow) and I’m eating the Polish ‘plum butter’ I bought in last week’s shopping. It’s good with Greek yogurt and on toast, and also on pancakes. So I’ll be stocking up.
The poppies in the picture below are hiding in the overgrown garden next door. They’re huge. And the buddleja Globosa on the right grows in our garden. It’s getting a bit out of control, but I love it - it’s just the happiest looking tree with those little orange balls. The garden’s busy with aquilegia and foxgloves and honeysuckle, so I have plenty to bring indoors. Even the tiny white clover covering the lawn - it has one of my favourite scents of all the flowers.
I’ve been sketching as I’m thinking of making a lino print of a set of Matryoshka dolls for the winter. There are art materials all over the place, to be honest. I just see it as the sign of a creative household. Well, that’s my excuse anyway.
There are houseplants and cuttings everywhere too. My mum’s gnarly old geraniums are keeping going because of these cuttings. We’re also in danger of being overrun with spider plants and string of hearts…
Anyway, it’s also Father’s Day today. So I’d like to say thank you to the ones I know: Jay, for being a great dad to Joe (he’s patient, proactive and a great support to me); my stepdad; Jay’s dad; my brother, who is alone with his two girls and goes out to work and keeps the wheels turning despite having Asperger’s and OCD, and my Polish grandad, Wraclaw Soltanowicz: I was only young when he died, but I have stories and pictures and his medals. And I’ve also now taken his surname, which makes me very proud.
