Local Govnt / National Govnt - decisions, decisions ! Our 1st Celeidh and a return to the hills.

For those of you expecting that we might have completed the purchase - not just yet I'm afraid.
No photos of our own piece of Skye available for the blog.
Why not - local government (Highland Council) prescribe a certain kind of visual splay for the access road which tapers onto the verge on both sides. Scottish Ministers are happy to grant us servitude over the verge but the Highland Council requirements mean that the visual splay tapers onto a neighbouring croft by 3 metres (10 feet). So we need the OK from the crofter of number four Fernilea to agree that we can have access over a thin strip of croftland. And the Scottish Ministers have taken four weeks to let us know - someone was on holiday so no work was done - sounds depressingly familiar to the planning department. Oh well, nothing we can do to hurry it along.

In the meantime, drawings for submission for building warrant are also on a go slow - too much work on return from leave. Luckily for us, not a problem but we will be so pleased once we have completed the purchase and submitted for building warrant.  

Back in Fishcross, we attended out first celeidh last night, walked in the Ochils today and visited / walked the Forth Clyde canal and saw the Falkirk wheel in motion last weekend. 

The walk along the canal was lovely - reminded us of the Great Western in Devon. Went off piste to see the remains of a Roman fort and the Antonine Wall and decided we would return to complete a circular walk. Also happened upon the Auchinstarr climbing quarry - great idea - take one abandoned quarry and convert to climbing routes suitable for all abilities.
Finished the canal walk with lunch at The Boathouse restaurant - nice view of the canal basin and a good menu. Very busy still serving food to the masses at 14.30 on a Sunday. Then off to see the Falkirk Wheel. This amazing piece of engineering connects two canals, one very high up, by lifting boats up to the level of the high canal and obviously taking boats down the other way. All free, no charge to park, a free falconry display when we were there and many other activities on offer.  Yet another one to return to and perhaps take a trip on the boat on the wheel.

Boats ready for transfer - two up top and one below

Transfer under way, Union canal (to Edinburgh) above on the viaduct

Our first ceilidh last night was held in the local pub so no excuse not to go - organised by work colleagues in aid of the charity they run - Bali Kids. Plenty of kilts on display along with every type of leg you can imagine and some you probably can't. Tartan for the women, some of it very imaginative from bows and ribbons to full blown skirts and dresses. A live band with a very insistent band leader who persuaded as many people as possible to get up and jig around. And they did to much hilarity and fun, the odd flash of pants when high kicking and young and old having a wonderful time. The evening raised over £1,000 for the charity and we arrived home around 11.30. The band and dancers were still going strong when we left. So much energy - very enjoyable. Yes, I was persuaded to dance - to the "dashing white sergeant" which was fast and furious and got faster with each round. One dance was enough for me! Gary sat out the dances using his still recovering leg as his excuse.

Today we were finally back in the hills and decided to climb the closest hill to the house known as "The Nebit"  Not too high at around 1,700ft but my goodness it was steep, with many false summits. However, we made it and enjoyed our lunch at the top with 360 degree views across the Forth Valley and back into the Ochils. Clear skies that clouded over, pretty warm and humid. We returned via the path from Ben Cleuch amongst armies of flying ants getting ready to launch themselves on their papery wings. Every drainage channel was crawling with them so we beat a hasty retreat back to the car. Just after we arrived home the heavens opened and it poured with rain. Recording some very interesting rain days this month on the weather station although nothing like the day in July when almost two inches of the stuff fell in less than 12 hours.

View to Ben Cleuch (far right) Ochils in all of their glory

Heather in bloom at our lunch stop

Views back across the Forth Valley - there's that bridge again, Pentland Hills in the distance

So that's us up to date. Sitting here now considering how many electrical sockets we require throughout the house. Quite difficult to imagine where and how many but this info is needed for building warrant so will apply the brains and come up with the answer.

Meanwhile yet another week of work looms large but this week will bring with it the end of my tenth month with the council.  This time next year (Rodney) .........