Monday 31 December 2012
2012 - a good year and here's to 2013
The end of a year in which we finally moved closer to our dream
- The purchase of a plot of land on Skye finally completed in November
- Agreement in principle that we can also purchase the tenancy of the surrounding 6 acres of croftland with Gary becoming the registered Crofter
- Submission of the drawings required for building warrant (Highland Council to be paid shortly)
- The sale of the flat we owned in Plymouth meaning no financial obligations in the future
- The job in Alloa going OK and helping us to build the house we really, really want rather than having to compromise
- Several trips to Skye to decide that the plot was perfect and yes, we still wanted to live there! You have to check the rose-tinted glasses from time to time
Have just returned from lovely relaxing Christmas break in Wales where we stayed at Jacqueline and Ian's new house. They built theirs the hard way and provided some of the labour for the build.
As well as all that, we have discovered hills and mountains in this part of Scotland that have delivered some fine walks and wonderful days out. Towns, villages, people who have been, without exception, welcoming and friendly. We have learned some choice Scots words. The ladies at work have been teaching me a word a week plus the odd bit of Gaelic for added fun.
We have learned that patience is required and not always easy to find when you are waiting, waiting, waiting. But we have done our best not to be just passing the time until the house is finally ready and we can unpack those boxes for the final time.
So, to 2013
Tenders due to go out at the end of January
Returns and selection of builder by the end of February (always the optimist)
Start on site sometime in March
A build programme of between 7 and 9 months
Yes, it is looking tight and we have warned family and friends, especially those with a washing machine and a spare room, that they may receive a visit next November / December.
New Year's Eve - we have just re-watched a programme about the Skye Trail (Cameron McNeish) Hogmany is not all fireworks and champagne; don't believe everything you see and hear on the TV. It has just started to sleet outside so the fireworks we will see will be in the distance from our window or on the TV.
Whatever time it takes to complete the house, we fully intend to enjoy the next 12 months.
I particularly look forward to logging (or should that be blogging) the progress of the build here, complete with pictures.
So farewell to 2012 and here's looking forward to 2013
Slainte
Sunday 9 December 2012
A weekend away, snow glorious snow and layby 149
This was it - the weekend we had been waiting for where we would decide the final aspects of the house design ahead of submission for building warrant.
Set off from Alloa late on Thursday afternoon, heading for an overnighter in Spean bridge. The journey through the hills and mountains was beautiful with dusk falling as we travelled through Glen Coe. The mountains had a fair dusting of snow above about 2,000ft. Magical in an almost full moon. It was cool though.
When we actually found the B&B (no Spean Bridge is not big, it has one street) there was a lovely warm welcome and we were the only guests - a theme that was to repeat throughout the weekend. We were upgraded to the Rose Room which had wrap around windows overlooking The Ben and the Grey Corries. The next morning we sat enjoying a perfectly cooked breakfast and what must be one of the best views in Scotland.
Sunrise over the Nevis range.
We were off just before nine which gave us plenty of time to get to Skye. As we headed further west, it warmed up and there were many cloud inversions to enjoy. Gary kindly took the driving seat so I could indulge in the scenery.
Arrived on Skye with 15 minutes to spare and met with Neil at Dualchas. There followed three hours of intense work deciding the specification of absolutely everything.
Decisions, Decisions. We thought we knew exactly what we wanted but as we talked things through, some changes were agreed. We finished up after a quick peek into Neil's own house to agree the type of bathroom fitting and soft floor covering. (New baby sound asleep on the decking, cosy and tucked up in her pram out in the rain)
All done, we headed south to the Ardvasar Hotel on the Sleat peninsula. We had been allocated a quiet room overlooking the woods. Very fine bedroom but a cold bathroom - used the window sill as a fridge. You really had to build up to having a shower! We ate a fine dinner at the hotel and watched the karaoke being set up but were off to bed before the party really got going. True to the hotel owner's word, no disturbance from the noise.
Saturday was the day to beat the bounds of "our land" - so we did. The new wellies were useful as the plot was a bit damp to say the least. Looking quite wintery with bracken dying off and leafless trees. The Cuillins looking mean, snowy and magnificent in the distance.
Spent a fair amount of time walking on and around the plot then decided to drive to Glen Brittle, close up views of the Cuillins and out to sea. We walked the coast path to enjoy the views. Well wrapped up against the cold wind. Winter coats and new hats required to keep cosy and warm. The mountains were magnificent, jagged and snowy and very tempting but we stayed low.
Back to the Ardvasar via Broadford wondering at the light and sunset.
Second night at the hotel, we were the only guests tonight. Breakfast booked to suit us with a choice of tables and the owner cooking to order.
A drive back through Glen Shiel where the snow levels had dropped significantly - to the road. The chap in the Audi TT who had overtaken on the straight, was driving considerably slower when the Mitzi in 4x4 mode caught him up!
Decided to try the via Inverness route home. Looks longer but not much in it - the roads much straighter and easier to drive. Then there was layby 149 between Inverness and Aviemore. What a view - lunch stop in the snow.
That was us then.
A weekend on Skye, house design almost finalised, a great walk along the coast and a stunning drive home. Back to the grind this week but at least we can see what the end looks like - even if we might be homeless and jobless for a wee while before we can move in.
Set off from Alloa late on Thursday afternoon, heading for an overnighter in Spean bridge. The journey through the hills and mountains was beautiful with dusk falling as we travelled through Glen Coe. The mountains had a fair dusting of snow above about 2,000ft. Magical in an almost full moon. It was cool though.
When we actually found the B&B (no Spean Bridge is not big, it has one street) there was a lovely warm welcome and we were the only guests - a theme that was to repeat throughout the weekend. We were upgraded to the Rose Room which had wrap around windows overlooking The Ben and the Grey Corries. The next morning we sat enjoying a perfectly cooked breakfast and what must be one of the best views in Scotland.
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| Carn Mor Dearg arete - Northern approach to The Ben - if you're brave enough! |
We were off just before nine which gave us plenty of time to get to Skye. As we headed further west, it warmed up and there were many cloud inversions to enjoy. Gary kindly took the driving seat so I could indulge in the scenery.
 |
| View across Loch Garry |
Decisions, Decisions. We thought we knew exactly what we wanted but as we talked things through, some changes were agreed. We finished up after a quick peek into Neil's own house to agree the type of bathroom fitting and soft floor covering. (New baby sound asleep on the decking, cosy and tucked up in her pram out in the rain)
All done, we headed south to the Ardvasar Hotel on the Sleat peninsula. We had been allocated a quiet room overlooking the woods. Very fine bedroom but a cold bathroom - used the window sill as a fridge. You really had to build up to having a shower! We ate a fine dinner at the hotel and watched the karaoke being set up but were off to bed before the party really got going. True to the hotel owner's word, no disturbance from the noise.
Saturday was the day to beat the bounds of "our land" - so we did. The new wellies were useful as the plot was a bit damp to say the least. Looking quite wintery with bracken dying off and leafless trees. The Cuillins looking mean, snowy and magnificent in the distance.
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| Winter colours on OUR PLOT |
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| The "line of sight" that caused all the delay! |
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| Our kitchen / diner will be here. Spot the mountains (in the haze) |
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| Testing the new wellies |
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| Snow on the Cuillin |
Back to the Ardvasar via Broadford wondering at the light and sunset.
Second night at the hotel, we were the only guests tonight. Breakfast booked to suit us with a choice of tables and the owner cooking to order.
A drive back through Glen Shiel where the snow levels had dropped significantly - to the road. The chap in the Audi TT who had overtaken on the straight, was driving considerably slower when the Mitzi in 4x4 mode caught him up!
Decided to try the via Inverness route home. Looks longer but not much in it - the roads much straighter and easier to drive. Then there was layby 149 between Inverness and Aviemore. What a view - lunch stop in the snow.
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| Layby 149, the perfect lunch stop |
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| The Cairngorms in all their winter glory. |
A weekend on Skye, house design almost finalised, a great walk along the coast and a stunning drive home. Back to the grind this week but at least we can see what the end looks like - even if we might be homeless and jobless for a wee while before we can move in.
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