A very belated update - with thanks to Plusnet and BT

OK so we have moved across the sea to Skye, settled in to our new home and furnished it with many lovely things.
There is, of course, a tale to tell. Where to start.

So we moved on April 8th as planned, the removal van with all our wordly goods followed across the wild lands of Glen Shiel and parked up in the drive overnight. (removal men at the pub overnight) Van unloaded and away by 11.00 the next day. And off we went, unpacking essentials first then moving things around and around until we were satisfied. 

House, drive, car and house sign

Meanwhile, appointments booked for phones, Sky TV, blinds, carpet. You get the picture.
No sign of the promised BT engineer (via Plusnet) A very dodgy mobile phone signal meant that the necessary phone call of at least 30 minutes was trying to say the least. Still they promised to sort it out Unfortunately their preferred method of communication was by email - not so easy when you have no internet and an intermittent signal. I had agreed to continue to work on a remote basis for three days a week until the end of June. Not worrying yet as it would be sorted by next week wouldn't it?

In that first week we were connected to Sky despite appalling weather as Bobbie went up the ladder. Worked perfectly. We also admired the carpet on the mezzanine and ordered the blinds for bedrooms, mezzanine and the lounge. All going well so far and the house was taking shape nicely. 

View from our lounge - not bad

Finally contact from Plusnet - the amended appointment was for 1st May. Not good as remote working was due to start on 16 April. Without boring you with the details, I found many ways around the problem and anyway I was travelling to Alloa for three days at the end of April so beyond that we would be connected and I could work remotely, working on-line, tele and video conferencing as required.  Even prepared for a bit of Facetime.
That first trip was by train on one of the most beautiful days this year. Via Plockton and Glen Carron to Inverness then to Stirling. Beautiful views, blue skies, yellow gorse and white beaches and quartz mountains followed by the Cairngorms. 

Then three manic days back at work and back on the reverse journey. Just wanted it done on the way back.  Eventually got home at 22.00.

The 1st May happened while I was away and guess what - no BT engineer although Gary did spot someone in a high vis vest close to a telegraph pole. However no connection. Many tense and increasingly frustrated conversation with Plusnet later, we were still none the wiser as to when we might be connected. 
We made the most of almost two weeks of good weather and started to explore our "local" hills. Don't be fooled by the easier walks. There are no gentle walks in the Cuillins but it was good to be out and about and start to understand just what was on our doorstep. 

Fairy Pools - a nice circular walk involving a tourist hot spot

Into Coire Bhasteir - dangerous territory and not for us just yet

Plenty of snow left in the corries. Steep, dangerous and for climbers only or those with a guide booked. We were back in Alloa two weeks later then off on our road trip. To Cumbria for a day's walking and to break the journey then on to Devon for a five day visit. Plenty of shopping, getting reacquainted with great nieces & nephew, some good weather and then some rain. Stopped over in Wales on the way back enjoying a day of Welsh downpour when we could hear the boulders rolling down the river - scary. Then a day when we snatched a three hour walk between the heavy showers. Back up the motorway to Tarbet on Loch Lomond for a final night's rest in a lovely B&B before heading the final five hours to home. 

In breaking news - the MIDGES have arrived and they are hungry. First noticed while walking to the pub for dinner in Tarbet. 
Then the final drive home through Glen Coe, Fort William and Glen Shiel and over the bridge.
Nice to see the house again. All was in order and still looking as good as ever. The croftland is growing back and the greenery is approaching the house by the day.

Still no connection but we had given up hope by now. I was working in different laybys where I could get a signal to download emails / documents via the ipad. We took advantage of wifi wherever we could find it - pubs, community hall, the builder's yard. Everything took three times longer than it should have. 

On the plus side, if you have to work from a layby then this one isn't bad!

View from the "office"

Good on a breezy day but challenging when warm, cloudy and midgey! Many hours spent surrounded by two phones, an ipad, documents, notebooks and laptop attempting to work. Bemused glances from other users of the layby enjoying the view.

Back to the midge - given that Skye is also known as the Windy Isle, we need an explanation of the three absolutely still days that resulted in an explosion of the mighty midge. They don't actually swarm into the house but they do sneak in and build up in layers at the windows. And give out the odd bite to those if us that taste nice (me). Raid kills them though and the Avon wonder spray repels them nicely.

So some readers will have made the link to the fact that I am writing again. Last Friday, with no warning or communication, we woke up to find the drive blocked by two BT lorries and our very own telegraph pole.

Our very own telegraph pole - back in the world of the web

Following a quick visit to the house and a test phone call we were connected. No wait for an engineer's visit, no five day wait for broadband. No one told Plusnet though! They finally called on Monday to inform me that work was complete and they could now look into connecting the line. Four times. Words failed me - although not for long. Would I like to complete their customer feedback form? Yes I would.

So eight weeks catch up squashed into a few paragraphs dominated by the lack of connectivity. You have no idea of how much you miss it until you don't have it.

We have:
Settled in to our house and met the neighbours and some of the surrounding community
Set up the weather station (Fernilea Weather) with two webcams showing the views or lack of them on some days
Learned how to identify tourists by their driving. Hard braking, photo stops without warning, no concept of single track roads & passing places
Watched some beautiful sunsets and changing light over the mountains
Seen many rainbows across the loch and on the croft -in brilliant technicolour
Started to explore the mountains and will be prepared for anything. No easy walks here
Learned to be creative in order to work, bank and communicate. There is always a Plan B

This Monday, the materials for the shed base were delivered, our bins finally arrived and the problem with drainage sorted out. 
It's full steam ahead now with a shed to be built, decisions about the croft and what we do with it and easing into Skye life once June is over. Can't wait and who knows it might be a tale worth telling! 

Watch this space or a redirection to another space where the tale will continue in due course. 
Skye Living (the Dream)