October 2014. Mostly wet

This will be a fairly short post as it rained so much in October that there was a time when we wondered if we would be able to leave the house again - and stay dry. 
Back from Arran and managed to get all of those return from holiday chores done before it started to deteriorate. 
The weather station stats for October read 26 rain days in October. 

We also experienced our all time record gust of wind at 47 mph on 6 October. The tail end of Hurricane something. Happy if that stays the record. Elsewhere on the island there were 70/80 mph gusts so we live in a relatively sheltered spot. However we often head the table in terms of rainfall. Heaviest rainfall in one day in October was 55.8mm. That's more than two inches!!  Stats here:  http://garyburnett.co.uk/php/wxhilowavg.php
The croft needed work, we discover it's a good time to do drainage work when you can see where the water is running. Very wet and muddy work though. 
Digging out anything was tough but we did manage to dig over the veg patch a couple of times. 
Also dug out the two burns on either side of the plot. One now pours over a rocky lip in a pleasing waterfall and the other winds through trees and reeds to disappear somewhere through the trees. We intend to search out its route and dig it out properly. The waterfall across the loch, always a good indicator of water levels, roared for days and weeks. 

Designated certain clothing as "crofting" clothing as anything worn out there was destined to become and stay muddy and grubby with fetching holes in interesting places. Duct tape tastefully applied as required. Wellies and wellie socks are the order of the day. Plus waterproof coverings of body and legs. Heads often just get wet. 

On one of the few clear days we re-visited the Coral Beaches, north of Dunvegan. The day we visited was a bright blue day and we could have been in the Caribbean the "sand" was white and the water a sparkling blue, It was Scottish half term so there were plenty of people out and about.  We sat on rocks and had our lunch looking across to Waternish and the Stein Inn. Walked back along the shoreline looking for driftwood for a future crafty project. 

Also revisited Coire Lagan and enjoyed a good scramble plus an explore of the coire proper including the base of the great stone chute. Looking for a route to the ridge. Probably not via this scree though! 

An Stac screes. Inn Pinn hidden at the top of the ridge to the left.

Views out to sea were glorious. 

Looks a bit like an infinity pool but it's the lochan in the coire with views to Rum.

Heard then watched a trio of Glaswegians descend the great stone chute returning from Sgurr Alasdair, Skye's highest Munro. Spoke to them on their way down - they had camped out the previous night (!) and were heading back to the big city that evening. Felt exhausted just listening to their exploits.

I had to travel to Alloa for work during the last week in October. Armed with shopping list (Gary) and accommodation booked for the two nights in Menstrie. A very welcoming hotel, good food and we had a huge room up in the turret.  I was finally handing over to my replacement in Clacks. Did a lot of talking over the two days, caught up with a few people then headed back to Skye in the dark, wind and rain. Sound familiar?   

Friends stayed during the last week in October. Yes it rained but we managed to get out and about with a nice lunch at The Stein Inn (limited menu and seemed surprised to be so busy) 

We did have a couple of calm, clear days. The view across the loch is ever changing and the autumn light can be wonderful. 

View from house after the storm

Same view lochside later in the month on a calm day

So a quick October report but a much more interesting tale of November to follow. A trip south and west to visit family and friends. Visits to north Skye and my final day at work finally arrived. Plus, pilates rediscovered, a craft fair or two and some mild and sunny weather in compensation for the above.