Island Holidays Blog

Blogs

I've just been listening to a programme on Radio Scotland which was talking about blogs and emails and their misuse and the ethics of the whole thing.  It was all about how blogs are mostly nasty and always egocentric.   Would someone please tell me that there are exceptions (like this one?).  Egocentric possibly, but nasty?

Actually, yes.   The nastiness, however, is not directed against other people but against grey squirrels.  I've bitten the bullet and spoken to the chap at the Red Squirrel project who was in no doubt that the future of the reds is at stake and there is only one answer - murder.  You may remember the dilemma which I expressed back in March.  Well, the outcome is that the trap was set the day before yesterday and this morning I've been watching a grey squirrel in it feasting on peanuts and pleased as punch with him or herself.  Apparently the kindest way is to let them get used to the trap before springing it, so at the moment it's tied open.  I've got to phone the chap who's doing the business once the squirrel has become a regular visitor.  I think I'll need to try to note the times of the visits so that, when the trap is set properly, he/she doesn't have to spend long in it before being despatched.  I'm going to have to put it in the car and drive it to the appropriate place.   Ghastly.

So you see, even innocent blogs can be nasty.  Still, at least the Reds will have a better chance of survival.  If you'd like to find out more and discover why this horrible deed is essential check out www.swt.org.uk/campaigns/scotlands-red-squirrels

On the subject of wildlife, our Ospreys are back and doing some running repairs on their nest. I went for a lovely walk yesterday in perfect spring weather (almost early summer in temperature) and there they were.  Add to that carpets of primroses along the river bank and you have one of the most beautiful places in the world - and I live here!  Now.  Back to work so that I can stay here!

 

Tristan/St Helena

Hope you all had a really happy Easter and are enjoying the holiday (specially those with our group in Cyprus!).  

No sooner had the newsletter arrived from the printer last week than I received an email from the shipping company to say that there had been a slight change - story of my life!   Instead of going up to Ascension Island, the Royal Mail Ship will now go from Cape Town to Tristan da Cunha, up to St Helena and back to Cape Town.  Much more sensible if you ask me - and it will also be shorter and less expensive.  But what a trip it will be.   As I said the other day, we don't have prices yet but if you want to be sure of a place you should make a reservation with a deposit (£1,000) straight away.  You are guaranteed the return of the deposit in full in the final cost isn't suitable to you.

What a gorgeous Easter we've had up here in sunny Scotland.  It was really like summer apart from the daffodils and the new-born lambs.   This morning was radiant as well, but it's clouding over now.  Did I mention that I'm looking after two flat-coat retrievers for 12 days?  Quite exhausting, but at least the weather's been kind most of the time.

We had the steam trains running this weekend - the Comrie Railroad was open to the public over the weekend (but not today).  I went up to the bothy and had supper with the boys last night which was great fun.   Some of them are coming here for "a wee dram" this evening so I'd better hasten to the shop and get in supplies.  Otherwise it's business as usual with thoughts turning to the 2010 brochure - in fact some of it's already finished.  The only problem is the sheer volume which isn't even started, so I'd better knuckle down and get on with it. 

Tristan da Cunha - HURRY!

We've just heard that the Royal Mail Ship St Helena is to call at Tristan da Cunha in January/February 2011 (yes, Twenty Eleven - it's not a typing mistake!).

Now you may think that that's a long way in the future but, believe me, if you want to go you'll need to book in the next couple of weeks - before, even, the price is confirmed.

It's going to be a wonderful trip.  Starting in Cape town, the ship sails down to Tristan where she stays for three nights, giving a reasonable chance of getting ashore.  No guarantees!  She then heads up to St Helena for three nights before continuing to Ascension Island.  On the return journey she simply calls at St Helena before returning to Cape Town.

There is, of course, an option to fly home from Ascension Island if time is going to be an issue for you, but the package is a fixed price and so time is all that you would save.  Equally, if you prefer to stay on st Helena while the ship goes to Ascension you can do so - but there would be the additional cost of accommodation and activities on the island.  The ship will do a swift trip to Ascension Island, calling back at St Helena before returning to Cape Town.   Now is that a mouth-watering prospect or what?

The trip will be over-subscribed several times and the only way is to be quick off the mark.  So give me a call if you're interested.