JeL

31Jul09

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On this day in 1895 Saban Arana Goiri founded the Basque National Party.
It is currently the largest political party in the Basque Autonomous Community and has led the Basque regional government for a long period spanning since the devolution of Basque autonomy in the early 1980s until 2009. It has also played an important role [...]

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Tìoraidh

19Jul09

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The Croft and his blone are heading to Spain tomorrow for a fortnight(ish).
A few days in Bilbao followed by a week in San Sebastian taking in the Heineken Jazzaldia jazz festival and scoffing pintxos then a couple of days in old London town.
Tìoraidh!

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*inas

17Jul09

Murdina, Dolina, Kenina, Christina, Jonina, Alexina, Angusina, Malcomina, Robina, Hectorina, Georgina, Williamina, Archibaldina…

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Clarks

17Jul09

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In 1949, Nathan Clark was serving with the West African Brigade. It was in this year while at posted at a Burmese military station that he created the Desert Boot, Clarks greatest icon. His inspiration was drawn from a crepe-soled boot made from rough suede found in Cairo’s old bazaar which had become the off-duty [...]

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Partan

15Jul09

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Went out to Crabshakk for lunch today. Eschewed the Brown Crab for Velvet Crabs this time. Not as much meat but good eating with bread and butter and lemon mayo.
How to cook and prepare a crab in pictures!
How to cook and prepare a crab article!

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Sunday Sailings

14Jul09

MV Isle of Lewis, Stornoway Harbour. Via ccdg
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The Croft had intentionally stayed out of the many and varied debates that raged on blogs and websites about CalMac’s intentions to begin Sunday Sailings to and from Stornoway. Today however, the state-owned ferry company announced its plans to commence with a regular Sabbath sailing beginning with the [...]

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Notes From A Small Island V

13Jul09

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The second leg of the Harris drive is even better than the first for one good reason.
Beaches.
The giants of Luskentyre and Horgabost are simply W.O.W. as they appear into view, cutting deep into the coast and bathed in seas of marine and green. And as you travel along the west coast there lie other, smaller [...]

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Notes From A Small Island IV

12Jul09

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The Harris drive has to be one of the greatest in the world. In my book anyway. A long southernly route that takes you the length of the island passing through small villages with roads to other, remoter settlements off now and again to the left and right. For some reason the last half dozen [...]

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Notes From A Small Island III

12Jul09

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After leaving Uig a flying visit was made to the village of Earsader, just before Bernera to meet an America via Glasgow friend who moved up last year to take on a croft with his partner. He had a new dog, a handsomely gangly collie cross, more white than black like a border in negative. [...]

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Notes From A Small Island II

09Jul09

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The big downside of wild camping for me is lack of a decent night’s sleep. And it’s bright at 5am. A coffee was brewed to stave off tiredness and some alfresco ablutions attended to. The morning was misty grey and ominous clouds were tumbling towards camp so little time was wasted packing up and heading [...]

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