Smoky Dog and 3 Goats Down

The east wind dried up the ground and inspired us to clear big chunks of gorse on the Croft.
It also inspired Wanda the goat to wander. And sometimes she took her two kids with her. After weeks and weeks of sitting around in the field looking angelic she took to hopping over the fence onto rough ground and wandering back along the road. At one point a neighbour driving by had to wait patiently as I tried to herd Wanda on one side of the road and Flora on the other with the dog trying to jump in her car window when she wound it down to tell me not to stress. It was time for Wanda and her kids to head for Knoydart.
As the Goat Lady and her Husband frantically made final preparations for the journey across the sea, we got on with the gorse clearance.

We had to be mindful of news reports of moor fires on Harris and also the day that Banavie Hill went completely on fire, endangering many homes around the edge of the moorland. The east wind and big chill sook the moisture out of the ground and make it pretty flammable.

The dog had lots of fun but then got tired and lay down, ignoring the direction of the smoke.

When the dog jumped into bed for his morning cup of tea the next day he smelt like Bunnahabhain.
Meanwhile the Goat people had been up since 5am. They were on their way. Social distance was observed by everyone but the goats. This was an essential journey or Wanda might have ended up squooshed under a Wood Lorry. Having kept them alive for 8 months I was really worried that this might end badly.

Just got to agree who’s driving.

First leg completed. The girls arrive at Mallaig harbour. Once penned and on the boat, the wind got up and it was very blowy when they got to the pier on Knoydart - not the one at Inverie - one even more remote.
The shed from their past life in Glen Tilt has been relocated and was all cosied up and waiting for them. No draughty open shack here.
They spent the night luxuriously and securely tucked up and then the Goat Lady let them out in the morning. Mr Brown thought all his Valentines had come at the once……

Unfortunately I can’t post the video of him braying in delight when he saw them. The girls ran away which was a bit of a blow to his ego.

Sonny and her young kids are still in Banavie but hoping to relocate to Kerrera before loneliness kicks in.
This morning the blue skies and dry air changed. Much as it’s wonderful to have clear skies, it doesn’t bring the dramatic light that some clouds bring.

Finally the Smokey tones were blowing off the dog.

And also from Spook.

Now the rain has come. It’s Lochaber. We can live with that for a wee while. Happy Valentines Day.