Friday 4 February 2011

Wild Wheelie Bins

The bins were emptied yesterday. Nothing unusual in that. Bin men on Islay are helpful and reliable. However an empty bin soon becomes highly mobile in 50-60mph winds. Watching them scooting across roads, tootling up slopes, slithering round fences and gathering together in more sheltered spots could lead a visiting alien to assume they were sentient beings.

Wild weather here is very elemental and unavoidable. The seas have been dramatic with giant rollers pounding in. Spray flew away as the wind changed direction making the waves appear to be moving even faster. The energetic splendour is hypnotically attractive despite the observer being blasted by wind and spray. 

The roughest, wildest time was in the evening which frustrated us avid wave watchers.
The bay today revealed how high the tide had been. The dead seal which has been a source of nourishment for many hooded crows and gulls since last November, seems to have been washed away. 

While dramatic weather is exciting and thrilling for the fit and able, it is a threat to the elderly in the village. They become trapped in their homes until the worst is over. No ferries again today which puts our dodgy power supply at risk. It also means no post or papers or deliveries to the shops. 

Off to watch the waves again later - there are compensations for a life without mail or newspapers.

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