Spring

Crocuses trying to open up, gorse blooming for more than 4 weeks, temperatures edging into double figures - spring must be on its way. As per usual in the islands, a bitter wind blows and cold spring showers pass at regular intervals. Lambing will start in the next week or so, although I don't envy the poor little creatures' arrival in the harsh climate that is early spring in the Hebrides. Yesterday, I saw two geese flying by on a migratory route that lies invisible in the skies above. Although I haven't been to Point for some time, there are some meadows there which are a favourite landing ground for migrating geese. And the farmers / crofters tend to curse them sulfurously, as the birds defaecate freely, rendering the ground useless for keeping animals on. The equinox will be upon us next week, and summertime will follow a week later, on Mothering Sunday, March 25th. Yes, it's only March. But winter has virtually gone, and with daylight hours now extending to the times of 6 am until 7 pm, dreams of summer stand to become reality in the near future.

The above image, taken in June 2006, shows the Stornoway Town Hall clock at 11.41pm, when it's barely getting dark. That's summer in the Hebrides. Remember, we're at latitude 58 degrees north, only two degrees short of an all-night dusk, which they experience up in Shetland (which straddles the 60th parallel).