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Didòmhnaich, 08/May/2011

Islay Blogging Roundup #166

Islay Blogging Roundup in stencil

So there we are, finally a bit of rain both on Islay as well where I'm writing this in Aldermaston Wharf. Hopefully it will help to reduce some of the problems with the recent lack of rain, including in some areas the forest fires. But now back to the blogs, what have they been saying about Islay, Jura and even Colonsay recently?

Last week I wrote I was expecting a few more Islay holiday blog entries, so let me start with them: A familiar name was Gordon Yates reporting from a short Islay Visit. Pat and Alan managed to squeeze in a day trip to Islay in their visit to the Highlands and Islands, David Ireland had an even shorter visit with a RIB from Colonsay I believe. Not strictly speaking a blog, but I quite enjoyed Austin and Anne's Islay and Jura with motorbikes report on a bikers forum, so I'm going to make an exception. A nice time was had on the Kintra Farm campsite by Jane and her family.

Ron has been pushing out a few updates from his current stay on Islay with Big Skies on Islay, Loch Gruinart Nature Reserve Islay and A Morning Walk on Islay. He's also been over to Jura and had a Great Time on Jura at the Corran Sands. David Bartlett has just returned from a holiday on Colonsay, which he writes about in 'And I would drive 500 miles' and Birdsong.

A quite long but very readable account of an Islay distillery tour by bike is Islay: Wart, Washbacks & Whisky on bubblebeach by Keith. Which in turn nicely brings me to the whisky: Electronic Moon is On The Right Path with a few bottles of Islay malt whereas the Scotch Hobbyist is trying Caol Ila 12 or: Goldilocks and the three Islay malts. I'm not sure I can really decipher the title, but I assume malström in Nya Ardbeg Corryvreckan virvel eller malström? means whirlpool? Bowmore 1982. Hello sweetie! is about a rather expensive whisky coming up next month.

In other news Port Ellen Primary has been discovering The Land Of Me and Innes Watson hints about an Islay visit and a new Maverick Angels CD in Looking forward to the tour (for those not aware of this band: On Heavy Rotation: The Maverick Angels CD)

Of course there were updates about the birdlife and wildlife on Islay as well: The Islay Birds blog had some nice bird pictures this week, Lapwing -vs- Hen Harrier, a Whimbrel and a Brent Goose. John Islay Birder Armitage asks Migration in full swing? followed by a More routine day. The Islay Natural History Trust blog is Hooked on Lichens and has a picture of a Willow Warbler in Lichen-covered tree by Jo Griffiths. There's also a Common Hermit Crab (Pagurus bernhardus) and slightly off topic but still very interesting the news that Jura announces 'World's First Walkie Talkie Cafe'.

Time for the pictures: Only one entry from James this week, but a lot of great pictures in A Mainland Excursion (and more on the Facebook page). Mark Unsworth has updated both his blogs, on his Islaystudios's Blog the Image of the week is of a well know wreck in the Sound of Islay while on his Islay Photography Gallery we find Kiloran Bay 2, Isle of Colonsay. From my own Islay Pictures photoblog I think I'll go for the Hare at Ardnave and the Boats in the Mist at Bunnahabhain, Isle of Islay.

Last but by no means least an Islay Ale has made it to the end of Calum's Road on Raasay. At this stage I would normally send you over to the Scottish Roundup for the bigger picture, but that has been quiet since 23/Apr. So all I can say is Good Night!

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