Damon & Renate's Holiday Cottages

2013-03-29T10:32:00.003-07:00

Apologies for our lack of blog posts, but we have been mainly posting on Facebook. We would therefore encourage you to like our 'Bonawe House Holiday Cottages in Taynuilt, by Oban' page.

Amazing fires have been raging throughout the highlands after such dry weather. These are Beinn Duirinnis, the hill opposite our house with the quarry. The 'ring of fire' was on Tuesday when the fire started along Loch Etive by Glen Noe. The other photos are from our doorstep.
The fire is now out, but the whole hillside is black. It's amazing how quickly it will recover with green shoots in the spring.

Damon has been updating our website, so please do have a look at our new pages for Oban Holiday Cottages. http://www.bonawehouse.co.uk/local_area.html
We have a special offer for any bookings in Honeysuckle and Holly Cottage between 7 April till 11 May with 25% discount for our blog and Facebook friends.
Renate

Whales and wild life

2012-07-17T05:15:00.001-07:00

Have a look at Sea Life Surveys on Facebook if you want to see the amazing number of whale and dolphin sightings of the coast of Oban and Mull at the moment. The sea life centre is also busy with seals at the moment, which is dial with smaller children.

Chicks

2012-06-07T07:21:00.000-07:00

9 more chick were hatched in the incubator earlier this week. So we now have 8 fully grown chickens, 4 3 week old chicks (which are looking a bit scraggy at the moment as they change from down to feathers) and 9 tiny fluffy chicks. Not sure what we are going to do with them all, or how we are going to house them until we can work out which are cockerels and which are hens.

All fun and games at our Oban accommodation

Cruachan abseil

2012-05-21T12:57:00.001-07:00

We are holding a sponsored abseil down Cruachan on Sumday 10 June for the school's outdoor fund. It's open to anyone so if you're interested please contact renate. The abseil goes right down the middle.

Two guests were telling me this morning about their day yesterday. They went to the Loch Fyne festival, just outside Inveraray. Saw buzzards, saw a man holding a golden eagle on his arm. While trying to take a picture of wildlife, two porpoises were further out in the loch. And of course finished off with some deer along the road. And that was just the things I remember.

My day yesterday was up some mountains north of Fort William. It's fantastically clear at the moment. I could see right over to the snowy mountains of Cairngorm.

We sat outside for lunch today, taking a welcome break from tge marathon task of painting the outside of the house. This evening we are planting up window boxes.

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Start of the season and Clematis Cottage

2012-04-07T05:11:00.000-07:00

It's the start of the season with the Easter holidays being busy as usual. Damon has been busy with Clematis cottage during the winter, we hope you like the results! We're very proud of what's been achieved.

It's been a full strip back to bare walls, then insulating the walls and replastering. The floors have been raised to give great views out over the front of the house, and all that space has been insulated too. A hard wooden floor to top it all, and we got permission for double glazing in this property too.

Torr na Locha

2012-03-19T03:49:00.001-07:00

We have just had a lovely weekend at our cottage Torr na Locha on the Isle of Mull. It was a chance to set up the cottage after the winter, and as always it was fabulous weather! We sat outside drinking tea and having lunch. While we did some odd jobs and cleaning, the kids entertained the cheeky sheep and the new cows.

I even got some eggs from Mark's chickens that the kids collected in the morning for mother's day.

This photo shows the views you get from the bath.

Last week's kayak in Loch Etive.

The highschool children were very excited by the 'one show' being in Oban on Friday. A sport relief effort to run from Tobermory to London. We were waiting for the ferry and 'snapped' them.
Renate
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First daffodils - clematis windows

2012-02-24T14:40:00.001-08:00

Our first daffodil appeared rather lonely yesterday among the snowdrops. The other sign of spring was the frogs on the road on tuesday night with the heavy rain, all coming to spawn.

Out with the old, in with the new. New windows for Clematis, which is the last of the works that needs doing to complete tge insulation of walls and floor throughout. Obviously a solid wooden floor on top plus new bathroom thrown in.

And finally, out with the old, in with the ....... Older. Barbara has been given an old piano that is a better quality and in concert pitch for the Edwardian. We have given our old piano to Ardmaddy holiday cottages through freecycle.

Renate
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Snowdrops - again

2012-02-17T05:55:00.001-08:00

We've had barely any rain for over a week and are eagerly awaiting the snow forecast for tomorrow. The skiing has been getting thin and could do with a top up of snow.

Fantastic light yesterday again, so i made the most of it to take pictures of new angles.

But where's a squirrel when you need one? They've been hopping around the front drive and have been spotted lots.

Renate

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Magical light on Ben Cruachan

2012-02-11T00:22:00.001-08:00

Monday's magical light gave some great pictures, each with Ben Cruachan from a different aspect and at different times of day.

Renate

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2012-01-24T23:24:00.001-08:00

Its Burns night today. This is when the Scottish celebrate their most famous bard (poet), by catching the haggis on the hills and 'addressing the haggis' (saying a poem to it in broad scots) once cooked, before stabbing it with a knife. Haggis is eaten with tatties and neeps (potatoes and swede). There is a Burns ap giving you lots of his poems. Burns was from Ayrshire, although local folklore is that his father came from Taynuilt - house on the Burn.

Pictures from Weem by Aberfeldy. Although there is woodart throughout the forestry walk, I was inspired by nature's art.

The picture below is from the track up to the windmills. A small hydro scheme is being built up there by the farm.
The snow level keeps going up and down this winter. But the wind is taunting the skicentres as well.

Renate

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Happy New Year

2012-01-02T06:45:00.001-08:00

I was watching this weather coming in this morning. A few minutes later we had lots of hail. Also some thunder, snow on the hills and of course some windy weather!

We had a high tide that covered the pier over Christmas. This photo was taken an hour and a half after the highest point, with seaweed all over the road again.

The owners of the Taynuilt Hotel have gone into receivership last September, and unfortunately there appears to be no interested parties. Although the group are in administration, the Taynuilt Hotel was trading profitably. I have therefore initiated a Community buyout of the hotel to avoid it closing, as its an essential part of the community and for visitors to the village. There is a lot of interest in pursuing this option, and I now have an active group of 15 who are canvassing further. We have decided to look at a shares company structure, either as a co-operative, a community interest company or a standard shares company. This will hopefully give the opportunity to raise the capital. Our next meeting is on the 2 February while I dig further into company structures and set up a business plan.
The best wishes for the New Year,

Our first snowdrops of the year under the fig tree
Renate

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Christmas shopping

2011-12-17T10:04:00.001-08:00

Beautiful weather and snow up here at the moment. So Christmas shopping has been abandoned for now. Got a feeling I'll be in trouble next weekend but you have to make the most of it.

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After the storm

2011-12-10T03:11:00.001-08:00

3 big trees down. Including what was a very beautiful Scots Pine by the swings

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2011-12-06T09:38:00.001-08:00

Beautiful snowy morning

2011-11-27T03:40:00.001-08:00

Tonight is the 'replacement fireworks' in Oban over the harbour. This is the free event that's been put on to replace the bonfire night event where all fireworks went off in 50 seconds. It's worth watching in YouTube.

It marks the end of the Oban winter festival, which has had a Victorian theme. Many shop fronts were changed, our kids liked this one from Mary's meals best, but the pancake place is really good too.

I have been busy painting furniture for Torr Na Locha on Mull. This is a new style I'm trying out, would love some feedback.

We also have a Facebook on bonawehouse that I'm updating more regularly. We'd love you to 'like' it.
Renate

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Oban winter festivities and litter pick

2011-11-13T13:37:00.001-08:00

Damon's starring in the cave rescue on the landward programme is on iplayer for another 5 days. The link is
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zq2x9

We've had fabulous weather for the past week. Yesterday morning I had a kayak with my friend, launching from Kelly's pier at very high water.

I also had a walk last week, taking the train from Tyndrum to the remote Corour station on Rannoch moor. I then walked 25 km over 2 Munros to end at Tulloch station and took the train back from there. I even put some suncream on before I left!

Next weekend is a winter weekend in Oban, with Festivities. The usual iceskating and reindeer, switching on the lights and other activities such as cooking for kids, tea and walks around Dunollie House. There will also be an unexpected free fireworks display. Oban's fireworks on the 5th of Nov went wrong and it was all over in 1 minute. So an extra performance is put on.

Our first mince pies made by the girls, to get us into the winter festivities. This was after the major litter pick we did in the village with the primary school. The village is all spick and span again.
Renate

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2011-11-04T02:01:00.001-07:00

Another starring role for Damon. Landmark at 7 pm tonight, probably only in Scotland, but I'm sure you can get it on iplayer too. It is a mock rescue of a presenter lady out of a cave bythe cave rescue team. Then Oban Mountain rescue take her over a small ravine on a tyrolean. And an interview with Damon.
Enjoy

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Location:Landmark

Highland rescue

2011-10-24T14:08:00.001-07:00

We seem to be in a phase where the Oban Mountain Rescue team is on tv regularly. Next one coming up : Highland Emergency on Wednesday evening at 7.30pm on Channel 5 will feature Oban MRT doing a daring rescue on Cruachan! Www.chanel5.com/shows/highland-emergency/episodes
And it's episode 7.

And soon there will be the Landmark show, another Scottish one, with a simulated cave rescue where Damon was interviewed. Probably mid November.

The weather has been very mild here, but fully autumn. Plenty of rain and very gusty winds today. Last Saturday I didn't think there was any rain left in the sky, and sure enough Sunday started dry.

We are all preparing for the onslaught of autumn festivals. Halloween, the enchanted forest in Pitlochry, lantern festival in Lochgilphead, bonfire night, winter festivities the last week of November in Oban with an ice skating ring and Victorian theme. For us it's then St Nicholas as celebrated in Holland on the 5th December. Then finally it will be Christmas, and I'll be organising the Hogmanay party for Taynuilt in the village hall.
Renate

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Adventure show

2011-10-23T02:00:00.001-07:00

Only 2 more days to see the adventure show on iplayer featuring Kerrera. An excellent programme. The ferryman, Duncan is also part of the mountain rescue team.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b016d8hc

Also my photo of Kerry MacPhee the female winner and 5 overall. She was awesome.

Renate

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Carsaig arches on Mull and Iona

2011-10-17T01:54:00.001-07:00

The adventure show on Tuesday 18th oct on BBC Scotland at 19.00. This one features the Craggy island triathlon that was in aid of Oban Mountain rescue.

We had a few days on Mull last week staying at Torr Na Locha, and walked along the coast to Carsaig arches. The guidebook time is 6 hours, and it certainly took us that time. The terrain varied between crossing streams, boggy, awkward rocky, boulders on beach and eventually grassy.

We saw lots of wild goats, this one stayed asleep while I photographed it.

The arches were spectacular. Damon climbed down so he could go through, and popped out at the more impressive arch beyond. From where I stayed you could just see this first arch.

On the way back we found nun's cave. The roof drips down on you as you enter, but it's very impressive inside.

We went over to the Isle of Iona the next day, where we went to Martyr's Bay, and up to the highest point, Dun I, only a 15 minute detour from the road. We could see right the way to the Isle of Rum and Skye, even though it was quite a rough day. Then to the St Columba hotel for tea and scones.
The Abbey has finally had it's scaffolding taken down.

Renate

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Turning Japanese and first snow

2011-10-08T02:25:00.001-07:00

Oban is turning Japanese. A new restaurant is set to open, just off the main street. It is advertised as an organic, vegan and japanese, their first outlet beyond London. So I went for upside down too!

The menu is advertised as

We had our first snow on the hills on Thursday morning. Not a great photo I know, but I had to pull over while driving to Glasgow and it was still dark.

This is from just east of Dalmally going up to glen Lochy, looking at Ben Lui.
We are off to Torr na Locha on Mull tomorrow for a few days with the kids. Part holiday and part doing jobs. And of course the kids will be seeing their 3 chicks!
Renate

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Weather

2011-10-02T14:36:00.001-07:00

While England has been basking in sunshine, we have been more modest up here. Plenty of variations on cloud, blue, rain and sun. Today started dreich and Cruachan was firmly clothed in cloud all day, but by late morning it was rather nice in Oban and it stayed nice all day.

View from Pulpit hill over to Kerrera and Lismore.

Pulpit hill with Oban in the background.

The North Pier with Piazza. This pier was built on top of a ship that was sunk there first.

Update on our chickens: of our 4 hatchlings we've been having a spot of bother with the one we kept, Poppy. She doesn't want to go in the hutch and stays out all night in any weather unless we force her in. The other 3 were banished to Torr na Locha on Mull, as I thought they were cockerels. BUT, they have all started to lay.... I'm in serious trouble!
Renate

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Countryfile

2011-09-18T00:34:00.001-07:00

Tonight's episode on countryfile is set around Loch Etive. Damon set up the abseil down Cruachan dam. I think it's at 7.30 on BBC 1.
Renate

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Craggy island triathlon

2011-09-17T04:22:00.001-07:00

We had a fabulous Sunday for the first craggy island triathlon on Kerrera. Competitors set off by swimming across to the island, then on their bike and round the track. Back at base run over the highest point, past the tearoom and finish at the castle. Below are the bikes waiting for competitors.

Fastest was 1 hr 10 mins. Fastest women was 1 hr 11 mins, this is her running past my control point. All proceeds to Oban Mountain Rescue.

We also had the Cruachan challenge. It had been delayed from June due to bad weather. So in true Argyll style the weather was out in force again! This is the kids being helped across the torrents.

Luckily Katia hadn't yet arrived, she was delayed too. She arrived later the next day, but was nowhere near the storm we had in May.
Following the May storm all our trees along the coast have looked like autumn where the salt spray damaged the leaves.
Renate

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Mushroom hunting

2011-08-26T11:06:00.001-07:00

I went mushroom hunting last night at our secret location. This was one of the large patches.

I managed to collect over a kilo of chanterelles, and also a few hedgehog mushrooms.

The spines of the hedgehog can be clearly seen at the front, whike the chanterelles are behind.
There was also one cep (also known as penny bun), which i cut up to dry. This will be used for soups in the winter.

Renate
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