Blue Beyond

Peaks and Troughs

Despite the rather erratic ferry service to the island this summer, there are times when we seem to have lots of visitors – some old, some new, some diverted and some blue - temperatures haven’t been that high recently!!!. It’s been a funny season with some very busy times and some very quiet times. Normally the season is shaped like a mountain, with a steady and gradual rise in numbers until we reach the peak in August, then a quick descent. This year numbers have been more like a sine wave seen on an oscilloscope!!! I know which I prefer.


  

On The Move

One of the major decisions that our church has made recently is to sell our church building at Balemartine and to move temporarily into the community hall - An Talla - at Crossapol. This move will give us time to proceed with our plans to develop and renovate the church buildings ay Baugh. We are making this move with mixed feelings - sadness that our connection with Balemartine will come to an end - there has been a Baprist Church on this site since 1855 - but a feeling of excitement as we step out in faith towards the future and a new vision for our fellowship. Although there will be lots of new challenges as we make this move we have the assurance of an unchanging Father who is the same yesterday, today and forever. www.tiree-baptist-church.org.uk

  

A Bit Flushed

Tiree seems to be heading for a water shortage. Despite the fact that we have had lots of rain recently - and in the winter half the island is covered in it – it now seems we don’t have enough. Scottish Water tell us they are “taking action to ensure drinking water supplies are maintained to local residents and visitors following months of extremely dry weather”. We’ve had driest first six months of the year since 1941 and this has resulted in groundwater levels lower than normal for this time of year in the six boreholes that supply the island. We’ve just received a letter giving advice on how to use water wisely – and a Save-a-Flush bag, a special device which when placed in a toilet cistern can greatly reduce the amount of water needed in the bathroom. Can’t wait to use it!!!


  

Ferry Ferry Quite Contrary

It’s great when everything works well – and a plan comes together. Unfortunately, this summer, neither of these have happened with our ferry connection. The Clansman blew a lump out of the engine on 17th June, something big and essential, and was immediately hospitalised. The cavalry turned up in the shape of the ‘Hebridean Isles’ to take over our life-line route and it has been struggling to maintain the service despite being a much smaller, and a much slower, vessel and not suited to open water or adverse conditions. An additional ferry, the’ Isle of Mull’, has been drafted in on a Saturday evening to add carrying capacity during the busy weekends. Alas, it hasn’t worked as smoothly as that. The ‘Hebridean Isles’ nudged the pier at Tiree last week and was in the sick-bay for a day leaving us with no service on the following day. Some unseasonally bad weather over the weekend has meant additional disruption to our fragile service causing further cancellations and delays. Everyone is trying to remain calm and cheerful – it feels a bit like Operation Dynamo - the evacuation of troops from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk!!!


  

Smiler

Joshua Harry has recently celebrated his first birthday. During the last twelve months he has grown in size, developed a basic language of simple words and devised an independent, and unique, means of locomotion.
He continues to be very easy-going and brings great joy to his Mum and Dad. A belated happy birthday Joshua, and keep smiling and  growing....