The extraordinarily good weather has continued - long days of sunshine, very pleasant temperatures and an almost total lack of midges have made for perfection. The harbour is busy with boats, including two splendid new R.I.B.'s introduced by Keith Johnston and Brian Ivory. Lord Strathcona's cruiser has returned from refit and Alex has "The Chug" back in action. Ann and Julian Cook were first to re-appear from Antrim this year, but were quickly followed by other friends - including Hugh and Randall. An (almost) flying visit by two Rathlin boats was unusual, although Wallace Clark was a more familiar visitor. There have been far more yachts than usual and it was good to welcome Peter and Moira Haden from Gregan's Castle, Ballyvaughan, representing the Irish Ocean Yacht Club.
Visitor numbers must be at record levels - CalMac carryings to Colonsay are climbing all the time - yet the island is as peaceful as ever. Entire days go by with the beautiful sandy beaches of Balnahard, Traigh Ban Balaromin and Traigh a' Bhill Bhain remaining completely deserted. The golf course is popular, but wonderfully uncrowded - the biggest crowds have been at the Thursday night football matches and at the Ceilidhean.
The "Medical Equipment Fund" Ceilidh and the "Farmers' Ceilidh" were both a great success by all accounts (although, unfortunately, your correspondent missed them both). The first of these followed a "Fun Run" around the island and over £1,400 was raised for the purchase of new Medical Equipment. You did not have to run - but some did, including Morag Grant who was in the lead, all the way from the Hotel to the Old Hall, until she was persuaded to retire and give the old folks a chance.
The fashion this year is for barbecues and bicycles; every arriving car is laden with bicycles and Archie's fleet is in heavy demand; last Wednesday a further 58 machines arrived on the daytrip from Port Askaig. One or two people without bicycles at all are just wearing helmets and lycra shorts, so as to blend with the scene.

All the VIP's arrived on schedule and attended an informal dinner at the Hotel, hosted by Argyll & Islands Enterprise. They then attended a public meeting at the new Hall, which was however less heavily attended than might have been expected. This may have been a reaction to the desperate, plodding nature of the recent County Council experience, but was a pity for those who missed a lively and positive discussion. Colonsay IaaO has circulated minutes, but one can say that all present had an opportunity to raise or address issues of concern and will have been impressed by the sincere comments of the Minister, Mr. Morrison. All in all, a positive evening that will have contributed to the work of IaaO Colonsay.
The following day, Wednesday 12 July, a business meeting of the area IaaO organisations was held in the Hall, after which various officials were available to private representation. Throughout the two days, the visitors were encouraged and facilitated in touring the island and meeting the residents. Congratulations to those who arranged the whole thing, and to those who attended - it is good to see our community being treated seriously.

The scullery at # 1 Glassard has been demolished and the foundations have been dug for a new extension; Hughie and Jenny's blockwork is almost complete; Kevin and Christa were struggling for a bit at Cill a' Rubha but the end is in sight; Andrew is laying an "invisible" soakaway which has been spotted from orbiting spy-stations; the new Manse is thought to be about to do the same thing, owing to the discovery of an old and forgotten well in the wrong place. The new water treatment works is about to be commissioned, and they are advertising for someone to spend 20 hours a week in Colonsay, Jura and Islay, who must be good with computers, able to work a digger and fully up to speed in rocket science. Step forward…. ??

In a surprise struggle at Machrins, popular Fun Runner and Quizmaster Ang*s McPh*e was worsted by a canine opponent, whereupon the Rabid Response team swung into action to avoid a rematch. Observers report that Ang*s's leg is not a pretty sight, and the one that got bitten is not much better. Fun-loving Ang*s will not hear a word against the furry fiend, and is said to be devoting his Occupational Therapy to the modelling of a lifelike clay image of its owner.

About two miles of telephone cable has been laid underground, improving the environment and (hopefully) reliability; Colonsay Bookshop finally received its consignment of Harry Potter, just a little later than Bwana's Bookshop of Timbuktu; a substantial number of vintage Bentleys were on the island recently, their throaty roar in strong contrast to the gentle purring of native exhausts; sheep shearing seems to have been completed; a mystery leak in the water system was said to be potentially serious but Archie has pulled out all the stops to avert disaster.

There is so much to see that one can only suggest a few things to look out for - Bog Asphodel is a personal favourite, with a good display readily visible from the motor car, about 50 yards past the cattle grid on the road to Oransay (right hand side). Grass of Parnassus, Hawkbit, all the Thistles and even the humble Pineapple Weed (from America!) are worth noting. Marsh Lousewort, Purple Loosestrife, Angelica, Yarrow and Harebell are prolific. Both forms of Mombretia are in flower (and may be seen side by side at the hotel); another oddity is the cultivated form of Ragwort which is on the bend of the Bay Road, opposite Andrew's apiary... it has been there for generations and is (possibly) the last vestige of the monks' garden in Kiloran Abbey. It seems that this is a good year for butterflies, in particular the Ringlet, Tortoiseshell, Green Fritillary and Small Blue.

Website to explore: