Tuesday 17 September 2013

At The Hostel Door


There has been no lack of inspiration for writing this contribution since my last piece in June, simply the shortage of time to do anything other than welcome and provide for guests in what has been a most glorious summer at the hostel.  We are now in our last two months of volunteer summer helpers and are enjoying the mature energies of Doris from Dresden and Louise from Devon whose highly developed skills in gardening and groundsmanship are making a real difference around the place as we start to look at the imminent autumn clear up.

They have taken over the polytunnel, keeping the summer salads we string on the old painted up bike for hostellers, hutters and campers to take in return for a contribution to the coffers of our local mountain rescue team.  Even more impressive perhaps is their knowledgable handling of the compost bins.  We knew a bit before we started them three years ago.  However, this cultured high school teacher/gardener and her colleague,  humanitarian relief truck driver/country property manager/croft worker on Eigg/ great grandmother have taken us to a heightened level of understanding and practice on composting and we are truly grateful.  Their work sets a benchmark for the future.