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T’Islay boys went away on Saturday. They wanted t’name check. There is Lance, who isn’t from Islay, or Scotland but down where they play silly rugby; Dean, who came from Great Yarmouth; Colin from Paisley, but grew up on Islay, which probably explains most things; and Pete, who is a genuine Islay boy, used to make cheese and is named after his uncle. T’boys did a fair t’ middling job tidying up t’road. If there was more of t’gravel it would be tidier, and if t’extra money had been allocated earlier t’road at t’west end would have less of t’bumps and t’patches. T’accent on t’bit of Islay they come from is a bit odd. I think it is a homage to Shaun from Manchester. Colonsay folk will understand.
They might be back in a couple of weeks, or next Spring, or not at all. They might all be on St Helena, or half of Coll might be on a pub crawl on Islay. We were a bit confused; apparently it isn’t possible to sample alcoholic beverages on Islay, and then drive to the next hostelry. How does that work? Surely the whole point of a choice of pubs is to be able to choose!? Anyhow we have been invited over (several times). I think there is a water-plane taxi thing, which probably won’t use the runway. I think Coll should twin with Islay, we could get some more road signs. I’m a bit upset our Airport sign isn’t in Gaelic and Polish.

The terminal building is getting its roof, the roller shutter door has been fitted and next week the plumber comes in. The airport isn’t on mains water. Anyone building on Coll is having to jump through hundreds of hoops to get approval for drainage and sewage systems (septic tanks) and also for private water supplies. I haven’t seen the officials checking out the airport yet. The builders are back next week too, so the quiet winter is still on hold.