Machines

With the wind staying in the north for the last few days, the weather has remained fine but cool, though memories of winter remain on top of the hills on Mull.

Which is probably good news for the ships assembling for the naval exercises going on to the north of us. The ships continue to parade up the Sound - this is HNLMS De Ruyter, F804, a frigate of the Royal Netherlands Navy. We've also seen more British ships, including F33, HMS Somali, and the fleet auxiliary SD Tornado which specialises in salvage - in case someone sinks.

In the air we've seen a huge range of war machinery, including helicopters, Hawk trainers, Tornados, and what looked like a Lear jet - perhaps that was the top brass watching the show in comfort.

But by far the most important machinery arrived in Kilchoan yesterday: the heavy plant which will, over the next two days, do all the groundwork for the Kilchoan Playpark. It's very exciting for everybody - and particularly the children - to see this long-awaited event finally happening.

By yesterday evening an impressive range of diggers and dumpers was lined up in the field above the Community Centre. Most of the labour comes from volunteers from within the community: for example, our ex-postie is in charge of keeping the roads clean, so he'll be seen driving up and down them on a tractor with a giant broom attached.

A warning has been given that Pier Road, in particular, will see some disruption to traffic: notices will be posted on the West Ardnamurchan News site.