Pig Invasions

The dry spell continues, despite some rain on Thursday afternoon.  Since 18th May we've had four millimetres, hardly enough to wet the grass, which has stopped growing.  This is bad for the crofters, and raises the risk of wildfires.  The burns are desperately low.  The picture shows the Millburn near the fire station: it's from one of its tributaries that the village gets its water supply.

We've had a succession of fine days, with the temperatures in the low twenties.  For those who've been up here on holiday in the last three weeks, it's been almost ideal weather, particularly as the midges don't like it.

The piglets can't use the weather as an excuse for their persistent escapism.  This is by far the worst lot we've seen for getting out through the electric fence - and they're quartered here in Ormsaigbeg!  They were on the rampage this morning - picture taken as The Diary was trying to organise the morning tea, showing the pigs heaving into view up the brae, intent on wickedness.

Having tried to get in through our gate - which has recently had additional bars put on it to prevent just such an invasion - they made for the house next door, probably with the intention of turning over the rubbish bins.

Unable to break in, they turned down the road.  An open gate was more temptation than they could resist, so....

 ....the five of them made their way in, to see what mischief they could perpetrate.

Fortunately, The Diary was able to find a stick and give chase - even though he was in his pyjamas.  They're like naughty schoolchildren.  They know they're doing wrong, and squeal with joy when they're chased, disappearing into the bracken and then looking innocent when a very out-of-breath Diary checks their run.

The trouble is that their owner is away for a few days, in Amsterdam apparently, "to enjoy cakes and coffee," a likely story.  This leaves the women, children and old people to cope with the porcine perversity, and to wrestle with an electric fence that doesn't work.