May 18 2009
Cutting the peat
We spent a couple of hours out on Arnish Moor yesterday, helping our neighbours cut the peat. The Welsh Idea and Dr DoLots cut enough peat to have a fires on chilly evenings. We all commented how much hard work it is….and that if this was your only source of energy for keeping warm, cooking, heating water for washing etc, then life would be very tough.
Dr D and I also were discussing the fact that many ladies of Lewis have beautiful skin. We wondered if it was anything to do with the peat
Washed this off in the bath later and now am certain I look about 20 years younger than before
I wanted N to have a go, so he can at least say he has experienced this ancient traditional part of Lewis life. So with the help of Welsh Idea N cut his first Lewis peat
The photos are a little blurry - it was raining out on the moor and not ideal photographic conditions. However, hopefully they capture our experience! All in all, a very dirty afternoon - the kids loved being out (for a little while anyway!) on the moor in the rain…with an open mandate for getting filthy
The cut peat is truly delicious to behold….looks like a big sticky slab of chocolate…..scrummy!
19 responses so far
will you be usin the peat to heat your fire, and bake some griddle scones? (funny how I always think of food related stuff, eh?)
looks as if you all had a god time–even though cutting peat is hard work–done it once in ireland nearly twenty years ago–when you’re with a few friends you don’t mind th work nearly so much
What a joyous post and lovely photos. Feels almost as if we are a ‘family’.
LL….sadly I only have a gas fire - so I was being totally selfless on Saturday (although I plan to gatecrash a few fires on cold winter evenings!!)
taddoe…yes, the time flew, what with cutting and smearing it on our faces!
How delightful! Noah has probably experienced more in the last few months than many kids throughout their childhood. Keep the posts coming.
Great fun………we only have open solid-fuel fires that heat house over here at Gravir Stockade and my neighbour has a peat pitch that he cuts for Winter. I was hoping to offer mutual service (I help him cut and he help/share peat) but awaiting posi uptake on offer as not really something I fancy doing 1st time solo.
Rainy day although fun (?) not helpful as this stuff has to dry throughout Summer (in peat pyramids) as you know to be any good.
Excellent use of child labour……up chimneys/down mines and peat carrying….character-forming I say (lol)……….RJG
a lovely experience …! Perhaps, does it make children appreciate that you have to work for the basic needs of life …? or is that too airey-fairey … :- )
Once again this year, I have not cut my peats, and will have to rely upon logs from the Woodlands Centre …!
Glad to see my nefro is working for a living. Lewis equivalent of paper round I guess xxxxx
I’m with you Gravir life! Get them tattie howking too.
you forgot about the berry picking first landlady—ah memories—picking strawberries,rasps and gooseberries during the summer holidays,”howking tatties”before it was done by machine during the “tattie holidays” paper round every morning,and working in the local woolies on a saturday: kids today have it to easy!
Lovely stuff! I’ve been trying to get somebody to teach me to cut peat…..looks like I need to come to Lewis.
Can you and N go out next weekend and cut some for us?
We will let you share our winter fires
Rusty, you’ve got this all wrong. I know this internet stuff is all very 21st century chic but couldn’t you just pop down the road and ask her?
Oh don’t be silly Les, that would involve a 13 minute brisk walk and I have an oven that needs cleaning!
I see. There was I imagining all you ladies in your hairnets just popping into the back garden, hoisting your bosoms onto the fence, and chatting about ‘you know what …’
How did we get from Peat to hairnets….pray?
Thanks for the comments - need to make sure they boy earns enough soon to keep me in the style to which I’d like to become accustomed. Not sure if tatties, peat and berries will do it though. I was thinking more of professional football and international rock star.
Forgot to put the
or the :gentle ribbing: I am sure Rusty knows what I meant 
or whatever else gets across that tone in the voice that immediately signals the nature of the words.
Back to peat … exits sideways.
Arnish Peat Facepacks. Used in conjunction with Soaplady Soaps, the holy grail of Eternal Youth is attained! What a business opportunity!
Uncle Les…
Definitely
Nothing like getting the Tushkar out and cutting the peat