Our (new) island home: Life on Islay

One month into our new life on the Island of Whisky, we are finally starting to feel settled. Settling into work and van life has been an adjustment for both of us – a new job to learn the particulars for, getting used to how to run the van and off-grid life, variable work days, and getting acquainted with a much smaller living space than we’re used to. It feels like each week we become slightly more acclimatised than the week before. It’s taken longer than expected to click into a kind of rhythm, probably because everything is so unfamiliar and new. Change is as good as a holiday, right??

The van has had an unexpected amount of issues (some involving user error 😉). We had an issue with a leaking water pump, which was surprisingly difficult to find someone to fix. A crack in the sink from a wayward toothbrush cup (the peat roads are quite the roller-coaster ride!) came next. Then one of the lights pulled apart and exposed the wiring, which required an Amazon order for replacement. Our gas ran out, which required purchasing two new propane bottles (as our system is refillable LPG, but of course they don’t have that on the island!). And then to top it off, we got stranded with no water and a full toilet after our vehicle battery died – the perfect storm of whatever-can-go-wrong-will-go-wrong.

However, amidst the drama, there have been some shining moments. Our favourite wild camping spot, Kilnaughton Beach, surprises us every day with beach views worthy of Australia, coupled with absolute silence except for the twittering birds at nearby Cairnmore Woods. With the weather warming up and the sun making more appearances than the clouds, Alex might even brave another swim 😉

We relish spending time with Auds and Neillie, sharing meals and banter. Auds made us the most incredible dessert called fruit pizza, which is like a baked Anzac base with glazed and frosted fruit on top. It is one of the best desserts I’ve ever had! After Alex discovered Neillie’s impressive guitar collection, he was beyond thrilled when Neillie generously offered him a guitar to borrow and play during our time here. It is definitely the most well looked after item in the van!

Last but certainly not least, we were blessed with an incredible Aurora display after the strongest geomagnetic storm in 20 years. It was quite lucky we even realised it – thanks to my news doom scrolling habits, I was checking the latest news at 11pm when I was alerted to the potential for an Aurora. We got rugged up and out just in time to see visible pink in the sky – a sign of a strong Aurora. It was truly magical to see the colours show on the camera and such an amazing viewing of nature’s wonders.

We’re certain that in time things will settle even more and we will feel more relaxed on the island – fingers crossed the van issues are behind us (!) With the distillery getting increasingly busy and the chaos of Fèis Ìle on the horizon, we’re gearing ourselves up for another leap in learning and some fun experiences ahead!

Audrey’s Fruit Pizza recipe

Base:

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cup oats

1 1/4 cups brown sugar

1 cup flour

1 egg

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1 cup coconut

 Topping

Mix together - 8oz Philadelphia cheese & 1/4 cup white sugar

Sliced strawberries

Halved grapes

Kiwi fruit, sliced & quartered

Mandarin orange segments

(You can use fruits of your own choice)

Glaze:

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup orange juice

2 1/2 teaspoons cornflour

Pinch of salt

Directions

Base: Mix butter, sugar & egg, add vanilla extract. Mix dry ingredients together and then add to sugar mixture. Spread onto baking sheet and bake at 175 for 10 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool. Once cool spread on your Philadelphia mixture and arrange your fruit over the top.

Glaze: Cook together over medium heat until thick & bubbly. Let mixture cool and drizzle over fruit.