Starting Over !!

I kept my Blog going on a daily basis for quite a few years, sadly I have let it lapse over the past month/year but now hoping to do my Blog again though not on a daily basis. Did not keep the Blog going now October 2014 attempting to restart my blog Here

Sicily

From the 12 October until the 19 October Graham, Joe, Layla Bella and me spent a week in the warmth and sun at ViaGrande Sicily and a wonderful time was had by all. The villa we rented was lovely with a decent sized pool which we all made great use of. Ask where Ruaridh our lovely Border Terrier was--he had a deluxe holiday with our good chums Bob & Bets:)
The flights were good and the car we hired was great. We spent most of our time at the villa enjoying the luxury of the sun and outdoor eating. Though most mornings saw us walking down to the village getting our bread, and lovely roasted onions and peppers along with our ordinary vegetables.
We always stopped to enjoy a coffee and Sicilian lemonade for Bella.
On Wednesday 15 October we visited the fourth century Roman villa near Piazza Armerina -- discovered in 1761-- excavated mainly between 1950--1955. The mosaics were stunning to see and so many.
On Friday 17 October we journeyed to a wonderful beach at Syracuse and a great time was had by all. Sunbathing and swimming in the ocean, Bella loved swimming through the waves.
Sunday saw us on the aeroplane for Britain after having had a lovely holiday.
Ruaridh was delighted to see us:)

Busy Weeks in Different Ways!

Week commencing 29 april was busy, usual constitutionals in various places, weather sunny at times with rain and wind. Had my hair done, the place where I go is closing down at that venue and the staff have been deployed to other salons Iain my hairdresser is now at York place easier for me. Met up with Bella on Tuesday had a great time playing in the garden at cafes, potions were the food of the day! Wednesday Met up with Bella early in the afternoon and the two of us went to The Tradfest at the Scottish Story Telling Centre. Layla and her colleagues were giving demonstrations on weaving and spinning, then people were encouraged to have a go themselves. This piece of cloth was being woven by many people. The top line of weave was done by Bella and the material used had belonged to her paternal Great Great Granny Jean who was quite a character! Had a lovely lunch there. This evening Ruaridh stayed with the family, whilst G and me went to see ' On the Waterfront' an extremely emotive and powerful film. Rest of the week appears to be spent catching up on 'housework'. Long lie on Saturday still watching the Arne Dahl Swedish thrillers which I'm enjoying Graham doesn't. Sunday long walk. bit of gardening! Thursday to the beach with Ruaridh, then met the girls up town for some shopping and a coffee. May 19 the memsahib (my mum) was admitted to hospital with double vision and a problem with her balance. Graham flew in from the States on 20 May after an unfortunate delay in Dublin eventually arrived home in the afternoon! We decided if mum was OK to travel down to visit her on Thursday 23 May. Ann and Mandy were visiting and I was in contact with the ward and Dr's secretary. Went down on Thursday Mum was delighted to see us, thought we weren't arriving until Friday. Due to double vision mum had been seen by an opthamologist who had found a 'lesion' outside her brain ? where and she was to have a MRI scan. She was very tired when I visited on the Sunday and the staff thought some days of rehabilitation might benefit mum, the MRI scan was to take place as an outpatient. Visited mum on the Monday before heading for home, once again she was tired. She went to rehab.on the Tuesday the 28 May. I spoke to her on the phone on the Wednesday she appeared to be a wee bit disorientated, on the Thursday when I spoke, she was better her friend Irene was visiting. Spoke on the Saturday mum appeared a wee bit better, however Ann phoned me from Cornwall to say that she had phoned the hospital and they said mum had fallen a couple of times. I made a note to phone the rehab. place on Monday morning--however about 0915h on Monday 3 June they phoned me to say mum had collapsed whilst having breakfast and was unresponsive. She was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital--she had suffered a dense stroke and would not recover. Graham and I drove down straight to the hospital, Ann was at the hospital and it was obvious my mum was very poorly. She never recovered and died peacefully on the 9 June. Her funeral was a celebration of her life and to say goodbye, she had written down what she wanted at her funeral service. The barbershop choir (mum had been a member) sang her into the church and out. Most of her relatives and numerous friends gathered to say goodbye to this woman who was my mum, a loving and sometimes fiesty wee woman. May She Rest In Peace.

Meet and massage.

Monday 22 April met up with Jane for a chat and cuppa at Nom de Plume before going to see Fiona for my massage and acupuncture. Quite a different week--weather wise sunshine, rain and wind.Walks in the park, woods, beach and the allotment. On Wednesday evening to the filmhouse to see 'The Late Quartet' a excellent film with Christopher Walkden in the main part supported by a cast of great actors. Thursday I was at the allotment got lots done. Friday drove down to see mum who was in good cheer. Walked on the beach lovely weather Saturday, Sunday the wind howled, home to Edinburgh.

Unexpected Holiday!

Last Friday due to various circumstances we packed the car put Ruaridh in and set off for a break at the cottage. It was raining as we left Edinburgh but we decided to go the Glen Coe route and I'm pleased we did, albeit it didn't stop raining until we were nearly at the Glen! Lovely to arrive and Christine had a lovely fire going in the stove. Last week was quite busy,so started this week meeting up with chums Susan, Jo and Trisha for an evening of chat, drink and food at the revamped 'Newsroom' great evening. Tuesday was spent with Bella and Ruaridh, had a lovely walk and a stop over at the play park with an added game of hide and seek. Home for lunch then Bella and me left Ruaridh in the house and went to the cinema to see 'The Odd World of Timothy Green' sat in the VIP seats and ate popcorn-- great film. We both enjoyed. Thursday spent a great day at the allotment with the girls and Ruaridh, got lots done and had lunch there. Friday left for the Glen. Spent a lovely four days at the cottage, weather a mixture of sun, rain and wind. Had a lovely day over on the Isle of Skye and visited Waternish. Paid our respects to Donald an old chum who died in 1995, he featured in our life for many years and is buried in the graveyard at Waternish. Wed 17 April drove back to the city in sun and rain. Tomorrow MissRable a blipper from Malmo in Sweden arrives as one of her photographs features in the 'See Us' exhibition which is opening on Friday 19 April. This is a joint project between blipfoto.com and Creative Scotland. Gittan arrived safely and brought some lovely gifts with her Gin, Amarula and a lovely linen cloth for the table. Friday 19 April Exhibition was a great success great photo's, a lovely book and good to meet friends old and new. Gittan very tired so Graham and me set off to walk the Wonder Dog, set off for a short walk managed to walk for four miles! Part of the route I have never walked before alongside 'The Water of Leith'. The sun shone and this brought out the people in force, nonetheless it was peaceful down by the river. I saw a women taking a clump of wild garlic to plant in her garden asked her if she wasn't concerned re the dog pee. She explained that she had read it was OK to take -- plant, then leave for a year for the new growth -- may try it :) Watched the Swedish thriller on BBC 4 with our Swedish friend Gittan. Rather different :) ----! Sunday took Gittan to town to get her bus to the airport, a short but lovely visit.

Holiday!

Tomorrow we leave for the Glen. Up quite early as on Wednesday 27 March we left to go to the cottage for five days. The car was packed G went for petrol and I walked over to meet him with the Wonder Dog, then off to pick up Layla and Bella for the trip North. The day was amazing cold but sunny, we stopped at the pee stop for a pee and also to have our lunch which we all enjoyed. Arrived safely at the Glen poor G got both stoves going, however the one in the Green room was extremly smokey and then started to belch out black smoke you guessed it an owl had once again fallen down the lum and was blocking the flue. G managed to get it out you can imagine the smell from the smoke!! Bella played outside whilst I got the beds and 'hotties' organised. The everyone agreed we should have dinner in the Red room, which by this time was very cosy and no smell of smoke. Layla made a delicious meal spinach in cheese sauce with pasta and olives. As we were all tired an early night was called for. Thursday awoke to a ground frost quickly disappeared as the sun arose in the West. Bella awake early played some games after an early cuppa,breakfast when G and L got up. Layla,Bella,Ruaridh and moi had a lovely walk to the post box. Later spent a lovely afternoon at the beach,Bellamy found lots of treasures, home to eat Graham preparing dinner rice and vegetables --half cooked the rice outside to cool Misty the croft dog and her pup wandered over and ate it! Managed to find a stash of noodles so the meal was saved and delicious. Friday another frosty morning but the day turned out to be beautiful. Lovely walk by the river, accompanied by not one but three dogs! Found lots of fir cones which we picked up to burn on the stoves, through sticks into the river for races, fun times. Home to await the arrival of Joe in the Bongo--somewhere in this time and space Layla and Bella made delicious flapjacks. Watched a Doris Day film excellent. Joe arrived safe and sound we all sat down to a delicious meal of veggie chilli and rice. Thanks to Layla. Saturday Bella up early so after the usual cuppa we played snakes and ladders!! then the others got up and we had a big fry up for breakfast. Another frosty morning that turned into a warm day. Spent a lovely time at the beach had a super walk as the tide was ways out. Ruaridh delighted at the amount of sticks and stones thrown for him. Soup for a late lunch then as we were feeling dozy another Doris Day film. Layla made lovely pizza's for dinner which we all enjoyed. Easter Day dawned, frosty early morning did not put the Easter Bunny off lots of treasure left in the garden, which was found after a breakfast of Layla's delicious hot-cross buns and mugs of coffee. We dyed and hard boiled eggs then set off with them to the woods to roll them down a hill. Amidst much hilarity Bella won the race-Ruaridh ate his egg! Great family time. Lovely veggie meatless balls in tomato sauce for dinner with pasta. Monday dawned, after breakfast the family packed the camper van then after a photo call packed themselves in and set off for places further North! Graham and me sorted the house then set off for Edinburgh. Tuesday wa a lovely day and the heron was back by the pond in the meadowland. Wednesday was busy-- girls here for lunch. An attempt to put the world to rights not over successful:) Tony here for dinner. Thursday over to water the plants at Layla's, tried to get the wee Fiesta started no joy, walked from East to West with the Wonder Dog. I'm back writing this and I'm sure--in fact I know I have listened to the afternoon plays on BBC radio 4, most of which were good however I have forgotten what and when the were on! Oh just remembered I listened to four plays called 'Quartet' which was very good. Friday watched an Argentinian film 'The Secret in their Eyes' excellent. Saturday Lovely walk, family home in camper van Betty, to us for dinner good to see them and they were looking good. Sunday, was very hungry today -- had two breakfast! Nuff said. Bj

Allotment!

The sun shone today so Layla, Ruaridh and me hot footed it to the allotment. Turned the tattie patch on the 'new' allotment over swept the paths whilst Layla turned over a raised bed on her 'old' allotment, enjoyed the time there very relaxing. First visited ASDA to sort out a problem of how much wine one could buy when it is on offer. Problem quickly resolved by an excellent supervisor and we left with the wine we wanted. Layla came for lunch, then we sat and had a chat before she left to pick up Bella. I made bread rolls, bread and butternut squash soup before taking Ruaridh to the woods, where we had a lovely walk. Got the dinner started butternut squash risotto with salad. Phoned mum as Layla, Bella, and me are going to visit her tomorrow in the Red Rose County.

Fun Afternoon

Another dreich day this time with not a glimmer of the sun's rays. Had a shower and washed my hair before setting off with Ruaridh in the sleet that the wind was blowing in all directions! Needless to say the woods were an even bigger mud bath as we walked through them--we both got soaked. Quick change then to get some messages before meeting up with Bella. Good ride home on the bus with one of her wee chums and his mum. Big lunch of pizza and chips (in a poke for Bella.) Bella watched 'Charlie and Lola' get up to their antics whilst I made the big lunch. Then we had a game of Snakes and Ladders guess who won ? I read to Bella and nearly fell asleep! Then we did some 'Hama Bead' designs before Bella settled down to read to herself and have a wee rest, as Layla and Bella are going to her friend Eve's school concert this evening. Layla arrived and we all had a chat, before enjoying our dinner of meatless balls in tomato sauce and salad. Bella had a hole in her tights so she asked me if I had any socks, managed to find a smallish pair left for me by friend Sue from Canada. Ruaridh and me took the girls to the car, put the bins out. Now just about to catch up on BBC radio 4 serial and a couple of afternoon plays as Graham is still doing his film developing course.