iChat

Work today, helping with the exams for the year three medical students, a long, long day! Mum is now up here in Edinburgh for a few days, Layla met her at the station and brought her to the house. It was good to see her when I arrived home. Set up the camera for iChat and connected with Graham and Ruaridh at Moyle, it is amazing to see this working, mum was fascinated by it and had a chat with Graham and saw Ruaridh. Eventually will try to get her one. Very tired away to bed!

Sheep on the road!

Left the Glen today for Edinburgh. Driving along the A87 round a corner wham three sheep and three lambs on my side of the road and a bloody big Artic lorry on t'other. Emergency stop well executed, but accompanied by a loud clunk followed by all the electrics in the car failing. Damn! no hazard lights, on a corner, what to do, managed to move the car off the road a little but position still dangerous. Cars going past did not stop, got in touch with the A.A. who said help would be there in ninty minutes, ah well. Suddenly a guy in a Hydro van went by, within minutes he was back again and got me organized, parked his van behind me with hazard lights on and placed his red triangle on the road. He had a look under the bonnet of the car and found the problem, the battery was loose and had moved when I braked, disconnecting the charge phew!-fixed. I could not thank the man enough, put my faith back in humanity. I drove down to Invergarry, and there met the man from the garage who checked and tightened the battery. Arrived in 'Old Reekie' at 1330 just two hours behind schedule but better safe than sorry. Planned a photo call on the way south but as you can seen this just didn't happen.

Sailing Canoes

As we walked towards 'our beach' today, we were surprised to see six masts on the skyline. As we got nearer we saw they belonged to what could best be described as sailing canoes pulled up onto the beach, all of a different design and size. The people who were sailing them were on the beach having a break. We said "Hi" and walked on to the shore where yesterday we had sat and watched two otters playing and porpoising in the waves, we had observed them through the binoculars and they were wonderful to watch. We couldn't capture them on film as they were so fast and too far away, today they did not show.
On the Blog for 26th April I mentioned a large round rusty object that had arrived on the beach, it stayed in situ until this week, and now due to storms this heavy object has been moved by the ocean about 300 hundred metres along the beach.
The sailing canoeists were leaving, hoisting their sails and and pushing the canoes off the beach, once they were on the ocean with the wind in their sails they just skimmed along, heading towards Sandaig and the South.

'Best by Date'

Over past years we have become used to seeing 'Best by Date',and ' Use by Date' when we shop for our produce. Usually I don't bother with the 'Best by Date' but last Thursday whilst doing the weekly shop on two occasions found products that were out of date! I decided in one store to purchase some butter, printed on the front was the instruction for 'Best by Date' check back of package which I did. To my astonishment the date was for the end of April 2006, I brought this to the attention of one of the assistants who thanked me profusely. On my return journey I went into another store and amongst other things bought some museli, I wanted two packets but didn't know if I had enough cash. When I had paid for my goods I knew then I had enough cash. So I went and got the other packet only to notice the 'Best by Date' was also end of April 2006, on checking the other packet this was the same. I brought it to the attention of the shopkeeper who let me have both packets for half price, although he took time to mention there was nothing wrong with the museli. I secretly agreed with him but a date is a date after all!

The Shore

Up early this morning with Ruaridh wanting out into the garden, just as I let him out a rabbit shot by, he followed and lo and behold had managed to get through the fence and into the field! A close inspection of the outside of the fence yeilded no large holes so how? He certainly wasn't going to show us, so out with the chicken wire to try and make the the fence more dog proof!
Went down to the beach in a cold howling gale, yes in May! disgruntled of the Glen noticed even more caravans and camper vans parked on the shore! not only parked but they all 'cuddle up' to each other, twelve at the latest count! However today we had a great experience on the shore saw two otter pups playing on the beach and in the ocean, it was fun to sit and watch them even in a downpour and made our day somewhat brighter.

The Hosta

Walking round the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh one sees many different varieties and colours of Hosta plants, and the displays are amazing. We have always loved them, in our garden in the Glen we have around fourteen Hosta plants, they are leafy, vary in size and develop flowers later in the year. Conditions for growing them here must be ideal as they get more prolific every year, and rabbits appear not to like them! We have decided to try and develop a Hosta patch, an area in the garden that is given over to them, they are easy to split and we will be doing this in the autumn. It takes them about two years to recommence growth so it will be interesting to see what happens.
Today down at the beach it was very calm and about six grey seals were swimming close to the shore, Ruaridh stood at the edge of the sea fascinated as the heads of the seals kept popping up and down.

Sea Pinks

This week has seen the Annual Chelsea Flower Show make its yearly appearance. One of the events apart from designing a garden, was asking people to send in a photograph of a favorite flower. This had to be taken with a newspaper of this week to confirm the photograph was original and not an old one. Graham took this shot of the Sea Pinks down on the shore, but unfortunately forgot the requisite newspaper, hence the showing of the photograph on the Blog tonight, instead of the television coverage from the Show.
Awaiting my favorite television programme "This Week" only watching though if Diane is back!

Leyland Cypress Trees

Otherwise known as Leylandii hedge/tree either hated or loved! The west side of our garden has a border of them planted long before we bought the house, we guess they were placed there to shield plants and flowers from the prevailing wind? However we were amazed on looking at photographs taken 6-7 years ago to see just how much they had grown, drastic measures were called for. So Graham armed with rip saw and loppers perched on a garden chair got down to business. It's not only the cutting, it is getting rid of the debris as it doesn't rot easily, we decided to trim the hedge in stages and take the trimmings to the woods.
Today we went to the woods to start and replenish our log supply, so a good time to get rid of four bags of debris from the Leylandii. Went quite deep into the forest and spread it on to the ground, looked quite good, lush and green. I trimmed more Leylandii today, and filled more bags-this is going to take time to finish! The bonus being, already we can see the mountains on The Isle of Skye again from our kitchen door, if you look carefully at the picture maybe you will see them in the background!

Snow in May?

Mentioned in the Blog last night was the fact that we had snow on the hill/mountain tops. Awoke today to a cold morning, only warming up when the sun managed to break through, and snow remained with us! Went down to the beach and got caught out in a heavy sleet shower, sheltered behind some rocks and Ruaridh managed to stay dry and warm cuddling down between us!
Tomatoes and cucumbers not growing too well in the greenhouse, temperatures to low!
Managed to do some cleaning inside the house, which I always leave for a bad weather day.

Tadpoles

Graham was away overnight, so Ruaridh and me had quite a leisurely morning. We had breakfast, then waited for postie Lexi to come, Ruaridh gave her his usual loving greeting and in the process her biro pen was nicked! We then motored down to the beach, it was sunny but a cold northerly wind kept us on the move. On the way back up to the Jeep the pup stopped to have a drink at a large puddle and was quite taken by the tadpoles swimming about there. I think they must have tickled his nose, as he kept shaking his head but didn't try to catch them.
Graham arrived back home about 1815 hours very tired from the long drives. He brought us a new Hosta plant, and some fresh herbs, rosemary, sage and thyme.
Sat having dinner this evening glanced up and looked out of the east window, couldn't believe my eyes snow on the hilltops. Roll on Summer !!

Border Terrier Lovers

Yesterday we visited people in Glenelg village. As we left with Ruaridh sat on my knee in the front of the Jeep we noticed these people who were walking along looking at us and smiling. Well they were actually looking at Ruaridh! we stopped opened the window and they rushed over. They told us they had a Jeep the same colour and also had been the owners of a Border Terrier-Max had died recently aged 15 Years. The woman was quite upset, the man just kept smiling at Ruaridh, who gave them both big licks which I'm sure they appreciated, quite a poignant moment for them.
Last night sat and watched "Ray" the movie showing the life and music of Ray Charles. Brilliant acting from James Foxx kept forgetting it was not the man himself, who I did see live in Manchester in 1964!

May Flowers

On a walk through the forests noticed my first mayflower of this year in bloom. Although we are halfway through the month of May they appear to be quite scarce. Took me back to when we were kids, I'm sure then the fields used to be full of them or is this just childhood memory? I do remember days of walking through fields that were full of wild flowers, they rubbed against bare legs, and sandels somehow always got damp. Back then we used to pick them, and stuck in a jam jar they adorned many a table.
Working most days at the moment in the greenhouse and garden, leeks and courgettes going down for Layla's allotment this week. Lovely evening blue sky and sunny, but we can expect low temperatures overnight, so still have to put fleece over the plants in the greenhouse-brrr. Photograph courtesy of Graham.

Kellogg's Cornflakes

Last night whilst waiting for our favorite television programme "This Week" we decided to watch 'The Road to Wellville'. Graham had ordered the DVD earlier in the week and although the movie was said to have been a flop we thought it could be quite funny. A mix of fact and fiction it told the story of Dr John Henry Kellogg who was Director of the Battle Creek Sanatorium in Michigan, where people went to take the "cures" invented by him. The film was very amusing and we thought worth watching. Along with his brother Will, he was a health freak, in 1880 they were experimenting with cereal foods, trying to get the North American populace to eat these instead of a fat laden breakfast. By 1896 the first successful flaked cereal named Granose was available, Will continued to experiment and 2 years later working with a whole kernal of corn developed the cornflake.
These days any amount of different types of cereal are available to the public, as can be seen when going into your local supermarket.

Quiet Day

Today was one of those days when nothing too exciting happens. Weather a mixture of sun and showers, warm though. Helped Graham put the tomato plants into the earth at the front of the greenhouse, he planted the cucumbers there too. Transplanted the leeks into three pots have about 36 leeks altogether, the smell was there already. Yesterday the swallows were busy swooping down over the house, today they were also very quiet.
Very disappointed this evening, sat down to watch my favorite television programme "This Week", shock, horror no Diane Abbot, in her place Alan Millburn, I don't think so Andrew , bring Diane back please!

"Chimney Sweep"

We have two working chimneys at the house in the Glen, and yes, you have guessed they do require cleaning about once a year. Over the past few years we have had Donald John the local chimney sweep to perform this service, and every year the rumour has gone round that this would be his last year as he was getting too old, (I believe at the last count he was 74 years old) to do this job. Well this year it happened apparently he has retired and trying to find another sweep in this remote area is extremely difficult, the nearest one coming up at www.yell.co.uk lives about 60 miles away! I have heard that a chap in the village may be starting up in business as a sweep, here's hoping.
We will miss Donald John who is quite a character, not only was he our sweep, but he directed the local Amateur Dramatics and took all the photographs of the performances. May he enjoy a happy retirement.
Cleaned most of the masonary of the house today with wire brushes and a water pressure nozzle, house should soon be ready to start painting, looks good.

Olive Oil

We had rather a large breakfast today (for us anyway) swiss museli & banana, then fried bread, fried egg and fried tomatoes, followed by a cup of coffee delicious! After that went a long walk on the beach, Ruaridh appeared to have his first experience of swimming, and the water was freezing well done little dog! As the weather was dull and wet, went over the hill to Kyle of Lochalsh to purchase face masks, so as to be able to continue wire brushing the masonary down without inhaling large quantities of dust! when the weather improves.
As Graham was busy in the greenhouse, I said I would make the soup for dinner (light meal!). As he normally makes this sweet potato soup I enquired as to the ingredients etc. Soon all the vegetables were bubbling in the stock on the stove, when Graham came in and said that he normally sautes the vegetables in olive oil! No I hadn't done this as he forgot to mention it, needless to say the soup passed the test without the olive oil, followed by dropped scones dripping in maple syrup.
Joe and Layla got their new house today, a colony cottage in Edinburgh, well done, may they spend many happy, healthy years there.

Bluebells

Today was our first day back in the Glen after our trip to Edinburgh. Had a walk along the shoreline, and delivered some tomato and chilli plants to a neighbour, who would love a greenhouse like ours. I then planted the heathers and succulants we purchased at the weekend, in our rockery. Graham was busy with a wire brush rubbing the masonary of the house down prior to our painting it, we were surprised at how white it turned out to be. When we were in Edinburgh I mentioned in my Blog the bluebells in Ravelston Woods, they were truly amazing. The colour and scent were stunning, in the 23 years of being in Edinburgh I have never seen them so prolific, you just wanted to lie down in them and dream!

"Dobbies"

Dobbies is the new style garden centre, where eveything from food to greeting cards is sold, oh! and in case we forget one can also purchase plants for the garden! On our way back to the Glen today we had the misfortune to stop at the one on the North side of Perth. There was a long queue of cars waiting to park, we soon found out why, people want to park next to the shop door so the distance to walk is minimal, hence a backlog occurs. However today the car park was heaving, as people rushed to buy-what? Graham required fertilizer, pepper and aubergine plants so he set off to fight his way through the masses, I took Ruaridh for his walk. After what seemed seconds I heard my name being called, yes Graham had turned back without his purchase, as he could hardly get through the crowds in the store! He is going to support the local garden shop!
By the by the weather is freezing!

"Wedding"

First thing to do this morning after breakfast was to strimm the front lawn, then we took Ruaridh through Bluebell Woods for his daily walk. Although rain was forecast it turned out to be a lovely sunny day, we were pleased about this as today was Wedding Day. Lucy an old school chum of Layla's was marrying Paul, Layla, Joe Graham and me were invited to the event. We were in the church for 1400 hours, joining the other guests-relatives and friends. It was good to meet up with people we had not seen in years. May love and peace be with the couple today and always.

"Old Reekie"

First thing this morning had to cut the grass at the house in Edinburgh, as it was warm worked in my pyjamas! Then took Ruaridh for his walk in Ravelston woods, what a shock we both got, the rough tracks had been cleared and proper paths were in place, amazing and good to walk on. The woods are stunning at the moment all blue as the thousands of bluebells come into bloom.
Went up town to meet Layla and she bought a lovely dress for the wedding tomorrow, which she is going to wear with her new silver shoes. Had lunch then got the bus to Leith, walking to Layla's house saw all the trees by the Water of Leith in full leaf, and rising above them some of the many chimneys that give Edinburgh the name "Old Reekie" but today they were at rest hence no smoke.

Mussels

When we were walking along the beach yesterday, I decided that I would like to try and do some abstract art. So spent my time taking photographs of different things related to the ocean and the shore, so who knows what art works I may develop in the next few months! Of particular interest were groups of mussels forming interesting patterns on the rocks as the tide went out. This brought to mind a restaurant we visited in New Zealand about three years ago known as "The Mussel Boys", where mussels are served as the main ingredient, but cooked in various ways and in different dishes, delicious food!- don't know how that name would go down in the United Kingdom!
Today we are in "Old Reekie" for 2 to 3 days to attend a wedding of Layla's old school chum. Layla and Joe were here for a bought Pizza dinner, Ruaridh was delighted to see them both.

'Foot Print'

Walking on the beach today, came across 'the footprint' no it was not "Man Friday's" but Graham's new wellie. Thought it looked kind of cool.

'Dog Tired'

What more can one say, another hot and balmy day in the north west and as you can see from Ruaridh the best way to spend it was resting, head in the shade, bum in the sun. At one point we registered 74 C today, I sat outside on the deck but instead of the smooth brown tan that I desired, ended up like a boiled lobster, ah well!

Lambs

Today has been a hot balmy day in the north west, outside temperature reached 22C wow! Awoke this morning to lots of different sounds. We now have about about sixteen lambs in the field to the front of the house, the chorus of their baa's was unusually loud this morning, probably happy to be in the sun! The cuckoo seemed to be going crazy 'cuckooing'? like mad from early to mid-morning. Crickets were clicking in the field at the back of the house, swallows swooping down over the house then flying off over the fields, regrouping and swooping down again. This evening a group of lambs ventured up to the
front fence with tails wagging, skipping and butting one another, Ruaridh looked on but was very good and didn't interfere, does he think they are daft or would he secretly like to join them?
Watched two documentaries on Channel 4 tonight, Dispatches Iraq-The Women's Story an amazing story of how professional woman are coping and attempting to help other women in Iraq. Then Iraq-The Hidden Story-Jon Snow in Iraq still showing!

'She sells Sea Shells---'

'She sells sea shells,
On the sea shore,
The shells she sells,
Are sea shells I'm sure.'

In my teens and maybe having drunk more than was good for me, on arriving home my parents asked me to recite the above, I got it down to a fine art! Photograph courtesey of Graham

'When its Spring again---'

Did work in the greenhouse and garden today, dare I say another warm and balmy day. Working in the garden I noticed how the tulips that we planted about 3-4 years ago on the bank at the back of the garden had come into bloom, and they appeared to glow in the sun. We have left them in the ground over the years to naturalise, unfortunately this causes them to get smaller, also we have a problem with the rabbits who love to eat them. Ruaridh does his best to get 'the bunnies' off his patch but a dog has to sleep, and those damn pests wake sooo early!
Just watched the film "American Beauty" (hence the late Blog) what an amazing movie much better the third time of viewing,
Kevin Spacey is superb.

Lemon Tree

Graham arrived back from the south today and brought us a present, a Lemon Tree. We have debated over the years whether to buy one and today it happened. As he brought it out of the car the smell from the blossom was overpowering, probably made more so as the weather here in the Glen was very warm today. We placed it outside the greenhouse, and as we looked the tree appeared to change colour from green to red as all these butterflies probably Red Admirals were attracted towards it. Tonight it is inside the greenhouse and the smell there is truly amazing.
Ruaridh was delighted to see Graham back and gave him a very 'licky' welcome.

"Hang out the washing--"

Awoke to a warm, sunny morning not a cloud in the sky! Had my morning tea sat outside at the backdoor, with Ruaridh for company. Sorted the greenhouse, already it was very warm in there. Decided to take the football and head for the beach, Ruaridh and me jumped in the Jeep and headed off. On arriving at the beach noticed a washing line had been hung between a tree and a 'Passing Place' sign at the side of the road. Fluttering from the line in the light breeze were someone's smalls, rather a strange sight in the countryside!
Today Daisy May entered the world, may Love and Peace be hers today and always. Congratulations to mum Jessie and dad Lee See www.blipfoto.com
Tonight we are in the midst of a huge storm, lightning flashing and thunder booming like crazy, power going on and off Ruaridh not a happy dog!

Japanese Garden

This week we visited a private Japanese garden and woodland. Although the garden was somewhat austere for my taste, the woodland area was stunning. The man who owned the house at the time of the construction, designed the garden and the woodland, the hard work of labouring was carried out by a man local to the area, and a super job he did. Huge round slices of tree trunk, mark the way from the garden into the woodland, gradually decreasing in size. Seats and small temples or shrines are placed at strategic points in the woods, along with chimes making for a peaceful and meditative atmosphere, made more life enhancing when the sun shines and filters through the branches of the trees.

'Somewhere over the Rainbow---'

After our lovely day yesterday with Lexi our friend and Postie, we arrived back to our Glen to bright sunshine and a torrential downpour. To the east of the house this amazing rainbow appeared, all the colours were extremely bright and it formed a perfect bow. Though as usual when one moved to the place where the rainbow seemed to go into the ground ( yes the pot of gold!) it always moved to another position further and further away. At one point it was over Troutmask Cottage ( Dorothy's house?) this is when Graham shot the photograph.

May Day

May Day is recognised as International Workers Day in most countries throughout the world, and in the United Kingdom is a Public Holiday. As a child I remember the 1st May or maybe the weekend closest to it as Maypole Day. Carrying a pole that was decorated with crepe paper and garlands we went through the village where we lived, and at various sites stopped took hold of the ropes attatched to the pole and proceeded to sing and dance round it! People watched and clapped and gave us pennies which I would like to think we gave to charity, but more likely we split the cash and bought sweeties!
Today we went to visit our friend and Postie-Lexi for lunch, she made us very welcome in her lovely cottage that is quite isolated, Ruaridh loved her big garden and the woods behind the house, though we had to be careful as baby pinemartens live there. A stroll along the lochside then back for a substantial lunch and a good chat. Then Lexi took us a walk down through the forest, it was amazing much more open than the forest where we live, a burn running alongside the track and numerous waterfalls. As we ambled along Ruaridh was in his element, racing through the woods and the burns. Lexi said that we would soon see some "Skunk Cabbage" and that it looked like a snakes head. Low and behold we came across it round the next corner on the other side of the burn, just one big patch growing in this one place was truly amazing to see, camera out voila! A good day was enjoyed by all.