Great Granny visit!

Up to Waverley Station for 1530h today to pick up my mum who is coming up for a long weekend, she is 87 years old and manages on the train. Her friend Irene takes her to the station at Preston and the Virgin Journey Care people make sure things go smoothly onto and off the train! I met her and she is looking really much better. We got in the car and set off to visit the family! ie Bella!
Up fairly early this morning, showered and breakfast then whilst Graham took Ruaridh a walk in the woods, I got the room ready for my mother. Layla phoned and we decided to go over and see her and Bella then I would go to the station to pick up mum.
Arrived back at the house they were out for a walk, put the kettle on and they came back, Ruaridh delighted to see my mum, Bella weighing the situation up!
Had a pleasant visit, with tea and donuts which were delicious!
Back home made bread, pasta, tomato sauce with prawns and salad for dinner rather nice
Trying to catch up on blip. Goodnight.

Very Tired

Started to do my blip and blog last night, fell asleep whilst doing same! So this is a quick one. Good day at work yesterday met up with lots of old chums! Went down to Waitrose to do a big shop, Graham met me there, Ruaridh gave me lots of kisses when we had finished the shopping and returned to the car!
Lovely dinner asparagus and pea risotto and salad made by Graham delicious!
Listened on the telephone to Bella laughing, she is a joy!
Mum up today. Goodnight.

To see the Family

Short Blog today as we have had a long journey. Back in Edinburgh for 10 days to visit the family, work and business. Had a fair journey down, but it rained most of the way. Made up for this when we saw Bella, Layla and Joe. They are all looking fine, we have not seen Bella for almost a month and now she sits by herself, rolls from her back to her tummy and is eating solid food which she appears to love.
Ruaridh was a wee tad put out when we give attention to the wee lassie, but is gradually coming round, Bella's eyes follow him everywhere! Had a delicious meal courtesy of Layla a veggie pie (from a blip member) lovely, tatties and salad. Now to bed. Goodnight.

Sea Pinks 2

Down to the beach for our walk with the wee fellow today, the sun was shining but a very cold wind from the North was blowing. Graham wanted to do a Time Lapse with the Sea Pinks, he had found a place where a large area was covered in them. We saw John and his friend, and the son of the friend had built two amazing cairns on the beach they were superb sculptures, what a great talent the boy has. Had a lovely time on the beach lots of photo's, and Ruaridh just loved being able to roam through the gorse bushes as we waited for Graham. At one point it was so hot I laid down on the warm sand and had a doze!
The only problem being some kids on the West beach with their quad bikes were making a hell of a noise, apparently last evening they were on their jet ski's, strange for a place like the Glen, where people usually come to get away from it all! Ah well!
Back home had lunch, got stuck into the cleaning and various other problems! John H was here he is going to look to the greenhouse, when we are away, when Noonie is also away.
Veggie chili, Persian rice, salad, yoghurt and flatbreads, tasted really good courtesy of Graham!
Now to bed as we return to Edinburgh tomorrow to see the family, my mum and Graham's mum, also for work and business.
Goodnight!

Long Trek!

Graham wanted to try his Time Lapse project in the forest so as today dawned warm and sunny, that is what we decided to do! We walked from our house up to the bird hide that we normally visit on our way out of the Glen to let the wee fellow have a good walk. A long trek, we enjoyed it all the same the only thing being when you are standing around you start to feel the cold especially as the sun was hidden for periods by the clouds! Graham got some good film, but needs to do it for much longer, Ruaridh really enjoyed himself running up hill and down dale, in fact he has just slept and eaten since returning home! Got caught in a heavy shower of rain on walking up our track, brilliant sunshine as well, no rainbow!
Had lunch, finished making the bread, did the ironing. Graham and moi felt very tired in fact we could just have curled up and gone to sleep.
Red pepper soup, piltchards with raw onions on toast for dinner hmmm. Bye.

Happy Birthday Heiner!

Sorry guys but today was one of those days of very changeable weather, awoke early to brilliant sunshine, up early with Ruaridh who is determined to catch these rabbits! Managed back to bed eventually and got up about 0900h. Breakfast, wash, out into the garden and the heavens opened, rain, sleet and hail. Here in the Glen, one minute it could be shorts and t-shirt the next full wet weather gear, love it!
Down to the shop, then along to the beach, the mob has arrived numerous caravans and motor homes now dotted along the beach. Quick chat with Auria and John then off to the beach, Ruaridh enjoyed this and was in the sea a couple of times!
Back home felt very hungry, quite a large lunch then started to try and get the garden organized, dodging the showers and midges that all of a sudden were quite prolific, midge machine on tomorrow.
Ruaridh found something alive and started to dig what a state he got into black, shower for him, now he looks great but desperate to get back digging!
Linguine with roasted tomato, mushroom and prawn sauce, homegrown salad, foccacia, for dinner delicious!
Graham and the wee fellow away to do a Time Lapse.
A very dear friend of mine and the family celebrates his 50 years Birthday today! Happy Birthday Heiner Love & Peace today and always!
Goodnight.

Visit to Luc and Jean

Made arrangements yesterday to visit Luc and Jean this afternoon over in Ratagan. We arrived there after a somewhat hectic Friday morning. Up early this morning as Ruaridh was once again on rabbit patrol, still none caught! Breakfast, shower and hair wash chat to Layla on the telephone prior to jumping in the car to go over the hill. Stopped on the way over to go into the woods to let Ruaridh have a run in the woods, he rushed off into the forest and had a great time! Into Kyle Co-op just filling up the shelves! got one or two messages, left to do some photography, then back again once the shelves were filled!
Arrived on our visit around 1515h only Jean at home, Ruaridh very disappointed his doggie friend Mara not there, their garden is great, lots of produce on the go. Rain and sun, we stayed to have a cup of tea then we had to leave, fortunately we met Luc and Mara on the way home, had a quick chat then away.
Back home, unpacked. Graham made dinner, risotto frittata, roast potatoes and peas lovely.
Watched Timewatch brilliant, about a woman who became a secret agent in WW2. Research shows her to have been an amazing woman.
Cup of tea scone and to bed. Goodnight.

Wells for Zoe!

This humanitarian organization has recently joined blipfoto.com/W4Z PHLOGS they work in Malawi, in the main they get wells and clean water for the local communities.They post a photograph each day that shows the work they are doing, excellent!
I was really interested in it being Malawi as a Doctor friend/colleague who I work with intermittently, comes from this African country. He always emphasises if it hadn't been for the Church of Scotland being there years ago and building churches and schools, he would probably not have got the education he did, and would still be living in his village. Thank goodness he was educated he is a brilliant person and a great endocrinologist!
Rain, rain go away, Ruaridh up at 0830h chasing the rabbits he did this for an hour but never caught them, he was like a drowned rat when he came in! Took him to the woods, more drizzle than rain but my hair and Ruaridh's got soaked!
Back home for tea and scones. Made more scones also haricot bean pate tastes quite good.
Minestrone soup and tinned salmon sandwhich for dinner courtesey of Graham, followed later by scones and jam!
Graham maybe going to do a Time Lapse tonight if the weather clears! Bye.

Rainbow Girl!

Yesterday Joe, Layla and Bella went to North Berwick, whilst there Bella's daddy bought her a Rainbow babygro. Layla put it on her blip last night blipfoto.com/Lonely Little Petunia the colours were fantastic, the night before last we had an amazing rainbow here in the Glen love 'em.
Grey day with little spots of sunshine peeping through, and little spots of rain too. Took Ruaridh into the woods after breakfast, good walk nothing to report.
Came back finished the bread that I had started earlier, two foccacias and two big loaves. The other day I forgot the bread was in the oven, it came out well fired but tasted delicious!
Had lunch, helped a little in the greenhouse, made scones. did telephone calls and emails. Got a super wee video of Bella flipping over from her back to her tummy, she is great!
Graham made dinner, butternut squash risotto, salad and foccacia delicious.
Watched a programme about seabirds and the danger they may be in from lack of food, interesting. Cup of tea, to bed. Goodnight.

Bella's Diary

Years ago I knew this woman, who from the date of her children's birth kept a diary for each of them, I don't what age they were when she gave them the diaries, but I thought it was a lovely idea. I hadn't done this for Layla but thought it would be lovely to do one for wee Bella, our grandaughter. I set off in good faith but unfortunately due to lots of reasons I have fallen behind in the writing of the diary. However last night I started to try and catch up, I will probably miss days but hopefully in the future will try and keep up. Going to do more this evening!
Down to the village shop and beach with Ruaridh very windy, Graham managed a Time Lapse, the wee fellow had a great time chasing after his leaves. Had a chat with Auria and John, they are in good spirits.
Back to the house lunch, then started to help get the greenhouse ready.
Veggie sausage and mash, gravy, broad beans for dinner. Just watching Andrew Marr's History of Modern Britain.Bye.

Duncraig Nursery

Today dawned bright and breezy then after breakfast it started to rain, Graham had started the mowing, but then couldn't continue due to the weather. We decided to go over to Duncraig Nursery and get more plants for the greenhouse as the ones Graham had ordered failed to materialise! Love the run to Duncraig, first though we stopped on the hill on the way out and the wee fellow had a great time in the forest! up hill and down dale!
The garden nursery looks amazing and the people there have worked really hard to get it up to this standard! Graham purchased what he required, and I had a good look round. Saw lots of short grasses that I thought woud look good in the rockery also lots of perennials, so hoping to go back on Friday to buy these!
Stopped of at Balmacara and let Ruaridh have a run on the beach there! also got a stamp for Europe at the Post Office! that took me almost ten minutes!
Back home had lunch, made Aubergine Parmigiano for dinner then did some gerdening.
Dinner as above with tagiatelle, salad and homemade bread. Also made pancakes which we have just eaten with a cup of tea!
Goodnight!

Hazy and lazy!

Well more lazy than hazy, got up quite late in fact it was Layla telephoning the upstairs number that got us up at 0930h! Though we had been up at 0800h to let the wee fellow out to attempt to catch a rabbit! Had a fry up for breakfast which did taste delicious, quick wash then off to the woods with Ruaridh.
Neither Graham or moi felt like going today, put it down to haziness or laziness! but once out in the forest it was lovely the day was very sunny, but with a cold wind at times very invigorating, and we all enjoyed the walk.
Back home did some washing (bed change!) had some lunch, sat outside with it and nearly got blown away!
Was going to do some gardening but didn't get round to it!
Graham making dinner, rice and vegetables sounds good! Bye.

Windy day on the Western Front!

Today was once again very windy, also lots of very heavy rain showers, so we had to wait quite a while before we could take the wee fellow for his morning walk. Eventually a bright spot appeared on the horizon and we could set off, first to the shop to get our messages, then to the beach! Had a quick chat with John and Auria, then sat off over the beach, it was very windy and cold so we walked briskly.
Nothing much to report. Back home had lunch then I made bread. Graham made delicious pizza's for dinner.
Watched Paddy Ashdown on Channel 4, 'Battle for the Holy land: Jerusalem' very good documentary. Then when that finished
I watched 'The Seven Ages of Rock' this week was mainly about Hendrix-insightful!
have been doing some knitting started a wee jumper for Bella. Cup of tea. Goodnight.

High and Windy Hill.

Awakened this morning at 0500h with the wind howling down the Glen, mirror on top of the drawers being knocked over by these gusts of wind, and Ruaridh wanting out great! Today Graham wanted to do more Time Lapse filming, so although we were late leaving the house this is what we set off to do. Decided to do the messages before, and drove over to Broadford in Skye, on the way out we took the wee dog into the woods which he always enjoys. also onto the beach at Broadford.
Got the shopping at the Co-op then set off to go over the old road from Kyle. Found a spot for Graham to set up his camera.
It was on top of a hill that was quite high and windy, Ruaridh and moi played around, he loved the wind and the rushes, and I took lots of photographs.
Arrived home peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwhich and a big mug of tea.
Veggie stew, mashed tatties for dinner, followed by cheese and biscuits Hmm!
Cup of tea and then bed. Goodnight.

Bella rolls over

Got a telephone call from Layla to say the wee one had rolled from her back to her tummy, on going to press she had done it twice all by herself, well done wee sausage. Looking forward to seeing the acrobatics when we come down.
Weather dreich here in the Glen all day, with some heavy rain this afternnoon. Took Ruaridh for a walk in the woods uneventful.
On returning to the house decided to start doing the rockery managed to do about a third of it, Graham cleared one of the compost boxes the compost is great, we now have 5 compost boxes to fill! Planted the broad beans, and some courgette plants, in one of the raised beds at the front. Then the heavens opened and I got soaked!
Did my ironing, Graham made dinner pasta al fourno and salad, lovely.
Watched A Dispatches programme about Life in Afghanistan great insight into what is happening there!
Going to do the dishes then bed. Goodnight.

Time Lapse

Graham is doing some 'Time Lapse' photography/filming, so today we set off for the beach with Ruaridh and then took off on the road to Arnisdale to start the process of the filming. It was good on the beach saw Auria and John and had a quick chat, then set off along the west beach, Ruaridh had a great time, first Graham found a lid that worked as a frisby, the dog was delighted and enjoyed running after it and attempting to eat it. Then joy of joys some playmates appeared in the water! the only thing was everytime the wee fellow ran into the waves to join them they disappeared, the seals were having none of it, nay luck for Ruaridh! There were between eight and ten of them in the water, playing away.
Graham did his film and is now trying to process it. Our server has been up and down most of the night which doesn't help.
Became very cold this afternoon so got a fire going in the stove. Made pear mascarpone, and hummus, also did dinner-chili with Persian rice, yoghurt and flat breads, followed by the pear dessert!
Bella did not like her broccolli this evening, can't say I blame the wee sausage as it does have a strong taste and strange texture, but she loved her pears, clever girl!
Away to bed. Goodnight.

Away Day

Today dawned warm and sunny and we were off to find the elusive Skunk Cabbage! Taking two scones, a bottle of water, a carton of apple juice, supplies for Ruaridh we were on our way! Left the Glen and on the way up the hill took the wee fellow for a walk in one of his favorite woods! it was lovely with the sun coming through the trees, then back to the car and on the road to Plockton. We arrived at the start to the forest and the sun was blazing down, set off with the camera's, we had a great walk down to the swamp where the skunk grows lots of photo's, and Ruaridh beside himself, jumping about running in the burn and generally going ballistic!
Got lots of photo's of the Skunk the only 'sad' thing being all the yellow flowers had been and gone! So no snake's head shapes, midges galore but then it is a swamp! Walked back to the car and drove down to a small loch to have our piece!
Found Duncraig Garden Centre wow has it grown, amazing plants both flowers and veg, bought what we wanted and will be back.
Cup of tea when we arrived back home, risotto frittata, brocolli and roast potatoes for dinner.
Just having a rum and coke with lemon, suddenly realised must be thirty-five years since I last drank one! Goodnight.

Anthracite delivery

As mentioned in my Blog on 02/04/07 the anthracite we had delivered was crap. I telephoned the coalman who asked the delivery man to come and check the stuff in the coal bunker, also the anthrocite that had been on the stove! he took some away. Anyway on Saturday our delivery man Chis saw me in the village and said he would be delivering four bags of anthracite that evening. It came and went, no Chis, until this morning when he turned up, stuff looks good and when I spoke to coalman's wife, she said this was replacment for the duff stuff- only the duff torch to sort out now bah!
Rain on and off took Ruaridh to the woods, saw one deer he gave chase which he loves doing, but as usual the deer was miles away!
Home John H popped in, l spoke to Layla she and Bella have the cold, also spoke with mum she seems to be better. Made bread and scones.
Linguine with pesto, salad and foccacia for dinner lovely.
Done a little knitting, to bed. Goodnight.

Post Box

A letter has to arrive at its destination by the 15th May 2007, so this morning Ruaridh and moi did the two mile round trip to the post box, (first or last in the Glen depending which way you are travelling) to post it. The weather was warm and sunny and Ruaridh appeared to enjoy his walk, on the road he was off the lead most of the way and was really well behaved. Got some lovely photographs of what as kids we called Mayflowers.
Up early this morning as we were expecting Malcolm and Leonie for lunch, had breakfast and then made some scones. Graham made lunch which looked lovely. They were delayed, due to the fact they went to get the ferry that runs from Skye to the Glen but does not start until the end of May on Sundays!
Arrived eventually and we sat and got their news, Malcolms not to good from a business point of view, Leonie's is a Steiner teacher in Mumbai and is finding it difficult! Had a good lunch and they left around 1830h.
Graham and I felt very hungry so we had veggie risotto for dinner.
Spent the evening catching up on blip. Do the dishes and to bed. Goodnight

The Waders

Up quite early this morning had a shower then made pancakes for breakfast, they did taste rather good! Had to go down to the village shop to pick up the papers and some messages, then to the beach for Ruaridh to have his walk. Had a surprise when we got there, who should be there in their camper van but Auria and John this elderly couple we met a couple of years ago. She had hurt her ankle, only had a quick chat but will try and see them this week.
Trotted off along the beach, took one or two photographs then suddenly out of the corner of my eye saw this flurry, thought it was maybe Ruaridh but no it was three juvenile Dunlins (Waders) scurrying by, took a pot shot and managed to capture one, on my blipfoto.com/BB
Came home messed about as appears to be my want these days (must get organized) hence everything was put back! Did some mowing and the lawn is looking much better, will have to keep it up!
Persian rice and seafood with flat breads for dinner lovely.
Going to attempt to catch up with the papers then to bed. Goodnight.

Mr Mole

We set off for our walk with Ruaridh in the woods, I was on the look out for May flowers the small mauve flower that as kids we used to collect, as I wanted to photograph same! Saw lots of primroses, then suddenly I saw about three of the above mentioned flowers, I did take a photo but unfortunatly it was out of focus used my small camera, better luck later on. On the way back home came across what I thought was a lump of muck, or a dead thing sure enough it was a dead mole! Poor wee thing just laid there on the path, have never seen a mole alive or dead before, just seen moleskins years ago hung on a fence in Lancashire, supposedly to frighten away live moles. It was amazing to see the small hands and feet! Ruaridh did not see it he was to busy roaming the forest!
Was going to clear the grass from the front lawn but the rain came on, will do it tomorrow, if fine!
Made scones and pancakes, also made dinner leek quiche, roast tatties and broad beans.
Rather tired. Goodnight.

Mowing!

Started to do the mowing this afternoon with the new Flymo, it works really well unless you are me and manage to damage the blade on an old tree stump you forgot was there. The machine still works, in fact I think it is cutting the grass better, but then I would wouldn't I! We have done quite a lot of mowing and strimming this afternoon, and the garden is looking better.
Also worked in the greenhouse, Graham potted up most of the plants and I did the leeks, they did really well last year hope these are the same
Went a lovely walk in the woods Ruaridh a bit miffed he was not allowed to go and hunt the rabbits on the way home. He used to do this and disappear for up to thirty minutes, which after an hour and a half walk starts to eat into our time. also we are not the best "getter uppers" in the world and we are usually late starting the walk!
Tony Blair announced his resignation today, the shadow of Iraq will always be there alongside him. Often wonder what would have happened if he had been willing to take a step back, but he appeared to be hell bent on going in. Now chaos reigns in that area, many people dead on both sides especially Iraqi's, maybe the homework should have been better executed, or was it after all for oil!!
Graham making dinner pasta and tomato sauce, with broccolli and garlic delicious. Plenty to do this evening, wonder what I will do? Bye.

Flymo

Our lawnmower was kaput so as the grass resembled a jungle, well almost we decided rather than order on the internet and pay for delivery, we would have a trip to Portree on The Isle of Skye and buy one there! So off we set to Jansvans to do exactly that!
Ruaridh was not over impressed he does not like car journeys anymore, we did stop on the way out of the Glen to go into the woods and give him a run! The light in the woods was amazing amongst the trees, and the mist was intertwined there too!
Had a good jouney over to Skye, sunny with intermittent showers, had a wee meander with the dog, then went straight to the dump to get rid of the old mower, glad we did as someone from Edenbane wanted one! Then to Jans bought the new mower a Flymo, a toolbox, pyrex jug, a torch (that does not work!) and a starter for the neon light which still does not work. Ah well!
Left and went to the co-op, got our messages and some rolls and dolcelette which we had on the way home and were delicious. Took some photo's of the mountains. In Kyle bought a sketchpad as I must get back to sketching!
Arrived home Flymo works a treat! Veggie sausage, mashed tatties, cabbage and onion gravy for dinner very tasty.
Lovely photo's of Bella sitting up what a star! Just having tea and toast then bed. Goodnight.

blipfoto.com

Today Joe who started the whole blipfoto idea made it onto Radio Scotland, he got the last slot on this afternoon's Radio Cafe it was great to hear him and Mandy talking about and promoting blipfoto. Well done the two of you! We were very anxious here in the Glen from 1315h awaiting the debut!
Haven't done very much today, but feel like I have moved mountains probably playing with Ruaridh and his big zebra bone (plastic) that he found on the beach today blipfoto.com/BB. Had a good walk on the beach, down to the shop then back home for the programme.
Had a late lunch, made Ruaridh's dog biscuits, he loves these! Spoke to mum and Layla everything appears ok and Bella was at the waterbabies today! Hmm said she after her ducking!
Minestrone soup with foccacia, risotto frittata for dinner lovely
Going to do so much tonight and have done buggar all ah well tomorrow! Just watching another programme about JFK's assassination, wow 43+ years on and still news! Goodnight

Strimming and Raking!

Even though the weather was undecided rain or sun! Graham started to do the strimming of the grass this afternoon. It had grown quite a lot due to the hot weather when we were south. As we don't have a lawn mower at this moment in time, we are relying on the strimmer to make the grass look half decent. Along with this of course was moi with the rake, raking all the grass that had been cut, and putting it into the new compost bin which is now full to the brim! Worked well in the sunshine and dodged the showers, tired and rained off eventually.
Had a lovely shower this am and washed my hair, breakfast, then a walk in the woods with Ruaridh who at times was limping, going to have to watch him and a visit to the vet if things don't improve.
Graham made dinner butternut squash risotto and salad, lovely.
Done some knitting, cup of tea, then to bed. Goodnight.

The Brochs

Very windy this morning with heavy rain. We all slept in until 1100h including Ruaridh who had been out at 0830h but had then come up to our bed and slept! Don't know if the wee fellow is not 100% he was sick the other morning, and today on his walk on the beach he appeared to have a sore paw will have to keep an eye on him!
Had a fry up for breakfast and it tasted really good, the weather became brighter and we set off for the beach. Had a very invigorating walk, the wind was howling and blowing like crazy, Ruaridh did love it and ran about all over chasing leaves.
Decide to go and photograph The Brochs in Glen Beag arrived and the storm began hail, rain luckly no snow! sat in the car until it quietened down. Got some good photographs of the 2000/3000 years old buildings!
Back home made scones, got the stove going after four attempts ah well!
Fried rice and veg with veggie sweet and sour sauce for dinner, delicious.
Watched a programme on BBC4 called "How the Edwardians Spoke" about recordings from Germany of men who were P.O.W. in the First World War. They were recorded by an Austrian acaedemic and it was very interesting!
Going to bed soon. Goodnight.

Sorting things out!

Up quite early as Ruaridh woofed and wanted out in to the garden, warm and sunny at 0730h back to bed for an hour, the weather had started to cool, by the time I am writing this it is cold and soon the stove will be lit!
Most of the seedlings we planted and left in the greenhouse prior to going south had roasted, the temperatures in there when we were away were very high even the bamboo was hit. Graham spent this afternoon re-planting so hopefully this will give us produce. I tidied one of the beds, and fastened some windbreaking material back in place as it had become entangled in the barbed wire!
Went down to the beach Ruaridh was a little off colour this am, so just a small walk. To the shop to get the eggs and papers.
Back home light lunch, deciding what we are going to have for dinner. Hopefully a lazy evening with the newspapers. Bye.

Travels

Today we left Old Reekie for the N/W had a good journey up and the further West we came the warmer the weather got.
Up quite early this morning, packed all the food and our clothes, took the dog to the woods he had a good play with a dog called Bobby. Whilst I did this Graham took the car back to the garage as the brake light kept coming on, apparently at the service on Wednesday they had not filled the brake fluid reservoir when replacing the brake fluid! Hmm.
Had breakfast, packed the car and set off, Layla, Joe and Bella are off to see my mother in The Red Rose County, for the weekend!
Arrived in the Glen, plants in the greenhouse had died must have been very warm here the week we were away!
Got the stove going. Graham made dinner tomato sauce and spahgetti, salad and foccacia, delicious.
Going to bed in a minute. Goodnight.

Fun day!

Up early this morning as we had to leave with Graham who had meetings all day poor him! Postie brought us a letter from Parcel Post to inform us that Bella's trolley with the bricks had arrived from John the Toy Maker in the USA, and was awaiting collection. Graham was the only one who could collect it as they required a photo of the named person? Unfortunatly his morning meeting over ran so he could not go then, and ended up going at 1800h, he arrived at Layla and Joe's like Santa Claus with this huge box, the toy is just superb! Hope the wee one has many happy hours playing with it!
Ruaridh and moi spent the day with Layla and Bella and had a lovely day, we left for the allotment, stopped off on the way to have a coffee and pick up sandwiches which were delicious. Bella was a star and Ruaridh too, both behaved really well. Very hot and sunny at the allotment. Managed to do some weeding and watering had our lunch, played with Bella and Ruaridh great day.
As Graham was late getting to their house, we missed Waitrose ended up at Sainsbury's must say not too bad in there this evening. Did a shop for tomorrow as we head off back up to the N/W, bought Pizza's for dinner which we had with homemade coleslaw rather tasty.
Just going to have a cup of tea, pack the case then bed. Goodnight.

Service day?

Up quite early this morning as I was taking the car down to the garage for the annual service! the traffic on the road at 0900h never fails to amaze me, often wonder where all the cars are going! Walked back home popped into the dentists on the way to make appointments for Graham and myself, I was successful which also amazed me. We had breakfast when I got back, soon as we had finished the gasman arrived to fix the boiler again.
The boiler is an ongoing saga which I won't bore the pants off you with needless to say we just cannot get hot water at all times. He thought he could fix it but once again we have to wait for a part! As we return to the N/W on Friday looks like it is going to be June before it gets sorted. Ah well! Then I was trying to order something with a company whose phones were obviously out of order phoned up BT to check and 'cause the company was not using them as their server, not only could they not tell me what was wrong but refused to tell me what server the company used! bah!
Ruaridh and I had super walk in the woods today, it was sunny and warm lots of light and shadows, it made us both happy amongst the bluebells! Ruaridh also had a great play with a golden retriever called Hugo. Home for lunch which the wee fellow shared. Bella had her weigh in today 11lbs 9ozs what a star!
As Graham had a meeting, I got stuck into the garden as a man was coming to see if he would be able to pave some of it for us. Jimmy said he could but lots more preperation first, never mind it's a start!
Graham made a lovely veggie risotto for dinner, just going to do the ironing, then a little knitting then bed. Goodnight

"Lets go to the dump"

We had so much garbage from the demolition of the shed and what was in it, that today we hired a van filled it and took off to the dump (refuse site). It took us quite a while to fill it, Ruaridh was delighted he had a birds eye view sitting in the front seat when we set off. Got to the dump and the guys there were very business like, this goes in No 8 this in No 10 and so on. Whilst there saw some articles that I thought might look good on blipfoto, so just took one photo when the man on a power trip states that officially I cannot take photo's there, and does not let me take any more. Never heard of this before, so telephoned the refuse dept. of the city council to question this, await their reply with bated breath!
Popped into see Layla and Bella on the way home had a wee chat and a cup of tea, family are coming for dinner this evening which is good!
Came home Graham took the van back, I took Ruaridh into the woods, I know I keep mentioning it but they are amazing with all the bluebells out, kept losing the wee fellow in them. Graham came to meet us.
Had a light lunch, then made dinner lasagne, salad and Waitrose delicious olives! strawberries and icecream, coffee.
We all enjoyed it and as usual Bella entertained us, she can almost sit by herself, and when we eat she is always smacking her lips, had a lovely evening. Now to bed. Goodnight.