Kill the rabbit!

We had just pulled up at the house in the Glen, Graham had let Ruaridh out when, wow he raced passed me chasing a rabbit going hell for leather. Drove the car into the drive unpacked no dog, soon saw him prancing around in the field at the front, called him for his dinner which he ate very quickly, then he disappeared again. Soon I heard him barking I saw his tail wagging at the side of the caravan, when I got there he was half way down a rabbit hole. I pulled him out and took him to the house his face was very sandy and his paws were black! We had a cup of tea, Ruaridh went out and once again we heard him barking this time he was almost fully down the damn rabbit hole. I was frightened he would get stuck so attempted to pull him out, out he came with the live rabbit in his mouth, two shakes and the rabbit was dead, a large one too well done that dog. Needless to say he then required a shower amd hairdry which he hates. Fast asleep on the sofa now and the rabbit will be food for the wild life!
Good journey here in torrential rain, everything somewhat overgrown so lots of work!
Homegrown food for dinner this evening apart from the tatties, corn on the cob, followed by runner beans, tomatoes, potatoes in olive oil with pesto delicious!
Going to do the dishes then hopefully some knitting. Goodnight

Two Blogs in One!

Sorry no Blog yesterday, had a lovely day with Layla and Bella over to their house after a shower and hairwash and a quick breakfast. Bella loves her new garden and was running about on the new turf and slate paving having a great time. She is lots of fun and we have a lovely time playing with her. Ruaridh also likes the new turf!
We had to go and pick up some material to work with in the house up North, then on to the Big Blue Swedish Store as we had to buy some more light fittings etc. Had some lunch here, Bella tucking in to her Granpa's chips and really enjoying the tomato ketchup, eventually left and got back to their house.
Layla was making dinner as her and Joe were going out to a party and we were baby sitting, so off we go to the park Granpa, Joe Bella, Eve, Ami, Ruaridh and moi. We had a lovely time the two older girls enjoyed it and Bella is a wow going backwards down the slide.
Had a lovely dinner veggieburgers in buns with wedges, followed by blackberry and apple slump delicious.
Bella was as good as gold going to bed, Granpa took her up I cleaned her teeth read her two stories then to bed. I sat with her and in about three minutes she was fast asleep.
Today we had a long lie don't even remember the wee dog coming up! Layla telephoned to invite us to Seacliff beach but decined as we are busy. Early morning cuppa went for the paper and some croissants, had breakfast then took the wonder dog into into Corstorphine Woodland what an amazing time he had not only a long walk but lots of dogs to play with he was in his element, fast asleep on the sofa now.
Had a light lunch on our return then down to Waitrose to get the messages as we return to the Glen tomorrow. Phoned mum she is ok been out for lunch.
Mushroom risotto for dinner with salad lovely.
Just going to have a cuppa then bed. Goodnight.

Two fillings

I sit here tonight doing my blog and eating some of Graham's delicious Birthday chocolate that Miss B bought him blipfoto.com/A Dog's Dinner, hoping my new fillings that I had done this afternoon do not fall out! The chocolate is delicious loaded with 73% cocoa. My visit to the dentist was quite uneventful I had to have two filling instead of one, but what the hell. The local anaethsetic worked very well, so well I had a problem with my p's and b's for a couple of hours!
Went straight up town as I do 'need' note not want new trainers could I find any no, hope I don't have to wait for a trip over the pond before I find some? Couldn't find any new jeans either oh well another day. Bought the food for our dinner this evening, thank goodness I could find that.
Went up to Karen's to meet all the family it was lovely to see her and all the members of the family. Miss B was in her element as I left she was busy cooking on the toy stove!
Back home made the dinner aubergine parmegiano with green salad and bread lovely.
Ruaridh had a great time today in Ravelston woods he met up with Baxter another Border Terrier who didn't want to play! then Daisy an old chum who did want to play he had a great time, Graham and the wee fellow escorted me part way to the dentist. Goodnight.

Graham's Birthday 2008!

Today was Graham's Birthday and we have had a lovely day. We had our early morning cuppa, then after a shower and hairwash we had breakfast before setting off to visit Layla and Bella. Graham got some lovely chocolate off Bella and a print of her wee hand on his birthday card. He got a Kelly kettle off Joe and Layla which will be put to good use on our canoeing and camping trips.
We went for a walk to the park and Bella had a great time on the playpark with her Grandpa, Ruaridh appeared to enjoy his walk and had a good sniff around the rosehip bushes. Back to the house for a late lunch potato and courgette soup, bread and cheese lovely. Played with Bella she is delightful, it is a joy to be with her, and she enjoyed playing with Lily and Charlotte yesterday, when they came to visit with their mum an old Uni. friend of Layla's.
Joe came home early and we sang Happy Birthday to Graham and had one candle and a birthday cake.
We went out to dinner this evening to Mother India, food was great and the family are always good company. So a good day was enjoyed by all. Goodnight.

Ten Years.

Ten years ago Layla and her buddies graduated from Galashiels Textile College with good degrees. Tonight on our way home from the Red Rose County we popped in to see the family and met up with four of the girls again. This time though there were four wee people present three girls and one baby boy! lovely how things change over the years.
Busy packing in the morning to head North to Edinburgh to celebrate Graham's Birthday tomorrow with the family. Graham took the wee dog to the beach and I did the other necessary things. Said bye to mum she is looking well and set off. Uneventful journey done in lots of rain and mist!
After seeing the family headed to Waitrose bought pizzas for dinner and made some coleslaw, not bad for a bought one!
Made an Apple Kuchen Birthday Cake, tired and so to bed. Goodnight.

Flight

When I was wee my dad told me a story of how when he was 6 years old my paternal grandad had taken him for a flight round Blackpool Tower. I always thought this was amazing as it happened in 1925, however out of the blue today my mum produced the certificate presented to my dad by the pilot. The plane he flew in was an Avro Biplane owned by the Cornwall Aviation Co. Two years later Arthur C. Clarke flew in the same plane with his mother, dad was a big fan of his Sci Fi books.
Weather overcast still very warm, after breakfast down to the beach with Ruaridh, he had a great time and run for ages chasing the birds and just running.
Back at mum's late lunch then I had to go to the supermarket to get some food for dinner, torrential rain!
Made lasagne for dinner with a green salad lovely, mum and me ate it by ourselves as Graham had gone to see the 'Motorcycle Michaels' with Harrison and Ruaridh. The carparks in the town are cleared Monday evenings and the motorcycle people meet up and talk yes motor bikes!
Helped mum with her knitting, did the dishes, tired so to bed when I have finished this. Bye.

Onions in tights!

Short Blog today as I have nothing much to say as nothing too exciting happened! not that it does most times but usually I can find some subject to chat on about, like just now I dozed off and my finger was pressed on the letter Z on the keyboard, I awoke to find Z's zooming across the screen----. Also love the way my mum stores her onions in a pair of old tights:)
Jennifer came in this afternoon to tell us she has gained 5 GCSE's well done Jennifer that is good news, good luck in the sixth form college.
Took Ruaridh for his usual jaunt out on the beach, didn't make the ocean today as the tide was turning and the sea was coming in very quickly.The weather has been warm and sunny !
Back at mum's had a light lunch then I had to go to the dreaded supermarket, today it was not to bad and I was in and out in no time. Layla telephoned they are all OK.
When I got back to the flat Graham was away to Blackpool to take photographs. So Ruaridh moi and mum went for a walk on the prom, then to mum's bank. Got back home cup of tea, then Harrison popped in, then Graham came home.
Hake, new potatoes, courgettes and runner beans in homemade tomato sauce for dinner delicious.
Just back from taking Ruaridh for a walk. Bye.

Visitors.

My cousin James and his wife Doreen came to visit mum today, they had been quite concerned when they eventually got to know she had been ill and as they are busy people this was the first opportunity for a visit. They arrived in time to take mum out for lunch and then down to Lytham, she enjoyed the lunch but Lytham was very busy and they could not even get a cup of tea!
We were out with the wonder dog when they came, after breakfast and a wash we went down to the beach. Ruaridh loved the long walk down to the sea he even found a Jack Russell to play with, I had a paddle the sea was murky but warm.
Back home had a cup of tea, did some washing, Graham went to buy a flash, Harrison arrived then mum, James and Doreen. Cups of tea all round, James and Doreen stayed chatting until about 1730h then left for home.
Mum went to have a rest then Anne arrived and also had a chat, (day full of chats).
Made dinner, courgette, pea, prawn risotto with homegrown cucumbers and tomato salad delicious! Bye.

Nearly Eight Hours

That is what time it took us to travel from the Glen to the Red Rose County. We left at 1045h and got to mum's at 1830h. The first part of the journey was the longest as we got stuck behind numerous caravans, camper-vans and horse vans phew, all accompanied with a running commentary from Graham, which was quite funny. Stopped in Glen Coe to have a pee and give wee Ruaridh a walk, the weather was quite warm but overcast.
Carried on the wonder dog was really good, left Stirling arond 1500h now on the motorway. Stopped at a service station south of Glasgow, took the dog for a meander around, had another pee, ate our late lunch bought some water. The lady at the cash desk was brilliant, I had picked up a small bottle of drinking water, "Hen" said she "you are doing yersell, see that BIG bottle a water it cost the same as this wee one £1-- 25p wir doin a promotion dinny do yerself" I thanked her and hurridly exchanged my bottle.
Travelled on lots of cop cars on the M6. Arrived safe and sound at mum's, poor Ruaridh was so thirst and hungry , he is fast asleep under my chair now!.
Lovely to see mum she looks so well, cup of tea then to the chip shop for fish and chips, it was so busy the queue was outside. Eventually got our order then popped along to get a bottle of red wine.
Enjoyed our meal trying to catch up with blipfoto and do this Blog. Bye.

Underwater

Today we awoke to pishing down rain, but not deterred we went down to the beach as I had got my small camera back yesterday and wanted to try it out in the waterproof bag that Graham had bought a couple of weeks ago. Well in the rain I managed to get some underwater photographs, not brilliant rather blurry and some camera shake but what I wanted to do. In the process I got soaked up to my elbows in sea water, and the rest by rain water, but what the hell it was fun!
Ruaridh slept well last night and didn't come up to the bedroom until 0830h, had an early morning cuppa then a shower and washed my hair. Breakfast then I got the dough ready for the rolls, Graham made roasted tomato sauce for the freezer. The rain kept tumbling down.
Spoke to Layla, Miss B and her had been to playgroup, and were both OK. Spoke to mum she had been to the clinic and her blood results are fine she sounded good. Out for the walk to the beach, as I have said we got soaked Ruaridh enjoyed a wee swim and lots of running after stones!
Late lunch, made the bread rolls, cleaned the bathroom. Dinner was courgette and beans in tomato sauce as a starter, followed by baked potatoes with cheese, baked beans and tuna mayo lovely.
Took Ruaridh into the field and down as far as Christines he chased a few rabbits, getting ready to leave tomorrow. Bye.

Camera

Today I got my wee Canon camera back from A.J Johnstone who have repaired it for a reasonable cost and replaced the 'chip' free of charge, I am very pleased with it. It was a gift from Graham so I am happy they could repair it. It stopped working when we went on our canoe trip to Loch Loyne, I was quite sad as there were lots of images I would have liked to photograph, still it is now up and running.
Up early to wait for postie who didn't arrive until 1100h, so whilst I was waiting did some knitting, had breakfast and a wash.
Set off for the beach, not as good as yesterday, overcast, warm, muggy and lots of midges. Ruaridh enjoyed himself swimming and chasing after his usual stones.
Back home spoke with Layla and Bella they had been to the softball play area and Layla had met up with a young woman who had her baby the day after Bella, and was in the same room. Always think this is nice, when I was having Layla I met a woman of like mind but sadly we did not keep in touch, we used to have a good laugh at the ante natal classes:) Had lunch, then I got stuck into the cleaning, our room, the stairs, hall and the front room.
Did piles of ironing, potato and leek soup for dinner, with tinned salmon sandwiches and a big mug of tea, lovely.
Watched 'The House of Saddam' on BBC2 last in series. Some interesting parts over the past 4 weeks, Bye.

Car cleaning.

As we will be heading south on Friday first to mum's for a long weekend, then to Edinburgh to catch up with the family I thought I should give the wee car a good clean. Got the dog hair buster attatchment on the hoover and away I go, actually it didn't take me as long as I thought and although nowhere near perfect looks and smells much better. Tomorrow if I have time I will take a cloth to the dashboard and the doors.
Up and about early morning cuppa to get going, breakfast, wash then down to the beach in the warm sunshine lovely. Really enjoyed the walk the wind was warm and it is so good to feel it on your face. Ruaridh has really taken to running and swimming in the sea he just loves it, especially when stones are skimmed and thrown for him!
Had a chat on the telephone with our chum Betty O, she is back from a month in Spain so was good to speak to her.
Had lunch then I weeded the last remaining raised bed that is empty, these are all now covered, when we come back we will hopefully get seaweed from the shore to put onto the beds as a fertilizer over the winter.
Chanterelles in cream, brandy and saffron sauce with pasta and a salad for dinner made by Graham lovely.
Going to do some knitting, a bit of a sleeve and one whole sleeve to go. Bye.
Spoke with Layla and her new garden looks lovely, see blipfoto.com/Lonely Little Petunia.

Burnt Bread

Made the dough for the bread early this afternoon, bread ready around 2015h put into the oven at 220 C for fifteen minutes guess what, yes I totally forgot about the bread, the temperature should have been reduced to 200 C after the first fifteen minutes but the bread baked away for almost two hours at the high temperature. We got very well baked bread when cut into it will be edible.
Got up quite early shower and hairwash then had a fry up for breakfast which tasted good. Just about to go down to the village when Christine arrived she stayed for quite a while, she came to see us as tomorrow she leaves for a break in Shetland.
When she left we decided to go down to the village shop and then down to the river estuary. Got our messages then took the wee fellow for a walk, the weather early on in the day was was warm and sunny later it was warm and overcast. Ruaridh as per usual had fun in the water with his skimming stones.
Back home light lunch. Spoke to Layla she has been at work and appears to be OK. Then spoke to mum she also appears to be alright.
Graham made paella for dinner lovely.
Got quite a bit of knitting done. Now watching a film Homecoming about Alexander Solzhenitsyn's return to Russia.

The Beach

Yesterday morning packed the tent, mats, sleeping bags, change of knickers, toothbrush and paste, Ruaridh into the car and off we set for Gairloch. The weather when we left the Glen was overcast, when we arrived at our destination after a lovely journey the sun was beamimg down, we were going to stay the night at The Sands Camping ground with our good chums Liz, Justine and Cammy.
The camp is in a stunning place amongst the sand dunes, our friends had a wooden wigwam and when we arrived they quickly got the kettle on and we ate the huge sandwiches they had prepared. The sun was very hot so we went straight away to the beach, a long, undisturbed, stretch of sand the sea so clear and turquoise in colour and hardly any people about. Ruaridh loved being with Cammy and was in and out of the sea all afternoon, Graham, Liz and moi paddled, Justine and Cammy got into the wet suits and went out on the surf boards.
As we were getting hungry we went back to the wigwam and put up our tent, then decided to go and get fish and chips, red wine and chocolate and bring it back to eat. It tasted delicious as did the wine and chocolate, we sat and chatted then back to the beach as Graham had given his fishing rod to Cammy who as boys do wanted to fish. With the wine in plastic cups off we set, no fish but an amazing sunset!
Into the sleeping bags by 2300h did not sleep too well as Ruaridh was roaming around for part of the night, eventually crashed out and slept until about 0600h when I needed a pee got up and the moon looked amazing hung over the Isle of Skye. Clambered back into the tent and slept until 0730h, up with Ruaridh and down on the beach at 0800h had a lovely walk.
Then went for a shower, before going to the shop with Cammy and Ruaridh to get the morning rolls for breakfast, sat outside for breakfast as once again it was very sunny.
Set off for the Glen around 1130h had a good journey, scrambled eggs and fried tomatoes with toast for lunch with a big mug of coffee. Spoke to Layla they are all OK and their street party yesterday was a huge success! Spoke to mum she appears to have a cold hope she is better as we go down at the end of the week!
Don't know what is for dinner, must do my knitting. Bye.

Rain

Nothing much to talk about today, from getting up until about 1600h we had almost continuous torrential rain. We had to go and pick the Jeep up from the garage where it had been to get its MOT. Layla telephoned had a chat with her and Miss B, then breakfast, a wash and off we go, stopped up the hill to take Ruaridh for a walk in the woods managed not to get too wet.
Picked up the Jeep and headed home still in heavy rain.
Got the fourth batch of cucumber relish ready, then went over to Christine's to get more jars to put it in when ready, as I have run out of lids! Saw her grandchildren and had a chat with her she is full of a cold, poor thing. Ruaridh came with me he loves Christine and he knows there is always a biscuit there, missed a rabbit on the way home.
Fennel in white sauce and parmesan cheese with pasta and salad for dinner, delicious.
Finished the relish now in the jars, made milk bread rolls just waiting for them to bake.
Away to Gairloch tomorrow to see Liz, Justine and Cammy may stay the night in the tent or a 'wigwam'. If we do no Blog. Bye.

Reccy

Today dawned warm and sunny, perfect for our reccy to Loch Hourn for a future canoe trip. Up quite early with a morning cuppa, quick shower and hairwash, breakfast then off we set. We have had a lovely day and Ruaridh enjoyed himself and appears to be much better (at this moment fast asleep beside me on the sofa). It was quite a difficult walk at times but we wanted to go round the corner to see what was there and if it is suitable for the canoe. What an amazing vista we came across, white beaches, mountains and clear blue/turquoise sea albeit cold, no swimming today no towels! We took photographs and enjoyed our picnic lunch, Ruaridh enjoyed paddling in the sea. On the way to the beach we saw a couple of dolphins, they made amazing blowing noises when they surfaced. The sea was stunning colour, smell and the noise of it lapping against the rocks. We also walked through lots of wild mountain thyme and the smell was beautiful.
Quite tired on arriving home, cup of tea and oatcakes revived us. Spoke to mum she appears to be OK. Justine had phoned Cammy, herself and Liz are camping at Gairloch so we may head up there later tomorrow or Saturday.
Vegetable rice and mixed vegetables in sauce for dinner lovely.
Must get on with my knitting. Bye.

Ruaridh appears to be better!

Ruaridh had another good night and did not appear to waken, he came up to us at 0730h. When I had a look at blipfoto.com this morning, I was amazed to see that a poor dog in New Zealand was showing the same symptoms as our wee fellow and when taken to the vet had an infection. Ruaridh is improving and had a great time down at the river estuary today, he ran for skimming stones, he jumped high for them, searched for them and had a swim. We are keeping a close eye on him and will take him to the vet if we have too.
Spoke to Layla the gardeners had arrived to do their garden, Bella was nodding at the telephone to the questions I was asking her, she is a sweetie!
Another lovely day blue skies and warm, we were able to have our lunch outside on the deck. I covered the raised beds with the black material to stop the weeds just one to go in the immediate future.
Graham sawed logs and I stacked them in the log shelter, half full again!
Having tagine of vegetables with couscous for dinner smells delicious as I write.
Hoping to get on with my knitting this evening. Bye.

Ruaridh

Poor wee Ruaridh has been off colour over the past few days and we have become fairly concerned. He has been crying in the night, very listless and not wanting to bother with anything or anybody. I was going to telephone the vet today for an appointment for a checkup when suddenly the wee fellow started to look more like his old self. I held fire for the vet and we shall see how he is in the morning, Graham and moi think it might have something to do with the new topical medication he is on every month to kill ticks and fleas. Over the day he appears to be more his old self but we shall see.
Up early though Ruaridh did not waken last night he slept through until 0700h. Breakfast spoke to Layla on the phone Miss B was eating her toast, they were going to the allotment to collect the goodies that had grown whilst they were on holiday!
Wash, made bread dough then took the wonder dog down to the river estuary he had a great time running, jumping and swimming after the skimming stones.
Back home had lunch on the deck in bright sunshine, boasting to Layla over the phone how hot it was when suddenly this wind started and yes it brought the rain!
Spoke to mum she appears to be OK and was at her Barber Shop choir yesterday.
Attempted to do some gardening, cutting the grass round the raised beds, trying to clear the raised beds of weeds so that we can cover them, as in Autumn we will be putting lots of seaweed on to them.
Pasta with tomato, mushroom and pesto sauce with a big salad and homemade bread, delicious.
Just had Ruaridh out for a walk going to have our dessert then MUST do my knitting. Bye.

Jeep MOT

Had to be up early this morning as we were taking the Jeep over to John D's for it's annual MOT, as usual we were running late.
Early morning cuppa, then I had a shower and washed my hair, just as I was about to dry my hair I saw John H's car coming coming up the lane, he was coming to repair the leaks on the hot water tank. Shouted to Graham that John was coming, then carried on drying my hair. Breakfast, then over the hill to the garage.
Once we had left the Jeep into the car and over to Skye, we were hoping to go to the beach at Lower Breakish before high tide. We arrived the beach and ocean looked amazing, white sand and blue sea, we set off over the wee burn to the sand in bright sunshine. Ruaridh running after the leaves and pieces of seaweed blowing in the wind.
We had not been there long when the rain started, a torrential downpour but we ignored it running down to the ocean. As we left the beach the sun came out again and started to dry us out.
To the Co-op to get our messages then the drive back home.
At home had a snack chatted to John about more work i.e. getting the other window in.
Graham made dinner smoked haddock omelette, roast potatoes and peas, delicious.
Just about to take Ruaridh for a walk then going to try and do some knitting to finish the wee jumper for Bella. Bye.

Cucumber Relish batch 3 2008!

Up late this morning as Ruaridh had a somewhat disturbed night so as you can guess we did to. Early cuppa, then onwards march to get the cucumber relish started yesterday finished, five more lbs to add to the collection and still numerous cucumbers still growing. Fry up for breakfast which did taste delicious then a wash before taking Ruaridh down to the beach for a walk. Weather a mixture of sun and rain, rather windy as the waves were being thrown up onto the beach quite exhilarating to walk in though. Ruaridh enjoyed running after the skimming stones and the leaves that were blowing about on the shore, no swimming today the sea was too rough!
Back home did the ironing, had a light lunch telephoned mum she had been to church and was OK. Cleaned out the cupboards upstairs, then the chest in the front room which now sits in the new room.
Graham made haddock and corn chowder for dinner with croutons and breadsticks lovely.
Layla phoned they are all fine had a wee chat with Miss B who appeared to be as happy as Larry.
Going to bed now as we have to be up early in the morning to take the Jeep for its MOT. Goodnight.

Postcard

This morning postie brought us a postcard from Miss B and her mummy and daddy sent from their vacation in Holland. They have had a lovely holiday and Bella has had a great time riding on her new cycle seat attatched to her dad's bike.
Awoke quite late, early morning cuppa, fed the dog then back to bed to read. Layla telephoned and they have all had a lovely holiday.
Had porridge for breakfast as we felt very hungry and it was a downpour outside, followed by pancakes and coffee.
Wash, then down to the village store for messages saw Christine our neighbour who is feeling better today. Walked down to the river estuary, got absolutely soaked the rain was torrential, Ruaridh got to run after some skimming stones then two rabbits.
Back home had lunch, made soda bread then the dough for the pizzas, also got the vegetables ready for the cucumber relish.
Pizzas and red wine for dinner deicious, ate whilst watching 'The Great wall of China' on Channel 4. Really enjoyed this!
Going to do some knitting, then to bed got a good novel to read. Bye.

Bats

Just going to open the kitchen door this morning to let Ruaridh out, looked out of the window by chance and saw this bat on the doorstep. Kept the dog in the kitchen, got a glass and some cardboard placed the glass over the bat and covered the opening with the cardboard. Taking it to a safe place it flew and ended up in the chicken wire, I made it a tent and it appears to have slept all day, hope it is able to fly away tonight will check in the morning.
Shower and hairwash after early morning cuppa, then scrambled eggs for breakfast with toast and coffee, before taking piles of leylandii to get rid of it.
Ruaridh had some wee jaunts into field today and came with us to dispose of the trees.
Graham did a lot of strimming and I mowed the grass in front of the house. Pulled up all the onions that are now drying off in the greenhouse, a disaster this year.
Late lunch, Layla had left a message to say they were flying in today! Mum telephoned to say she had received a card from Bella she was very happy with this, and had also been out for lunch.
Very late lunch, Graham made prawn rice and vegetables in a sauce for dinner with pitta bread, delicious.
Spoke briefly to Layla they are all fine.
Meant to do some knitting too late now, having a dram then to bed Goodnight.
Miss B and her mummy and daddy arrived home safe and sound from their vacation in Holland, they sound to have had a lovely time.

Into the Room

Tonight we are hoping to sleep in the room that we have recently had renovated, Sue my buddy, Layla and Bella have slept in it before the final stage happened-the putting in of the window. This is now in situ and it looks super, so the bed is made and tonight we will sleep in the room.
Up late as Ruaridh started to whine in the early hours of the morning, then the croft dogs started to bark ? something wandering outside. Tonight on the way back from Christine's with the wee fellow I saw a dead fox or pinemarten strung up on the fence, last night's predator ?
Breakfast, wash and then took Ruaridh down to the big beach, had a lovely walk and lots of stone skimming for Ruaridh and he also had a swim.
Back home lunch sat out on the deck. Graham cutting down the leylandii, and I started to take the weeds out of the boxes, raised beds and cleared the earth of weeds in the greenhouse.
Graham also roasted lots of tomatoes, garlic and olive oi this is now a delicious sauce ready to be frozen.
Had a lovely meal tomatoes, garlic, basil in olive oil with a green salad and bread made by Graham.
Going to have a cup of tea then do some knitting.
Mum fine blood test good today so she is happy.
Layla telephoned and we missed the call so hope to speak with them tomorrow Bye.

Strawberry Time.

Today was the day to make the strawberry jam, washed the strawberries got the lemon juice and sugar ready and voila the jam is ready. Well not quite, although I followed the instructions to the letter the setting point of the jam never happens like they say in the book, had to keep testing with the thermometer and eventually the jam had set. Now in jars waiting for it to cool so we can try some on the bread that I also made today.
Up quite early as John H was coming to finish the room, breakfast, wash, made bread dough, then down to the village store before going over to the river estuary down by the Bernara Barracks. Dreich day, saw a sheep laid on her back so Graham did his good deed and turned her over, they are unable to do this themselves and if left will die. Got to the river Ruaridh as usual had great fun running into the river after the skimming stones he also did lots of swimming which he appears to enjoy at the moment.
Back home took rubbish down to the skip, then had lunch. Made bread, then made the jam.
John H finished quite late but the room looks amazing, did some cleaning and hope to move into the room tomorrow night when the bed is made and the blind is up. Going to wash-up then do some knitting. Bye.
Miss B on vacation is 20 months old today!

Mushroom Time Again.

Today we had to go to Broadford on the Isle of Skye to pick up some wood and more foam for the new window to be fixed in, so we decided to make a day of it. Up quite early super day warm and sunny, breakfast, wash and then off we go.
We decided that as it is this time of the year we would go and search for mushrooms Chanterelles being the order of the day. We drove out of the Glen stopped going up the hill to take Ruaridh for a walk in the woods, there we saw John and Auria with their daughter.
Back in the car and away to find the mushrooms, some success, maybe not as many as last year but they appeared to be much fresher, collected enough for a meal tonight and some for next week. In the midst of all this Ruaridh disappeared, we shouted and whistled and eventually heard him bark quite along way away. At last he returned and had to have a long lead on him 'cause if we lost him there he wouldn't find his way home.
Got into the Jeep and drove to the beach at Lower Breakish a favorite spot of mine, here we walked and paddled in the sea, played with Ruaridh who loved it and had a bite to eat. Quite a lot of people there today!
Got the stuff from Jewsons, then to the Co-op to get our messages, returned home tired but happy after a lovely day.
Graham made dinner a lovely chanterelle mushroom omelette with fried potatoes and peas delicious.
Finishing this on Wednesday morning too tired last p.m. Bye.

One new window in!!

Today we now have one new window in situ John H arrived this morning and by 1630h we had the upstair window in place, it looks amazing and just finishes off the room. Once the bats have disappeared from their pew at the side of the dormer in the room we occupy now, the window in there is also being changed, roll on!
Up quite early shower and hairwash then breakfast before John arrived. Very warm and humid today Ruaridh and moi went a walk down by the river to the west, we coudn't go too far as the path was very overgrown with bulrushes and even with wellies on it was difficult!
Back home helped with the small things in putting in the window like making cups of tea and a light lunch!
Did lots of ironing, also attempted to do some drawing again as I want to make some labels for the rosehip syrup bottles, not a brilliant attempt but a start.
Stew, mashed tatties and green beans for dinner made by Graham lovely.
Phoned our friends Pete and Sheena, must try and see them soon they just live about 60 miles up the road. Bye.

Hippy Hippy --

--shake well not quite, collected rosehips this afternoon to make rosehip syrup, quite a performance though the 'wartime recipe' was easy to follow. We now have a litre of the syrup resting, so will have to wait to see what it tastes like.
Up about 0830 as I thought the wee fellow was yelping, anyway false alarm but he did come back to bed with us and we all dozed until about 0930h. Up and about early morning cuppa, then had a fry up for breakfast that tasted really good. Wash then set off to the woods to take Ruaridh for a walk.
Had a super walk quite a while since we had been to the woods so it was quite refreshing, met a German couple and their son who are travelling in this area staying at youth hostels. Then Ruaridh took off into the woods no amount of calling or whistling brought him back so Graham and moi decided to go home. I started to pick the rosehips Graham went with the Jeep to try and find Mr R no joy, so I continued to pick the rosehips and low and behold who should come running up the road but the wonder dog, always good to see him!
Tea and scones then I made the rosehip syrup. Phoned mum she appears to be in good spirits.
Graham made dinner, salmon in cream and brandy sauce with pasta and cucumber and tomato salad, delicious.
Watching 'The Thirties in Colour' on BBC 4 vey interesting. Bye.

Radio Afternoon.

Today was very much a really do nothing day. Up early as the wonder dog was whining at about 0500h didn't know the time came downstairs and he charged upstairs and made himself comfy on the bed, eventually managed to get back to sleep and slept until 0930h. Up, breakfast, wash then down to the village for the Saturday papers, decided to go to the beach by the War Memorial had a great walk along the beach, well, pebbles especially wee Ruaridh who had great fun running in after the skimming stones.
Back home light lunch, coudn't collect rosehips for the rosehip syrup as it was pishing down for most of the day!
Made scones, listened to a play on BBC Radio 4 about Thomas Payne which was excellent. Whilst listening carried on with my knitting, it is growing!
Made dough for the pizzas, Graham made them for dinner along with homemade coleslaw delicious.
Thomas, Kirsty, and Christine came over had a good chat and heard about their holiday in Edinburgh, they appear to have enjoyed it.
Watching the T.V. programme Benidorm very funny. Bye.

Library Visit

Today the weather was awful warm with lots of rain and plenty of midges, so we decided to head into Kyle of Lochalsh to visit the lirbrary and get some messages. Also I had to visit the post office as my wee Canon digital camera has gone on the blink, it is now on its way to the assessment place in Glasgow so hope they can fix it! Did our shopping at the Co-op which for once was a rather pain free exercise in and out in no time, which is surprising as there were lots of tourists in the area!
Into the library and they were able to get me some of of Penelope Fitzgerald's books, as a write up was done on her in last weeks Guardian. So before I buy any thought I may as well loan some to see if I like them! Also managed to choose a book today I have already read in hardback, ah well can't win them all!
Took Ruaridh a walk in the woods on the way up the hill, must try and start taking him longer walks though he does appear to be tired after the midgy fiasco on Tuesday poor wee dog. Back home late lunch, Ruaridh is resting well on the sofa as I write.
Fish (cod), potato wedges and parsley sauce for dinner delicious.
Layla telephoned they are having a lovely holiday, spoke to mum she appears to be OK.
Watched a programme about Mark Bolan on BBC4 interesting. Bye.