Visitors

Today I had two visitors first the doll Artis de Partis arrived quite early via the post from Amsterdam, he can only be purchased at The Artis Zoo in Amsterdam so I had to call on blipfoto friends Elmer and Jeemie to help me out. Elmer proved to be very helpful and as I said the wee fellow arrived today! Thank you Elmer for your help and kindness. Also Jeemie for the information they gave me. He is now sitting on the back of the sofa, soon he will be given to Miss B on her Birthday!
Then as arranged my old chum Pam came by for lunch, lovely to see her she has not been here for years, we had a nice lunch and talked almost non stop! Must try and do these things more often.
Up and about with Ruaridh, then after breakfast and a wash took the wee fellow to the park an Ravelston Woods. The sun shone and we had a super walk, met a guide dog for the blind in training called Marty they had a great play.
After Pam left got the dough ready for the bread and pizzas, then took Ruaridh to the park and round Strachan Rd. Back home spoke with Layla she has got the tickets for mum's. Graham home had a cuppa then got stuck into the pizzas and bread.
Pizzas and coleslaw for dinner rather good. Bread looks fine too.
Watched "LIFE" with david Attenborough on BBC 1 excellent, did my ironing.
Just got one or two things to do then bed. Goodnight.

Mixed Day

Miss B and moi awoke at 0800h after a good nights sleep, Graham had already been up to feed Ruaridh and was now back in bed with the Wonder Dog, so we popped in to see them both. Bella stayed in bed with Bampa whist I popped down to get her apple juice and our cuppa's.
Then got up and Bella and moi had our cereals, then we did jigsaws and read lots of stories. We then decided to get dressed and Bampa came down to have his breakfast Bella decided to have more shreddies and some fruit and toast!
We then decided to brave the rain and wind and like the Three Musketeers with a dog set out for the shore and the beach. Had a windblown walk, Ruaridh had a great time chasing leaves and generally appearing to have fun. The rot set in when we got back to the car to find Graham's mobile phone and the charging cable had been nicked, further investigation revealed his camera bag, binoculars and sat nav had gone too. The b-----ds getting into a locked car!!
Back home Joe and Layla were waiting for us, we had scrambled eggs on toast, tea and coffee. Bella had toast and peanut butter and jam! The family left, I phoned mum she is OK looking forward to seeing us this week.
Graham made dinner rice, prawn curry and yogurt lovely.
Watched the last Ray Mears programme on BBC2 tonight great about the west coast of Canada. Blipped and blogged. Goodnight.

Christmas Bazaar

Sorry missed the midnight deadline yesterday. Spent a good day, good walk in the park and woods with the Wonder Dog who met his chum Yoshi the cocker spaniel and they had a great play. Then met Layla and Bella on the park they had come over for lunch before going to set up for the Christmas Bazaar at Garvald.
Quite a lazy evening took Ruaridh out again, Graham home, dinner then blipping.

Today Saturday up with Ruaridh saw to him, then made the early morning cuppa. Stayed up as we were going to the Garvald Christmas Bazaar, after breakfast had a shower and washed my hair then took Ruaridh round the park. Graham came to meet us and off we set.
Lovely ambience at the bazaar today met old friends, Miss B and her daddy, she went to visit Santa Claus and to the Puppet show. Bought some goodies, chatted to people listened to the lovely carols, ate mince pies and drank coffee a good morning.
Left with Graham, Joe and Miss B who loves walking on walls and jumping. Home tea and Pantone then a walk in Ravelston woods with Ruaridh rather cold and misty.
Going over for Miss B who is staying with us tonight. Went over and picked up wee Bella (popped into Waitrose on the way over to get a few messages) Bella was very busy wrapping her little boxes of raisins to bring with her. Arrived home Bella wanted to play, Bampa and her did a jigsaw, then we played snap guess who won not moi! Bella had been to Eve's Birthday party this afternoon and had fish and chips for dinner, so for her supper she had her favorite shreddies and a drink of juice then to bed. Story then soon after to sleep.
Graham and moi had beans and cheese on toast with a big cuppa lovely! Soon to bed. Goodnight.

Christmas Pudding

Later this afternoon when her mummy had gone to a meeting Bella and moi made the Christmas pudding, Bella was a great help, she weighed, mixed and broke the eggs and ate the raisins! We both made our wishes (they must be kept a secret) and stirred and stirred and stirred, it will be cooked later by Layla. Read some stories until her Daddy and Bampa came, she is so much fun, didn't stay to long after this as it was quite late and had to get home and make the dinner.
Usual morning, then when ready Ruaridh and moi left to walk over to see Layla and Bella, as I had a lot of stuff to take took the rucksack Bella liked it. Had a great walk Ruaridh had a good play with a 'Westy' at Inverleith Park then a super run on the cycle paths. Arrived at theirs around 1200h had a wee play then we had lunch, after which we went to Asda to get some messages. Back home Layla left for her meeting and we got stuck into the pudding.
Back at ours made dinner veggie risotto and salad tasted good. Did my blip then bed. Goodnight.

Wee Rascal

Oh my gosh wind and rain this morning and how it howled and pished down. After the usual morning rituals, well clad Ruaridh and moi set off a wee bit later than usual for the park and Ravelston woods. The rain eased off a bit in the woods but the wind howled and the boughs on the trees creaked. However we had a great walk Ruaridh stopping everywhere to sniff must be the rain bringing out fresh smells, I'm sure he was trying to find a squirrel but nae luck.
Went to get fish from Kev at the fish van thought I had tied the wee rogue up, got my fish, into the newsagent to get some brown paper. Guess what the wee rascel had got free and had gone to sit in the fish van, apologies and a rescue and home.
Spoke to Layla Bella and her were going to gym-nippers, spoke to Anne B and Mum the roof problem appears sorted!
Graham bringing home some greaseproof paper to line the tin for the Christmas cake
Made some bread, did some ironing got the dinner ready, fish and chips and parsley sauce, tasted delicious.
Made the Christmas cake will bake tomorrow evening.
Going to do couple rows knitting then bed. Goodnight.

Ingredients!

Today on my way to meet Miss B I bought most of the ingredients to make the Christmas cake which I hope to do tomorrow. Brown sugar, currants, raisins, sultanas, glace cherries, candid peel and mixed spice, the rest I have at home. I use my maternal Grandmother's recipe, which was passed onto the memsahib then to me. It usually tastes good!
Took Ruaridh for a walk to the park and Ravelston Woods it poured down, however Ruaridh decided to have an adventure with another dog on the way down. He disappeared and although I called he didn't come back so I climbed the hill again, there was the wee moppet running to see me. I was not amused so kept him close down the hill, though he got a treat at the end of the park:)
Saw to some business then had a shower and washed my hair. Had lunch then set off at 1500h to meet Bella.
Got the bus and popped into the bank, and Real Foods, then met the wee lassie. Home on two buses played when we got home. Then Grandpa arrived much excitement and Bella went to play with him, then her mummy and daddy arrived. Pasta and tomato sauce, salad and homemade bread for dinner lovely, followed by chocolate and coffee. More play then the family left.
Watched a programme on BBC2 'An Iranian Martyr' about the young woman who was killed during the recent elections in Iran. Tragic circumstances. Bye.

Clean Windows

Once I had arrived back at the house from taking the Wonder Dog his morning constitutional, I dealt with some business had lunch then as the sun was shining decided to clean the windows. Can't remember the last time I did them however they were not as dirty as I thought. As I sat out on a couple of window ledges it came to me that the wood on the windows needs painting-a job for someone in the spring!
After this I did some ironing then when Graham came home had a cuppa and got the dinner ready.
This morning awoke to the sun shining then we had a heavy shower of rain, when it was time to take Ruaridh the sun was out again so we set off up Corstorphine Hill. Always good to be here when the sun appears people with their hounds stop and chat, and the dogs play together. had a nice surprise on the way down the hill bumped into Roz an old colleague/friend of mine we tried to cram 8 years into 10 minutes did quite well.
Before dinner spoke with mum still the problems with the woman upstairs, otherwise OK.
Leeks in cheese sauce with mashed potatoes and broccoli for dinner delicious.
Going to do more knitting. Bye.

Furrows

Up with Ruaridh, then back to bed to read, really enjoying the second book that the family bought for me, a novel 'They were Sisters' written in 1943 by Dorothy Whipple. Excellent main theme and intriguing sub themes could be a book written today in some ways! had a doze eventually up and made the morning cuppa.
Up for breakfast then had a wash before taking Ruaridh to the shore, drove down a nip in the air very refreshing after all the quite warm weather we are having. Lovely walk on the beach threw stones for Ruaridh which he loves. Then into the car and along to Asda, notice prices here are going up not as many 'Roll Backs'. Then along to Ocean Terminal Graham bought Stieg Larsson's novel 'The Girl who kicked the Hornet's Nest' the last in the trilogy. Liked the first, second was really hard going watch this space for this one. I bought Graham two new sweatshirts from Gap.
Layla phoned they have had a great weekend Bella really enjoyed herself.
Home tea and toast, phoned mum she sounded fine, weather awful!
Layla phoned to say Joe had to go to A&E at RIE as his mum was there with abdo. pain, being kept in for observation
Goujons, fried rice and crushed peas for dinner delicious!
Spent some time emailing blippers in Netherlands re a wee doll for Bella-success such lovely people. Feeling better at least have mst of my voice back! Still a cough and cold!
Just waiting for the bread to bake 20 minutes then bed. Goodnight.

Read, knit, listen.

Laryngitis appears to be improving slowly. Plenty of fluids, lemon, glycerin and honey mixture, paracetamols and doing nothing or very little is the order of the day. Up with the Wonder Dog, back to bed with the morning cuppa, had a read then up had a shower and washed my hair.
Breakfast then got organised, took Ruaridh to Ravelston Woods lovely walk he had a good play with a dog called Dougal.
Back home finished knitting Bella's second tammy as we lost the first one when we took her to the theatre. Did some blipping and blogging spoke to mum there appears to be a small problem with the tiles on her roof, I'm sure it will get sorted!
Made a mushroom quiche for dinner Graham did the roast tatties and with peas we had a lovely dinner.
Watched a movie 'Out to Sea' Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau hilarious. Light entertainment.
Still got a sore throat so to bed. Goodnight!

Laryngitis

Today I awoke and can hardly speak yes laryngitis, damn. However the wee fellow required his breakfast and out into the garden so I got up, and while up made a cuppa tasted good. Stayed up had a wash, made my breakfast Graham didn't want any, when he had left spoke to Layla and Bella on the telephone, they are getting ready for going away for the weekend. Don't think Miss B liked my froggy voice!
Took the wee fellow out met Ecky with Jock, Ruaridh was delighted they had a great play. Ecky was in his singing mood, more for the pub than a walk in the woods I'd say!!
Back home had a drink then to the dreaded supermarket, not bad today, got my messages then home.
Did some blipping, blogging and knitting. Made tattie scones and a soda bread. Spoke to mum for a minute or two difficult, but she understood.
Minestrone soup, and a fry-up for dinner with a cuppa lovely.
Going to do some knitting then bed early to read. Bye.

Long day

Today was a long day at work, however my last. Awoke in the night feeling that my throat was full of sandpaper, went back to sleep and when I awoke at 0700h I felt Ok to go to work. Arrived, working with Chris and Irene got everything organised, and the exams started.
Good to see Jo from the college she is having a hard time at the moment as her mum is not very well. However she was driving down to see her today which would be good for all.
Then our administrator took not well, hope she is alright.
Not hard work but a long day, cancelled my dental appointment for Friday as I couldn't be bothered with two and a half hours of dental work as my throat was sore again. Walked to the dreaded supermarket and met Graham got the messages then home, my second book had arrived from the family!
Tortellini and arabica sauce for dinner with homemade bread lovely. Phoned mum she appears to be OK
Did some knitting, then to bed as my throat is worse think I may have laryngitis again damn. Goodnight.

Work

Today was a work day so on the road at 0740h. Worked with Chris a great guy, Margo and Gilly. Great day met patients old and new, the sun shone.
Layla and Bella came to work to meet me, then we grabbed a bus and went to town. Didn't manage to sort out a replacement Railcard for Layla but she got some bunff of who to contact!!??
To the Fruitmarket cafe for cake and coffee Miss B had hot chocolate. Then into Jenner's Bella got new dungarees and knickers.
Helped Layla onto the bus with Miss B then went for my bus, just missed the No 41 waited and waited no bus eventually got the No 13 home around 1800h.
Graham made lovely minestrone soup for dinner.
Took the Wonder Dog for a walk to the park he had a great play with Jasper, then home via Strachen Rd.
Minestrone soup lovely followed by tinned salmon sandwiches and a cuppa. Very tired soon to bed Goodnight.

People and Dog morning!

Up with the Wonder Dog at 0800, fed him and and let him out made the early cuppa then tumbled back to bed for a further doze. Graham still full of a cold and cough so another day at home. Up had my breakfast, then a wash got ready to take the Wonder Dog to Corstorphine Hill. Made Graham his breakfast then left for the walk.
Lovely sunny day felt good to be out and about met lots of dogs that Ruaridh played with and lots of humans who actually smiled and spoke, a somewhat unusual occurance on the hill:) Trees showing their golden leaves that glinted in the sun.
Home, made lunch did some some knitting and my blip, cleaned the bathroom, the stairs and did some ironing.
Made butternut squash risotto for dinner with salad lovely.
Blipped, blogged, knitted had a shower and washed my hair as I am working tomorrow. Goodnight.

3D

Tonight we have just sat and watched some 1953 footage of the Queen's Coronation in 3D on Channel4. We donned our 3D glasses from 2100h and the one hour show was amazing. Really enjoyed it. The guys who shot the movie in 1953 talked us through their movie and it was very interesting.
Graham didn't go into work today as his cold/cough came back with a vengeance last night and he felt rotten. Also got a text from Layla she was ill and stayed at home today. After breakfast I had a wash and then took the wee fellow for a walk to the park and Ravelston woods, had a good walk no plays for Ruaridh though.
Home got through a lot of business calls, then I phoned mum she was going to the choir. Spoke to Layla she is feeling better, Bella was away to the Mosque lunch with her daddy. Cleaned the lounge, then took Ruaridh for another outing, he met a Springer spaniel Rosie and had a great play.
We are having Cullen Skink for dinner, years ago a fish recipe book somehow arrived at our house, kept it and when we started to eat fish made this dish. It consists of onions, potatoes, undyed smoked haddock, and milk, it is delicious to eat in winter and our friends Heiner and Marion in Germany love this 'fische soup'. It tasted delicious.
Starting to knit Miss B a new tammy lost hers on Friday when we went to the theatre. Goodnight.

The Woods

Up with the wee fellow this morning at 0800h then back to bed with cuppa and a leisurely read of yesterday's Guardian then i tried to go back to sleep however at times Ruaridh was in a whining mood so I laid and dozed which was great. Up for breakfast cereal boiled egg and toast hmmm, then I had a shower before making the dough for the bread.
Had a shower and washed my hair then as Graham was feeling a wee bit better he decided to come a walk with Ruaridh and moi. Went to the park and Ravelston woods had a lovely walk, lots of photo ops with the sun beaming through the trees.
Back home I went over to Boot's to get some cough medicine and new eyebrow tweezers as I have lost mine! Also popped in to the dreaded supermarket a I wanted one or two items, had to leave TKmax too busy--Christmas shopping???
Had a light lunch, spoke to Layla the family have been working at the allotment this afternoon, lots done.
Pasta, courgettes in cream sauce and salad for dinner, courtesy of Graham, lovely.
Watched a Movie on Channel4 'Flags of our Fathers' Very interesting, though as always with a War film one feels for the 'real' people who were there in the action. Goodnight.

Shore Day

Today Ruaridh and moi took a trek we haven't done for a wee while, we walked along the cycle path to the shore and there met up with Layla and Bella. We managed a short walk as the rain soon caught up with the sun and gave us the rainbow! We then jumped into the car and after going to Boot's we headed to ours for lunch. Graham is full of a cough and cold and had stayed in bed, he came down for lunch we all had different, but all was eaten up.
Up with the Wonder Dog about 0800 crawled back to bed after seeing to him, had a read then a doze, got two texts so decided to get up and make breakfast and reply to the text.
Afterwards had a wash and set off for the shore weather OK.
Got ready to go and look after Miss B as Joe and Layla were going out with their chums to celebrate Layla's Birthday, Graham not up for it so I jumped into the car and over I go. They were getting ready Bella and moi played did a big jigsaw that took quite a while! then we had our dinner chilli and rice which was delicious. Said goodbye to mummy and daddy, then we played oh how we played until it was time to have a bath-which also turned into a big play! Dried, PJ's on then downstairs for a piece of the Birthday cake and a glass of milk. A story about The Aliens which is hilarious and the teeth cleaned and bed. Another story, lights out and dream land.
Couldn't get the movie to play that Joe had left for me so watched have I got news for you on my iPlayer then listened to last Wednesday's afternoon play. I only got the end of it on the day and thought it sounded good which it was.
Joe and Layla had a lovely evening so that was fine. Home and too bed Goodnight!

Bear Hunt--Layla's Birthday!

A busy day today Bella arrived at the house about 0830h as her mum was doing a workshop and we were taking Bella on a Bear Hunt at The King's theatre. She had three bowls of cereal and a drink of apple juice for breakfast, we had our breakfast with her, then we got ready and set off with the Wonder Dog in the car to the theatre.
Oh my gosh it was very busy full of little people and young at heart people, the show was amazing and it is always good to be in a theatre with the bairns they love it. We sang and got wet as we crossed the river and in the cave it was a wee bit scary, the snow was fantastic and so much fell I was surprised there was none on the ground outside as we left.
Layla-Birthday Girl, Bella, Ruaridh and moi went for lunch to The Yard we sat outside so that Ruaridh could celebrate with us. We all had a lovely lunch.
Back at the house, Bella had a wee sleep then when she awoke we decorated the cake she made yesterday. Then Graham and Joe followed by Granny K arrived Ruaridh going round and round in excitement.
Joe ordered a delicious Indian banquet that was enjoyed by all. Then the Birthday Cake with the candles and we sang Happy Birthday to Layla, Bella helped to blow out the candles, cake was good as was the coffee.
Happy Birthday Layla have a great year!
Left for home Graham in bed with a sore throat and cold, me just going think I have lost Miss B's tammy will have to knit her a new one. Goodnight.

Baking a cake!

Headed off to visit Layla and Bella a wee bit later than planned today. Layla sent me a text this morning to say one of Bella's wee chums was going to be at the house and I know she is not very keen on dogs so I delayed going a for a while. When I arrived Bella was waiting for me at the window, we had lunch then as Bella and moi had to make a cake for someone's Special Day tomorrow we decided not to go to the allotment
After lunch we made a farmyard, and played with the animals,a friend of Layla's Abby came and we had a chat. Then Bella and moi made the cake she is such a good help she weighed all the ingredients and beat the eggs then added them to the bowl as required, thank-you Bella you are a wee star. Baked the cake, Bella scrapped the cake mixture form the bowl. Cake ready left to cool, we went to read some books and play again with the farmyard.
Up early this morning, saw to the wee fellow, breakfast then after Graham left for a meeting had a shower and washed my hair. Got ready to take Ruaridh to the park and woods great walk in lovely sunshine, met the lady with the two Schnauzers, her son has a hotel in Portree on Skye. Ruaridh played for wee while but not really interested.
Home got everything ready then in the car with the dog and down to Waitrose, got my messages then over to the family.
Graham came to pick me up, into Sainsbury's got our 3D glasses for a channel4 documentary on Monday, also got a bottle of Red and M&M's
Made veggie stew for dinner with mashed potatoes, carrots and neeps. Spoke to mum she is fine has managed to get Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck for Miss B.
Busy blipping and blogging then hopefully knitting. Bye.

Fish Pie

As we have quite a lot of fish in the freezer decided we would have a fish pie for dinner. The filling was easy, haddock, undyed smoked haddock, prawns and leeks in a white sauce, the difficult one was the topping. Should it be mashed potatoes, puff pastry or shortcrust pastry ? waited for Graham to come home and he decided on mashed potatoes. Must say the pie was delicious and we ate it with peas, next time will try it with pastry.
Another lie-in well until 0900h, got up had been up earlier with the Wonder Dog but scrambled back to bed for an extra minute or two! Had breakfast then Graham left for Glasgow on business spoke to Layla and Bella she is such a star on the phone now. I had a wash then set off up Corstorphine Hill with Ruaridh, had a lovely walk the trees are still sporting leaves of all lovely colours and Ruaridh chased one or two squirrels.
Back home had lunch, phoned mum she is OK managing to get through the week, which is a busy one for her. Did a pile of ironing, started to get the things ready for dinner then upstairs to shred some papers, they have long needed doing.
Graham arrived home popped down to George's for milk. Had our delicious fish pie feel quite full.
Marvelous having a dishwasher again. Got to do a book review. Bye.

Dreich and Drizzle!

Horrible morning very dreich intended to take the wee fellow up Corstorphine Hill however when we set off it had started to drizzle so ended up going to the park and Ravelston woods. Glad we did as we met Eck and Jock and Ruaridh had a great play all the way through the woods with wee Jock, and Eck and moi attempted to put the world to rights!
Slept until 0900h this morning great as I was knackered, had breakfast and after a wash and when Graham had left Ruaridh and moi set off.
Back home made dinner for this evening as the family are coming, did a wash had lunch and got ready for going to meet Miss B.
Went into town as I had one or two messages to see too, then up to get the wee one. We came past a lot of shops with snowmen, Santa Claus, gnomes and one with lots of elephants in-fascinating. Met Zoe at the bus stop so travelled on the bus with her, she knew Layla when she was wee so she was delighted today that Bella was chatting away to her.
Arrived home fed Ruaridh who was delighted to see us, then read a couple of stories to Bella, love doing this as she loves stories.
Got the dinner ready pasta al forno, salad, homemade bread, olives delicious.
Had fun watching Bella do her 'jumps' and play with Ruaridh.
Catching up on blip and blog. Goodnight.

First Frost in the City

After all the excitement of blipfoto.com winning the Bafta last night, I had to get up at 0700h as I was working today. As I didn't get to bed until 0200h I was a wee bit woebegone as I washed and had breakfast before hitting the road. However I soon came to as I set off as the temperature had dropped down to -1C it was freezing, a light frost covered everything.
A brisk walk and I arrived at work, one of my colleagues had to go home as she was ill, however Chris D my old buddy came in and we all had a good day, it passed very quickly and it was good to see one or two well kent faces amongst the patients.
Walked home, lovely evening had a cuppa and some oatcakes, then Graham made dinner veggie omelette , chips and peas.
Mick L phoned to say Congratulations and I contacted various people either by phone or text to let them know about the Bafta, all delighted with the news.
Mum appears to be OK she has quite a busy week this week. Layla fine though tired as well.
Going to bed early. Goodnight.

Bafta Day!

Today Graham and Joe travelled to Glasgow for the Bafta awards do. They both looked very 'cool' in their 'black' ties! Ruaridh and moi went over to have dinner with Layla and Bella and watch the awards ceremony. Had a lovely dinner of cauliflower and cheese sauce with roast potatoes, Bella had fish and roast potatoes before we settled down to watch the awards.
The noise in the lounge was unbelievable as they announced blipfoto.com had won the Bafta in the category it was entered for, Layla, Bella, Ruaridh and moi all jumped up for joy as we heard the "B" word fantastic news, the award is well deserved! spoke to Graham who was delighted and sent a text to Joe. Sat now in the early hours of Monday morning waiting for Graham to arrive home.
Had a busy morning shower, hair wash, had breakfast, made bread did some ironing especially Graham's white shirt! took Ruaridh to the park and woods. A wee bit worried about the wee dog he appears to have the cold too and a cough, sleeping on the sofa next to me right now!
Going to have a cuppa then bed as I have work in the morning. Goodnight.

Snow on the hills

As we left the Glen today noticed the snow on the North facing hills Brrr! After trying to leave everything in reasonable order we left for the city around 1300h. Stopped going up the hill to take the wee fellow into the woods, then on our way. Good journey arrived Edinburgh about 1700h straight to the dentist who very kindly was sorting a crown out for Graham as he has the Bafta awards do tomorrow.
Then over to the family's to see them, wee Bella has a cold and her wee nose is so sore, but she was in good form and she cracks Graham and moi up. Had a lovely Chinese dinner cooked by Joe then some gingerbread made by Layla and Bella delicious.
Then Graham had his haircut also ready for the Bafta's Layla made a great job of it.
Home with the wee dog, did my blip, very tired and so to bed. Goodnight.

Freezer

Had my agenda all worked out for the day as the weather was forecasting rain and OMG rain it did. However I started to defrost the fridge freezer, didn't realise that there was about three inches of frost built up in the freezer as it had been 'hidden' by a tray. It took all day for me to get rid of this chunk of frost. However now have a nice clean fridge/freezer, hopefully will now work no wonder it didn't work to well before with all this frost.
Just after we had breakfast but after my wash Christine burst through the door her telephone was not working and she wanted me to phone her so she could check it! She had a coffee and I got the bread dough ready. She left and as arranged I phoned her no reply, I waited five minutes then tried again this time she answered but there is obviously something wrong with her phone it clicks and is faint-reported it!
Set off with the Wonder Dog in pishing down rain to the shore, we got soaked he had a great time attempting to find the rabbits again as he set off on his adventure in the bushes.
Back home made the bread, had lunch spoke with Layla, Mr Boom Boom is giving it big licks! Bella spoke to us and told us about the fireworks she went to last night-she liked them a little! Made the pizza dough and carried on my love affair with the freezer.
Cleaned the bedrooms, the stairs and the bathroom as we leave tomorrow for the city.
Just going to do the dishes then have a look at blipfoto.com. Goodnight.

In the garden

This afternoon decided I must attempt to start to try and at least tidy the garden. Due to the fact we are only here in the Glen for short periods at present it has got out of hand! I didn't manage too much but what I did made the area look somewhat better. It was a lovely late afternoon/early evening and I could have stayed out, however at this time of the year it gets dark early also Christine our neighbour arrived for a visit.
We had a good blether and she stayed for dinner which was pasta and tomato sauce with bread and salad, followed by Mars bars! She entertained us with what she was up to and it proved to be a fun, interesting evening. Ruaridh was beside himself he loves Christine.
Awoke to a sunny warm day, had to go to the village shop so went to the village beach. Great walk lovely to be out on the shore in the warm, Ruaridh going crazy with the rabbit holes but sadly for him no rabbits. Saw a couple of geese on the wetlands, plenty of ducks on the river.
Spoke to Layla, Bella and her had been to the playgroup she cycled there and back, Bella now speaks to us on the telephone and is very articulate. Also spoke to mum she appears to be ok.
Tired to bed. Goodnight.

Forest Trek!

Today we awoke to the sun hurrah! and it has stayed with us all day and been quite warm! Feeling good this morning (must be the sunshine), up and about saw to the wee fellow, who then went back to bed after his food and pee! Had breakfast and got the stove going, then after a wash set off with the Wonder Dog to do the longer forest trek, Graham stayed behind to start doing the logs.
Lovely walk in sunshine and shadow, felt good as I haven't done this walk for a wee while and it was invigorating! It was so warm, steam was rising from the ground as the sun shone on the damp ground, it swirled round us as we walked on the trek. Ruaridh had some adventures and chased a deer, we then walked past two deer who were grazing, Ruaridh kind of looked up but carried on down the trek they were blending in well with the scenery!
Graham met us and we walked back together, I stacked the logs in the greenhouse as Graham split them. Getting lunch ready, when Layla phoned poor lass her back is really sore again, Bella and her had been to gym-nippers this morning, spoke to Bella she was in good form, she is very articulate on the phone now.
Don't know what is for dinner, will fill in later.

Riverside and woods.

Instead of going to the beach today we headed for the river in heavy rain, the walk along the river was covered in slippery leaves and the burns pouring into the river were really full. Ruaridh had a great time as it is quite a while since we have walked here. The first burn we were able to cross the second was flowing too fast so into the woods. We then decided to go up to the first junction in the woods and the Wonder Dog was delighted! had a great walk with the we fellow having only one adventure!
This morning up and about quite early though Ruaridh slept on! Gave him his breakfast when he did rise and let him out. Back to bed for a short while as John H was coming to discuss the leak in the sitting room window and I owed him money! Leak seems to be OK at the moment so leave well alone, John will keep his eye on it!
After the walk boiled egg and bread rolls for lunch, trying to get some gardening done every time I look out it is pishing down! Did my blip lit the stove, heater on in the hall getting colder!
Spoke to mum her friend Jean is very poorly, mum phoned me later to say she had died. A blessing for her, don't think she had any relatives, she loved a G&T and a ciggie.
Graham made a delicious dinner pasta, smoked haddock and prawns in cream sauce with salad, followed by my contribution plum crumble, first try with the bottled plums-lovely.
Going to do the dishes then iPhone scrabble which Graham always wins. Cest la vie! Bye.

Rain and sunshine!

Did a wee bit more than yesterday, more rain though there were a few small bright periods that disappeared rather quickly. Up and about with Ruaridh his wee clock never changes, made the early cuppa, had to go and shut the gate into the field as it had blown open. Sunshine and rain gave us an amazing light on the cherry tree which is still hanging on to a few leaves! also a lovely rainbow over the Glen, took photos.
Back to bed with the cuppa's as per usual the wee fellow beat me to it, read a little then fell into a deep sleep. Awoke around 0930h got up made porridge for breakfast lovely. Had a wash, got dressed made the dough for the bread, did the dishes then got ready to go to the beach.
Set off in the rain, arrived at the beach went to the west one and the heavens opened, however on the way back therain stopped and we managed to dry out a little.
Back home made the bread, had the remainder of the soup for lunch did my blip and more knitting. Around 1630/1700h got a lovely phone call from Bella to tell us she had been swimming and liked sleeping in her bigger bed! quite a chat Graham and moi had with her!
Spoke to Layla poor lass her back is bad again, she has to wait 2 weeks to se the Dr she likes to visit! This appears to be the case at some other surgery's too, makes one wonder!
Made dinner cauliflower cheese, roast potatoes, peas and beetroot lovely.
Fell fast asleep after eating this, Layla phoning to speak to Graham woke me up, did the dishes.
Graham just made a cuppa, delicious with a shortbread biscuit. Going to bed. Goodnight.

Relax

Today has been a day for doing just that, it has rained solid from waking up this morning to now and it is 2230h. Have had a lovely day doing nothing. Got up with the Wonder Dog fed him and let him out, as he is a fair weather dog he didn't stay out too long and was soon back in bed! Made the early morning cuppa then read yesterday's paper in bed before having a doze. Up and made a fry up for breakfast.
We waited a wee while to see if the weather would improve, no joy so donning wet weather gear off we went down to the beach, we didn't see another soul and yes we got soaked. Graham made soup so we decided to have it around 1700h tasted delicious. I phoned mum and she hadn't been out all day as the weather was wet and windy with her! Otherwise she was OK. Spoke to Layla they appear to hve had a good time at last nights party!
Later we had tinned salmon sandwiches that tasted good, with lots of cups of tea, very thisty tonight don't know why! Getting on with knitting a new cardigan for Bella!
Watched Ray Mears on his Canadian adventure amazing. Early night, bottle in, so to bed. Goodnight.