Down to visit the Memsahib.

Thursday morning saw me on the 0852 train to Preston to visit my mum, quite an uneventful journey, brightened by a wee boy sat with his mum and dad in front of me. He was exhausted but would not go to sleep, he chatted and played, when i got off they were walking with him to try and get him to sleep.
Had a nice coffee then on the train to St Annes, quite a nice day, mum was waiting for me good to see her she is looking well. She visited her hairdresser then on her return we had lunch a laugh at many . We looked at old photo's during the afternoon had a laugh at some and got rid of a few we didn't recognise. had the delicious Fish & Chips with mushy peas for dinner, to bed early tired.
Friday up quite early, breakfast with mum, then we got ready to go to the bank and get messages before having lunch out. Lovely day warm and sunny, had a walk round the town then over to Ashton Gardens Pavilion to have lunch. As it was so warm had it Al Fresco on the veranda, Mum had poached salmon sandwich, I had prawns with a rose marie sauce in a sandwich delicious. Lovely pot of tea for mum, americano with hot milk for me--then home. Mum had a rest and I caught up with some things.
Mushroom omelette with new tatties and garden peas for dinner. Chatted with mum watched the News and Newsnight then to bed.
Saturday up and about, breakfast, shower then Anne B came in to see us, had a chat. Left for my train which was delayed, however managed to get my train to Edinburgh, sat with a nice young Indian Dr. we put the world to rights!!
Arrived Edinburgh got the bus home, good to see Graham and Ruaridh again. Lovely dinner of monkfish and prawn risotto with salad. Watched Mark Cousins 'The Story of Film--an Odyssey great. Tumbled into bed.
Lazy Sunday!! though Graham made an amazing Tart Tatin:)
Earlier in the week I spent Tuesday with Bella we had a lovely fun day:) Lots to do, we went to the play park rather surprised to see lots of High school kids there at 1100h, when I asked why? they told me it was there morning break!! Anyway Bella had fun on the slide and various other things. Back home we had lunch then, played for a wee while then Bella watched 'Mary, Mungo and Midge before we set off for the library, with a pile of books! At the library I was led through the mystery of doing the returning and borrowing of books by oneself. Got some great books for the wee one.
Back at theirs we had a drink then read some of the lovely new books.
Bella read some herself whilst I made a tomato sauce to go with the pesto and pasta for dinner. Then Bella went over to see her chum, family home, lovely dinner then Graham and moi left for ours.
Wednesday--busy made dough for bread. Girls here for lunch,lovely sunny day. Art class this evening with chum Jane.

Stitches out!

Tuesday was the day for Layla's stitches to be removed! So I tootled over for 1100h to take her down to the surgery with Bella and Ruaridh. She was only in a wee while and all the stitches came out. We then drove over to the Lighthouse and had a walk in bitterly cold weather, however, well wrapped up we managed some games of hide and seek, and more balancing lessons! We then went to theirs for lunch. Graham came to pick me up, then home!
Monday it rained heavy all day over to see the girls, a trip to Asda then back to theirs for lunch. Layla got the stove going and we played games, Ruaridh enjoyed playing with his new rope ball!
Wednesday when he roused himself took The Wonder Dog down to the shore and beach, it was very cold and windy. Carried on with the painting in the kitchen--getting there slowly!
Thursday dawned bright and sunny, for the constitutional went to the woods then through the Meadowland. I was taking a photo turned round and on some leaves and grass saw the first frost of the year brrrr! Carried on painting the kitchen starting to look good!
Friday up and about earlyish as we are going to Kemnay to visit Liz an old chum. Her oldest daughter had a 'Wedding Bash' which we went to at beginning of July. Graham took some amazing portraits of the guests that he got put into an album for Justine and Stephen and we were going to deliver it!
Good journey up the road--love Aberdeenshire, good to see Liz. Good company, chat food and wine made for a lovely evening.
Saturday we set off to visit J and S they loved the album! had lunch with them, caught up on some gossip, before a walk in the woods then set off for home. Lovely journey over Cairn 'O' Mount amazing autumnal colours, reached home quite early.
Sunday had a lazy day!!

Harvest Home

Today Friday we brought Bella's pumpkins home from the allotment they are so colourful and huge. Well done Bella, she gave one to her Grandpa and Granny B, looking forward to all the eats that we can have from it.
A busy week, Sunday our chums (from France) holidaying in Skye came over with their two dogs for lunch. Great to see them again eat, drink, chat and be merry, hopefully, someday in the not too distant future we wil be able to visit them in Provence.
Monday was uneventful Christine popped over to see us as she is going to visit an aunt in Glasgow, we managed a walk on the beach which Ruaridh loved, then back to the coziness of the stove and scones!
Left the Glen on Tuesday as Layla is going for her surgery today. Arrived in the city after an uneventful journey. Layla had her Op. and all appears to be well. Over to stay with the wee one as Joe goes to bring Layla home.
Over to theirs early Wednesday to stay with Layla as she had a G.A, yesterday and has to have someone in the house for twenty-four hours. Joe picked the wee one up, I had lunch with them then left to take Ruaridh a walk along the shore to the lighthouse, a lovely long walk then took the wee fellow to Graham at the studio as I was going on to my art class with my chum Jane!
Caught various buses home on one bumped into an old chum her daughter had a wee boy, so happy for them all:)
Enjoyed my art class love the colour mixes.
Thursday over to see Layla and Bella had lunch then took the wee one to her club! On the way home called at Asda to get some messages took Ruaridh a walk on the waterfront (he had refused to go on the cycle path). Back to their house then G came to pick me up, home, quick shower, bowl of tomato soup then up town to meet chum Jane as we were going to the Lyceum to see 'Mary Queen of Scotland got her Head Chopped Off', (G gave me a season of tickets for self and a friend for my Birthday). Met Jane so warm so sat outside having a coffee before going into the show. Really enjoyed the play and Jane's company, lovely evening.
Lovely day Friday took Ruaridh to the shore, threw lots of shells in the sea for him to run after. Over to see the girls then to the allotment to bring the pumpkins home, they are lovely so golden and glowing! Got some onions, tomatoes and cucumberthen back to theirs for lunch. Played some games and read some nursery rhymes then G came to pick me up. Home.
Saturday up quite early as Graham is away for the day on a portrait photography course.
Took the wee dog to the woods had a lovely walk then home listened to three programmes on iPlayer, did my ironing. Then made dinner for tonight fennel in cheese sauce, which we had with pasta and salad over at Layla and Bella's as Joe was at a poker event.
Played with MissB then when she had gone to bed watched "The Black Book" a Dutch film about the Resistance Fighters in WW2. Excellent.

Painting class!

Wednesday the 5 October was my first painting class with Jane Shepherd, experimenting with colour in an esoteric way. This was a gift for my Birthday from the family and I found it very enjoyable. Thank you for this lovely thoughtful gift.
Another busy but happy week, Monday Layla and I went to pick up Bella then back to ours for lunch. Played with Miss B then we went with the basket to collect the apples from Patricia a neighbours garden. Hopefully can stew some and freeze them also can some!
All at ours for dinner as Graham and Joe had a meeting, then I drove Layla and Bella home.
Tuesday Ruaridh and moi had a walk in the woods and spent the day at home.
Wednesday took the Wonder Dog to the shore and beach before heading off to get Layla and go and meet Bella. We then headed straight for the allotment where we had a lovely lunch then got busy digging up tatties, getting onions, picking cucumbers and tomatoes eating raspberries, doing some watering and generally tidying up.
Thursday was a home day.
Friday was my Birthday and I had a super day. Ruaridh and moi got ready then over to meet up with Layla and Bella lovely pressies then out for lunch, at Porto and Fi. We had no intention of going there but with Layla still in a lot of pain with her knee, had to be somewhere she could walk to, lovely lunch!
We then went down to the waterfront which has been regenerated, Bella on her bicycle and Layla managed the walk. Amazingly the weather was lovely warm and sunny we played hide and seek and I was taught to balance! Ruaridh had a great time running about though he didn't like the cygnets hissing at him from the pond!
In the evening went for a Birthday meal with all the family to Seadogs lovely fish and seafood restaurant, then back for the 'Surprise' a delicious Birthday cake made by Layla and Bella. Thanks to all for a lovely day. Phoned mum to thank her:)
Saturday up quite early did a shop then hit the road for the N/W, tailback of traffic as they are doing repairs to the Forth road bridge so decided to go up Glen Coe-fort William way.
Rained most of the way but nonetheless had a good journey.
Arrived at the cottage all OK.new bathroom starting to take shape.
Christine had the stove on lovely, settled in. Had our dinner then to bed as we were very tired! Goodnight!

Over the Past Week

Been back from vacation for over a week and not written a blog,can only say I have been rather busy!
As Layla has hurt her knee and is awaiting surgery, I have been helping out by taking Layla to pick up the wee one, visits to the allotment where we have been able to have our lunch due to the warm sunny weather.
Last Tuesday took Layla to the hospital for her pre assessment check with her surgeon and the nurse. Turns out the guy was on holiday which Layla knew from his secretary, however the nursing staff didn't!! Doh!
Still knitting the wee ones cardigan, spent some time at home attempting to get caught up with some jobs!
Thursday was St Michael's Day and we had a lovely Michaelmas meal with Layla and Bella as Joe was at a special dinner.
Saturday managed a lie had coffee and toast in bed courtesy of Graham. Took the Wonder Dog to the shore and beach very misty! didn't stay to long.
Sunday still misty over to help Joe and Layla clean the flat, Graham and Ruaridh stayed with Bella and watched "Flying down to Rio".
A busy but enjoyable and fun week!