Memsahib's Birthday!

Travelled back to Edinburgh from the Red Rose County today after going down to celebrate the memsahib's Birthday on Thursday! Layla, Bella and I travelled down on Thursday and had a lovely time. Good journey back home lovely to see Graham and Ruaridh. Leek risotto for dinner with salad. Settled down to watch episodes 7&8 of Borgan very good!
Thursday up early as Layla, Bella and I are catching the train to visit the memsahib as she is celebrating her ninety-second Birthday today.Arrived safely and mum is looking good. Lots of cards, pressies and good cheer. Enjoyed a pizza and beer this evening the staff at the restaurant were so kind a piece of brownie with a candle was produced and we all sang Happy Birthday.
Home to a delicious cake made and iced by Layla and Bella another rendering of Happy Birthday and the Birthday Girl is away to bed.
Friday Layla, Bella and I ventured out in the wind and rain to go swimming had a great time, mum stayed at home. Popped into the pier on the way home, Bella loves having a go on the rides. Stayed in the rest of the day as the rain poured down and the wind blew. Layla braved it out when the weather cleared a little to get messages!
Sunday lazy day, up late, Ruaridh out for a walk made bread.
Monday quiet day, took Ruaridh for his constitutional saw a kestral/sparrowhawk in the meadowland.
Tuesday had a stroll along the canal, met Bella, lovely time spent with Miss B in her cafe. Good to have the family here for dinner.
Wednesday had our 'Burn's Supper' veggie haggis, mashed tatties and carrots (forgot the neeps)!+ a glass of Red.
Girls here for lunch, then a wee shopping spree as the three of us head south as the memsahib is ninty-two years old tomorrow:)
We then visited the allotment to see the new shed-- Bella led us along the path with our eyes closed, so we would get a big surprise when we saw the shed:)

The 'IF' Factor.

The 'IF' factor stepped in this morning and I managed to pull a muscle in my lower back!! whilst lifting Graham's folding bike out of the car! Managed to hobble round Waitrose after taking paracetamol and ibuprofen--then over to visit the girls!
Layla and Bella took Ruaridh for his constitutional whilst I sat in the car. Thanks girls.Then I managed round Asda leaning on the trolley the pain was bloody awful! Stayed with Bella whilst Layla had an appointment watched Doris Day in the film 'By the Light of the Silvery Moon' great.
Now got Layla's wonder back machine on which appears to be helping along with all the analgesia:)
Woke Saturday having slept through the night on analgesia ++ Down to the shore with Graham and the Wonder Dog, it was freezing cold with a strong Westerly wind.
Back feeling better seems to improve with walking!!+ eating analgesic's!
Back home hot chocolate with brandy soon warmed us up:)
Watched episode 5&6 of Borgan excellent.
Sunday After a late constitutional along the shore with the Wonder Dog, went to The Union Gallery to meet up with Megan and Stewart. Good to see Megan on these shores and have a chat--saw her artwork alongside Stewart's.
Start of the week was quite busy walked through the meadowland on this mornings constitutional Ruaridh had a great time sniffing and rolling in the frost.
Later got some work done i.e. cleaned the bedroom (we have far too many books), ironed, started the dinner listening to BBC Radio 4 then did some knitting---------------!!
Tuesday down to the shore and the beach today -- hardly a ripple disturbed the sea.
The birds however were very active on a sandbank, oyster catchers, curlews, sandpipers, seagulls and blackbirds were the order of the day.
Ruaridh loves to creep up on the blackbirds then wonders where they have gone as they take to the sky. He did get some stone throwing and jumping in though!
Still patches of ice on the beach.
Wednesday Walking in the woods today met two of the 'Rangers' so put my two pennyworth in re the leaving of trees to rot for thirty years in the woods, especially now more trees are falling due to rain, winds, soil erosion et al. At the end of the day I think the three of us managed to agree -- it is down to MONEY!
Girls here for lunch.
Thursday Weather changed quite dramatically today, on the morning constitutional the sun shone, people smiled Spring was in the air.
Two hours later in town the wind became very cold the rain started then sleet came down Winter is here!

Bella Day !

Set off to quite early on Tuesday morning as Bella, Ruaridh and I were spending the day together. We had a lovely time playing at drawing a shape then the other person has to make the shape into something recognisable using a pencil! Good exercise for the brain! We then got ready and set of along the cycle path to go to the playpark and take the wee fellow for a walk! had a lovely walk then fun on the playpark.
Back home had a problem unlocking the door eventually managed--lovely veggie bacon sandwiches for lunch then we settled down to watch Doris Day in the film 'On Moonlight Bay' Bella is a huge fan--great movie we both loved it. Then Eve her wee chum came over I got dinner ready for the gang arriving home. A lovely fun day!
Monday the Wonder Dog and moi went down to the beach, large expanse of beach me in wellies so what the hell we made it out to the sea! However the tide was coming in so we had to beat a somewhat hasty retreat and wade through some deep water Ruaridh was great a true Border trojan.
Wednesday Miss B and her mum popped in for lunch, after they left got the cookbooks out made nan breads, spiced rice and veggie curry, for dinner it was delicious.
Thursday went into town to get some messages home as quick as I could. Bella here for dinner we enjoyed her company and Grandpa, Bella, Ruaridh and I enjoyed our fish and chips.
Friday took Ruaridh to the east beach the tide was out the beach covered in shells--Ruaridh dug for one--hole filled with water no shell he kept on digging the shell was never found:) Over to visit the girls for lunch then a shop at Asda. Evening started to watch Borgan a Danish politico/thriller--looks like being excellent.
Very lazy Saturday--lovely croissants with raspberry jam and Graham's coffee in bed. Up late managed to take the Wonder Dog for a walk in the local woods.
Evening watched three episodes of Brogan interesting and excellent.
Sunday Bella came for brunch as her mum and dad were knocking down the old shed at the allotment ready for the new one on Monday. She wanted to come with us to Cammo estate with the wee fellow. Had a super time there--walked, played hide and seek, took photo's and enjoyed one another's company. Played iSpy in the car on the way home.
Watched a great Swedish movie--'Let the Right One In'--a modern vampire film--interesting quite emotive!!

Snow and rain!

This week started with the a fine covering of snow on the hills and the field in front of the house, it was freezing. Christine our neighbour who we were not able to raise yesterday popped over for a cuppa and a piece of Christmas cake. We had a good chat mainly about what people charge in the Glen for holiday lets:) !!.
The twilight hour approached and so I just took Ruaridh for a ramble around the field which is waterlogged! Graham was out in the garden the first time in three days!
Tuesday there was a wee respite in the weather and we managed down to the beach--although it was cold and blustery we enjoyed the walk. Found some Goose barnacles that normally travel no further than the S/W coasts of England and Ireland.
Wednesday we sorted the house phoned Christine and left for the city. Poor Graham still got the cold and now a bout of sciatica! On the hill on the way out of the Glen the snow was quite deep, ruaridh and moi had a meander into the woods (he loved the snow) but our trip was cut short due to a fallen tree!
Uneventful journey arrived home safe and sound--pasta al forno for dinner which I must say tasted delicious!
Thursday, today all was quiet and peaceful as Ruaridh and I walked through the local woods, even the sun shone!
These trees were lucky, many old big trees had been uprooted and lots of branches ripped off in the winds that had surged through Edinburgh earlier in the week. Paths were blocked and many tales of devastation were being told!
Cleaned the bathroom and the hallway and stairs.
Friday drove to the office with Graham then walked Ruaridh through Victoria Park and along the cycle path to see the girls! Layla, Bella, Ruaridh and I went to the allotment to take the exsisting shed down as a new one will be arriving next week.
Managed to clear the shed getting it down was another matter as we didn't have the proper tools. So we left it for Mr Blogs to do!!
Needless to say Bella enjoyed her ride in the wheelbarrow and we managed to salvage 'one stump'! Back to theirs for lunch then a visit to Asda to get messages!
Very lazy weekend didn't get up till lunchtime both days. Enjoyed my coffee and toast in bed both days!!
Saturday saw us take the Wonder Dog to the local woods--rather late as someone asked if we would complete a survey! More trees down than I saw on Thursday. Made bread!
Sunday very lazy dozy day went to Cammo Estate great walk Ruaridh enjoyed it.
Made a soda bread--caught up with the ironing.
Watched the film noir 'The Maltese Falcon' Excellent!

January Ist 2012.

Awoken in the early hours of this morning with our own Light and Noise show the Lightening flashed and the Thunder crashed and poor wee Ruaridh roamed the house wondering what the hell was happening! We left him, we spoke to him but not 'til the 'show' passed did he settle! The wind howled and the rain lashed down.
The wee fellow then wanted his breakfast at 0730h, up with him so I made the early cuppa! Then back to bed!
Layla phoned to wish us Happy New Year-- they had a lovely time. Got up had a wash, then made breakfast--Graham staying in bed so took his up, had mine then phoned mum to wish her Happy New Year she is fine getting ready for her party!
Phoned neighbour Christine--no reply so took Ruaridh for a walk down past hers--no signs of life so came back home.
Quiet day Graham got up later in the afternoon, I made a pudding for this evening's meal Pear Mascarpone Custard we used to have this quite often--haven't had it for an age! Then I made dinner pasta with tomatoes and chili done in garlic infused olive oil with basil added at the end. Delicious with parmesan cheese and homemade bread!
Monday of the week we joined the family for a walk to Cammo estate what a difference to last year when the ground was covered in ice and snow, this year wet and boggy!
Tuesday took the Wonder Dog to the shore at Newhaven then visited five supermarkets to get the food to take to the cottage tomorrow. Family for dinner Bella entertained us with her dancing to 'The Birds the Word' hilarious. said bye to them a we won't see them for over a week.
Travelled to the cottage in hellish weather only had to go through one flood--lots of puddles. Cottage fine when we arrived.
Thursday and Friday the wind howled and the rain lashed down, managed two short walks with Ruaridh every where is waterlogged. Christine popped over for a chat and cuppa.
Miss the ice and snow of last year!