Hairdresser!

Today awoke to the rain pishing down, in fact at times coming down by the bucketful! But heh what the hell the Wonder Dog needed (not wanted) a walk, so never daunted we got ourselves organised and set off for the shore at Newhaven--as I had a hair appointment later this was the way to go.
Jumped in the car and set off the rain lashed down, arrived at the carpark for the hairdressers, donned wet weather gear and set off. The wind blew the rain into my face and both Ruaridh and moi got soaked, walked to the lighthouse and turned back. At the car saw to Ruaridh--dri ed him and gave him his lunch, then to get my hair done. Good chat with Iain, good haircut (according to Layla) then over to Asda to get the messages to take up to the cottage tomorrow, before going to see the girls.
Had taken my own sandwich, so Layla made me a cup of coffee. Then I played with Miss B until her friend Eve arrived. Graham came over with Joe we had a chat then left for home.
Asparagus risotto for dinner, then an early night as we hit the road to the Glen tomorrow!

Last Bookmaking Session

Tonight was the last bookmaking session must say the four weeks have flown by! Have enjoyed the sessions, though I must say it has been hard work for me concentrating on all that one has to learn to hand make a book!
Had an appoinment this morning so was rather late arriving at Layla's, we had a chat then set off to pick up Bella. Had lunch at theirs before we all including the Wonder Dog of course piled into the car to head to the allotment.
Spent a couple of hours weeding the beds then back to theirs for a cuppa and a sandwich before heading off to meet Graciela and go to the bookmaking!
Good session finished two books and am pleased with them both. Thanks to Isabella for the course and Graciela for the chat, laughs and lifts.

Beach Day in an Easterly Wind!

As Layla and Bella are both on holiday today and the sun was shining we decided to go off to the beach. We packed a picnic, got buckets and a washing up bowl, a swimsuit for the wee one and set off with gusto to the beach at Gullane! The only item we appeared to have forgotten was the windbreaker
The Easterly wind met us with gusto, managed quite a few trips down to the sea to collect water for the moat round the castle that Bella and Layla made. As a child always wondered why the water disappeared !!!!
Ate our sandwiches which slowly filled with sand, enjoyed the coffee. Took the Wonder Dog for a walk who thought he would try to catch a kite flying in the blue yonder.
After a couple of hours decided enough was enough and packed up, though I must say quite a few brave souls stayed!
A lovely day:)

The Weekend

Over the past few weeks/months have only been doing a weekly Blog with quite a bit taken from my blipfoto.com/BB account. This was due to the fact for some reason on a daily basis I was unable to keep up with my Blog, busy with other things. However I love doing my Blog so have decided to attempt to now do it on an interesting time/day basis, so all crosed I can keep to this. Hoping to start this from 01/06/12!
Today started with a long lie and read, followed by a delicious breakfast in bed, fried tomatoes on toast with a mug of delicious coffee. Quite a lazy day made bread from the dough I got together last night -- quite light in colour! Family arrived back from the Borders they had a lovely Saturday there, Grandpa took Bella for her new crocs and she arrived back with a lovely new dress as well:)
Family left to enjoy their garden, and the paddling pool for Miss B with her chums. Lovely walk in the woods with Ruaridh.
Decided to have tinned salmon sandwiches for dinner with a cuppa lovely.
Also attempted another cyanotype this time from a negative of a print of a starfish I took on the beach in the Glen, very pale--must expose for longer!!
Saturday long lie, shower and hair wash then later down to the shore and beach with the Wonder Dog, talk about a Dog's Life running into the sea after shells, rubbing himself in the sand with the sun beating down what more could a Dog ask for.
Oh I know he shared our delicious breakfast of asparagus and fried eggs on garlic toast that we ate in bed this morning not fogetting G's amazing coffee--not for a dog:)
Lovely day!
Watched part one of the two part new Swedish thriller on BBC 4 'Sebastian Bergman' excellent viewing!

Do Nothing in Particular Day!

Today was one of those days! Amazing down at the shore and beach today, the mist was rolling in from the East dancing on the sands then capturing Cramond Island--the sun shone!!
Kind of lazy day, took Ruaridh through the woods this evening, the bluebells are still prolific, wild garlic still has a strong smell and the birds were chirping away.
Summer--who knows we have a weather warning for heavy rain!!
Monday up quite early as we were taking Bella to the cinema to watch the film 'The Pirates' , Ruaridh was going to stay with joe and Layla, the sun was shining. Caught the bus to the cinema bought the requisite popcorn and coke and settled into our concession VIP seats. Enjoyed the movie but always amazed these days that the kids don't join in. So remember cheering either the Indians or Cowboys (which ever you supported) on.
After the show back to theirs then to the Haven Cafe for a late brunch! Walked home with the wee fellow!!
Tuesday the mist was hanging over the trees when I awoke, up bright and early, so out for the morning constitutional by 0930h. OMG what a lot of dogs with their walkers congregated on the park, the Wonder Dog sniffed around and walked on by!
Around 1300h the sun decided to make its presence known and shone all afternoon.
After lunch Ruaridh and moi attacked the garden, must say the hostas are looking great, now that we can see them!
Wednesday evening book binding class! Only one more class to go and three books to finish!
Spent a lovely afternoon at the allotment with the girls and Ruaridh, great weather!
Friday late constitutional along the shore at Newhaven today. The tide was starting to rush into the harbour as we set off, on our return the wee boats were floating.
Lunch with the girls, then over to blipcentral with a Birthday Cake for Hilda who celebrates her Special Day with her family on Sunday!
Happy Bithday H, have a great day. BBx

The Memsahib

Today I travelled back from a visit to mum, it was my regular visit to her however on Thursday just before I started my journey down I learned she had quite a bad fall. On the train down her friend Anne phoned me to say mum had gone into severe shock and was in hospital--thankfully Anne was with her. As i was on my way down once she had recovered a little they let her home.
Poor mum no fish and chips for dinner just boiled water and a cuppa to settle--I was starving so really enjoyed my fish and chips!
Slept well--Friday saw to mum who managed her breakfast had a chat with her and decided she needs daily care morning and evening --thankfully someone offered--they are happy to do this, mum is delighted so am I. Long may it continue. Busy day sorting lots out , mum slept quite a lot which is good though she is still feeling somewhat fragile. Pasta and tomato sauce for dinner. Listened to 'Severed Threads' the last part of a trilogy of afternoon plays-- on iPlayer then to bed!
Saturday slept like a log last night, up saw to mums needs, then after a wash organised with mum what was required.
Various jobs to do as mum had a visitor I left them to get on with the messages!
Hari was at the house when I got back had a chat, then mum and I had lunch. Got everything ready for dinner then popped in to see A to make arrangements for her looking after mum. Like the new kitchen and dining room!
Managed to persuade mum to have a shower and wash her hair, that done made dinner enjoyed asparagus quiche, new potatoes and peas followed by a big dish of strawberries and ice cream! Delicious. Mum tired to bed. I sat and watched the last two episodes of 'The Bridge'- weak in one part psychologically excellent!
Awoke Sunday morning had a shower and washed my hair as today I was returning to Edinburgh. Saw to mum's breakfast and had mine did the washing and put it out as the sun was shining. Spoke to A again then had to leave. Mum not looking too great but A is going to pop in this evening. Good journey home Graham and Ruaridh met me off the train. Nice dinner watched 'Paradise Now' a Palastinian film very good. To bed cannot remember goin to sleep.
Monday Great walk down to the shore and beach, windy again but less so than yesterday.
Really enjoyed the walk today, the waves were rolling in Ruaridh managed to retrieve some of the stones I threw -- a morning for dreaming:)
Tuesday Bella had been poorly over the weekend, so I met her at lunch time today, Cheese on toast and a small fruit salad then we were off to the woods with the Wonder Dog. We meandered through the meadowland, minutes earlier we had been 'stung' by hail stones cascading down from the sky.
Fun afternoon we walked, talked, played, Bella danced to Christmas tunes emanating from a plastic snowman she unearthed, (Granny B remember to remove batteries) a lovely time was had:) Family for dinner which we all enjoyed.
Wednesday Second session at the bookbinding course this evening
Made my first book--it is for Bella. Really enjoyed the course this evening, had a laugh with Graciela.

Girls for Lunch

Today Layla and Bella came for lunch. Poor wee Bella was felling under the weather but managed a poke (bag) of granny's chips and some veggie bacon. She was not 100% so she had a rest and I read her two 'Mr Men' stories. Ruaridh's nose was out of joint and he pushed between us and eventually ended up lying next to Bella, which she enjoyed. Layla phoned to say Bella is feeling much better this evening.
Monday another good day here in the Glen, more logs sawn and stored, bread made and a lovely walk with G and the Wonder Dog down on the shore.
Just going to listen to the first episode of 'Fatherland' on iPlayer.
Tuesday sad to leave the Glen but these things have to be! On the journey to the Glen Thursday last when we stopped for a 'pee' at our usual place the weather was lovely and warm. Today it was freezing, however never daunted the Wonder Dog did his 'stuff' then waded into the canal for a drink:)
Wednesday started a course on book-binding this evening at Owl and Lion, the first of four and very interesting it is to.
OMG we were into the books straight away, I am now the proud owner of the insides of two books--watch this space!
Thursday lovely time spent with good friends Jane and Christel, as much as we discussed and the talk and some wine flowed we were unable to put the World to rights!
Though we did try:)
Saturday breakfast in bed courtesy of G--roasted asparagus, fried egg and toast with the obligatory mug of G's delicious coffee.
Relaxed but busy day meant the Wonder Dog didn't get his walk until late afternoon.
The light was amazing love it at this time of the year the ripples on the pond caught it as did the bluebells--getting ready to watch 'The Bridge' on BBC 4.
Sunday Down to the shore and beach threw plenty of shells into the sea for Ruaridh and he did retrieve some!
Very windy at the shore and beach but had a lovely walk.
Popped over to see the girls and welcome Mr Blogs back from his 'Biking Adventure' well done Joe in a great time!

Busy Day in the Cottage Garden

Arrived at the cottage around 2000h last night, after a lovely journey in good weather. The house looked lovely and a log fire was glowing in the stove. Quickly made the pizza's and really enjoyed eating them! we were going to have them in Edinburgh but Graham got away early so off we set!
Friday Graham was expecting a parcel through Parcel Force which is delivered in the Glen by postie--It didn't arrive! The sun shone for most of the day although there was a cold wind! well this is the Highlands. Busy day attacking the grass mowing and strimming.
Noticed these new pine cones making an appearance on the tree, G collected quite a few old ones that had blown off they will burn on the stove tonight!
Saturday the parcel arrived and I met our new postie John a pleasant man who had time to blether for a minute or two! The parcel cotained a cyanotype set (blueprints) so great excitement on seeing how the first one turns out!
Took the Wonder Dog for a walk down the riverside, Graham did some pinhole photography and I collected some flowers for the cyanotype. Christine popped over and decided to stay and have some soup (that Graham had made) with us! I then watched two episodes of 'The Bridge' before retiring.
SundayTook the Wonder Dog and his chum Misty for a walk in the woods. Sunny with a cold wind, the two dogs disappeared on numerous adventures, though arrived home safe and sound!
G set up his pinhole camera, as the burn was running low I managed to clamber down under the bridge and get a lovely photo of the water didn't really do justice to the amazing colours cascading down.
Did another Cyanotype today, with moss from the bank of the burn.
The beginning of the week Monday was was windy and cold as the Wonder Dog and I set off along the shore towards the East. No beach or running into the sea today as the waves surged and crashed onto the rocks.
Ruaridh however found lots to entertain him on the grass and in the shrubs -- chasing rabbits!
Tuesday saw two herons at the pond today managed to get quite close with Ruaridh. Went to meet up with Miss B had a lovely time playing with her then the family arrived for dinner. She was in great form this evening:)
Wednesday at the allotment. Lovely day spent with the girls and Ruaridh. The sun never broke through, but we managed to have our lunch alfresco!!
Lots of work done--the allotment is looking great! After the allotment a visit to Asda to get food for the trip to the Glen tomorrow! Also visited Waitrose this morning!