Fun:)

Travelled down to the Red Rose County on Sunday with Layla and Bella to visit the memsahib. Good trip down on the train and the weather was good. Layla made us a lovely dinner of pizza and salad and whilst we were waiting Bella and I had a lovely half an hour on the beach.
Monday awoke quite early--breakfast then when we were ready we all went to the prom. Bella had a great time on the trampoline, rides, donkey ride and on the pier. The memsahib managed the walk there and back!
In the afternoon Layla, Bella and I went swimming what a lovely surprise I got to see Miss B doing her 'doggie paddle' had a swim then to get messages. Harrison and Ann popped in good to see them Hari away to spain Tuesday morning. Fish chips and mushy peas for dinner followed by Layla's delicious rhubarb crumble with ice-cream.
Tuesday got ready for leaving then down to the pier for the last fling and lunch at the new 'Deckhouse' cafe on the pier. Food and service good another warm day.
Now home getting ready for our visitor from Sweden.

'Birkies'

Today the sun shone and it was lovely and warm. After breakfast, shower and hairwash I donned my eight year old 'Birkies' and Ruaridh and I set off for the beach.
Walked out to the East lots of oyster catchers nestling/walking on the rocks, as we stopped to watch them many took off in flight.
Lots of shell throwing into the sea, I got my feet wet and mucky Ruaridh had a great time as usual. Walked on the grass the night rain/morning dew washed my feet love it.
Made dinner as the family are retuning from holiday today and will be eating with us.
Listened to 'Mclevy' --"A voice from the Grave" as I sat outside eating my lunch, I laughed so much very funny script, excellent.
The family arrived all looking very well after a week in the sun in the South of England, good to see them.

Meeting

Today I had the pleasure of meeting a 'blipper' and her family from Germany. They are holidaying in Scotland and decided to come to Edinburgh for the day so I arranged to meet them.
We had an entertaining and delightful lunch at Mama's in the Grassmarket and I enjoyed the company of all the family. As one of the children wanted to see Edinburgh Castle that was the next move in their agenda for the day--I said my farewells until the the next time.
Went into 'Gap' then home, Ruaridh happy to see me.
Lots of basil in the house so made pesto.
Veggie risotto for dinner.
Family home tomorrow.

Strawberries

Managed to buy 4kgs of strawberries today to make jam with! Then went down to the beach with Ruaridh lovely walk, tide out so not much water to throw stones in but when we could the wee fellow enjoyed it!
Back home started on making the bread, then getting the strawberries ready to be made into jam tomorrow. Soaking overnight in lots of sugar!
Graham made lovely red pepper soup, then to use the brocolli I had bought and (forgotten about) he made this lovely pasta dish with olive oil, anchovies, garlic and chili delicious.

Beach

Today the Wonder Dog and I had a super walk on the beach. We travelled East and the sea was so far out we were able to walk in places never before trod!
Met plenty of dog walkers and two Border Terriers. Main topic of conversation with the last group I met was the freebies given out for the 'Madonna' concert tomorrow evening at Murrayfield Stadium, various comments on the lady in question thankfully the dogs were oblivious to it all.
Back home busy day made bread, nan's, dog biscuits and ratatouille for dinner--now in the oven cooking--smells good.
Took Ruaridh for a stroll in the woods this evening still lots of mud to slip and slide in.
Hope to have a relaxing evening reading Jackie Kay's book 'Red Dust Road'.

Allotment

As the family are on holiday I said I would go over to the allotment to check it out. Was meant to go yesterday but due to the continuous downpour put it off until today.
The SUN SHONE so got the Wonder Dog into the car and drove over to Leith, left the car at their house then Ruaridh and I walked over to the allotment. Very pleasant there and quite warm, did some weeding, trasplanted the leeks, watered the tomatoes then picked the raspberries. Less raspberries than last year, then we were eating them and making jam! also they were falling apart as I picked them, the few I got are in the freezer. Have also noticed there are hardly any wild raspberries in the woods.
Layla's potato box is looking great and her peas are looking good too.
We walked back to the house had our lunch sat in the garden, then after speaking to a few of the neighbours over to Asda to get the messages.
Drove home decided to have sheperdess pie for dinner. Aready apart from the Aduki beans found I had bought Borlotti ones instead!! improvised with broken up veggie meat(less) balls and it turned out to be quite good! Eaten with beetroot in vinegar.

Tyninghame Beach

Huevos Rancheros for breakfast with a delicious cup of coffee courtesy of Graham and eaten in bed. Had a read then up for a shower and hairwash before meeting the family and heading out for Tyninghame Beach. Bella decided to come with us and we played I-Spy all the way there, Bella definately better than her Granny at guessing some of Granpa's more difficult ones!
Lovely walk along the beach in the sun, Bella and Ruaridh enjoyed rushing inand out of the sea, I had a more sedate paddle!
We climbed this huge sand-dune Bella and the Wonder Dog had great fun running up and down, sand flying everywhere!
We stopped at the wee tea shop in Tyninghame village on the way home and all enjoyed an assortment of drinks and cakes.
Now relaxing with a G&T before making dinner.

Faerie Wings and Wands

Bella stayed overnight with us as this morning the two of us set off on a mission. I think we woke a wee bit earlier than we expected but spent the time before getting up reading and Granny dozing. Breakfast and a wash then off to get the bus as we were going to make faerie wings and wands.
Arrived at the venue and along with lots of other children, Mums and Granny's we listened to a Faerie Story then set to and made a pair of Faerie Wings and a wand. Great fun and we met some nice people. Then we got the bus home Ruaridh was delighted to see us. After lunch we took the Wonder Dog for a walk the woods are still very muddy and the local park still flooded.
Back home made a batter for crepes for dessert Bella is great at making these and always has a 'test' one:)
Read, watched some 'Mary, Mungo and Midge' then Layla arrived followed by Grandpa and Joe.
Lovely dinner of pasta with pesto and tomato sauce, salad, homemade bread followed by the crepes with lemon and castor sugar.
Good chat then the family left--got my feet up now--Goodnight.

To the Glen

Saturday saw us heading for the Glen, decided to go via Glen Coe this time in the rain. Good journey even though it did rain stopped in Glen Etive and had a light lunch. Arrived at the cottage in sunshine Christine had the fire on lovely and cozy in the cottage.
Spent all day Tuesday with Miss B who had been poorly during the night. She was much better throughout the day and we had a lovely time reading, watching a couple of 'Charlie and Lola's' and make believe. Lovely dinner when the rest of the family came home-- rice, chili (veggie) and homemade tortilla's, went down well!
Wednesday have caught Graham's cough and cold, very croaky feeling rotten so had a day in bed. Layla and Bella came to collect Ruaridh and took him to the beach at Portobello. Read a brilliant book.
Thursday and Friday feeling mince but up and about with the Wonder Dog and getting messages as we head up to the cottage on Saturday.
Spent a lovely week at the Glen the sun shone most of the time the garden resembled a jungle which we tried to rectify a little! but it is hard hardwork!! Also painted the bathroom which looks lovely. Managed some small walks still both got hacking coughs and runny noses. Ruaridh had a great time playing with Misty and we saw Christine a couple of times.
Drove to Edinburgh on Sunday.