Fun Day

Up early, had breakfast with Graham, then when he left I had a shower and washed my hair before taking The Wonder Dog on his constitutional. Lovely walk in the woods weather quite chilly and dry, feel so sorry for the peolple in England and Wales who are experiencing these horrendous floods. Then off to get the bus as I was meeting Miss B early, met her then down to the canal where we enjoyed our packed lunch watching the ducks. Bella wondered if some of them were married !! Then into town to get some messages before going to 'Helios Fountain' to buy some books. We love this shop and today they had lots of lovely toys and books for Bella and moi to look at and who knows maybe Santa heard some wishes. Then to a cafe for a drink Bella decided on the largest piece of chocolate cake ever good job her Granny likes it too. Got the bus home I had out 70p for the wee ones fare the driver told me it was 80p on the 'First' bus, so I had to go in my bag to get my purse to get the money when a kind gentleman gave me the 10p and wouldn't let me repay him. Thank you kind sir we did as we said and donated money to a charity. Bella and I played, watched some 'Mr Benn'then 'Charlie and Lola' before mummy, daddy and poor Grandpa who was last but not least arrived. Lovely pasta, pesto, tomato sauce and meatless balls dinner, followed by crepes made by Bella Just going to do some knitting then bed. Goodnight.

Christmas Pudding

Once again very behind with my Blog apologies for this, have been very busy travelling up and down the country!! Still no excuse so will try and do what I intended to do weeks ago and record eventful days only!! However will attempt a wee catch up to bring the Blog up to date--BB. Thursday last 15 November Bella and me made the Christmas pudding, lots of vigerous stirring, grating of apples and carrot, getting the rind off the orange and the juice from inside--phew no wonder we were tired. Last of all we added some 5 pences the as one does we all made our wishes. Hopefully now steamed and resting until Christmas Day. Made the Christmas cake had to take it to Layla's to bake it as my oven is somewhat knackered, and as it is gas is not staying lit at low temps--smells delicious. The past month since our return from Orkney has been quite a busy but fun one. I visited the memsahib for a few days, pleased to say she is improving and doing well. Also had a quick trip up to the cottage which the three of us(Ruaridh) enjoyed did nothing the first day there, then lots done the second. Celebrated Layla's birthday on the 13 November with a meal at the Middle Eastern Restuarant 'Pomegranate' followed by a celebratory Birthday Cake at theirs, it was a delicious cake made by Joe and Bella. Met an old chum of mine Clare who is an artist for lunch and what a lovely time and chat we had. We first met about thirty two years ago, but neither of us could remember the last time we met. It was BR (before Ruaridh) and we both put it between ten/twelve years. They are back living in Edinburgh now so looking forward to more meets. Met up with Granny K (Joe's Mum) for lunch, good to catch up. Made beetroot and tomato chutney. Bella stayed overnight one Saturday and we watched a funny film, and ate sweeties. Celebrated the Birthday of our dear chum Chris at Haman's Restuarant, yes another Middle Eastern one, lovely to be with old friends and meet new. Went to the Christmas market at Bella's school great to see well kent faces, saw our chum Tony who is coming for dinner next week!

Behind with Blog yet again.

Saturday 27th October saw us return to the mainland after a soujourn in the Orkney Isles for a week. We left the city early morning on the 20th October to journey to Gills Bay on the North coast of Scotland to catch the ferry! Good journey and delighted to see the family come off the ferry that we were catching--they had just spent a delightful week in Orkney. Boat trip great, cottage waiting for us, we quickly settled ourselves in. Ruaridh delighted to be back running all over the place. The first three days of our stay the sun shone giving us amazing sunrises and it was warm. Trip into Kirkwall to shop, visits to the beach, Sands of Wight and Waulkmill. A long trek out to The Gloup and Mull Head, the sea all around us. Again we visited the Standing Stones at Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar--still so much more to be discovered here. On to Birsay and a lovely walk along the cliff top there, seeing the fantastic sandstone in its amazing layers, I love it. Walked to the Skibo Geo a natural harbour formed by the cliffs, there one sees a restored Fisherman's Hut and 'noosts' hollows where the fishermen pulled their boats for safety. Knitting, reading of adventures in Afghanistan, and Scotland in WW2. Eating, drinking enjoying scones and coffee in the cafe 'Judith Glue' in Kirkwall. A visit to Stromness to the Pier Art Gallery there, amazing collections works by Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, Lowry, Graham Sutherland, Paolozzi the list goes on and on. Also showing there was an exhibition of woodblock printmaking by Teruo Isomi depicting the Orcadian landscape. The print shown was my favorite showing the Orkney Stone that one sees all around the coastline of the Islands. Saturday we returned to the mainland to visit the family for dinner lovely pizza's and dips thanks Joe, Layla and Bella good to see you all.