Holiday!

Tomorrow we leave for the Glen. Up quite early as on Wednesday 27 March we left to go to the cottage for five days. The car was packed G went for petrol and I walked over to meet him with the Wonder Dog, then off to pick up Layla and Bella for the trip North. The day was amazing cold but sunny, we stopped at the pee stop for a pee and also to have our lunch which we all enjoyed. Arrived safely at the Glen poor G got both stoves going, however the one in the Green room was extremly smokey and then started to belch out black smoke you guessed it an owl had once again fallen down the lum and was blocking the flue. G managed to get it out you can imagine the smell from the smoke!! Bella played outside whilst I got the beds and 'hotties' organised. The everyone agreed we should have dinner in the Red room, which by this time was very cosy and no smell of smoke. Layla made a delicious meal spinach in cheese sauce with pasta and olives. As we were all tired an early night was called for. Thursday awoke to a ground frost quickly disappeared as the sun arose in the West. Bella awake early played some games after an early cuppa,breakfast when G and L got up. Layla,Bella,Ruaridh and moi had a lovely walk to the post box. Later spent a lovely afternoon at the beach,Bellamy found lots of treasures, home to eat Graham preparing dinner rice and vegetables --half cooked the rice outside to cool Misty the croft dog and her pup wandered over and ate it! Managed to find a stash of noodles so the meal was saved and delicious. Friday another frosty morning but the day turned out to be beautiful. Lovely walk by the river, accompanied by not one but three dogs! Found lots of fir cones which we picked up to burn on the stoves, through sticks into the river for races, fun times. Home to await the arrival of Joe in the Bongo--somewhere in this time and space Layla and Bella made delicious flapjacks. Watched a Doris Day film excellent. Joe arrived safe and sound we all sat down to a delicious meal of veggie chilli and rice. Thanks to Layla. Saturday Bella up early so after the usual cuppa we played snakes and ladders!! then the others got up and we had a big fry up for breakfast. Another frosty morning that turned into a warm day. Spent a lovely time at the beach had a super walk as the tide was ways out. Ruaridh delighted at the amount of sticks and stones thrown for him. Soup for a late lunch then as we were feeling dozy another Doris Day film. Layla made lovely pizza's for dinner which we all enjoyed. Easter Day dawned, frosty early morning did not put the Easter Bunny off lots of treasure left in the garden, which was found after a breakfast of Layla's delicious hot-cross buns and mugs of coffee. We dyed and hard boiled eggs then set off with them to the woods to roll them down a hill. Amidst much hilarity Bella won the race-Ruaridh ate his egg! Great family time. Lovely veggie meatless balls in tomato sauce for dinner with pasta. Monday dawned, after breakfast the family packed the camper van then after a photo call packed themselves in and set off for places further North! Graham and me sorted the house then set off for Edinburgh. Tuesday wa a lovely day and the heron was back by the pond in the meadowland. Wednesday was busy-- girls here for lunch. An attempt to put the world to rights not over successful:) Tony here for dinner. Thursday over to water the plants at Layla's, tried to get the wee Fiesta started no joy, walked from East to West with the Wonder Dog. I'm back writing this and I'm sure--in fact I know I have listened to the afternoon plays on BBC radio 4, most of which were good however I have forgotten what and when the were on! Oh just remembered I listened to four plays called 'Quartet' which was very good. Friday watched an Argentinian film 'The Secret in their Eyes' excellent. Saturday Lovely walk, family home in camper van Betty, to us for dinner good to see them and they were looking good. Sunday, was very hungry today -- had two breakfast! Nuff said. Bj

Allotment!

The sun shone today so Layla, Ruaridh and me hot footed it to the allotment. Turned the tattie patch on the 'new' allotment over swept the paths whilst Layla turned over a raised bed on her 'old' allotment, enjoyed the time there very relaxing. First visited ASDA to sort out a problem of how much wine one could buy when it is on offer. Problem quickly resolved by an excellent supervisor and we left with the wine we wanted. Layla came for lunch, then we sat and had a chat before she left to pick up Bella. I made bread rolls, bread and butternut squash soup before taking Ruaridh to the woods, where we had a lovely walk. Got the dinner started butternut squash risotto with salad. Phoned mum as Layla, Bella, and me are going to visit her tomorrow in the Red Rose County.

Fun Afternoon

Another dreich day this time with not a glimmer of the sun's rays. Had a shower and washed my hair before setting off with Ruaridh in the sleet that the wind was blowing in all directions! Needless to say the woods were an even bigger mud bath as we walked through them--we both got soaked. Quick change then to get some messages before meeting up with Bella. Good ride home on the bus with one of her wee chums and his mum. Big lunch of pizza and chips (in a poke for Bella.) Bella watched 'Charlie and Lola' get up to their antics whilst I made the big lunch. Then we had a game of Snakes and Ladders guess who won ? I read to Bella and nearly fell asleep! Then we did some 'Hama Bead' designs before Bella settled down to read to herself and have a wee rest, as Layla and Bella are going to her friend Eve's school concert this evening. Layla arrived and we all had a chat, before enjoying our dinner of meatless balls in tomato sauce and salad. Bella had a hole in her tights so she asked me if I had any socks, managed to find a smallish pair left for me by friend Sue from Canada. Ruaridh and me took the girls to the car, put the bins out. Now just about to catch up on BBC radio 4 serial and a couple of afternoon plays as Graham is still doing his film developing course.

Rescue

Awoke this morning to a light covering of snow, after Graham had left for the studio got ready to take the Wonder Dog for a walk. It started to snow heavily as we approached the park and woods,Ruaridh was in his element running and sniffing the snow! The woods were lovely although the poor daffodil shoots appeared to be shrinkng in the cold. Just as we were going out of the park a wee puppy arrived wanting in, no lead, no owner in sight, no means of identification !! Waited to see if anyone claimed him--no joy. A couple more dog walkers appeared, we decided to see if the local vet would scan him to see if he was micro chipped, they said they would. The other two dog walkers took him and I continued on my walk. On my return journey I saw two women at the park gate looking worried, I asked them if they had lost a dog, they said yes, apparently the pup belonged to a neighbour of theirs and had escaped when postie left the gate open! I contacted the vet and one of the dog walkers agreed to meet the women who would return 'Mungo' to his owner-- phew ! All's well that ends well! Busy day made bread rolls, some ? malt bread, finished cleaning the bedroom, did some washing. Listened to the play on BBC Radio 4 ' Take me to Redcar' very good. Took Ruaridh for his evening walk (do love snow) then as G appeared to be working late watched Episode 8 of 'Call the Midwife' this has been an excellent series--took me back1 Roasted vegetables and pasta for dinner with homemade bread, lovely.

Getting into a Bad Habit

Over the past years I have let my Blog slip, tried different ways of trying to keep up to date to no avail so I guess I just plod on and to the people who take the time to read my wafflings thank you. Since my last Blog when we came back from the cottage I spent a day with Bella who couldn't go to school as she had a bad cough and cold. Lovely day, we read, played games, watched CBeebies and had lots of fun, as Ruaridh hadn't had a walk g and moi took him for a quick evening walk along the shore. Bought two nice bowls and spoons to have our miso soup in I really like them.Had lots of good walks down to the beach and into the woods. Enjoyed doing my knitting one jumper now finished Bella's big cardigan growing! Enjoyed my massage and acupuncture back feeling much improved/ Tony for dinner always enjoy his company. Joe celebrated his Birthday enjoyed a lovely meal at Port of Siam Thai restuarant, then a big piece of birthday cake at the family's:) Spent time at the allotment with Layla got lots done. Met up with Bella early as she has a sore arm after tumbling off the trampoline update :-the poor wee sausage has broken both her L) radius and ulna and is now sporting a stookie (POP cast) up to her oxter (underarm) pale blue looks glamarous. Spent time doing an Oral History workshop hoping to be able to work on a project archiving a special place. Very interesting met up with some nice people. Forgot to mention listened on iPlayer to BBC Radio 4's play 'The Iraq Dossier' Very interesting listening ten years on.

To the Cottage

Thursday last 14 February we headed up to the cottage for a long weekend.(Catching up, long time sice I wrote that.)Arrived around 1500 hours, Christine away so cottage how we left it. Got the fires going so we were nice and cozy. Didn't do very much in the days we were here. Relaxed, read, knitted went down to the beach a couple of times watched films and caught up with 'Empire Boardwalk'. All in all a good space for the three days--great travelling in the new car. Have i mentioned our new Volkswagen Golf estate arrived early--love it great to drive.