What a difference a week makes

The weather is very unseasonal here for the time of year, so we've been told. Some parts of the country woke up this morning to frost and in some cases fog. Here it is damp mild and overcast. 10c. The loch today looks as if a sheet of glass has been laid over it. The weather was very different a week ago

"Tie down your shed" we were advised, and we were never quite sure whether this was simply a wind up by locals to all new people who move up from the south thinking they can cope with country living and adverse weather conditions.  But we took their advice as the shed isn't pinned, and
 duly tied it up; now it looks like a 
tent shed but it can't run off and apparently next door lost their shed roof in the
 pursuing gale - if only they'd followed our example!

It was wild and windy and white horses and spray shot across the loch. I went outside, it was difficult to hold the camera still.  There had been growing concern about a tidal surge in the north sea causing flooding on
 the east coast. It wasn't that severe  
here but it was exhilarating never the less.

Our little house has seen it all before. It stood like a rock, not a door nor window rattled. Once inside it was warm and cosy and we felt very protected from the howling gale outside

This is a holiday let and I would recommend it to anybody wanting to come up and explore this part of the world. I'll try and leave it nice and tidy before we go!

The sad demise of the Yukka Plant

Once upon of time I had a Yukka plant, seen here on the right. It wasn't very big and it leaned over a bit, but it seemed happy enough. Then we moved to Scotland...


and over night it became a Yukka stump

I looked out of the back door one morning last week and a couple of sheep were trying very hard to be interested in the grass - but I know
They've had a nibble at the rosemary too, I wonder if they like mint..?

Reasons to be cheerful

Jo has got engaged to Aly. A really great chap who is prepared to put up with our daughter! The ring is very pretty, the stone is an emerald with a little cluster of diamonds set on each side.

She arrived yesterday from London on a flying visit. We haven't seen her for 6 months. She has been travelling in South America with her boyfriend Aly. He proposed towards the end of their trip. We think it's wonderful and are very happy for them both. She looked radiant and very brown, and with a new haircut - I almost didn't recognise the young woman in the baggage hall, waiting to collect her bag - for a moment she looked like a grown up! Apologies for the photo, it's out of focus, it was difficult to hold the camera still!

We drank champagne, her dad was so excited he couldn't sit still!

Neither could Jo it seemed. What better time than to practice her yoga?!

It was wonderful to see her again. She pinched our bed and caused that general confusion that only daughters can manage. Tomorrow she returns to London to the Royal London Hospital where she nurses. Congratulations and lots of love to Jo and Aly

I'm a Lumberjack....

This is Niels in his safety gear. It's quite safe because once in it, it's impossible to move around let alone use a chain saw. Once decked out in helmet with attached ear muffs he couldn't hear a word I said (even less than usual!) I must watch out for early signs of Niels trying to wear the helmet indoors

Timberrrr...

10 minutes later, the 'garden' looked as if some giants had been playing 'Pick up Sticks'

Niels needs a course in Manual Handling

The sheep couldn't believe their good fortune. Usually they struggle to strip trees of their lower branches, then along comes a man looking like Bob the Builder and fills their plates to overflowing. Sheep are funny creatures, I always thought they spent their days contentedly munching grass, until the other day when I watched one jump up and stand on her (I like to think they're lady sheep) hind legs in an effort to get at next doors apple tree. Timid they may be but they perform some very agile jumps and manoeuvres in an attempt to vary their diet.

Me...looks like I need manual handling training too

For Sale

I did it as a joke but what if when we go over to the land later today there is a removal van parked out side?!