February news

Hello

In the last few days the temperature has fallen and the winds are now from the east, with a good touch of north. So many places have had snow and yesterday we even had a covering. By mid-day it was gone, much to the disappointment of the children in the village - the schools had a day off as the roads were icy and there was quite a lot of snow in the glens.

I have been in Edinburgh twice in the last ten days. A whim took me there! It was good to visit the relatives and see the puppy in Moira’s household. He’s a Cavalier King Charles and quite adorable. “Charlie” exhausted himself trying to get Yarrow’s attention and then frequently fell asleep beside, near or even on his new friend!

Catriona came north with me and I took her home at the weekend. I did not dally as workmen were coming yesterday to fill the cavity walls of the house. This was an external job, unlike the new radiators, which did leave some holes in walls and paintwork needing touched up. I did the necessary and know that I did not reach Dolan’s standards of workmanship....... If all the heating “improvements” of the last few months are as effective as promised, I’ll be delighted. However, nothing beats the Rayburn in the kitchen and a roaring coal fire in the sitting room!

There is a small yoga group in the village. I have started going along and I’m pleasantly surprised by the gradual loosening up of taut muscle groups at least. I am not sure that yoga is meant to be such fun, but that’s what it is! Soon I must get going in the garden and that certainly is not going to be a gentle activity - perhaps the one will balance the other?

After last month’s huge storm one of our palm trees - a youngster 7 years old - was left at a crazy angle and resting on a wall. Ruari next door helped straighten and stake it and I think it’ll be OK. Quite a few shrubs look more dead than alive too. I have ordered a conifer (“Goldcrest”), an escallonia and a black bamboo (I’ve wanted this especially for ages) for the border in front of the car parking area. I’ve quite a bit of work to do before they are planted.

I am looking forward to our first guests of 2005, on March 18th - a week earlier than I had planned to “get going”. Ian, Elaine, Allan and Helen have stayed before and I shall be testing “going solo” on them - they know this, though maybe I should have stressed it more than I did!!! I am delighted that quite a few bookings are from old friends. 2005 will be a first and I hope it will be, as ever, a really good time for you and me, here at “Heron’s Flight”. I look forward to you coming...........

Ann.

P.S. - if you do email about possible accommodation please can you indicate this in the subject, so that I know before opening the mail? I now receive such a lot of “strange, unwanted and perhaps infected” mail that I have been advised not to open any dubious ones - and I should hate to appear rude to you by not replying.........Thank you.