January 18th, 2008
Already we are noticing the days lengthening. Till today, there’s been a lovely spell of crisp, sunny weather and January has sped past. I always find the first two months of the year dreary, but 2008 may be different – a lovely fortnight to start off and a trip to Edinburgh and perhaps further afield (Sam has a week’s holiday) at the beginning of February.
We all had a lovely time in Edinburgh at Christmas, then Sam, Catriona and I headed north for New Year. That was a special time.
Plockton was very busy with visitors over New Year! At the now traditional rocket- lit bonfire and fireworks, the car park was absolutely full of people and I believe the dance in the village hall was very well attended. The three of us took in New Year at Dolan’s family home “35”, with Janet, John and Sandra. Then we first footed Charlie and Kathleen at “36” and were home not too late, but long, long after Catriona’s bed time!
Sam and Catriona travelled home on the fourth, by bus (the trains were running many hours late). Snow in the east made driving potentially hazardous, so we went to Inverness and the Citylink service took 4++ safe hours from there to Edinburgh. We in the west had much milder conditions.
The house was so quiet without Sam and Catriona….
Ruah is now three and a half months old and growing like a mushroom! She’s very good on the whole and enjoys all the usual puppy pastimes – bounding around in the garden, eating, chewing (not allowed….), eating, sleeping, eating, going for walks, eating, meeting everyone and anything, eating….. and eating! You’ll gather she likes her carefully rationed monotonous portions of dried food! She’s quite happy to be left in her crate for short spells, though I take her in the car (again crated) whenever possible. We both have a lot of learning to do in the next long time……..
I’ve been doing a bit of necessary pre-Spring cleaning as John Townend, our friend “Big John”, has popped in for a couple of days. A trip round the Applecross Peninsula always rejuvenates him – and he did it in clear weather, with snow however lying on the Bealach na Ba (the Pass of the Cattle) John flies home to Welwyn tomorrow, changes cases and he and Sheila fly to Tenerife for a short holiday. Not content with breaking up winter like that, John’s travelling to Australia and New Zealand for a short break in February. Quite right too!
I’ll try to keep the momentum going and get more cleaning done and tackle the garden, all the while spending lots of time with Ruah and Sponge, who thinks the new arrival may be acceptable! When spring does arrive, I’ll ready for it!
Already we have guests booked into our home and I hope to welcome you too!
Best wishes, Ann
