It's Daniel's third birthday this weekend and the party's in Edinburgh! As I've already spent ten days away from home this month, I’ll not get there….
Sam and Catriona, Ruah and I motored south on Friday 4th, after Sam and Catriona had given me a lovely time in Plockton! We had a lot of fun and were out and about a great deal, in wonderful weather. Their schools resumed on April 7th.
I headed 18 miles west of Edinburgh to house sit in Bathgate, where Moira and Colin have bought a property. They plan to move to this more rural environment in two years, when Sam finishes High School. The three younger children will then go to school where Lally (me!) and great uncle Ian were educated! Our family, the Hunters, lived less than a mile from the recently bought house. Dad had a draper's shop, Mum was an infant teacher and Bathgate was home all their married life.
At the new house“Fairfield”, I welcomed plumbers, plasterers, roofers, painters and John who will do a little work too. Emptying the house and tidying up the garden took days and, when I had to travel north on the 13th, there was still a lot of work for the family to do. However, I know everything has gone well and an estate agent can now take over, so the house will be occupied for the next two years.
My time in Bathgate was not all work and no play! I met up with Dorothy Slater, who brought me up to date with all the goings - on in Bathgate. Dorothy and I went to school together and she has visited us yearly in Plockton. She was our bridesmaid and is John's Godmother. I also had Sam, Catriona and Sean for sleepovers at the weekends!
In all this, Ruah had a whale of a time – a rapidly emptying house to whizzzz through and a 'Cavalier King Charles proof' garden in which to romp and roam! The previous owner had two Cavaliers.
Since our return, the weather has been spectacular - till this weekend. Digging, fertilizing then planting the onions and potatoes in fairly dry soil was such a bonus! Ruah repeatedly tried to help in the garden – she was anything but successful!
We returned to a bed and breakfast warm - up week, with two days off. Last week was busier and the day off was much appreciated! This coming week heralds the start of a busy spell, when days off are rare! But that is how I like it, as meeting lots of guests is always a great pleasure. So, please come sometime and be a part of our household for even a little while!
Best wishes
Ann
