June 6th, 2009.
After days and days of wonderful sunshine and real heat, we have been plunged into temperatures in the low teens. But it is some consolation to realise that our little part of Britain is not going to be deluged this time!
In the last weeks Noel and Pat, John and Brida, Cid and Di, Ann and Patrick, and Mark (not Paul, as I would call you!) and Barbara have re-visited. It was such a pleasure for me to have you staying again… A week ago Ann McGregor and Sheila jumped off a special train and spent two hours here – it was very good to catch up with news and events from the McGregor side of our family.
Some of you were not so lucky with the weather and I realised how desperate Cid was when the sun shone one evening and he persuaded Di to hop on the big bike at 6.00pm – and off they went to Applecross! Most people breakfast quite early and set off promptly on an Applecross outing!!!
Cid and Di, thanks for starting and finishing a 1000 piece jigsaw. We had fun sticking it together and backing it with paper! I now have found sticky backed hangings and the jigsaw is complete. There is yet another to begin if/when the weather deteriorates again….
The garden has taken off – trees, shrubs, flowers and weeds! The big lawnmower is being mended and the grass is defeating me at present. The May blossom was exceptional all over the village and now the growth is amazing. The potatoes, onions, spring cabbage, lettuce and beetroot are all growing well and there are still leeks to plant.
The older cabbage palms have several flower heads each this year and the eucalyptus is only a foot or two shorter than the tall pine in back garden of Tigh an Fhaing, next door. I suppose it is still a poor specimen compared to Queensland eucalyptus, Alison – but it is my pride and joy.
Ruah and I took Sponge, my cat, to the vet last Friday, as the midges were really making his life miserable. He got a couple of injections and was immediately more at ease. This is very effective in combating his midge allergy. Maybe we all who live and visit here should have the same treatment!!
Ruah is loving meeting all our guests. Excitement is at fever pitch when she hears footsteps on the stairs each morning!
When I next speak to you, I’ll have been on a flying visit to Edinburgh and Sam will probably be in Plockton for a spell. He has now finished his 5th year Higher exams and will have the results in late July. I’m looking forward to Sam coming north for a good part of the summer. The family will be here at Regatta time – that’s from July 27, for a fortnight. I hope John will come after the very busy summer time. He prefers his Plockton quiet!
If you are in our part of the world, please do come in and say hello.
Ann
