November 9th, 2015

I've done it again - written a good deal and lost it.  This time I went to Google to check the spelling of Moira's little dog, a Shih Tzu, and my text vanished.  I thought I'd beat the jinx and write, not in word as usual, but straight on to the news page.  Well that does not work for me either!
Off I go again......

My last guests left on October 25th.  Angela and Richard, the good weather you have had many times before will return.....  I was heartily fed up apologising to visitors for the never ending rain and winds this summer - the worst in my memory and I've been here for fifty three years....
But my guests, bless them, patted me on the head and said they did not come north west for the weather, though we all knew it would have been a big bonus!

Today sunrise was at 07.51 and sunset 16.21 - had the sun been visible!!!   We have had strong winds too, but some very impressive skies.....
I always like to do some autumn cleaning, rather than the traditional spring clean and it has been done, with some very amusing times as I crossed my fingers that many, many pillowcases, blown up like balloons, would not take off and career down Loch Carron, or when it was a battle to unwind sheets from the washing lines!

The schools have a holiday in October and Catriona came north by train.   I was waiting when she jumped off the Inverness-Kyle train - followed by Sam!!!   The three of us had  lovely brief holiday, when we visited and shopped on the Isle of Skye (the shopping is a bit of a tradition now, in the Lochcarron Woolen Shop, when Sam renews his cords, shirts, etc. 

Monday November 9, 2015

My last guests left on October 25 - Richard and Angela, sorry about the weather!  I wonder how many times this year I have apologised, as it truly has been the worst summer we remember.  Bless you, everyone who patted me on the head and assured me that it was not my fault and they did not expect decent weather up here anyway - and yes they would be back!

Since then I've been busy.  I perversely like to get some "spring" cleaning done in late autumn and that has been done, in both Heron's Flight and "35", the house we let out.  The latter had a burst pipe and needed quite a lot of restorative work done.  Happily, that is complete and the two new floors and one wall look very good, as does the new water tank.......

The schools had their autumn holiday in October and Catriona came for a day or two, travelling north by train. I was delighted when Sam came out of the train behind her!  We had a couple of lovely days, visiting and shopping on the Isle of Skye and then popping in and out of many houses in the village.  Everyone was very pleased to see them again, as Sam especially has not been a frequent visitor in the last few years, as his studies came first.

Ruah and I are heading south at the end of this week, for a few days.  Ruah will be trimmed - she badly needs it and the lady who always did the necessary has retired.  Moira's little Shis Thu

November 9th, 2015

Dear friends,
Today sunrise was at 04.57 and sunset 16.51, but no sun!  Plenty of wind and rain, as has been the norm this year.  It certainly was the worst weather this summer in my memory – I have been in Plockton for fifty three years now.  My last visitors left on October 25 and I know that Angela and Richard will brave the north west again!

Since then I have, as usual, done some cleaning and clearing, in and out.  I always like to get all the laundry washed and put away, till the spring.  It is a wonder there was anything to put back in the cupboards as sheets twangled round lines and pillow cases blew up like balloons and could easily have gone into orbit.  Only once before, many years ago, did a whole clothes line take off and land in the next garden – it threatened to happen again several times recently!!!  

The garden fared a bit better and the many leaves from neighbouring trees and my own bushes and palms just blew away…….  The grass got cut last week, hopefully for the last time this year and the more delicate pot plants are gradually being rescued and put in the porch.

Catriona and Sam – the latter a total surprise for me – arrived by train, for a couple of days in October, when the schools had the autumn holiday and Sam a few days off from his hospital work in Kirkcaldy.  We had a lovely time, touring Skye and visiting there then popping in to a good few houses in the village, as everyone knows the family.  I was very sorry to see them going south again…..

However, Ruah and I are going to Edinburgh at the end of this week.  Ruah will be clipped, as her usual lady has retired.  I shall do some visiting and head back here towards the middle of the week I expect.  I shall most likely go south again for Christmas.   I’ll have plenty to do here before that.  

I do hope that you and your families are well and that I shall see you next year.  I shall write again long before then.

Best wishes,  Ann

Plockton skies from our front garden.....