Dear all,
[July 3] I am going to Edinburgh tomorrow to collect two of my grandchildren, Sam and Catriona. I am also very pleased that my trip lands on their brother Sean’s third birthday! He has asked for a rabbit for quite a while, so a black floppy ear will join the family. Sean is a gentle wee soul (when he’s not taking penalty kicks!), so the rabbit will have a kind little master.
When Sam, Catriona and I arrive back here on Wednesday, we’ll treat ourselves to a "Take Away Tea" and no doubt catch up on the latest at the World Cup and Wimbledon, though neither holds any special interest now. Catriona will get her Plockton books out and choose which we shall read at bed time – and then she’ll probably visit the neighbours – her usual routine. Sam will no doubt want to have a good look at the new boat and her engine. He’s very interested in engines and so his reading can be the manuals! The last time I used an outboard was years ago – we had a trusty "Seagull" which never failed to start! It will be fun to go rowing, with the new engine as backup. The mackerel are in just now – we might catch a fish or two...
[July 11] It’s now July 11th and I have a little time to "re-group". We still have not got the boat in the water – but it will happen soon! Yesterday we went to Inverness and Sam and Catriona are staying a day or two with Dolan's sister Janet. Sam will come back by train tomorrow and Janet will meet Moira and hand over Catriona. Then my daughter's family - Moira, Colin, Sean, Daniel and Catriona (but minus Sam) will come later on in the month – Regatta time. That will be fun!
Catriona was a flower girl (with 3 other little girls) at a wedding in Plockton last Friday. It was rainy when the bridal party arrived at the church (4.00pm) but, by the time we all came out, the sun was shining and it kept on doing so. Everyone walked through the village to the bride's home and, after light refreshments, wandered the 150 metres to the village hall. A marvellous buffet was laid out and Catriona had a good look at all the dishes then whispered to me "I only like the bread". So I took myself the short distance home and heated sausage rolls which all the children – and Yarrow! – willingly demolished!
Dancing to a celidh band went on from 9.00pm till the wee small hours. Everyone enjoyed that! Sam and I eventually persuaded Catriona to give up at 11.00pm – the first of the flower girls to retire! We had all the groom's immediate family staying here, so only Catriona slept in – Sam was up to offer help at 8.00am. The family had to go their own ways – some to the Isle of Lewis that afternoon, so they had not the luxury of a long lie either! Their festivities had not finished till very late…….
I have only a few photos of the day, taken by Sam. As we were "in the wedding crowd" so to speak, we have none of the group. I shall get hold of one or two and send them to Alison and Ian. Alison may put them on the news page for me!
Today a group of four guests come from Denmark and will be here for four days. I am looking forward to meeting them. Then "Big John" drops in for three days – he’ll be sorry his friend Catriona is not here, but he should meet Sam. The diary is full till Regatta starts on Monday 24th - two very good friends come then and may have Catriona tucked in the car! After that it’s family time – my son John is busy, busy and will come later in the year.
I’m away over to Broadford now to visit Katie, my sister-in-law. She’s in the cottage hospital. We hope her chest infection will soon be cleared up and she’ll be back home in Plockton.
As you can tell, it's a very busy time!
Best wishes
Ann
PS Yarrow thoroughly enjoyed the wedding!
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
June News
There are times when I really dislike computers!! Had I been writing longhand and used a “rubber” I would have erased a word or two. Well, I have just obliterated a whole letter to you – a momentary lapse, with savage consequences!
It is blowing a real gale tonight and there have been some wild rain showers. This is a complete contrast to the last few days, which were very hot, sunny and calm. A couple of days ago, the temp. at the back of the house was 29C, in the shade. However, round the front there was a little breeze from the sea. It was just enough to keep the midges at bay, but not enough to help the Plockton small sailing boats finish a race.
The animals did enjoy the heat! Yarrow was to be found quite often stretched out on the tarmac. Sponge had more sense and tucked himself under a bush. Cheque reacted most dramatically of all – she legged it round the “down garden”, ate loads of dandelion and cabbage leaves in particular and gathered her strength again while dozing under a clump of mombretia, with it’s waving, cooling leaves. I’m pleased to say she has gained 80g. since coming out of hibernation.
The flower garden does not need much attention at present – all my shades of green are doing well and the odd colour is dotted around. I must thank recent visitors for gifts of plants and flowers – they obviously thought I did not have enough to do! Seriously, they are much appreciated and I have remembered you, Wendy, Carole and Brian and Jean and Graham when I have been lugging great watering cans to them, to keep them alive!!
The still nameless little boat now has a small electric outboard engine, complete with huge battery, and will have a launching trolly and cover soon. She’ll be kept just beside the workshop near the PO and will be easy to trail along to the water. I am looking forward very much to having Sam and Catriona row me round the coast for picnics! We have a magical spot near the lighthouse….
I have, as ever, had such kind and considerate guests. Practically all of them have managed a few bits of the jigsaw – albeit with gritted teeth! It was becoming a regular activity to lounge around on the front lawn too, with such amazing good weather. Tonight one would be blown into the loch and away…
We have had people arriving in many different ways – car, motor and push bike, train and bus. The nationalities too are many and varied – several times I have remarked that I am the only Scot in the house! And just as often I have wandered outside to admire marvellous motor bikes - a mode of transport gaining in popularity, I think and not simply with the youngsters.
I’ll report on the Plockton Wedding next time – Catriona is a quarter of the flower girls – excitement is reaching fever pitch……….Ann
It is blowing a real gale tonight and there have been some wild rain showers. This is a complete contrast to the last few days, which were very hot, sunny and calm. A couple of days ago, the temp. at the back of the house was 29C, in the shade. However, round the front there was a little breeze from the sea. It was just enough to keep the midges at bay, but not enough to help the Plockton small sailing boats finish a race.
The animals did enjoy the heat! Yarrow was to be found quite often stretched out on the tarmac. Sponge had more sense and tucked himself under a bush. Cheque reacted most dramatically of all – she legged it round the “down garden”, ate loads of dandelion and cabbage leaves in particular and gathered her strength again while dozing under a clump of mombretia, with it’s waving, cooling leaves. I’m pleased to say she has gained 80g. since coming out of hibernation.
The flower garden does not need much attention at present – all my shades of green are doing well and the odd colour is dotted around. I must thank recent visitors for gifts of plants and flowers – they obviously thought I did not have enough to do! Seriously, they are much appreciated and I have remembered you, Wendy, Carole and Brian and Jean and Graham when I have been lugging great watering cans to them, to keep them alive!!
The still nameless little boat now has a small electric outboard engine, complete with huge battery, and will have a launching trolly and cover soon. She’ll be kept just beside the workshop near the PO and will be easy to trail along to the water. I am looking forward very much to having Sam and Catriona row me round the coast for picnics! We have a magical spot near the lighthouse….
I have, as ever, had such kind and considerate guests. Practically all of them have managed a few bits of the jigsaw – albeit with gritted teeth! It was becoming a regular activity to lounge around on the front lawn too, with such amazing good weather. Tonight one would be blown into the loch and away…
We have had people arriving in many different ways – car, motor and push bike, train and bus. The nationalities too are many and varied – several times I have remarked that I am the only Scot in the house! And just as often I have wandered outside to admire marvellous motor bikes - a mode of transport gaining in popularity, I think and not simply with the youngsters.
I’ll report on the Plockton Wedding next time – Catriona is a quarter of the flower girls – excitement is reaching fever pitch……….Ann
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Sylvie's Painting
Today's photo is of a painting done by one of my guests - Sylvie. She's just one of dozens of artists who are inspired by this area. Thanks Sylvie!
Ann
Monday, May 22, 2006
The Great 2006 Jigsaw Challenge
Dear all,
I like to have a jigsaw 'on the go' at Heron's Flight, and challenge all interested guests to help complete it.
Here are Geert and Ann, all the way from Belgium to start this year's jigsaw - and enjoy being in Plockton for their 15th Wedding Anniversary.
They are sitting in the front porch, where I keep binoculars for us all to watch the doings in Plockton Bay and Loch Carron and where there are brochures about the history, wildlife, walks of the area.
Can you see Yarrow in this photo?
Ann.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
May News
All of a sudden it’s long past time for me to keep you up to date with happenings at Heron’s Flight!
On the whole, till this week, the weather has been very good – temps. last week were in the middle 20’s and we were all outside planting, weed killing on a grand scale, mowing great areas of mossy (in my case anyway) grass and the occasional gardener was spotted actually sitting enjoying the warm sunny garden! I have now followed Sam’s carefully drawn plan and have (straight) rows of potatoes and leeks, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, parsley and room still for kale and leeks. The plan left space between veges and so keeping the weeds down will be easier this year, I think……
Last Saturday was the Plockton Horti Socy’s open day and plant sale – several miss-guided souls did do a tour around Heron’s Flight – knowing the standard of the gardens on the main street, I retaliated by having tea with my visitors – that took their minds off why they were here!
All the animals are in good form – Cheque especially enjoyed roaming around in the down garden – she did not discover the little vege plants, but that day will surely come! As this week is cool and damp so far, she has not been out of doors, but is very active in the front porch!
After the departure of the bikers from Germany the drive was graced by 2 lovely MG cars – I did try a photo but it was not a success, as the cars were “littered” at angles. So, Noble MacPherson and party, if you read this please send on one of the (many!) photos you took! It was good to meet you again, Noble. Remember to give Fiona my best wishes.
My little 10’ Pioneer boat arrived at the weekend. It came on top of a friend’s Cherokee, which housed everything imaginable needed for a yachting weekend and more. This weekend it also had precious cargo – Cameron, age 2, came with Dad and they stayed the night and pottered about on several boats. So now my Edinburgh contingent will name the little blue Pioneer and I’ll set about getting a little engine and trolley. Then, during the summer holidays, we and others too can take easily to the water……I shall show her to you when she is “ready for action”.
I have quite a busy time ahead - for several weeks in fact. If you are coming I’ll hope for lovely summer days and long warm evenings – and NO midges!!!
Best wishes
Ann
On the whole, till this week, the weather has been very good – temps. last week were in the middle 20’s and we were all outside planting, weed killing on a grand scale, mowing great areas of mossy (in my case anyway) grass and the occasional gardener was spotted actually sitting enjoying the warm sunny garden! I have now followed Sam’s carefully drawn plan and have (straight) rows of potatoes and leeks, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, parsley and room still for kale and leeks. The plan left space between veges and so keeping the weeds down will be easier this year, I think……
Last Saturday was the Plockton Horti Socy’s open day and plant sale – several miss-guided souls did do a tour around Heron’s Flight – knowing the standard of the gardens on the main street, I retaliated by having tea with my visitors – that took their minds off why they were here!
All the animals are in good form – Cheque especially enjoyed roaming around in the down garden – she did not discover the little vege plants, but that day will surely come! As this week is cool and damp so far, she has not been out of doors, but is very active in the front porch!
After the departure of the bikers from Germany the drive was graced by 2 lovely MG cars – I did try a photo but it was not a success, as the cars were “littered” at angles. So, Noble MacPherson and party, if you read this please send on one of the (many!) photos you took! It was good to meet you again, Noble. Remember to give Fiona my best wishes.
My little 10’ Pioneer boat arrived at the weekend. It came on top of a friend’s Cherokee, which housed everything imaginable needed for a yachting weekend and more. This weekend it also had precious cargo – Cameron, age 2, came with Dad and they stayed the night and pottered about on several boats. So now my Edinburgh contingent will name the little blue Pioneer and I’ll set about getting a little engine and trolley. Then, during the summer holidays, we and others too can take easily to the water……I shall show her to you when she is “ready for action”.
I have quite a busy time ahead - for several weeks in fact. If you are coming I’ll hope for lovely summer days and long warm evenings – and NO midges!!!
Best wishes
Ann
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Recent visitors
Hi all, I couldn't resist showing you this photo of recent visitors.
I said to the 4 bikers in the photo that they should watch the website as they might appear in my newspage or elsewhere!
I do like bikers. They are always good fun, have no intention of finding bright lights and carousing into the night and appreciate the off street parking even more than motorists. The 4 in the photo are from Germany - Bavaria I think - and are just loving Scotland. Today they are off over to Applecross and will be somewhere near Durness tonight. They were all good fun and so proud of their lovely BMW bikes!
Ann
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Have you seen the new pier pontoon?
Dear all, The new pontoon on the pier close to Heron's Flight was officially finished today so I went over to take a photo to show you. It helps that it was a beautiful day, Plockton at its best. As the photo shows, the pontoon is completely separate from the existing pier. It is quite a structure. And of course Yarrow is there, testing it out! Ann
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Mid-April News
Mid-April News.
I have been busy for a few weeks, with visitors initially, then, with school holidays, Catriona, followed by Sam.
Catriona has grown quite a bit in every sense and is a little schoolgirl longing for her 6th birthday in a few days time. She was very happy to trot round the village visiting, collecting the newspaper and shopping. She scooted all over the place on her bike and spent many an hour (rain and sun) on the rock in the front garden – her horse. The same rock was Moira’s pony a generation ago! I sent Alison and Ian a few photos of Catriona’s “doings” and was delighted to see one this news page!
Now I have Sam looking over his shoulder as I have threatened that he will be next to star on the news page! Sam is a huge help and his big bonus is that he is willing!! We had hoped to get the vege. garden planted but the weather is against us – wet, windy and very cold……. But we have not given up and have measured the plot; Sam will work out how many rows of potatoes, onions, leeks and salad crops I can plant and, when the warmer weather does come I’ll have a very easy time following the plan!
Sam will go home on Saturday and then I’ll be busy for the summer! I shall tell you soon of our guests, the exploits of the animals and how the garden is progressing. I’ll enjoy keeping you up to date with the family - Daniel will be 1 this month too while Sean, 3 later in the summer, intimates every time we meet or talk that he is next to come to Plockton with Waddy - I’ve never been “Granny” to any of the children and Sean has altered “Lally” to suit himself!
I hope all is well with you and that, should you happen upon this “neck of the woods”, we may meet……. Best wishes, Ann
I have been busy for a few weeks, with visitors initially, then, with school holidays, Catriona, followed by Sam.
Catriona has grown quite a bit in every sense and is a little schoolgirl longing for her 6th birthday in a few days time. She was very happy to trot round the village visiting, collecting the newspaper and shopping. She scooted all over the place on her bike and spent many an hour (rain and sun) on the rock in the front garden – her horse. The same rock was Moira’s pony a generation ago! I sent Alison and Ian a few photos of Catriona’s “doings” and was delighted to see one this news page!
Now I have Sam looking over his shoulder as I have threatened that he will be next to star on the news page! Sam is a huge help and his big bonus is that he is willing!! We had hoped to get the vege. garden planted but the weather is against us – wet, windy and very cold……. But we have not given up and have measured the plot; Sam will work out how many rows of potatoes, onions, leeks and salad crops I can plant and, when the warmer weather does come I’ll have a very easy time following the plan!
Sam will go home on Saturday and then I’ll be busy for the summer! I shall tell you soon of our guests, the exploits of the animals and how the garden is progressing. I’ll enjoy keeping you up to date with the family - Daniel will be 1 this month too while Sean, 3 later in the summer, intimates every time we meet or talk that he is next to come to Plockton with Waddy - I’ve never been “Granny” to any of the children and Sean has altered “Lally” to suit himself!
I hope all is well with you and that, should you happen upon this “neck of the woods”, we may meet……. Best wishes, Ann
Friday, April 07, 2006
Granddaughter Catriona!
Hi all, This is Ann's granddaughter Catriona on the rocks near our front lawn.
Ann's next newsletter is coming soon.
Best wishes to all,
Alison Hunter (Webmaster, sister-in-law, and also Catriona fan!)
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Change to Heron's Flight web site
Hi all, You might like to visit and bookmark the new Heron's Flight website, at http://www.heronsflight.org. It looks much the same as it did before, but Ann has her own domain now. Thanks very much to my friend Thea Russell, who has greatly improved the technical quality of the site.
Best wishes to everyone, Alison Hunter (sister-in-law, Website manager and HF fan)
Best wishes to everyone, Alison Hunter (sister-in-law, Website manager and HF fan)
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
March News
March News
Quite often I start with a weather update and it’s no exception this month! February was a good month, exceedingly dry and with many sunny days. Ten days ago it was noticeably a “different” cold - and the snows came. Schools were closed all last week and only the desperate attempted the 6 mile journey to Kyle! The gritters did their best to keep roads clear, but our corner of the village is obviously not part of the contract! So the 7+ inches of pristine snow lay quite undisturbed till a slow thaw began two days ago. Had Alison from Toowoomba been here, Heron’s Flight would have been surrounded by snowmen and Australian whoops of glee would have been heard from as far away (or further) as Edmund’s paper shop!!
Today the drive is almost clear and John could get his van packed for his return this afternoon to Edinburgh. During his week here great works were done, the two of most note being the new wall covering for the west room shower area and new windows in the barn on the Brae. I am delighted to have had so many things done so willingly and how I enjoyed cooking and John’s company….. I was not the only recipient of special treatment - Yarrow and Sponge had a good extra dose of love and attention too.
A week before the snow arrived, Catriona was here and, though she would have enjoyed the snow, I think she had a better time! She and Yarrow were out a lot and all of us put in a few miles when the bicycle came out! As the village was very quiet, Catriona was able to cycle “solo” to the village hall and down to the point at Rhu. I accompanied her many times to the shop, to collect a newspaper and to pop in for a visit to various friends. Catriona also made two trips alone to the shop – she is growing up fast… We had two trips to beaches. At Dubhard Catriona discovered “rockaneering” and her new word will be part of the MacKenzie language from now on! The Coral beach expedition will not be forgotten soon, as the path was no more and we ploughed through thick, clawing, deep mud to get there – perhaps half a mile each way – ugh! We were up to the top of our wellies and poor Yarrow swam along through it (yes, the car WAS a mess when we got home!!) Evenings found us stoking the fire, reading, drawing and playing cards - Catriona’s a demon at Pelminism!! It was a magic time and I was sorry to deliver her to Edinburgh, where I stayed one night only, as the forecast was poor (and correct!) I t was very good seeing all the family, however briefly
John Townend, my first guest of 2006, arrives on the 16th. I am looking forward to that and to two other early bookings. So the long winter hibernation is nearly over…. It is already quite light till nearly 7.00pm and the extra hour of daylight from the 26th will catapult us all into “active mode”!! The garden is wakening too, and, though snowdrops, crocus and iris are presently snow covered, catkins and daffodils bloom bravely.
Till around Easter time, I hope you all keep well………….Ann.
Quite often I start with a weather update and it’s no exception this month! February was a good month, exceedingly dry and with many sunny days. Ten days ago it was noticeably a “different” cold - and the snows came. Schools were closed all last week and only the desperate attempted the 6 mile journey to Kyle! The gritters did their best to keep roads clear, but our corner of the village is obviously not part of the contract! So the 7+ inches of pristine snow lay quite undisturbed till a slow thaw began two days ago. Had Alison from Toowoomba been here, Heron’s Flight would have been surrounded by snowmen and Australian whoops of glee would have been heard from as far away (or further) as Edmund’s paper shop!!
Today the drive is almost clear and John could get his van packed for his return this afternoon to Edinburgh. During his week here great works were done, the two of most note being the new wall covering for the west room shower area and new windows in the barn on the Brae. I am delighted to have had so many things done so willingly and how I enjoyed cooking and John’s company….. I was not the only recipient of special treatment - Yarrow and Sponge had a good extra dose of love and attention too.
A week before the snow arrived, Catriona was here and, though she would have enjoyed the snow, I think she had a better time! She and Yarrow were out a lot and all of us put in a few miles when the bicycle came out! As the village was very quiet, Catriona was able to cycle “solo” to the village hall and down to the point at Rhu. I accompanied her many times to the shop, to collect a newspaper and to pop in for a visit to various friends. Catriona also made two trips alone to the shop – she is growing up fast… We had two trips to beaches. At Dubhard Catriona discovered “rockaneering” and her new word will be part of the MacKenzie language from now on! The Coral beach expedition will not be forgotten soon, as the path was no more and we ploughed through thick, clawing, deep mud to get there – perhaps half a mile each way – ugh! We were up to the top of our wellies and poor Yarrow swam along through it (yes, the car WAS a mess when we got home!!) Evenings found us stoking the fire, reading, drawing and playing cards - Catriona’s a demon at Pelminism!! It was a magic time and I was sorry to deliver her to Edinburgh, where I stayed one night only, as the forecast was poor (and correct!) I t was very good seeing all the family, however briefly
John Townend, my first guest of 2006, arrives on the 16th. I am looking forward to that and to two other early bookings. So the long winter hibernation is nearly over…. It is already quite light till nearly 7.00pm and the extra hour of daylight from the 26th will catapult us all into “active mode”!! The garden is wakening too, and, though snowdrops, crocus and iris are presently snow covered, catkins and daffodils bloom bravely.
Till around Easter time, I hope you all keep well………….Ann.
Monday, February 06, 2006
February News
February News
January was bitterly cold, though we did have some beautiful days, when it felt warm in the sunshine. February has begun dry and a little milder. Last week my niece Sandra and Walter arrived with chainsaw and appropriate gear - at last our two apples, one plum and huge fir tree are down. In thirty five years we did not have a kilo of fruit and Dolan and I said for ages that they had to go. Now the “down garden” will be brighter and the soil will improve when the root systems rot away. This year, however Cheque the tortoise can go on safari there!
Alison in Toowoomba has begun the “revamp” of the website - a lot of work, but I know she’s happy doing it - and I am thrilled..... The site will have a new address and a shake around, if she has her way - and she will!!! My remit to date is to take photos - I’ll do my best, though that is not one of my strong points.. The coral beach is one of my goals - I have not even got there yet as, when the days were sunny, the tides were unsuitable. Now I wait patiently for high tides and sunshine - could wait a while! - then on with the “wellies” again..
I broke off for a wee while to do a touch typing exercise - “speed, 10 words a minute!!! I began on the wrong two keys and scored 100% mistakes, so I’m taking a break altogether and writing this looking at the keyboard! I’m told I am now at level 10 of 20 and I’m still waiting to be taught the fingering for my two most used keys - the back space and exclamation mark!
Moira, Colin and the children are all fighting fit and I hope to have Catriona and maybe Sam here in their February holiday. John is coming very soon and he’ll clad the shower walls in the west room - I shall not be sorry to see the tiles go for good. He’ll also wipe clean my “to do, have tried, can’t” list and hopefully have a couple of days lazing around.
The kitchen floor is now restored and I am very pleased with the warm-feeling, practical lino. It is mottled brown and both Yarrow and Sponge have new green bean bags, which they curl up on in the evenings. So, picture us there - two contented animals in front of the Rayburn cooker and me in a corner, knitting, reading, watching TV or fiddling about with the new laptop - ultra sensitive and keys which have dropped my typing rate even lower!
I am now thinking ahead and looking forward to opening the doors for our guests, the first of whom arrive on March 16th. The sense of pre-season urgency has not hit me yet - it will! 2005, my first solo year, was more “crowded” than I anticipated - more housework, more garden, more forward planning, etc. - so in 2006 I regret that I will be unable to accept single night bookings in advance.
We all hope that we may meet you this year.
From Heron’s Flight’s cosy kitchen, Ann, Yarrow and Sponge.
January was bitterly cold, though we did have some beautiful days, when it felt warm in the sunshine. February has begun dry and a little milder. Last week my niece Sandra and Walter arrived with chainsaw and appropriate gear - at last our two apples, one plum and huge fir tree are down. In thirty five years we did not have a kilo of fruit and Dolan and I said for ages that they had to go. Now the “down garden” will be brighter and the soil will improve when the root systems rot away. This year, however Cheque the tortoise can go on safari there!
Alison in Toowoomba has begun the “revamp” of the website - a lot of work, but I know she’s happy doing it - and I am thrilled..... The site will have a new address and a shake around, if she has her way - and she will!!! My remit to date is to take photos - I’ll do my best, though that is not one of my strong points.. The coral beach is one of my goals - I have not even got there yet as, when the days were sunny, the tides were unsuitable. Now I wait patiently for high tides and sunshine - could wait a while! - then on with the “wellies” again..
I broke off for a wee while to do a touch typing exercise - “speed, 10 words a minute!!! I began on the wrong two keys and scored 100% mistakes, so I’m taking a break altogether and writing this looking at the keyboard! I’m told I am now at level 10 of 20 and I’m still waiting to be taught the fingering for my two most used keys - the back space and exclamation mark!
Moira, Colin and the children are all fighting fit and I hope to have Catriona and maybe Sam here in their February holiday. John is coming very soon and he’ll clad the shower walls in the west room - I shall not be sorry to see the tiles go for good. He’ll also wipe clean my “to do, have tried, can’t” list and hopefully have a couple of days lazing around.
The kitchen floor is now restored and I am very pleased with the warm-feeling, practical lino. It is mottled brown and both Yarrow and Sponge have new green bean bags, which they curl up on in the evenings. So, picture us there - two contented animals in front of the Rayburn cooker and me in a corner, knitting, reading, watching TV or fiddling about with the new laptop - ultra sensitive and keys which have dropped my typing rate even lower!
I am now thinking ahead and looking forward to opening the doors for our guests, the first of whom arrive on March 16th. The sense of pre-season urgency has not hit me yet - it will! 2005, my first solo year, was more “crowded” than I anticipated - more housework, more garden, more forward planning, etc. - so in 2006 I regret that I will be unable to accept single night bookings in advance.
We all hope that we may meet you this year.
From Heron’s Flight’s cosy kitchen, Ann, Yarrow and Sponge.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
January, 2006
The Christmas visit to Edinburgh is a happy memory now. We all had a lovely time. Baby Daniel had a "nursery snuffle", which he kindly passed on to the rest of the family and they were all laid low. John and I got out in time!
My journey home was horrendous, with freezing fog for 100 miles.
New Year in the Highlands goes on for a few days, with much coming and going between houses. This year I visited a few close friends, as Dolan and I always did.
In the last three days we have had
1 - wonderful blue skies and many hours of sunshine.
2 - a gale accompanied by torrential rain and
3 - a dreary, dull, depressing day.
As those of you who know the north west of Scotland, this is not unusual!
On day one, everyone was so busy out of doors, 2006’s garden plans in mind.
Day two was pure survival.......
Today, as it is possible to move around without being heavily weighted down with warm clothes, we’ll be out and about and most likely ask the usual “why do we live here?” A rhetorical question - I saw an early daffodil blooming the other day.....
I had thought to welcome guests from April on, but now, thanks to a plea from "Big John", who stayed last year and entertained Catriona so brilliantly, I’m opening up around the middle of March. The usual panic of "where did I put X, Y, Z?" - all in sensible, accessible places when the last guests left and "where will I put all my clutter?"- it just grows over the winter - will set in, in a few weeks!
Yarrow, Sponge, hibernating (I hope!) Cheque and I do enjoy the peace, for a time. Soon we shall all be very happy to have a much busier lifestyle, with good company. I hope that Sam and Catriona may get here for a few days in February and that John’s plans to come for a week in early March consolidate soon - hopefully he’ll have good weather, to paint the workshop and supervise the disposal of garden rubbish - mostly prunings, loppings and sawings! John also plans to clad the shower in the west room with the same sheeting as in the east and that will be a great deed done.
I hope soon to have the kitchen floor re-covered, the estimate for exterior painting to the house, my wireless laptop up and running and to stick in at my touch typing before four of my ten fingers are noticibly shorter! This broadband is proving to be a time waster, as I am already looking things up "just out of interest", too often - e.g "miles, as the crow flies from here to Toowoomba" - I did not find the answer, but it took a long time to find that out!! As this computer is, as you know, in a very cold room, I have to go regularly to the kitchen to defrost! And that is where I am heading right now!
I hope to hear from you, or, better still, see you this year.
Ann.
My journey home was horrendous, with freezing fog for 100 miles.
New Year in the Highlands goes on for a few days, with much coming and going between houses. This year I visited a few close friends, as Dolan and I always did.
In the last three days we have had
1 - wonderful blue skies and many hours of sunshine.
2 - a gale accompanied by torrential rain and
3 - a dreary, dull, depressing day.
As those of you who know the north west of Scotland, this is not unusual!
On day one, everyone was so busy out of doors, 2006’s garden plans in mind.
Day two was pure survival.......
Today, as it is possible to move around without being heavily weighted down with warm clothes, we’ll be out and about and most likely ask the usual “why do we live here?” A rhetorical question - I saw an early daffodil blooming the other day.....
I had thought to welcome guests from April on, but now, thanks to a plea from "Big John", who stayed last year and entertained Catriona so brilliantly, I’m opening up around the middle of March. The usual panic of "where did I put X, Y, Z?" - all in sensible, accessible places when the last guests left and "where will I put all my clutter?"- it just grows over the winter - will set in, in a few weeks!
Yarrow, Sponge, hibernating (I hope!) Cheque and I do enjoy the peace, for a time. Soon we shall all be very happy to have a much busier lifestyle, with good company. I hope that Sam and Catriona may get here for a few days in February and that John’s plans to come for a week in early March consolidate soon - hopefully he’ll have good weather, to paint the workshop and supervise the disposal of garden rubbish - mostly prunings, loppings and sawings! John also plans to clad the shower in the west room with the same sheeting as in the east and that will be a great deed done.
I hope soon to have the kitchen floor re-covered, the estimate for exterior painting to the house, my wireless laptop up and running and to stick in at my touch typing before four of my ten fingers are noticibly shorter! This broadband is proving to be a time waster, as I am already looking things up "just out of interest", too often - e.g "miles, as the crow flies from here to Toowoomba" - I did not find the answer, but it took a long time to find that out!! As this computer is, as you know, in a very cold room, I have to go regularly to the kitchen to defrost! And that is where I am heading right now!
I hope to hear from you, or, better still, see you this year.
Ann.
Saturday, December 03, 2005
December already!
December already and, like me, you are probably realising that there is not a lot of time left to get organised for Christmas...
I was in Edinburgh last week and it was so good to stay with John and spend days with Moira, Colin and the four children - all thriving. Sam is 13 on the 10th, while Daniel, at 7 months, is commando crawling at speed! Catriona just loves school, swimming and dancing and is a “Strictly Come Dancing” fan (TV). Sean is 2 and has some marvellously old-fashioned turns of phrase!
Weather permitting, Yarrow and I shall head south for Christmas, but we’ll be home to take in the New Year. Train might be an option for some but not me, as I have so many bits and pieces to go, for the children especially. Moira and I shall share Christmas dinner - she’ll do the turkey or roast, I’ll take frozen soups and pudds. and “someone else” can peel the veg!
The water-damaged kitchen floor lino will be replaced in the New Year. I have chosen the new one. There was such a beautiful range but I reckon not many households have to be practical and think of dogs, cats, tortoises, people who rush in from storms and gardens and housewives who just cannot bake without making a mess! So our lino will be just about the only one on offer that tries to mitigate all of these! By the way, Cheque will not tramp over the floor till February/March as she is safely tucked away in her paper-filled box, in the old fridge! I DO check the temperature very frequently, as 6C is best.
I’m going, thank goodness, to finish an Aran sweater in time for a very good friend’s birthday (17th Dec.) It’s a fairly complex pattern and I’ve managed to add a few variations here and there - hopefully she’ll not spot them!! Jane lives close by and looks after Sponge and Cheque when I’m away - and she’s one of the few who can sense one’s frame of mind and act appropriately..... Quite often I (and many others, I am sure) just want my own company.....
I hope you too will be with family and good friends at the festive time and I wish you all a Happy Christmas and good New Year.
Ann
I was in Edinburgh last week and it was so good to stay with John and spend days with Moira, Colin and the four children - all thriving. Sam is 13 on the 10th, while Daniel, at 7 months, is commando crawling at speed! Catriona just loves school, swimming and dancing and is a “Strictly Come Dancing” fan (TV). Sean is 2 and has some marvellously old-fashioned turns of phrase!
Weather permitting, Yarrow and I shall head south for Christmas, but we’ll be home to take in the New Year. Train might be an option for some but not me, as I have so many bits and pieces to go, for the children especially. Moira and I shall share Christmas dinner - she’ll do the turkey or roast, I’ll take frozen soups and pudds. and “someone else” can peel the veg!
The water-damaged kitchen floor lino will be replaced in the New Year. I have chosen the new one. There was such a beautiful range but I reckon not many households have to be practical and think of dogs, cats, tortoises, people who rush in from storms and gardens and housewives who just cannot bake without making a mess! So our lino will be just about the only one on offer that tries to mitigate all of these! By the way, Cheque will not tramp over the floor till February/March as she is safely tucked away in her paper-filled box, in the old fridge! I DO check the temperature very frequently, as 6C is best.
I’m going, thank goodness, to finish an Aran sweater in time for a very good friend’s birthday (17th Dec.) It’s a fairly complex pattern and I’ve managed to add a few variations here and there - hopefully she’ll not spot them!! Jane lives close by and looks after Sponge and Cheque when I’m away - and she’s one of the few who can sense one’s frame of mind and act appropriately..... Quite often I (and many others, I am sure) just want my own company.....
I hope you too will be with family and good friends at the festive time and I wish you all a Happy Christmas and good New Year.
Ann
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
News - November 1st
November 1st. The village is settling down into winter mode now that the clocks have changed. Although the days are shorter we all hope for some good weather to get outdoor tidying done and perhaps the vege gardens dug over. I’ll have plenty to do.....
John was here for a week, clearing my “to do, have tried, can’t” list. At last my three heaps of garden rubbish have been burned! We already have the makings of a fairly daunting Spring list - outdoor painting of the entire house and the workshop and replacing tiles with sheeting in the east bedroom.
We all go through spells of breakages and malfunctions and last week I had my share for quite a while, I hope..... A shower hose head cracked, my faithful microwave lost some of the functions I really use a lot daily and the dishwasher flooded twice.... A couple of light bulbs popped and a new kitchen blind crashed down! After that fairly dramatic happening (the blind’s 6’ long) I sat still in my new kitchen/ computer chair and thought “if I just don’t move, nothing else can happen”..... Well, the dishwasher was condemned and I expect a replacement on Thursday. I shall live quite cheerfully with my sick microwave till I get to Edinburgh and choose one.
Yarrow and I are settling in the kitchen in the evenings this winter! Yarrow has his beanbag close to the Rayburn cooker, which is warm 24 hours a day. I have my armless comfy chair beside the table and have options to knit, read, watch TV or listen to the radio. Sponge is confused! He wanders in and out and asks noisily for an explanation. He’ll cotton on later than sooner that the other kitchen chair has a cushion just for him! Cheque lounges around in the heated porch, oblivious of the view! She’ll be allowed to hibernate in a month or so - her fridge is in the coolest room and will be set at 6C.
It’s a wet, windy day and I’ve been out to see just how near to the Hydro pole our huge fir tree really is. The tree, planted many years ago at Christmas by Ian and Alison, who were here from Queensland, now may well have to come down. I shall be sad when this happens, but the prospect of being suddenly plunged into a no power situation is not pleasant! The fit tree roots and those of our non-productive apple and plum trees are ruining the vege garden too. All this is quite a daunting task - the Hydro specialist shall advise me initially. Then I’ll possibly put a plea out for a lumberjack wishing a “holiday”, to come and have a restful few days at Heron’s Flight!!
I have a few guests booked in till November 21, and I shall enjoy meeting them. After that it’ll be time to think ahead to Christmas and Sam’s 13th birthday before that, on the 10th. Our grandchildren are all flourishing and I look forward to spending some time with them and the rest of the family soon.
It has been a busy year with many visitors staying at Heron’s Flight - it has been a pleasure to meet every one. My first year alone has passed and I have been so fortunate to have family, friends and neighbours around.
After a brief hibernation, beginning soon, I will be again hoping to welcome you to Heron’s Flight.
Best wishes
Ann.
Friday, October 07, 2005
October News
I’ve had three wonderful weeks! Ian and Alison leave tomorrow ( October 8th ) for a few days in Edinburgh to visit relatives and friends and they will start their homeward journey to Toowoomba, Australia, thereafter.
Believe it or not - and if you have holidayed in the North West of Scotland you will - we have had one day of real sunshine in the three weeks - yesterday. Luckily, Ian and Alison actually do not mind a bit of wind and plenty of rain, as their part of the world is on semi-permanent water restrictions. But it has been sad that many glorious views have been shrouded in cloud. Yarrow has had a ball, setting off each morning with Alison, to collect the newspapers. However, as Alison can take some time, chatting with everyone en route I suspect, Yarrow sometimes arrives home alone! Ian, not an animal lover really, did valiantly try to befriend Sponge, till a completely undeserved swipe drew some of Ian’s blood...
SUDOKU - are you an addict? I had toyed with the idea of having the odd puzzle around, to pick up and complete off and on. Well, my ideas have altered as everyone who pops in here and two thirds of the resident population of Heron’s Flight over the last three weeks seem unable to do without it! So I’ll stick to gardening, reading and knitting, all of which I can abandon with ease!!
As you can see from the previous ’post’ to this one, “our” jigsaw is framed! It is hanging above my workdesk and I will get pleasure every day from it. Thank you everyone who helped! I shall probably have a 2006 project on the porch table - any suggestions for a subject?
I’ll be busy for a while with guests and taming the garden. The grapes are ready and this year they are really good - the crop that needs the most sparing of attention has outstripped all the others. There’s a message there for me.....
I hope you are all in good health and that you may drop in to visit in the not too distant future.
Best wishes
Ann.
Believe it or not - and if you have holidayed in the North West of Scotland you will - we have had one day of real sunshine in the three weeks - yesterday. Luckily, Ian and Alison actually do not mind a bit of wind and plenty of rain, as their part of the world is on semi-permanent water restrictions. But it has been sad that many glorious views have been shrouded in cloud. Yarrow has had a ball, setting off each morning with Alison, to collect the newspapers. However, as Alison can take some time, chatting with everyone en route I suspect, Yarrow sometimes arrives home alone! Ian, not an animal lover really, did valiantly try to befriend Sponge, till a completely undeserved swipe drew some of Ian’s blood...
SUDOKU - are you an addict? I had toyed with the idea of having the odd puzzle around, to pick up and complete off and on. Well, my ideas have altered as everyone who pops in here and two thirds of the resident population of Heron’s Flight over the last three weeks seem unable to do without it! So I’ll stick to gardening, reading and knitting, all of which I can abandon with ease!!
As you can see from the previous ’post’ to this one, “our” jigsaw is framed! It is hanging above my workdesk and I will get pleasure every day from it. Thank you everyone who helped! I shall probably have a 2006 project on the porch table - any suggestions for a subject?
I’ll be busy for a while with guests and taming the garden. The grapes are ready and this year they are really good - the crop that needs the most sparing of attention has outstripped all the others. There’s a message there for me.....
I hope you are all in good health and that you may drop in to visit in the not too distant future.
Best wishes
Ann.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Fergie Tractor Jigsaw
Hi all, Were you one of the visitors this year who contributed pieces to the jigsaw of the Fergie tractor? Did you wonder if it would ever get finished?
Well, it is now finished! and framed. I hope you like it as much as I do.
Ann
Sunday, August 28, 2005
August News
28th August - yet another gale has hit us. Since breakfast it has blown harder and harder and now, at 8.00pm it is really wild and the rain is horizontal. It’s very dark and more like November and I am so sorry for all the visitors to the West Coast...However tomorrow will be better...
It seems a long time since Moira and Colin and the children were here. They were not too lucky with the weather and each night Moira bundled Sean and baby Daniel in the car and ran round to find the cows, which delighted Sean. Sam did a sailing course in Toppers and Catriona helped me willingly and went various jaunts with all the family.
Catriona stayed on when the others left - Moira to return to work as Daniel is a very good baby who goes to nursery and Sean will start playgroup very soon. A day or two later, lifelong friend Dorothy motored from Bathgate, stayed for a lovely few days and dropped Catriona in Edinburgh on her was home. I had a lovely time with everyone...
On September 16th I’ll drive to Inverness and meet Ian and Alison, who will soon leave Australia at the start of their holiday. They will be in Plockton for three weeks and I’m sure we’ll have a visit from Ian’s son David and his wife Caroline, who are returning to Australia for good in December, after many years away. Before the 16th I expect John for a few days - the list of “to do, have tried, can‘t“” is not as daunting as the last, so I hope he’ll have a day or two of complete relaxation at home.
The garden has been flattened twice in less than two weeks so, again, I shall be out as soon as possible tying up plants and sweeping away debris. I do not know how keen I am this time to try to restore the broccoli, spinach, rocket, giant mustard and coriander. Can someone email me with easy ways of preserving/drying any of these? Can I use the microwave? Help!!! And has anyone a recipe for anything using lettuce, besides lettuce soup? Cheque the tortoise and I are both manfully eating salads daily and I have made enough batches of soup - good taste, horrible colour!
I found a big clump of small leaks the other day so they got planted - I now have enough for all of Plockton and the outlying villages, I imagine!
Last week I finally defrosted the big chest freezer in the cellar - possibly two years after I thought it should be done... Well, the elderly potato soup was still edible and brambles from what year I know not are now being made into various concoctions - it’s chutney tomorrow. Seriously, it is such a novelty to have baskets, which glide along the rail again and to have quite a lot of order restored - and even a list of contents!
I hope, wherever you are, you are well and that we’ll meet in the future.
Best wishes, Ann.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
July News
Regatta Fortnight starts on Monday, July 25th and the village will be busier than usual. As well as our usual visitors, who enjoy strolling along Harbour Street (the “locals” are good at this too - empty pavements and the road littered with people for motorists to negotiate!!), there will be optimistic sailors carrying masts, sails, etc The usual “clumps” of captains and crews will be standing discussing weather forecasts, tides and, worst of all, dissecting in great detail the race that has just been run!
It’s a fun fortnight and Moira, Colin and the four children will be here for the second week. I’ll be delighted to be chief cook and bottle washer - and baby sitter. Regatta Saturday, August 6th, is the Ragamuffin Race, when the children jump in local boats with their homemade sails. They race three times and competition is fierce!! Afterwards there is dancing outside Plockton Hotel, on the main street. Cars are allowed past at times and they can pay a fine into the Lifeboat collection tin - first time visitors arriving that afternoon must wonder where they have landed...
I had Sam and Catriona for a week earlier and Sam was so helpful - we had fresh bread daily, a stack of cardboard boxes was burned, and a beech hedge was lopped. Catriona baked, painted, sewed and introduced our guest John into the art of keeping up with a five-year-old - hide and seek, daisy chains, etc! Thank you, John! We went to the child friendly Craig Highland Farm and were attacked by two geese. Catriona and I had peck marks to proove it. We beat a hastly retreat and visited the local nursery, where we all chose a plant - much safer!!
Yarrow, Sponge and Cheque are all doing their Public Relations bit very well! Many evenings Yarrow is quite exhausted, having shown guests round the village, while Sponge waits for favoured visitors to come down in the morning. Cheque is at last “tearing” round the garden and a tether is very necessary...
The weather has improved in the last few days. Till then, the rest of the country was baking and we had very indifferent days - putting it mildly! At least the midges have not been bad at all! Now, however, the weeds are threatening to beat me - again. But the potatoes and rasps are good, while the rows of lettuce are fairly spectacular! I’m begging neighbours to help themselves and have made some batches of lettuce soup - it’s tasty, but better consumed with eyes closed as it is such a peculiar colour! The little leeks took a battering yesterday, when Cheque “broke loose” and did a dance in amongst them..... The vine has over twenty bunches and I stripped most of the leaves the other day, as the greenhouse was like a jungle. A new compost bin in the down garden is rapidly filling up and, reading the instructions, I should stir the contents soon - that’ll be fun?!
I’ll update you next month on life at Heron’s Flight - August threatens to be busy and I look forward to a visit from two friends - Irene I have known for years, but Dorothy and I go back to Primary school, which, as you all know, was not yesterday!
Best wishes, Ann.
It’s a fun fortnight and Moira, Colin and the four children will be here for the second week. I’ll be delighted to be chief cook and bottle washer - and baby sitter. Regatta Saturday, August 6th, is the Ragamuffin Race, when the children jump in local boats with their homemade sails. They race three times and competition is fierce!! Afterwards there is dancing outside Plockton Hotel, on the main street. Cars are allowed past at times and they can pay a fine into the Lifeboat collection tin - first time visitors arriving that afternoon must wonder where they have landed...
I had Sam and Catriona for a week earlier and Sam was so helpful - we had fresh bread daily, a stack of cardboard boxes was burned, and a beech hedge was lopped. Catriona baked, painted, sewed and introduced our guest John into the art of keeping up with a five-year-old - hide and seek, daisy chains, etc! Thank you, John! We went to the child friendly Craig Highland Farm and were attacked by two geese. Catriona and I had peck marks to proove it. We beat a hastly retreat and visited the local nursery, where we all chose a plant - much safer!!
Yarrow, Sponge and Cheque are all doing their Public Relations bit very well! Many evenings Yarrow is quite exhausted, having shown guests round the village, while Sponge waits for favoured visitors to come down in the morning. Cheque is at last “tearing” round the garden and a tether is very necessary...
The weather has improved in the last few days. Till then, the rest of the country was baking and we had very indifferent days - putting it mildly! At least the midges have not been bad at all! Now, however, the weeds are threatening to beat me - again. But the potatoes and rasps are good, while the rows of lettuce are fairly spectacular! I’m begging neighbours to help themselves and have made some batches of lettuce soup - it’s tasty, but better consumed with eyes closed as it is such a peculiar colour! The little leeks took a battering yesterday, when Cheque “broke loose” and did a dance in amongst them..... The vine has over twenty bunches and I stripped most of the leaves the other day, as the greenhouse was like a jungle. A new compost bin in the down garden is rapidly filling up and, reading the instructions, I should stir the contents soon - that’ll be fun?!
I’ll update you next month on life at Heron’s Flight - August threatens to be busy and I look forward to a visit from two friends - Irene I have known for years, but Dorothy and I go back to Primary school, which, as you all know, was not yesterday!
Best wishes, Ann.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
June News
Well, it’s a month since I last “put pen to paper” - a busy time with me still searching for some odd hours to add on to each day.....
I did finish the annual accounts away at the beginning of the month. They are always a trial.... so that’s a weight off my mind. June’s weather improved steadily and in the last fortnight the garden has needed watered nightly. I think I’ve lost the weed battle in the shrub/rose garden..... actually it is quite colourful at present, so I’ll leave well alone! The leeks finally were planted a while ago. I think there is a wee something wrong with my timing - the day after the potatoes went down it snowed and the leeks have needed constant water since they reached their final positions. However, I’ll perhaps get the spinach, mustard, rocket and yet more lettuce timings better........ Then every space will be used up, at least. The first lettuces are growing much faster than Cheque and I can eat - there’s only so much one can do with a lettuce leaf..... any ideas for breakfasts?
I have recently had so many very pleasant guests from all parts. This week I’ve met people from America, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Britain. Yesterday and today I have an English couple and three young Australians, who are very kindly calling at the butcher’s shop in Kyle for smoked ham haughs, as they go to the Isle of Skye!
Tomorrow will be taken up largely with soup making, in preparation for Sam and Catriona coming next week. Neither of them is good at eating vegetables - but they love liquidised soup - and mince and “tatties”! Perhaps the garden potatoes will be big enough for them to dig their own..... Sam’s will make bread too. Catriona is more into the puddings and cakes!! Sam then goes for two weeks to Scout Camp and Catriona may stay here till the rest of the family arrives for Regatta fortnight, beginning July 25th. So that just about takes care of July’s spare moments!
I must thank Ian for having tracked down, from Australia via Canada to Plockton, a suitable cookbook for my spare microwave-. I live in dread of my everyday model giving up the ghost! So now I can practise on the quite different controls and hopefully become just as fond of it. Ian and Alison can judge my success or otherwise when they holiday here in September - actually they should not expect miracles, as that is now only 10 weeks away.......
Yarrow and Sponge are enjoying the company in the house and actually vie for attention in the mornings! I remind Yarrow that Sponge is no use at going for walks in the village and so he must tolerate Sponge’s pushiness. Cheque has enjoyed the real warmth of late and has fairly trotted around. Today, she’s sluggish and practically knocking at the front door to come back into her box!
Thank you everyone who has written, often sending beautiful photos, over the past few weeks. How I long to be on Broadband to speed this computer along.....There are a FEW drawbacks to living in our beautiful part of the world - impulse buying is not on (maybe a good thing!), THE bus to Kyle goes once a day, no late night grocery shopping in Plockton, and no ready access yet to Broadband - small prices to pay, believe me! Best wishes, Ann.
I did finish the annual accounts away at the beginning of the month. They are always a trial.... so that’s a weight off my mind. June’s weather improved steadily and in the last fortnight the garden has needed watered nightly. I think I’ve lost the weed battle in the shrub/rose garden..... actually it is quite colourful at present, so I’ll leave well alone! The leeks finally were planted a while ago. I think there is a wee something wrong with my timing - the day after the potatoes went down it snowed and the leeks have needed constant water since they reached their final positions. However, I’ll perhaps get the spinach, mustard, rocket and yet more lettuce timings better........ Then every space will be used up, at least. The first lettuces are growing much faster than Cheque and I can eat - there’s only so much one can do with a lettuce leaf..... any ideas for breakfasts?
I have recently had so many very pleasant guests from all parts. This week I’ve met people from America, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Britain. Yesterday and today I have an English couple and three young Australians, who are very kindly calling at the butcher’s shop in Kyle for smoked ham haughs, as they go to the Isle of Skye!
Tomorrow will be taken up largely with soup making, in preparation for Sam and Catriona coming next week. Neither of them is good at eating vegetables - but they love liquidised soup - and mince and “tatties”! Perhaps the garden potatoes will be big enough for them to dig their own..... Sam’s will make bread too. Catriona is more into the puddings and cakes!! Sam then goes for two weeks to Scout Camp and Catriona may stay here till the rest of the family arrives for Regatta fortnight, beginning July 25th. So that just about takes care of July’s spare moments!
I must thank Ian for having tracked down, from Australia via Canada to Plockton, a suitable cookbook for my spare microwave-. I live in dread of my everyday model giving up the ghost! So now I can practise on the quite different controls and hopefully become just as fond of it. Ian and Alison can judge my success or otherwise when they holiday here in September - actually they should not expect miracles, as that is now only 10 weeks away.......
Yarrow and Sponge are enjoying the company in the house and actually vie for attention in the mornings! I remind Yarrow that Sponge is no use at going for walks in the village and so he must tolerate Sponge’s pushiness. Cheque has enjoyed the real warmth of late and has fairly trotted around. Today, she’s sluggish and practically knocking at the front door to come back into her box!
Thank you everyone who has written, often sending beautiful photos, over the past few weeks. How I long to be on Broadband to speed this computer along.....There are a FEW drawbacks to living in our beautiful part of the world - impulse buying is not on (maybe a good thing!), THE bus to Kyle goes once a day, no late night grocery shopping in Plockton, and no ready access yet to Broadband - small prices to pay, believe me! Best wishes, Ann.
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