Coming around again…

It is daffodil season again in the Hirsel woods. The leaves are drifting down the slopes like blue green fur in the shadier stretches. Where the sun hits the flowers have begun to unfurl, a bright acid yellow, subtly scented. I’m sure I am repeating myself, this year’s words a perfect echo of last andContinue reading “Coming around again…”

The Dog Days are over

Since coming back from Glenelg we have been gently crisping. The Dog Days of Summer had definitely arrived and the heat has been intense, settling on the garden like a lambent halo by mid morning and intensifying relentlessly to a late afternoon inferno. With the help of mum and auntie Lois we managed (just) someContinue reading “The Dog Days are over”

In between days

Sometimes I get stuck. I can’t quite settle to anything new, flit about about from distraction job to distraction job, avoiding anything too tricky. Well this was me a week or so ago. I was between kiddiwink visits (Lachlan had just left, Ishbel yet to arrive) and the weather had taken a colder turn, soContinue reading “In between days”

New Year Plots and Plans

In their ones and twos the family reassembled, and the guests arrived, for the Hogmanay Festivities and the quietude of “Twixtmas” was over. Keith had charge of the catering arrangements so my limited contribution was a trio of game pies. On possibly the rainiest day before the new year Lyra declined all walking entreaties andContinue reading “New Year Plots and Plans”

And we have…. technicolour

Valentines day came and went and Keith , Lachlan and I celebrated with the new tradition of a romantic dinner for three plus dog. Keith was slightly non plussed by the particularly romantic, and rather too large, highland cow hat I had knitted for him but Ishbel was impressed and, following some photo sharing onContinue reading “And we have…. technicolour”

The corn snack universe sends a gift

Yesterday was Keith’s gourmet Sunday. A fine rack of lamb was consumed and dinner conversation meandered from the sublime to the ridiculous as per usual. Ignorance being no barrier to heated debate at Ruthven, Lachlan and I piled into a spirited argument on the meaning of infinity. We are nothing if not ambitious. (This provedContinue reading “The corn snack universe sends a gift”

Slow Lane Symphony

I do like when the clocks go back these days. Not for the extra hour in bed, but for the extra hour gained when the body clock gets you up at the usual time in “real money”. Just such a morning today, so Lyra and I are up and out with the larks (or ratherContinue reading “Slow Lane Symphony”

Corran and the glen

The last full day of the holiday started a little dull, but steadily picked up over the day. There was some slothful mooching about in the cottage in the morning (fully justified by the step count of the day before) but by three we were set to head off again. This time we drove upContinue reading “Corran and the glen”

Captain Birdseye has left the building

Momentous news. Keith’s lockdown beard has gone. This is a massive improvement – the only downside is that, in his own words, the absence of beard highlights the messiness of the hair. But I am not one to quibble. I am more than glad to say farewell facial hair. If this is prompted by theContinue reading “Captain Birdseye has left the building”

A day of contrasts

It is scorching again. Much too hot to work in the garden. The shade under the pergola was pretty much the only place to be by ten. And what a place, the roses and honeysuckle were in full bloom, the bees buzzing and the swallows swooping overhead. The enforced languor gave everything rather a “holidayContinue reading “A day of contrasts”