Well, we are clearing up bits and pieces before hopefully moving on to our next happening. The plan so far is to sell some of our goods and chattels, including the beast, but not, so far, the kids. Bill reckons we would get more for them if we broke them into their constituent parts first! Don't worry, only joking!
Anyhoo, been clearing out the loft and have sold lots of old toys and kids stuff, so the slush fund is healthy. Spinky, found a newspaper from 1993 with a pic of yours truly musing about the cameraderie of prawn fishermen...they aint the stories I remember you telling!
So, on the lookout for a new home and new jobs. Other than that boring boring everyday stuff like everyone else.
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Golf course antics.
Great views from the living room window over the golf course. Our most recent sightings have been of a female roe deer and her faun. The first night we saw her she was chasing a fox across the greens and away from her baby. The following night the fox was strolling across the golf course, making his way to the houses presumably on the lookout for an easy meal, but not close enough to her for her to want to chase him. So, we got a lovely view of her feeding the faun and then it romping around in the long grass while mum was still around. Am looking forward to seeing them again tonight.
Other sights include a lamprey (I think) at the Cambus o' May footbridge over the Dee. Lots of leaping salmon too, be still Spinky!
Jays in the woods around Killin and Alyth. Nesting willow warblers in a mossy bank by a burn at Killin. The boys were enchanted peering into the nest to see the chicks. And, a blue tit nest in the cigarette box outside the gents toilets in Ballater's camp site (with a notice requesting not to put cigarettes into the box).
A few less heartening things too. The dead fledgling great tit that broke its neck flying into a window in Elgin. Although it gave us a chance to have a good look at its perfection! And a scruffy cat emptying a nest of collared dove chicks. At least it ate them.
Other sights include a lamprey (I think) at the Cambus o' May footbridge over the Dee. Lots of leaping salmon too, be still Spinky!
Jays in the woods around Killin and Alyth. Nesting willow warblers in a mossy bank by a burn at Killin. The boys were enchanted peering into the nest to see the chicks. And, a blue tit nest in the cigarette box outside the gents toilets in Ballater's camp site (with a notice requesting not to put cigarettes into the box).
A few less heartening things too. The dead fledgling great tit that broke its neck flying into a window in Elgin. Although it gave us a chance to have a good look at its perfection! And a scruffy cat emptying a nest of collared dove chicks. At least it ate them.
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Latest travels.
Well, after sunny Elgin we went to Aviemore and did some cycling and walking. Fresh air and midges...I had forgotten how annoying they are! Then on to Killin by Loch Tay. Beautiful part of the world. Had a drive by loch Earn to Crieff and came upon a local market selling lovely local produce. Had a chat to a lovely lady who was spinning her own wool. Just like being in Europe...hmmmm.
Then we went to Alyth in Angus. We had been to Blairgowrie before when we holidayed in Kirkmichael, so decided to go back and see if we still liked it as much. Definitely, yes!
Next stop Ballater. Driving via Braemar was great. You forget how beautiful Scotland is and how remote it can be. The boys liked the low flying jets. Noising up the place and frightening the wildlife if you ask me!
Probably will be heading home next to figure out what to do next as our plans have changed again.
Then we went to Alyth in Angus. We had been to Blairgowrie before when we holidayed in Kirkmichael, so decided to go back and see if we still liked it as much. Definitely, yes!
Next stop Ballater. Driving via Braemar was great. You forget how beautiful Scotland is and how remote it can be. The boys liked the low flying jets. Noising up the place and frightening the wildlife if you ask me!
Probably will be heading home next to figure out what to do next as our plans have changed again.
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
More sunny days...
Hello again people! The strain of home life has been too much to bear, so we have headed off again in the beast for some sunshine and rest. Not gone too far, yet. Up north and revisiting some of our favourite places. Have managed a lunch at Brodie, the beach at Findhorn and at last a trip to Pluscarden Abbey. How relaxing!
We even managed a motor fair in Elgin's Cooper Park and a boot sale. Sad devils!
Off into the hills today and hopefully no more rain, although I like the sound it makes on the roof!
We even managed a motor fair in Elgin's Cooper Park and a boot sale. Sad devils!
Off into the hills today and hopefully no more rain, although I like the sound it makes on the roof!
Friday, 7 May 2010
Chuffing along.
Hello again my lovelies. Thought it would be a good idea to do another post to let you know how mundane our lives have become since returning. Back to feeding washing machines and dishwashers as well as the odd trip out to blow away the cobwebs.
We are trying to plan what to do next, although I think the schooling for the boys is all sorted, so we have a bit of freedom.
Any offer of well paid and interesting jobs would be quite welcome, although I think our followers might offer us a cup of tea and some biccies for digging their gardens or servicing their car...no thanks! Quite excited by the prospect if imminent unemployment and the opportunity to try some new (and probably free) things!
Lots planned, will keep you up to date as and when things happen. Not really planning on informing you of the boring minutae! Big kisses.
We are trying to plan what to do next, although I think the schooling for the boys is all sorted, so we have a bit of freedom.
Any offer of well paid and interesting jobs would be quite welcome, although I think our followers might offer us a cup of tea and some biccies for digging their gardens or servicing their car...no thanks! Quite excited by the prospect if imminent unemployment and the opportunity to try some new (and probably free) things!
Lots planned, will keep you up to date as and when things happen. Not really planning on informing you of the boring minutae! Big kisses.
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Final hurrah...or maybe not?!
Don't want to think that this might be the last post (toot toot), so I guess we will have to keep going! So, where are we now?
Well...after St Valery we decided the need to get back to blighty was fairly important. Lots of things to sort (schools for the boys being the most essential-that's going to be a shock to the system!) So, we had an overnighter at Calais (just south actually) and took the tunnel back home.
The tunnel was brilliant by the way. I really wan't looking forward to it, not natural being under all that water! However, we were sniffed for explosives by a frenchman (using an electronic sniffer, not his nose), passport checked, asked if we had gas (comedy moment would have been nice, but didn't want to risk being jumped by armed guards) and queued for about 10 minutes, then drove onto the train 5 minutes before departure. The carriages are really big, although they don't feel too wide with the walkways up the sides. I think I had about 4" to spare between the wheels and the sides!
Then we were away. It takes about 25 minutes to cross, apparently doing 140km/h. At the other end we drove straight out without any checks and into blighty. How depressing!
Decided to avoid London and head for home straight away. The first night was spent in Peterborough. It doesn't sound very promising, but I rather liked it. The sun shining really helped. Got shouted at by irate englishman for going the wrong way up a one way system (on a campsite I hasten to add), then advised by his wife to ignore him...which I managed beautifully.
Off again, closer to Scotland with every mile...this time to Powburn in Northumberland. We kept driving past Alnwick castle on all our visits down south looking for motorhomes, so this time we promised to visit. The camp was idyllic. Really busy with it being thew last weekend of the school holidays, but the number of birds singing and the peace and quiet (once the kids had gone to bed) was lovely. Visited the castle the next morning. Lovely gardens with impressive cascade down the hillside. Looks a bit like a scorpion...only wetter. The weather was fabulous, although the hard winter you lot had meant that many of the plants were not out. Had a few funny moments with kids playing in the water spouts and fountains, which were freezing. They breed them hard up here if that was bathtime!
After all that fun we went to Dunfermline and caught up with the folks. Had a very pleasant couple of days eating, chatting, boring people with photos! Then back to Aberdeen to tackle the monstrous pile of mail and final demands! One bonus is that the flat now seems really big. And, I can pour cooking water down the sink, rinse lettuce with lots of water without worrying about tanks, spillage and waste. Simple things! Did I mention the bath? I did threaten to be in there for a couple of hours, but I didn't want to soak my tan off, as there aren't the sunbathing opportunities here at the moment...because it's bloody snowing! Welcome home...
Well...after St Valery we decided the need to get back to blighty was fairly important. Lots of things to sort (schools for the boys being the most essential-that's going to be a shock to the system!) So, we had an overnighter at Calais (just south actually) and took the tunnel back home.
The tunnel was brilliant by the way. I really wan't looking forward to it, not natural being under all that water! However, we were sniffed for explosives by a frenchman (using an electronic sniffer, not his nose), passport checked, asked if we had gas (comedy moment would have been nice, but didn't want to risk being jumped by armed guards) and queued for about 10 minutes, then drove onto the train 5 minutes before departure. The carriages are really big, although they don't feel too wide with the walkways up the sides. I think I had about 4" to spare between the wheels and the sides!
Then we were away. It takes about 25 minutes to cross, apparently doing 140km/h. At the other end we drove straight out without any checks and into blighty. How depressing!
Decided to avoid London and head for home straight away. The first night was spent in Peterborough. It doesn't sound very promising, but I rather liked it. The sun shining really helped. Got shouted at by irate englishman for going the wrong way up a one way system (on a campsite I hasten to add), then advised by his wife to ignore him...which I managed beautifully.
Off again, closer to Scotland with every mile...this time to Powburn in Northumberland. We kept driving past Alnwick castle on all our visits down south looking for motorhomes, so this time we promised to visit. The camp was idyllic. Really busy with it being thew last weekend of the school holidays, but the number of birds singing and the peace and quiet (once the kids had gone to bed) was lovely. Visited the castle the next morning. Lovely gardens with impressive cascade down the hillside. Looks a bit like a scorpion...only wetter. The weather was fabulous, although the hard winter you lot had meant that many of the plants were not out. Had a few funny moments with kids playing in the water spouts and fountains, which were freezing. They breed them hard up here if that was bathtime!
After all that fun we went to Dunfermline and caught up with the folks. Had a very pleasant couple of days eating, chatting, boring people with photos! Then back to Aberdeen to tackle the monstrous pile of mail and final demands! One bonus is that the flat now seems really big. And, I can pour cooking water down the sink, rinse lettuce with lots of water without worrying about tanks, spillage and waste. Simple things! Did I mention the bath? I did threaten to be in there for a couple of hours, but I didn't want to soak my tan off, as there aren't the sunbathing opportunities here at the moment...because it's bloody snowing! Welcome home...
Saturday, 17 April 2010
St Valery sur Somme
Right you two...it aint a chatroom! Only joking. Nice to see a bit of family history and poetry making it on to the blog.
Got one of my own, which has always been a favoutite of mine.
What is this life, if full of care
we have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
and stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass
where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see in broad daylight
streams full of stars like skies at night
No time to turn at beauty's glance
and watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can enrich
that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if full of care
we have no time to stand and stare.
W H Davies
Hope that one hit the spot. Needless to say, lots of standing and staring has been done on this trip.
Euan went on a pony today, and no, we never got along to see the trains. I had no idea you were such an anorak John!
Got one of my own, which has always been a favoutite of mine.
What is this life, if full of care
we have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
and stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass
where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see in broad daylight
streams full of stars like skies at night
No time to turn at beauty's glance
and watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can enrich
that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if full of care
we have no time to stand and stare.
W H Davies
Hope that one hit the spot. Needless to say, lots of standing and staring has been done on this trip.
Euan went on a pony today, and no, we never got along to see the trains. I had no idea you were such an anorak John!
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