Day 1548 a lovely day in the garden without any weeding!

First of all we had a lovely time visiting friends we’ve not seen for years, last night, for Clair’s 50th birthday. It was so nice to be invited and so lovely to meet all of her family and friends.

We definitely can’t leave it as long next time!

I came home to a lovely surprise voucher through my door, from Gayle! She said she wanted to treat me to coffee and cake for our local Curiosity coffee shop. How lovely is that?! I was really touched.

I didn’t have the best sleep last night but woke to a lovely sunny morning. ā˜€ļø

I stayed in bed and read for a bit. Evelyn gave me 5 or 6 books recently and I’ve read them all. They were all just my kind of book.

I heard Craig in the garden with the dogs so I got up.

We sat and had coffee in the sunshine. It’s a lovely day.

Claire (next door Claire!) had given me a lovely Highland Cow mug so I used that and sent her a wee pic!

Bhru was showing off her tail in all its glory when something dared to move in her garden. I don’t know if she could smell next doors cat?!

So we got ready and took the 3 Borders for a walk…. First dog walk in shorts this year I reckon!!

We headed straight out to Lidl and did a big food shopping. Definitely my first food shopping in shorts this year!

We decided to cook over the fire pit today and it was really lovely.

I had halloumi, meat free sausage, pepper and mushrooms and Craig had chicken wings, sausages and chicken kebabs.

It was really lovely. Nice to spend time together. We haven’t done anything like that for ages.

I sat and read my book for the rest of the afternoon. It’s been so relaxing in my weed free garden.

The dogs are all fast asleep.

I say that and Freya woke up.

Khaleesi made sure she’s touching both of us….

I have my legs crossed…. It looks like the other one has disappeared!

I’ve had a lovely another lovely calm and chilled weekend…. More weather like this please!

Have a great week!

Stay safe everyone ā™„ļøā™„ļøā™„ļø

Day 1313 Remembrance Day 2023 šŸŒŗ

I went to visit Beith’s remembrance memorial this morning. I took my breath away.

A lovely lady in Beith made all of these. I can’t tell you how lovely it is to spend some time among them and I probably thought more of Remembrance Day than I ever have. It made everything seem so much more real.

I think this one is my favourite out of them all.

Sadly one of them is no longer there. Either stolen by people or I prefer to think, foxes.

It’s a super frosty and cold morning but as the sun rises, it’s calm and there’s a warmth in the sun. It’s a very poignant tribute.

Beith Auld Kirk as a beautiful building in its own right.

I had already been out with the 3 OG puppers as soon as it got light this morning.

It’s still quite icy at this time of the morning, I don’t know if you can see it in the photo. The sky was stunning and full of promise for a sunny day.

I went to the little gift shop today to help Gayle plan for some of the Christmas events she’s doing this year. She’s changed the shop since last week!

It just smells so lovely.

By the time I got home it was about 1.30 and I’d planned loads of housework.

The sun is so lovely I felt like I should do something outside and yet i don’t want to shut the dogs back in again…. So I’m outside and lit my very own fire pit… I’m sitting here by myself… if you are ever by yourself with 4 dog….. and I’m enjoying the sunshine with the extra heat of a wee bonfire. It’s just bliss.

It was a wee bit smokey to start with but only because the stuff in the bottom is still wet…. Note from Craig for future reference.

Oh I must see if I can link the Scottish Dog Behaviourist YouTube page as he’s posted a video of Khaleesi on a lovely walk the other day. It’s so cute. He’s so good at creating video content. I could watch this for days… here goes. Khaleesi at Loch Shore.

Fingers crossed that works!

I’m just sitting here listening to old tunes on Spotify, adding wood to the fire as we go.

Had a lovely chat with my mother in law there and now Craig’s home!

Happy Saturday night y’all.

Stay safe everyone šŸ”„šŸ”„šŸ”„

Day 1237 another day gardening and booked next years’ summer holiday!

I slept like a log last night. Isn’t it amazing that I can say that almost every other day. I fell asleep on the couch watching a movie at about 9pm and slept for over an hour.

Then I couldn’t wake up this morning. Actually stayed in bed until after 8am this morning. Check me!

We decided on another day in the garden. We started off talking about next years’ holidays….. decisions, decisions. We both agreed we would love to go back to Iceland šŸ‡®šŸ‡ø again. So much still to see and do. I also have a list, the length of my arm, of places that I would like to go and see. We mulled that over, over coffee, sitting in the garden.

It’s another nice day, cooler and cloudier but still nice.

Back to the gardening it is!

All of these are the before….. then after.

Then just some after shots that I didn’t take before!

The ground still looks covered in weeds but it’s amazing compared to what it was before. We also had to shore up the giant hydrangea as it’s been falling down with its own weight.

Also my new favourite path taking shape. Still a long way to go with that.

We haven’t spent any real time in the garden this year. I’ve never felt any desire to do gardening for a few years now. I always wanted to be away in the van. It’s been really nice to tidy it all up these last few days. We’re now sitting outside with a fire pit.

I thought the forecast was meant to be lovely but it’s cloudy and cooler now. The fire is toasty!

I did stop for another healthy salad lunch today.

I’m still loving my mixed salads in the big tub. Today was applewood smoked cheese with wafer thin chicken, olives and feta, sun-dried tomatoes and a cheese filled pepper.

Super tasty!

As we sit by the fire-pit, I got back onto the subject of holidays.

I’ve been using the love holidays app recently and went to look at Croatia. It’s one of the warmer places I fancied due to the Game of Thrones filming locations.

We know that Dubrovnik is one of, if not the most, visited cities, in the world. I found a beautiful 3 star hotel, 40 minutes from Dubrovnik and 15 minutes from the airport, in the town of Cavtat.

I found a great deal, the first place I looked and such a stunning location. We’ve booked a week at the end of September 2024!!!

The holiday was only Ā£615 each for bed and breakfast for 7 nights. I thought that was really good. Weather wise we should be past the worst of the heat and we’re away from the crowds too.

Photos are obviously courtesy of love holidays and I have not just jetted out there to take some photos!! I didn’t look at anything else as this just felt perfect. It has 4.5 stars on trip advisor.

The good thing about booking so far in advance is that you get pay it up. This works out at just over £100 a month which is easily doable. Something to really look forward to!!

So I’ve had another great day. I’m calm. I’m happy. I’m excited as I now have two foreign holidays and a wee trip to Devon to look forward to.

I’ve not had much interest in the van but I think the market is slow. I’m not in any rush to sell, so I won’t just give it away, but I am super excited about travelling abroad now and doing something different. I’ve also looked at going back to Edinburgh to meet Mum again and maybe visit Edinburgh Castle. I no longer want to be stuck in a field looking at the rest of a campsite.

Funny how your priorities change. A few people can’t believe I’m selling her, I know this feels right. Camping brought me a whole load of stress, where to book, when to go, what’s the weather looking like, was it dog friendly etc etc. now I can just pack a bag and head off somewhere!! Sounds like a plan!!

Stay safe everyone ā™„ļøā™„ļøā™„ļø

Day 1146 a beautiful day outside!!

To be fair, it’s been a beautiful day inside too. Finally we have a day of shorts and vest top…. Out in the garden. You’ve kept us waiting for this, 2023!

I slept really well all night, again. Could not wake up this morning at all. Have been looking forward to some good weather and getting the bedding washed, dried and back on the bed, so,I finally got moving.

The day started with dog jog and very tangled leads šŸ¤¦šŸ»ā€ā™€ļøšŸ˜‚

Nothing is more beautiful than the colours on a sunny day. That sky…. šŸ’™šŸ“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ

These next two are just the cow parsley at the side of the road! It’s taking over the world!

The buttercups are out in full force too.

The cows are totally checking us out!

So back home and it was straight into doggy bath time…. It’s been a while and when you have 3 dogs, grooming can add up.

Freya was first and I forgot to take photos of her…. I am totally soaked after her!

Then Calaidh who was surprisingly dirty… she hides it well in that black coat of hers.

She who wants to bit the shower spray any chance she gets, is surprisingly traumatised by being washed! Then Bhru… she looks like she’s smiling but I think she thought she could get out the bath via the taps… she’d planned an escape šŸ˜‚

Here they all are out in the garden, drying very quickly, all fluffy and clean. Note the bedding on the line as well…. It’s definitely washing day in our house!!

All that and 2 loads done and I t’s not even 9.30am!!

Next step was the rockery. Now I think it looks lovely and wild but it is FULL of weeds and someone I live with, is not a fan of a weed…..

I’ve done really well but it’s nowhere near where it needs to be. I hit a wall around 12.30!

So really for the rest of the day I’ve been sitting on a sun lounger and having spurts of weeding energy.

I did open my eyes to this…. At one point!

That’s what happens when you put yourself at their level… šŸ˜‚

Another spurt…. Before.

…and after!

We’ve had a lovely dinner tonight…. Cooked over the fire!

Spiced venison hotpot. It was amazing!!

Craig did very well for his first South African potjie…. Or as close as we can get to it! The ā€œrulesā€ say it’s not to be stirred but we stirred ours….. ours I have a cheek… I stirred Craig’s šŸ¤¦šŸ»ā€ā™€ļøšŸ˜‚. There’s lots of seasoning in it that we bought from Amazon. The meat is browned with the onions and them the veg layered on top. He made enough for 6 people. Guess what’s we’re having for the next few days?!?

So all in all, we’ve had a really lovely day. We’ve done lots but also rested lots too.

It got a wee bit chilly an hour or so ago so I gave in and put a T-shirt on… of course now the sun is back out.

The sign of a good day off is when it feel likes it’s been longer than one day and it’s still only 5.15pm!

Stay safe everyone šŸ“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æšŸ’™ā˜€ļø