Autumn into Winter (II)
So we seem to keep tipping forward into winter, then back again to autumn. We went to Inverness last weekend for an overnight stay, and the drive there was spectacular. We don’t usually take the more mountainous route (which passes Loch Ness) but we did this time, and the colours were breathtaking. It’s much quieter on the roads now - partly because of the time of year, and partly because of lockdown in England and tighter restrictions north of the border.
But then once we reached the city there were twinkling lights and Christmas displays. We did some shopping and I got to have a look around Waterstones (and have spotted a few books for my Christmas list, and for Jay and Joe’s). I also made some purchases: clothes for Joe and me, and scented candles and oils (more on that later). It was good to see a bit of life and bustle, and the best part of the trip for me was a walk along the River Ness at night, looking across to the castle and the lit windows of the hotels and fairy lights strung through the trees.
We visited the Botanic Gardens too. The Tropical House was closed (much to Joe’s disappointment) but we explored the rest, and I picked up an Oxalis Triangularis plant, which made my day as I’ve wanted one for ages. And then it rained. So we made a run for it back to the car.
But that was OK as we were heading home straight after. Hotel stays are nice, but sharing a room with an eight year old… Plus, I’m one of those reptilian types who’s always chilly but hotel rooms tend to be a bit too warm and you don’t sleep particularly well. So we were ready to come back, unpack and get back into the usual routine.
I tend to avoid looking at my bank account after an Inverness trip. But we did make a photo stop on the way home, once we’d crossed back into Skye and Lochalsh. Misty mountains, pine trees, tumbling burns. We didn’t see any deer though - but they’re pretty well camouflaged at this time of year. It’s a different story in the snow, when everything becomes magical and there are dozens of them on the lower ground.
On Tuesday I went out for a walk. I needed to drive to Portree anyway, so I had a few hours there and strode up a big hill and back down through a forest. It was windy and overcast but that’s my favourite kind of day. I wasn’t really dressed appropriately - wool coat and jumper, with no waterproofs - but that was OK. The uphill track got me feeling warm and slightly breathless, and therefore virtuous, and the downhill forest trail was pretty challenging. The ground was thick with pine needles, the path was steep and slippery, and my hands smelt satisfyingly of resin from all the tree-grabbing to steady myself.
I thought at one point it was starting to snow but it turned out to be more pine needles floating down through the air, little copper-coloured filaments which landed in my hair and on my coat. I love walking through the tall pines on a windy day. All that creaking, like doors opening and closing in a haunted house.
The house situation still rumbles on. The buyer’s solicitor now wants another three demands met. We were assured everything would be tied up by mid October. I’m so frustrated with it all. We’ve been assured that things will be sorted ‘soon’. I’ve started to really dislike that word.
But we have made a few tentative arrangements: we’re planning to rent initially and have a few options, both in Portree. We don’t want to rush into buying another house straight away and are undecided on where that will be. So for the interim I’ll be homeschooling. Keeping Joe in his current school would mean two daily round trips of 44 miles each, and I don’t want to put him in a new school temporarily as that would be unnecessarily stressful for him. I know homeschooling is also stressful for me, but I can handle that stress better than he can. And what is parenting all about, if not endless self sacrifice? :0)
Living in Portree for a while will be good, I think. Jay will be within walking distance of work. We have friends there. There’ll be more amenities on the doorstep but we’ll still be close to the sea and mountains. And I can make sure Joe continues to socialise with other children too.
*Note to self: Must not keep buying covetable items/coffee and cake from shops aimed at (and priced for) tourists*
So we’ve been offered a few apartments, both holiday lets (so it’s a short term thing). We can put a lot of our things into storage nearby. It will smaller than we’re used to but we want to downsize in our next (forever) house. We’ll be using someone else’s furniture and looking at someone else’s pictures on the walls. But, remember the mention of scented candles and oils? They’re to make it feel more like home. Along with plants, blankets and books and all those other familiar things which have meaning to us.
Did you spot the cat in the picture of me? That’s a whole other Situation. Hopefully he’ll be allowed to come with us. If not we’d like someone to take care of him until we’re properly settled. And if that doesn’t happen, he’ll have to be rehomed. Or potentially be adopted by the new owner of our house.
But we don’t want to do that. So we’ll try hard to find a way to avoid it…
The weather has been really awful these past few days. The stream by the house is thundering past and down to the sea. You can hear it when you’re in bed. In the evenings we cosy up in the living room and close the curtains and watch TV (still Stranger Things, although Joe and I watched The Nightmare Before Christmas the other day after school). He has Forest School three afternoons a week and it’s Children in Need Day tomorrow, so more fun activities. I’m thinking of driving him across to Glendale later, to buy some chocolate, because I like treating him and he’s cute.
Also tomorrow is work, and then weekend and we’re going to view one of the apartments in Portree. We should be moved in good time for Christmas - must make sure the decorations don’t accidentally go into the storage container lodged behind heavy furniture…
We’re trying not to get too far ahead of ourselves in case everything falls through but we’ve reached a point where we have to start putting plans into place. My fingers are firmly crossed for it all to go ahead without too much drama!
