Weekend
So it’s been three weeks since I was last here… I’d just like to say thank you for your comments. It’s always good to know people are out there reading the blog and enjoying my photos. I know this is a journal for myself as much as anything else, but it’s nice to think my words and pictures are floating around the universe and some are choosing to join and follow me.
Things are pretty busy at the moment. I’m starting a new job at a local business later in the week and am off to Inverness on Friday - I’m not looking forward to the long drive but I need to pick some things up and am hoping I’ll get the chance to have a look around a few shops while I’m there.
Also, we’ve put the house on the market. I won’t be sharing our plans here, as I like to keep some things private, but no doubt it will all unfold (when though, depends on when the place sells!)
Interestingly, people I barely know - or who don’t usually give me the time of day - are suddenly approaching me for a friendly chat and casually asking about it…
Joe had a lovely birthday at the end of August, with a party and cake and lots of presents. Our friends hosted as their little boy was turning nine. We came up with a great way of avoiding that horrible situation where you have to decide which kid’s ‘out’ during games of musical statues, sleeping lions etc. The first one out then decides the next one, and the next one decides the next and so on. Puts the guilt on the children instead of the parents. Plus, kids actually quite enjoy the perceived authority. And they’re a little bit sadistic.
So that worked.
Joe’s enjoying school too, once we get through the daily catalogue of grievances he airs at home time. It’s just the way he is - a bit of an Eeyore. But he was dancing around the kitchen yesterday singing ‘I love birthdays! I love Halloween! I love everything!” so scratch the surface and he’s really just a happy, carefree kid with a veneer of martyrdom.
We had a good weekend. Yesterday we took a short drive over to Gesto, as a friend had told us about an old house there. Apparently it’s been recorded as the oldest on Skye, and the first to have a slated roof (the slates were tied on with heather). It’s no more than a ruin now, but we had a little walk along the bay and in the grounds of the house. There were some lovely old trees and contorted stumps, stone walls and lots of birds flitting about. I’d love to go back in winter after a heavy frost or snowfall.
We stopped off at Dun Beag Broch on the way back. We haven’t been there since we lived in Struan, so it’s probably two and a half years. You get some great views out to Ullinish and Oronsay, the tidal island. Our friends live in one of the houses in the picture above - that’s where Joe celebrated his birthday, and he loves it there because they have four children and a huge garden with a fort and an orchard. We can’t really compete with that!
Things are getting autumnal at home. As usual I’m bringing in all kinds of greenery. We’ve been making stews and baking cakes and yes, I dug out a bottle of mulled wine which was lurking in the kitchen dresser. Bit early in the year but it tasted very nice. Maybe mulled cider would be more appropriate for September?
We’ve also been making the most of the sunshine by spending time outdoors and sitting in the garden, but now the wind and rain have returned. Joe’s just started with a cold so this afternoon we’ll get the blankets out and read together. He’s watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - he finished the Johnny Depp version yesterday and is currently part way through the Gene Wilder one. He’s seen both quite a few times but I’ll indulge him seeing as he’s sniffly and hasn’t slept too well.
So it’s a busy week ahead: house viewings and admin, new job, Inverness trip. I think school might be closed on Monday and Tuesday next week but need to check. We’re having to keep the place tidy at all times as we’ve been getting some viewings at very short notice - I think a few are people visiting and wanting to relocate to Skye. We’ll see.
I’m trying to keep track by writing lists and using my diary. And a new job means a new notebook (I learn best by writing everything down). You can never have too much stationery.
