Correction!

Sid Ali takes MORE not ME!

Ssssh.

Everyone gone. Just me -
and the Christmas Tree - in the dark!
Full day's work today, complete clean
of room one (we have three letting bedrooms.) Ironing Super King Size
bedding, fitted sheet, flat sheet, quilt cover (this is a major physical battle and the cover usually wins), four pillow cases.
Experimented with washing expensive silk, quilted bed-spread - its label said DRY CLEAN ONLY. Nuts to that. It worked fine.
Mike has gone to battle his way round the supermarket. Pre-Christmas it was a doddle, but pre-Hogmanay the patrons will be clearing the shelves of alcahol. Then Scotland shuts down for longer than it does at Christmas.
Although I do know there is a wee shop in the next village, run by 'Sid' Ali, who reckons he takes me on New Years Day than he does all year....

Standing Stones

Just before the date one celebrates Christmas I presume the pagans of old were celebrating the winter solstice here. There are lots of standing stones in this part of Scotland. There are also many different 'types' of church. Peterhead, our nearest town, has about 30 Christian denominations. One of the reasons there is a concentration of religions could well be because of the dangers of the Fishing industry. And the fact that the Scots are a warring nation.
The proliferation of Standing Stones in this area is probably due to the 'laid back' attitude of the Farmers who just ploughed round them!
I hasten to add that the above comments are all my guesswork.
My God lives up the hill across the valley in a clump of trees over which the sun sets - at certain times of the year. Religion is confusing!

All over...

How could we ever down size? Eight adults, one baby, three cats and a parrot. And still room to swing a ...

Empty chairs - and beds.

Looks like that is the end of this year's bed and breakfast guests.

Our last, at the weekend, were the Shetland Isles Coastguard and wife. Ferry home cancelled due to the weather.

I did ask how the Shetland Isles would react at his absence, and the reply was "Blame me for the weather!"

Mike and I are saving on the central heating oil consumption by adding layers of clothing - until we cannot stand it any more. Its countdown to Saturday when three quarters of the family arrive, followed by the rest on Christmas Eve. The boiler will then be on maximum no doubt as will be my credit card.

Oh Christmas Tree!

Looks really scrawny on the picture, but it is a beautiful tree, very green...and more to the point we could have seen it growing across the valley. So definitely locally grown, which was what we wanted.

Today was our Best of Banffshire and Buchan Bed and Breakfasts Christmas lunch.

We went to the Castle Hotel in Huntly which is a long way from Greenbrae, but well worth the travel. We were the noisiest group there, much to the amusement of the (lovely) staff - I think we made their day. It must be nice for them to wait on such appreciative guests who usually find themselves on the other side doing the waiting on. One of the funniest points was watching one, who shall be nameless, getting ever so slightly tipsy. Asking for "a sweet white wine" she got a half bottle! "I'll never drink all this, " she said. But she did.

The other event was another of our group describing how she had slipped on ice and had begun to RUN to stop herself falling, down a hill, and had eneded up falling anyway. It was the mind picture of her running. I do hope there is no lasting damage.

I think one of the objects in the picture above needs more tinsel......

Fast forward!!

After a week of every aspect of Winter weather, rain, wind, snow, frost, and cold, cold, cold. Without all that we wouldnt get this view, come the Spring.
But for now its on with the hunt for a locally grown Christmas tree, wrapping presents, thinking about last posting dates, and a general feeling of panic mounting.

It is nearly Christmas...

Down from the loft came Santa and a friend and a few others. Dotted around the house.

Hoping to source a locally grown Christmas tree this week. Every year since our children were small we have bought a tree from the Forestry Commission, only to discover they were all imported. Now here in Scotland we are surrounded by Noble Firs etc.Yet the Forest still supply imported trees..We have them growing behind the house, but they are too big to dig up! So, the search is on.