Up the lane.

The road leading away from Greenbrae yesterday. The members of our family that were with us over Christmas went this way to Aberdeen to catch their train to Edinburgh.
There is still more snow to come. Today has been much warmer, and there has been a slight wind.
One of my favourite Christmas songs is 'In the bleak midwinter', as it just sums up how it was over this Christmas!
I had a knot in my stomach all Christmas (along with a few at trying to please everyone and failing miserably) as our oil supply was dwindling fast. This gives us heating and hot water. Just in the nick of time our delivery came yesterday and we are back to full on both tanks (one for each half of the house.) Sods law as we havent needed it on in the day today!
Our family came bearing gifts including germs. Mike is now suffering, dosing himself, alternating Beechams with a dram. If I get it I cannot take Beechams because of the blood pressure drugs I take and I dont like whisky - I will more likely end up in an oxygen tent due to my other health problems. But still positive! Soon be 2010 - serious marketing of house and the way Christmas went this year we will be looking for a ONE bedroomed house!!

Happy Christmas Snow.

Zach in my present of dinosaur raincoat and wellies!

Oh boy, did we have fun!

Suffering today though. Our Rotary group visited the home of one of our members for drinks and nibbles. The home is the furthest Eastward stately home in the UK. I may not look it, but I was way out of my comfort zone! If it wasn't bear skins I fell over it was a servant.

Here is me..

laughing at my own jokes - again. The Rotary Christmas Dinner last night. Morag, on my left, is the ace reporter on the Buchan Observer, locally known as the Buchanie. She despairs of my photographing skills (lack of). I occasionally send in to her pictures and news about the Rotary for publication. So far she has published just one with a picture. So last night I was getting photography lessons. Apparently I have to do more zooming. Tell me about it. Today I have zoomed round changing our bed and cleaning our bedroom and bathroom What a pleasure just doing one bedroom. Also my sewing machine foot arrived and it fitted so I have made a cot size duvet and two sheets. Just about to zoom off and prepare the evening meal, just the two of us. Again, no hardship. I could get used to this.

My Kitchen

Doesn't look anything like this! Not after making Poppy and Sesame seed crackers - freezer now full. Plus Celeriac and Apple soup, goodness knows where I am to put that, and Cottage chilli hot pot, also to be frozen... This despite the chest freezer in the store room and a good sized freezer on top of the fridge, as you can see in the photo. All this advice about being prepared ......Well yes I shouldn't have to do tons of prepping food on THE DAY -it will all have gone off!

Ever had one of those days?

First the weather report - started off at minus five - got up to 0 then back to minus 5. The picture shows the mist freezing in the valley over the river. You may have to enlarge the picture by clicking on it to see it properly. The camera I took the picture on refused to work when fastened to the computer. So I have had the recharger plugged in all day, fortunately that was the problem solved. But the camera playing up was just the beginning of my day.
I had planned a whole day sewing. Setting up the sewing machine I discovered the foot was missing. I am completely at a loss as to what has happened here. The fastenings were still tight, I dont think I have ever removed the foot, but it was gone. Torch out, under the bed, under the shelving, all the places I had parked the machine, nothing. So on to the internet. I know it is quicker than waiting for shops to open and then trying to find them and just thinking about the walking makes me breathless....But my machine is no longer made, some web sites claimed all fitting all dancing feet, after a multitude of trawls I decided to order a foot and half a foot, praying that one will fit. Then it was doing battle with the check out. Fill all your details in and there is always something you have missed. Three goes and I thought I had cracked it and it just sat there. So I entered everything again and it came up saying those details were already logged.... I know I had just done it. I finally managed to complete the process. Then it asked me to print out the order - thats when the printer got all stroppy.....
And guess what - its now 3p.m. getting dark and I have done NOTHING. I am of for a beer.

The Best of Banffshire and Buchan Bed and Breakfasts.

Merry Christmas!
My first Senior Citizen lunch! Its alright this pensioner lark. I have had my Winter Fuel Allowance, as has Mike, so a total of £250. My £10 Christmas Bonus and cheap(er) meals.
Its been a long time coming, but I am quite enjoying it!

Sunrise.

This still worries me, even though I have had it explained, that the sun is rising in a different place to where it rises at other times of the year. Naturally, it also sets in a different place. I must have some primitive man in me in that I feel as if I should be sacrificing to the Gods to keep me safe! Also why is it darker for longer now, and in the Summer never gets dark?
Its to do with us being so far North apparently. Some things I find difficult to grasp.
Oh well, the Gods appear to have been propitious as I am well on with preparations for Christmas. This means I go round worrying - "There must be something major I have forgotten."
I cant help being a bit superior about it though, the first time I have ever been so organised and then last night at Rotary Donald announced , "No Christmas cards, just a donation to Rotary." So I piped up, "Except for those who wrote the cards in October."

Told you it looked awful....through the camera..

The photo is really weird = I did dress it a bit more, in fact a lot more, but it still only showed a nude tree when through the camera lens. Ah well. Just imagine it drenched in gold which it is.

Spent nearly all day cooking vegetarian meals for over Christmas. Vegetarian meals take so much preparation and cooking I realise why I am a carnivore. Lump of meat, into the oven, job done. So - I have a Homage to a nut roast and a lasagne already to be frozen. One more meal to do tomorrow and freeze. Takes so long......roasting almonds, reducing a roomful of spinach to a handful, whats the point? Also a pecan cake thing, which has to be served warm with ice cream and maple syrup, hope its as wicked as it sounds. And along the way, for our meal, a venison casserole. Had a very interesting conversation with George down the post office which is only open 1 and a 1/2 days a week, thankfully the shop is open 7 days a week. Anyway back to our conversation. I was in for a bottle of wine to throw on to the venison, and George was advising me, a la Heston Blumenthal, of whom he is a fan! Now George only ever gets excited speechwise if you talk about zebra finches, budgies and quail. But today I had the full scientific H.B. experience. Staggered out with a more than I was going to pay for bottle of wine. Which was fine as the recipe only asked for 250ml so I had the rest, which really helped cooking the vegetarian mush.

Pre Christmas Fun!

Because this house is so big one has to just 'dress' areas for Christmas. Putting decorations up like the old fashioned sort of trimmings that I vaguely remember from my childhood, paper chains etc., just would not work! So - the stairs get dressed, the entrance, the odd window sill, very spread out I am afraid, but great fun. The actual tree this year is placed by two windows and no matter how I photograph it it looks awful and is not a true representation of it as a human being would view it, so sorry, no picture.

It has been heavenly these last few days, having no paying guests in, so I can pratt about placing santas and reindeers and then shifting them all again, and baking in between, and Phoebe has at last had a bath! As this involves her being out of her cage I cannot do this when there is anyone else around as she would fly to them - albeit in a friendly way - they may not appreciate that.

I have pierced oranges with cloves and have them hanging over radiators, heavenly smells. And still loads of boxes full of Christmas stuff to come out - but it is only the 4th December!

I also signed up, today, for a Fitness Club. They have a small pool and my aim is to go three times a week and just walrus up and down and build up the old lungs, the bits that aren't damaged beyond repair. They have the machines in the club that featured in a tv advert, the music for which I love, no idea what the advert was for! Do you remember it? People suddenly doing walking exercises on machines in the middle of the street?

"You changed me." Hope I get changed too!

Weather report.

I can stand most things but I really do not like the wind.
Very cold here, and the wind chill makes it worse.
All the heating on, oil, electric and wood fire. Mike and I got our first winter fuel payment from the government. I have probably spent the lot today.

Yet another picture of the Touch of Tartan evening. Derek, on my left, and two other Rotary members and moi spent most of today selling raffle tickets. In the Bon Accord Shopping Centre in Aberdeen. I hate cities, although Aberdeen is a very nice city, but not a few weeks away from Christmas. I couldnt face Primark even. Sneaky lunch in Macdonalds (sorry daughters, they do disapprove....) and then the marathon selling raffle tickets for a pound to win a white mini. We took over £600. Not bad. The selling of raffle tickets carries on till the 24th December when the draw takes place. This is called "Giving back", well this afternoon I really feel I have given it all back. And some. The most amazing experience was trying to explain to an Italian, someone from the East, and someone from Aberdeen, that the £1 they had paid for a ticket did not guarantee them being able to drive away said white mini. I am now getting something back i.e. a bottle of red wine.

Tis me again

Seem to have lost a leg. We have our lovely Rod Stewart in tonight. Tribute band I think they are called. But this one looks like Rod and more importantly sounds like him. He has just given me his latest cd. I have lost count of how many time he has stayed with us. Very popular at our village football club.

Also a couple - German - but live in Edinburgh, booked in for two nights, otherwise I would have said we were full, and guess what - they insist they only booked for one night. I write as I hear and its as clear as anything in the diary, but what do you do? Just feel the blood pressure soaring. And she announced as she signs in she is gluten free. We can cope with that, no problem, but why not tell us before arrival? She could have had her bedroom cookies that she could eat. Fed up.

A Touch of Tartan

My Touch of Tartan was a stole (hanging over back of chair.) This is an annual fund raising event for local charities. It was quite amusing that the last people to arrive were the two tables for the Alzheimer Society, and we were all being very cruel and saying perhaps they had forgotten.....
I think I had just had a swallow of red wine, hence the facial contortions, the wine matched the food - awful.
Our table was my Rotary Club - Central Buchan. Fortunately the company was better than the food and we had a good time. We left before the dancing, I am getting too old for late nights! The meal was supposed to be 7.30p.m. but didnt appear till 8.30p.m. so the dancing was just starting at 11.30p.m. If I had had another glass of wine I would have been on the dance floor - on my back!

A better day.

Still not as bright as one would like.
However, the cooker is fixed, £35 to local electrician.
Apology from Curry's. Money will be refunded in 5 working days. How come they take it out instantly, but cannot refund instantly?
Very, very windy here. Not complaining others in the UK suffering far more from the weather than we are. But I just find the wind scary.

Woody Woodpecker.

You have to really look closely! I have been trying for weeks to get a photograph. We have two visiting regularly now.

Not too happy at the moment. My cooker still isnt sorted out. The engineer declared it had corrosion and could not be repaired, the insurance company said they dont cover corrosion. We cannot see any corrosion. So we have a chap coming to examine it.
Meanwhile I had tried to order another cooker over the internet. And came up against "Craig - how can I help you - not," who shouldnt be employed by anyone, but is employed by Currys. Yet another company on my own little black list. Having been treated like a total moron by Craig, I cancelled the order, following which the money was taken from my account, and all I get are emails from the Customer Service Team (hysterical laughter) saying they will get right back to me. Ordinarily I would have been straight back on the phone but really cannot face speaking to Craig and his contemporaries.
We had another viewing of the house at the weekend. As they shot out of the door it was, "We didnt realise it was so big." Being advertised with its seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms you would think they might have had a clue....
So all in all not too happy.

Now sit up straight - and listen

I just love this picture! My youngest daughter reading to my grandson.
Well here on the b&b front my blisters from the (new) steam press seem to be proving its as good (?) as the old one, or is it the poor operator? The press was delivered this morning. I hadnt the heart to berate the delivery man as the van was crammed with parcels he should have delivered yesterday - the English do not realise how big Aberdeenshire is.
Next it was on to the internet to source a replacement cooker. All I need just before Christmas, everything going on the blink, and not best pleased to be buying a cooker for a house that is up for sale. Knowing our luck the house we move in to will not have a cooker fitted...... But fear not, I still have a cooker that was only replaced to fit the range cooker, stored away in the lumber room, I knew there was a reason for not getting rid of it.
We have two chaps in for the week next week who will be paying for most of the cooker. Not sure who is going to pay for Christmas..............

A Monster Day.

The engineer came to repair my range cooker today, the part required having been delivered, as promised - which is something - yesterday. This being the heating element for the larger fan oven. After about two hours he announced he could not fix it enough for it to be safe. So was going to condemn it to the insurance company. Reason being the fixing screws/nuts/bolts were rusty. "Why are they rusty?" I asked, "Its the condensation from the food you cook in the oven", he replied. The insurance company to the engineer and relayed by him to me, " We dont cover rust...." But if the rust is caused by the oven doing what it is supposed to do, cook food, why is it not then covered, surely this is bad design? Engineer holds his hands up, "I am just the engineer" Indeed. DO NOT EVER BUY ANYTHING MADE BY BELLING. I also not long ago had to get rid of a microwave made by Belling, because the area where the plate went round went RUSTY, making it liable to spark and go bang and probably kill someone..........I am really, really cross. This cooker is 5 years old, in that time I have had the oven seal replaced 6 times, the element for the grill replaced, the element for the small oven replaced (which we hardly ever use) and the fascia which had burnt, bubbled, due to the oven seal not working.
One rant over.
Next was a phone call from the people I have paid for a new steam press, delivery tomorrow being the latest promise, can we check your post code, oh dear we have that down wrong, meanwhile the old one has gone on freecycle, been repaired and is cracking away with someone elses ironing. The only reason I bought a new one was that I couldnt wait for a repair man and was promised delivery of this new one last Friday.
And the final rant. I have set up a guest room for booked lady for tonight. You guessed it - I phoned her to double check she was in for tonight not tomorrow (husband having a senior moment) "Oh, sorry, I was going to phone you, I am cancelling."
I went off to ASDA = some retail therapy, two jumpers, in the sale at £2.50 each, and a BOTTLE OF WINE.

Cait Sith (Fairy Cat) approves...

Normally Sith is on the cupboard, which is to the right of this one, it being the one that contains the boiler. It was, previously, almost impossible for him to sit on this cupboard as it displayed leaflets, RSPB badges for sale and the Visitors Book. Instead of a mirror to pose prettily by the walls were filled with all our framed certificates and awards. Leaflets and certificates now banished to the library.

The Atrium is now completely re-painted, Antique Cream, and the first visitor to view (after Sith) actually said, "Wow!" Which is just what I wanted.

Next task quite a lot bigger....

Brrrrr.

Its actually quite warm for the time of year! But it doesnt look it if you understand me.
Not long to Christmas now. For the first time in 60 years I am fairly well organised. Christmas Cake made and being fed weekly with booze. Tins of chocs stashed away and the Crackers. Presents for distant relatives parcelled and sent. Only the ones actually having Christmas here with us to stocking fill for. And halfway through writing the Christmas cards. There are some I always leave til the last minute, just in case I commit a faux pas and send one to someone who has died......
My steam press packed in giving me an enforced break from ironing! I have freecycled the press to someone who can repair it and am waiting for the new one to arrive. (Should have been yesterday.) So having nothing better to do I decided to re-paint the atrium/entrance hall. Mike asked what on earth I was doing, house up for sale etc.etc. I just said I would go mad if I didnt have something to do!!!! We then both realised I was probably already there.

Frozen North.

Our first minus temperatures of this winter. Good job I had plenty to do inside. Ironing and cleaning for guests arriving.
We had four lorry drivers and four lorries! I had been told they were only little lorries, and had visions of something of the Ford Transit size. They arrived in the pitch black and well I guess they were little compared to most, but we still had to sort the parking out. Charlie wasnt around who owns the land next door but it was the only place to put the lorries. I am just dreading him turning up to collect his stuff for his work and finding he has four great lorries blocking his access. Hopefully they will be gone before he arrives.

Ceilidh

What a fantastic evening - havent enjoyed myself so much in years. My only regret is that my dancing partner did not wear a kilt.

Hopeful...

That I will be feeling like this in a few hours time. Full of energy - I doubt it. My first Ceilidh.

Oh I do love having me hair done..

I have a lovely hair dresser. Ange does not ask me "Where are you going on holiday?" Or, "Any plans for the weekend?" All she says is "And now..." which is very much a North East Scotland greeting. And then she gets on with it. More often than not I sit with eyes closed, totally relaxed, blissful, apart from the awful music that blasts out. I can't see anything with my eyes open, as I have to take my glasses off. When the hair is being washed I am almost ecstatic as the girl who does the shampooing has obviously had some training in head massage. Yesterday I had my colours done, which inolves having bits wrapped in foil after whatever colour has been pasted on, then sit there for ages and ages, but I dont mind. This time I also had quite a lot chopped off.
Then it was home to get ready to go to the weekly Rotary meeting. On the agenda this week was practising for the Ceilidh on Friday. I got halfway through an eightsome reel before collapsing. Not bad. Also was truly thrilled I could remember so much from primary school days when we were taught these dances. Still not sure what to wear...
Oh - the other bit of news is that we will still be here at Christmas. Our second viewers are not in a hurry to move. I wish people like that would NOT come and view your home and go round planning which wall they are going to knock down when they have NO intention of making an offer.

Party for one wee boy.

Some of the family managed to be at Zac's birthday party. All his Aunties, who took lots of photos for Granddad and me.

We had to stay here for another viewing of our house. Lovely family looking for somewhere bigger, well Greenbrae is certainly that! Hoping we get an offer from them, as the other viewers obviously do not understand the Scottish system. Any offer below the asking price is treated with a smidgeon of contempt. Actually a whole barrow load of contempt from me.

We are still in business with guests trickling in.

Have to say I was not impressed with our local paper's headline on one page, "Christmas - only 7 weeks to go." Good job I havent packed the Christmas stuff yet.

Here are some happy pigs. It was a very odd one we received yesterday.
My friend Lucy strikes again. The offer was half a pig ready for the freezer. Just how many chops can you get out of a pig? Well, that was my half a pig. A bag full of chops. Still trying to work it out. Perhaps I got the top half?

My grandson is one today!

It really does not seem like a year ago. Ho hum. We all get older from the minute we are born. Today I went to our monthly meeting of the Best of Banffshire and Buchan Bed and Breakfasts, I am the secretary. Part of my duties are to arrange and book the Christmas Lunch.
For the first time ever I am booking this at the Senior Citizen Rate for almost all of us..... yes, its good for the pocket, but not so good for the street cred! Or ones self image.
On trying to retire - we have had an offer on the business - a very silly one. We hope that a better offer is being considered, and put forward and that I can really start to be an old woman putting into practise wearing purple. Happy Birthday Zachary.
I just have to tell you about my friend Lucy's latest bit of advice. Her daughter and family are off to Australia for the next four years. So I said, "You need a webcam Lucy." She said, "Och no I have the SKYPE. I can talk to them for nothing." I said, " But you want to see them." to which she replied, "Ach, well you need a web cam for that." I LOVE LUCY.

Phew!

The last room to be 'dressed'. Our viewing yesterday took over two hours. Hopefully a good sign. Lots of intelligent questions. But guess which idiot didnt ask any intelligent questions? Yes - me. Like, "Have you a house to sell?" "Are you in a position to proceed?" etc. Doh. I was being asked about selling the furniture to them and what sort of offer would I accept, (one I cant refuse I replied.) All sounds promising, but remais to be seen or heard.

I am having a day 'off' today. House cleaned to an inch of its life. What I still have to do is wash and iron all the bedding for all three guest rooms as in the rush to get it all 'dressed' I just threw over the throws (!) and stuffed everything into wardrobes that shouldnt be seen. Now pondering as to where everything that shouldnt be seen is.

Appointment to view...

Lets celebrate - we have a viewing!

Don't we all feel like this somedays?

My grandson Zac. Nearly one year old. I wish I could join in. I am in limbo - bored - do I create a task? Ot continue to sit and wait for someone, please someone, come and view the house! I think I need a trip to Aberdeen and some retail therapy and inspiration for some transforming of a room! I have plenty to go at.....

I just wish I could join in!

Another week - gone!

The geese are back in their thousands. This lot are heading back to their roosting spot in the late afternoon, to Strathbeg. So in the morning we have them heading in the other direction, I wish I could give you the sound, its amazing.

An odd week. We had a couple of work men booked in for the week, who didnt turn up, hmmm. Then a couple of one nighters, hard work! Now a couple in for the weekend visiting family. Absolutely glorious weather, very still, blue skies, but with that autumnal nip in the air. I tidied up the greenhouse, Mike gave the grass the last cut. We have bought the gravel to complete the patio so fingers crossed the weather holds. I am trying to get up some energy to repaint one of the guests rooms. If we are stopping it will have to be done, and as no-one has even come to look at the house it looks as if we are stopping.

Fish Fest 2009

Mike has been really busy with co-ordinating all the different activities for the Fish Fest. The Art competition, market stalls, etc. along with all the other things he is involved with has made our two weeks 'off' a very tiring two weeks. The dinner on Friday night was most enjoyable. Mike got to sit at the top table, while our table broke the record for the rowdiest. Note the evil grins - we had just appropriated a couple of bottles of red wine - well it was just going to waste!

A mornings work.

I am totally impressed with myself! I bought a pine shelf, about £8, painted it with the same paint as the walls, found the additional tiles in the loft, (to go above the shelf) They are made by Neken, and are brilliant, you can even cut them with scissors. Re-painted the wall also - still the rest of the room to do! But I am the type of decorater who paints a wall and re-hangs the pictures before they are dry.... The units at either side used to be on the ends of a wall cupboard, which we took down, a) because it was about to fall down,and b) being small I don't 'do' wall cupboards. Brilliant! If I say so myself.

Pretty (?) patio

All I can say is wow. There was a patio there before, but it hadnt been laid properly, (nothing to do with me!) And there were no wee steps. I cant wait for the gale to stop and get out there and finish the prettying.

I may have to do some duck prevention as any plants or pots they dig up. Unless I can get very tall pots. Nice bit of gravel round the edges, my table and chairs, and I can just see me drifting out there in my dressing gown of a morning, or better still, in the evening, then I can have a wine down.

It does seem odd having someone in to do the work. Bit hard is the paying for it part! But it does get done! Upstairs in the two bedrooms, and the bathroom, all is calm, neutral and tasteful. Gone is the black wallpaper and ceiling in the bathroom, the 'barbed wire' loo seat, now the bathroom walls are a pale pink, the bedrooms 'soft linen'.

I am so impressed I have got the chap to quote for papering guest room one and our bedroom. Must remember we are supposed to be moving......

I am a fish!

This was taken at the Macduff Marine Aquarium. Behind my daughter and grandson is a very large fish tank with very large fish in it.
The best part of the trip was seeing the cuttlefish being fed, and I didn't get a picture!
A first today - I am having a chap come in and do some decorating. Always done my own before. He is to transform upstairs, coat(s) of paint on bedroom walls, and wallpaper in the bathroom. He is also to re-lay a patio outside our bedroom, so I may just be able to enjoy a glass of wine out there, before it becomes too cold. Cheers. Slainte.

A whole month gone by!

One reason for no blogging, playing with my grandson.

Another the b&b has been amazingly busy, the whole of September with people staying for two, three, four and five days. Ancestor hunting and re-visiting their roots, mostly from Australia.

The Best of Banffshire and Buchan Bed and Breakfasts re-met, after the Summer, with lunch at the Scottish Lighthouse Museum, overlooking the sea - fantastic!

We had our annual inspection from Visit Scotland. I am still 3 stars, though near the top, whatever that means. Apparently the seams on my wallpaper are 3 not 4 stars.

We are now having a two week break from guests to just relax, pick up a paintbrush, and remind ourselves that we live here - and I cn walk round in my pjs and dressing gown, WHENEVER I WANT.........

Getting there...

Our bedroom finally gets a make over.
Reason being we are putting Greenbrae on the market. So everywhere has to look good! Not just the guest quarters.
My health - and both of us now ready for a life style change we hope that someone else will fall in love with Greenbrae.

Catching up!

Not exactly walking down the aisle, walking down one of our corridors.

However, they will be one day. This happy couple stayed with us Friday night and Saturday night. He has been on the telephone to us almost every night for the last two weeks. His intention - to propose to her. I had to source and obtain a very expensive bouquet of flowers, chocolates and pink champagne. Got myself into a right state wondering what to do if she said NO. However, off they went Saturday morning and he apparently went down on bended knee in the ruins of spooky Slains Castle and she said YES. This is them off for a celebratory meal at the Kilmarnock Arms, who also pulled out all the stops for them.

I am now going to market us as THE place for a romantic weekend.......

We have been very busy , very, very, busy. So it was nice to refuse bookings for the weekend so that they could have the place to themselves. We also benefitted as we could go to a friends barbecue today, Sunday. Rain, wind of course today....but who cares!

Back to...

ploughing the furrow. And ironing, bed-making etc.

We have just had over a week of wall to wall sunshine and the temperature well over 20 degrees. The farmers are very pleased as they begin to cut the crops it lessens them having to use the dryers on the cut barley grains. At night when it is quiet you can hear these dryers mumbling away.

Our visitors are mainly from Europe. French, Belgian, Spanish and Italian. Next week the Australians, seeking ancestors. More of these in September. In fact we have guests in every night now until mid September. So its on with the ironing.

I failed my MOT

Not been a fun few weeks to say the least. Being ill and trying to run a business that is people based is not easy! The swine flu was not mild in my case and has caused some damage to the 'bag pipes'. So a lot of gritting of teeth , very false grins, and some heavy breathing - but no-one seemed to notice.
Then my wee car that I have had for eleven years also failed its MOT so I finally became a yummy mummy, or should it be gammy granny?

PIG!

This is a picture of a pig (the thing on the left!)
After being very ill all week, I am now in quarantine after being diagnosed as having swine flu.
Not being totally stupid I had already took myself off into self imposed quarantine from any guests. In fact I was too ill to move, to be smiley, do their ironing, clean their floors, make their beds etc.etc.
Poor Mike has had it all to do. Now on the tamiflu I hope that I will soon be better, that I am not going to die just yet, and may even eat again, not to mention drink.
I just hope I don't find out who gave it to me. It certainly wasn't this delightful pig.

A proper day off!

Yesterday we visited the Willows Animal Sanctuary at Strichen. Zac got to see pigs, horses, sheep, goats, ducks, hens, rabbits, turkeys, a peacock et al.

He still seems to think Grandma is the funniest animal around.

Breakfasts.

I had a comment from Eugenio on my blog. So I had a look at his. He tells us of the 'breakfast' he serves at his b&b in Italy.

Offered at our breakfast table every morning is the following:

Cereal, yoghurt, fresh fruit and fresh squeezed fruit juices.

Porridge

Scottish Breakfast smoothie

Grilled Peterhead Kipper fillets

Scrambled eggs and smoked salmon

Poached eggs and Home made Tattie Scones and Bacon

Scottish Cooked Breakfast (free range egg, dry cured bacon, black pudding, sliced haggis, Aberdeen Angus sausage, fresh tomato, baked beans, fried bread and mushrooms)

Toast, Home made marmalade and jams.

Chocolate Muffins.

Vive la difference!