A Coco Comatose at Laurieston Castle

So, before I start my weekly rambles, before you guess this weeks letter for #leadthewayatoz, just stop the bus. Go check out this:

Roxy has made a wool that is legit inspired by Missy. She hand dyed and hand spun actual wool in tribute to Missy. This must be a first in the canine world and, having been privvy to the month's of experiments behind the scenes on this (including but not restricted to a very odd call asking exactly what shade of tan she was (unwanted answer, it changes depending on the season and light)) I am awed at the effort that has gone into this. I'm almost intimidated by the task of what to make with it... 

And now back to regular programming!

This was a week of two halves. I won't lie, I've been rather blue this week. Plans for Perth visits have been cancelled. Plans for my sister to visit have been cancelled. And, after a brief high looking at places to stay for our upcoming annual leave, hubby and I decided it was probably best we shelve it for now and cancel any hopes of going away. Whilst the joy of an 8 hour day will never wear off after 11 hour shifts, I legit missed seeing and being about folk (safely, of course) this week too.

Roxy, also blue at her cancelled trip, suggested and organised an island play date on Animal Crossing with my avatar popping over and the kids showing me about. We had a call on loud speaker and hearing them babble away happily really cheered me up.

My virtual call that was meant to replace this months Perth visit didn't cheer me up as much as I'd hoped. My Inverness freind is struggling - she hasn't seen her mum since last Christmas, and with the new restrictions her trip has been cancelled again. Her brother is shielding, so she can't and won't take chances. The distance between us has honestly never felt greater. 

I woke up bummed out. Hubby is working all weekend, and wasn't really in the mood for coming up with something clever for this week and at first the #leadthewayatoz letter of J just annoyed me. Jupiter Artland was fully booked. A Jet from the Museum of Flight would be pimp, but it was frozen this morning, who wants to take turns going in and out of hangers in weather like this? And I would need someone to come with there. 

I googled for some ideas and struck upon it. Japanese Garden, who knew we had one in Edinburgh and, better yet, it allowed dogs! 

I messaged my friend on the off chance she was free and, hooray, the day was afoot. The drive was easy enough, parking a bit tight as the day was now glorious and it was clearly a popular spot. The Kyoto Garden of Friendship is just one part of the grounds and we had a leisurely stroll about them. Missy was in the mood to pose for me and we quickly got some nice photos for the competition. 

There's a Mimis Bakery on site too, and after a oreo slice and a hot chocolate in the nice sunny courtyard I was ready to fall asleep. We walked off our respective chocolate comatoses with another lap of the castle! 

Whilst my friend thinks I'm mad for the length I was prepared to go to for the competition, I think it shows that it's doing what it set out to do; whilst it certainly reinvigorates old walks, it's also to encourage people to go and find new places to enjoy. 

In sewing news, it's my neices birthday and I thought these dungaree dress inspired culottes were exactly what she needed. Apparently there is a little confusion as to what they are exactly, but when it sinks in that it's a dress she can run about and climb trees in, I'm sure it'll become a firm favourite! 

Feeling more upbeat for the week ahead!