Going with the Tide

It's been a hectic few weeks with the lockdown restrictions easing across Scotland - it feels almost like a second Christmas I've had so many gifts to drop off!

This weather this weekend couldn't have been better for outdoor meets. Sunny and bright but with a brisk breeze, perfect for long walks. And we have walked a lot this weekend: firstly a proper catch up with one of my friends in Edinburgh as we rambled around the Water of Leith and the canal before stopping for lunch (the biggest bacon and egg roll you've ever seen, and a very nice raspberry brownie). Although we've kept on contact online, it was nice to be out and just enjoying the morning. We're hoping to get to Perth next month and then we three (4, we must include Missy) girls can have a proper catch up. 

After that, we parted ways and I stopped in to see my mum and eldest neice. My brother had popped round too, so Missy and Maisie enjoyed some doggy sunbathing together. It was good to catch up with my neice without her mother about, she's now 16 and her interests and hopes for the future have begun to deviate from the path her mother wants, so it was good to see what she's thinking and give her some advice from my own experiences of school and beyond. After my brother headed off, we went for a short walk and Missy was more than ready for bed.

Hubby is back in work now and, whilst he's rightly anxious about Monday, it's been good for him to have a solid purpose again. He was starting to get frustrated with the world, so I'm pleased things are becoming more normal again. With hubby going back to work, I suggested we took the opportunity to get up to Dundee to see an old friend of his that we haven't seen since the New Year that we welcomed in 2020.

We decided to go to Broughty Ferry and walk the beach before the bathing season kicks in and dogs aren't permitted on it. Missy isn't much of a beach dog, and her favourite part of the day was the very short walk through the nature reserve. It was really nice to see our friend in person - he's previously struggled with his mental health, so it was good to actually see him and know that he's doing OK.

Broughty Ferry also means Visocchis Ice Cream, and, walking along the promenade in good company, seeing hubby truly happy whilst Missy and I trailed behind and enjoyed the sun, the world feels like it's coming back to rights.

I shan't say too much, lest I jinx things, but the trend of good meets and long awaited get togethers are set to continue through the May day weekend. So, I'll raise an ice cream to the slow unlock, the long awaited get togethers, and here's hoping we don't have to do it again.

Seeking UFOs in Dechmont

Its been a quick week. Firstly, allow me to introduce Missys new siblings:

Meet Rowntree, Cadbury and Fry (L-R). They are not the whim they seem to be as hubby and I have discussed keeping birds for years and, looking into ideas for my eldest nephew who has decided he wants a pet, I found these three seeking a new home. They were with the SSPCA and their previous owner had passed away.

Its no secret that the SSPCA is bursting at the seams with unwanted animals, but I was still shocked at the speed we got these guys. I filled in the application Monday (kudos to the SSPCA, the questionnaire was very focused on life after covid, they don't want these poor animals coming back) and two hours later they called asking for a letter saying the vets were able to accept them and that they wanted to see a video of the set up. So, I purchased the cage and emailed the vets.

Tuesday we got the OK from the vets. Wednesday the cage arrived and we assembled it (its a flight cage, I was panicking it wasn't big enough for three budgies but, seeing the boys in it, realise my fear was completely unfounded). Thursday morning I sent the video in and at 10.30, half an hour after the rehoming office opened, we were officially approved and could we take them today? 3.30pm and they were in the cage, startled and a bit bewildered, but safe.

Missy on Thursday was obsessed. She watched them with great interest, although not in a predatory way - I've seen her stalk enough rabbits and squirrels to know when that instinct has come to play. Anf on Friday she couldn't care less, choosing to sunbathe in the window rather than see them. An arrangement that suits me fine. They sit in my office with me and have already delighted half my colleagues with their chirping. Once they are out of their shells a little bit, expect more updates on them!

And a note on names, yes, chocolates. Not just chocolates, but the original British Quaker families who I consider the founding fathers of chocolate as we know it. 

In other news, I couldnt risk Missy feeling left out, and so we scoped out some new and interesting walks. We had visited a friend who I needed to measure up for a waistcoat (goodness knows what his neighbours thought, us all in masks in the garden and me with a measuring tape!) who recommended the UFO walk. I've been in West Lothian almost 8 years now and had never heard of it - proof that you never know every secret in your area!

The Dechmont UFO walk was the perfect way to start the day this morning. The story goes that, on November 9th, 1979, Robert Taylor, a forestry worker, walked along a forest path up the side of Dechmont Law with his dog. He reported seeing what a "flying dome" above the forest floor in a clearing about 500m away from his truck. He was then seized by small spheres that dragged him away until he lost consciousness. Sceptics think it was an epileptic seizure, but lets not let that get in the way of a good story.

Regardless of the history of the area, it was a lovely woodland walk - just the kind of place that Missys like best. It was good to see her running ahead of us and sniffing out rabbits. We didn't climb Dechmont Law, deciding to save that for another day, and have added it to the roster of local walks to do with friends and family.

Its just begun to snow. It feels more early March than near mid April!

Restarting Adventure

With lifting restrictions and the start of better weather, some old favourites are starting to reopen. This week, Jupiter Artland opened its doors and we booked ourselves an Easter walk amongst the peices of artwork.

With news that the pool, which had been closed last year for refurbishment was open again, we were keen to check out a part of the site we hadn't seen before. Apparently they are hoping to open it for swimming sessions this summer - which I will admit, we're sorely tempted to do (unfortunately without Missy, I don't think she'll be allowed in the pool and, to be honest, the gently lapping water would probably be a version of hell for her as she hates water).

I won't lie, it was absolutely delightful to walk somewhere I hadn't stepped foot on in 6 months. The adventures are back up and running (scaled back, of course).

Asides from that, it's been a very busy little week. It was back to work on Monday (so many emails), a lot of various odd jobs that needed doing, and then yesterday we built ourselves a new greenhouse (polycarbonate, but a big improvment from the old one which was basically a tent!) so very excited as to what I manage to get growing this year.

From there, craft wise, its been pushing along with the usual big projects and also a bit of Easter themed baking.

White chocolate and mini egg fudge (and cream egg tiffin). First time making the fudge (super easy, here's the recipe) and I was very pleased with how it turned out, both visually and taste.

A short update today, we're making the most of celebrating the weekend to break the monotony of hubbies furlough. Don't eat all your chocolate at once!