Monday 12 July 2021

Summer Pastimes

 I have been missing in action once again and for that I do apologise.  It is a busy time of year with the garden and cottage.  We have been trying to get as many outside jobs done as possible before the weather changes and we once again are confined inside.  We have also had a trip to the mainland for a few days to trade in our old car and pick up a new one.  We drove up to Inverness and enjoyed a wonderful city break staying at The Royal Highland next to the station.  It is a Victorian building, with quite the grand entrance.  The rooms are a little tired these days but the service was exceptional.  The breakfast was mediocre but the afternoon tea and evening meal were a delight.  We booked a package which also included a free cocktail, so that was quite the treat sat in the lounge prior to our dinner.  I managed to get most of the shopping that I needed which we both really enjoyed, it has been a long time since we did any real shopping.  I must admit it was quite sad to see so many empty shops and a real gap now that Debenhams has gone.

In other news, my nieces children are now recovered from Covid and are doing well.  Thankfully it did not spread through the family.  They have been vigilant with the hand washing and testing.  I thank you for all your well wishes, they were appreciated.

I continue to dry herbs in readiness for the Winter months.  I have done extra this year so that I can include some in my little hampers.  There is a lovely smell of mint in the kitchen which I am loving.






I am always amazed how much is needed to fill a small jar, copious amounts are required.  I am thankful for the very large plant which is spreading rapidly and needs to be curtailed.  We are still enjoying rhubarb and also have loads in the freezer.  Lettuce/spring onions/rocket have been amazing and are regulars on our plates.

I have finally finished a shawl that I have been working on.  The final row seemed to take an age but was worth the effort as it cools down some of the bright colours.






These lazy hazy days of Summer are just flying by and a joyful reminder of why we moved here.  Each view/ landscape/seascape etched into my mind so that I can enjoy them time and time again.  The moorland is alight with colour and so my adventures with dying wool will begin.  I am eager to try some of the traditional methods.  Time will tell, but I am hopeful.

I am also enjoying getting back into the swing of mixing with neighbours and friends.  It has been a delight to once again chat and enjoy each others company, after the long separation of Covid restrictions.

I am going to close for now as I must get ready for my aerobics class, another step in the recovery to normality.  I will catch up with you all on my return.

See you soon.

31 comments:

  1. It's always nice to see a post from you. That shawl really is pretty and I bet it's lovely and cosy to wear. Are you a shawl person? I love to wrap myself in one of mine during the depths of winter. It's a great way to keep warm.

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  2. I too have been drying herbs for the winter season. You are right. It takes a lot to fill a jar. I love the shawl. Very pretty.

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  3. I am glad to hear you had a lovely visit to the mainland. I know you probably know this, but each time I read that you were in Inverness I think of Outlander. I do watch it, teehee. I too have been busy trying to make the most of each beautiful summer day. We have sat inside so long and I don't just mean because of the winter and cold. I do hope that some one or some thing replaces the shops that have closed during Covid. It's tempting to me, but I'm 55 and closer to retirement than start up. Ahahah. I do have a perfectly cute building here that I can host sales in. I saw a good idea for herbs, to put them in icecube trays and freezed them for iced teas and drinks. I thought it was a great idea. I do hang to dry like you, but I may do this idea too. Now to find an icecube tray. Have a great week!

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  4. What a lovely treat to stay at the hotel and enjoy a few days away.

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  5. Preparing the Fall with good herbs and a lovely shawl ! Good for you !
    Have a nice week !
    Anna

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  6. Your shawl is so pretty. Drying herbs is happening around here, too. I agree, it takes a lot of fresh herbs to fill a container with dried ones.
    Glad to hear that life is normalizing for you. It is here, too.

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  7. Your shawl is beautiful. I have had very little luck with my gardening this year. I think the temperature swings have taken their toll as well as the precipitation swings. My parsley was waterlogged for quite some time. Even my tomato plants look quite sad. Love that you are drying herbs. So glad that your nieces are well. Glad you are getting back to normal there.

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  8. Glad to hear the news of your niece's children's recovery. Your shawl is just lovely but I almost can't bear to think about shawls when summer hasn't really got going here yet. Your trip to Inverness sounds like a real treat and I'm glad to read that you have begun to mix with neighbours and friends again. Are you able to go to church yet? x

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  9. It's great to hear that things are going back to pre-Covid time and you can once again get together with friends. The shawl is lovely. I'm surprised that you had time to work on it during this busy time of the year. You manage to get a lot done.

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  10. Your hotel break sounds a real treat after being 'shut away' for so long.

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  11. beautiful shawl, it goes lovely with the flowers.

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  12. Your shawl is lovely. Glad the children have recovered. What a nice break you had, I like hotels. All being well my friend and I are having a few days away at Studely castle next month.

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  13. Your trip to the mainland was a well-deserved little break following all of the restrictions you have been under for so long. I love the shawl; will be perfect for those oh-so-chilly days there on the Isle. I am looking forward to your experiments with dying wool. I will be taking notes.

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  14. Sounds like you had a lovely trip and you must be relieved to know your family are now well. It's good to be back to things being a little more normal and being able to see friends and neighbours again:)

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  15. Good to know that your nieces children have recovered from covid and all are well. It is wonderful to be able to see and mix with friends once again. That is a beautiful shawl.

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  16. Glad you had a good time in mainland to get a car and get more shopping done. Sad to hear that Debenams is gone. Is it just that one store or the whole company gone? I liked shopping at them when I lived in England. Glad your niece's children are feeling better. Nice shawl you made. I am slowly getting stuff done in house. Have a good week my friend. God bless you.

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  17. I need to bring some mint in to dry. Do you have recipes for your mint? Mine is not as strong a flavor it seems this year. Beautiful shawl. Staying active is so good and mingling again with people. I love that myself. Aerobics class is something I surely need. Betsy

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  18. The herbs here need to be cut and dried, also. You are keeping busy with your herbs, and the process of drying for later use....so nice for winter cooking. The shawl you made is beautiful!! What a wonderful job you did on it! I love how you displayed your work. Summer is indeed going by swiftly. I am enjoying the season extremely! Have a grand week! xxoo

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  19. I'm glad that you managed to get away. We would like to do that too, but at the moment there's a lot happening in the garden so that's our priority at the moment. Thankfully, the weather is sunny again and not too hot so we make the most of the warmth and the relaxing days of Summer. Your shawl is lovely and I like the edging. I wish you both a good week and I'm glad to know that members of your family are better.

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  20. beautiful shawl! I am missing in action because I am still moving in and unpacking all the boxes.

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  21. I'm happy to catch up on your news, you always get so much done!
    Amalia
    xo

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  22. Sounds like you had a lovely trip.

    Love your shawl - it's very pretty!

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  23. So pleased to read that your nieces children are now recovered from Covid and are doing well.

    Your trip sounded lovely, we keep thinking about having a few days away ... perhaps later in the year!

    I do like your shawl, they are so handy for cooler days.

    Take care, my good wishes.

    All the best Jan

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  24. Such a gorgeous shawl! You will be loving that in a couple of months' time! What perfect flowers for your picture -- matching the pretty purple shade of the wool!

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  25. Fabulous shawl. Looks warm and snug;gorgeous colours. What yarn did you use? Glad to hear your family are doing well and have recovered from the virus. I am sure your short break away to the mainland was a really nice change. keep well Amanda x

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  26. You have been busy, as usual. The shawl is lovely, such a wonderful colourful pop at the edges.

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  27. Nice to hear you enjoyed your visit to the mainland and Congrats on your new car...The shawl is just stunning!! Thanks so much for visiting!! I hope you have a great weekend!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  28. Lovely to see a post from you, Lorraine. And it's good to read that your nieces children are recovering well.
    Your shawl is beautiful. A reminder that the end of summer will be upon us all too soon. X

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  29. It's so lovely to hear that life for you is returning to something resembling normal. I don't feel that anything has changed at all for us yet. Son in law was sent home from work to self isolate last Monday so we haven't been able to see them yet again. I sometimes feel very lonely 😕 Good to hear that your nieces children have recovered well Lorraine. Congratulations on getting the new car too!

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  30. Your shawl is just gorgeous! Sometimes those long, final rows are the difficult ones. The colors are spectacular. Enjoy the new car...

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