Fruitful season

The weather has been truly glorious with huge cerulean blue skies and temperatures that remain in double figures during the day yet subtle indicators of autumn abound; the leaves in the orchard are dropping  and the the colours of the countryside have changed from lush green to golden hues enhanced by reds and yellows. The smell of autumn abounds, a rich loamy decay with subtle spicey undertones of the autumn bonfire. Such a delicious, evocative scent. As dusk creeps in there is a slight nip to the air, hinting at things to come. The holly berries glow ever richer and more red as each day passes with the excited chirrup of the ever present bird life taking full advantage of such a bountiful larder. The orchard has produced so much fruit, why 'tis quite impossible to find willing takers in a county renowned for the fruit and, indeed, the produce of said fruit. An apple a day is said to keep the doctor away, why one can only imagine quite what an orchard full of the fruit can do for the male guardian and I, my dears.

The new covering of the upper floors really is quite the most delightful and feels so gloriously decadent to scrunch one's bare toes upon. Tas been a fair time arriving at the point when ''tis right  thus one takes every opportunity to enjoy the sensation. Blissful, quite blissful and in such good time for the winter months, thankfully, for there was a time that one was not quite sure 'twould be achieved. Such a long wait has truly made one appreciate that which we now have. We are indeed, most fortunate although the male guardian would be inclined to say patient and hardworking, more than fortunate. No matter for one is truly grateful and most delighted with the outcome, dear souls, most delighted indeed. 

And finally......

Well, the nights are drawing in and it begins to get dimpsey just after 5 pm and by 6:30 pm the sun is setting. Whilst it has been a gloriously warm day, the evenings are cooling and the curtains are drawn against the darkening skies. 

Since returning from our time in the Highlands it has been all hands to the deck to prepare for the last element of upheaval within our little home. Each room has been stripped of furniture and further decluttering undertaken in preparation for this last stage. Finally, we were ready and the carpet fitters descended. Oh my, what a frenzy of activity. On the first day, two rooms were completed in no time at all, then, on the second day, the remaining room plus the upper hall and stairwell were carpeted. My dears, what a delightful job they have done; it looks truly amazing. Such lovely gentlemen and most hard working.
 Be still my beating heart for I do believe it really is quite stunning. All that is left to do is to make the soft furnishings for the windows, and lo, 'tis complete. 

Having reviewed the way we live, we have decluttered and repurposed with a vengeance, including furniture we have acquired over the years, to create a more relaxed less cluttered home. Why, our dear little home has taken a deep breath and exhaled, sensing a lighter approach to the way we live. 

Mountains, moors, lochs and Ben's

We have, dear souls, spent the last week in Sutherland, the far north of Scotland, in a beautiful eco-Croft that harnesses nature to heat and power it, set in the most stunning scenery of mountains & moors, sitting on the shore of a sea Loch. It was truly stunning in its build ethos to sit naturally and unobtrusively within the environment as well as being a wonderous, peaceful haven. And oh, the peace, the glorious peace, so restful and calming that bore away the stresses and strains, allowing the mind to wander at will and appreciate nature in all it's glorious abundance. The people within this small community were warm and welcoming allowing us to enjoy the delights of their homelamd for but a short time. The weather was ever changing which was reflected in the Loch, calm as a mill pond one minute, dark and boiling the next; the colours ranging from black, grey, midnight blue, aqua and green. Skies were endless with clouds as ever changing as the Loch; white and fluffy to black and grey. Mists and rain as well as more rainbows of such brilliant hues than one has ever had the fortune to see in one week. ''Tis truly autumnal with the leaves glowing red, orange, yellow and gold against a backdrop of russet, brown and mossy green moors dotted with purple heathers and flecks of white cotton grass. On a clear night the stars were like a million brilliants with constellations well demarcated. Small coves and white beaches, moors of gold, brown and green, crashing thunderous waterfalls, rivers, and the sea, all contributing to the omnipresent sound of water. Huge rocks, towering Ben's and mountains abound as far as the eye can see. Highland cows, merlin and eagles to name but some of the wildlife spotted. I confess I do so love the highland cows in all their horned, statuesque and splendidly shaggy glory, standing firmly planted where the fancy takes them, oft in the middle of the very carriage way one is attempting to traverse. Nought shouts so loudly of Scotland to me than the vision of those glorious great beasties. How the sights and senses have been titillated with colour, fresh clean salty or peaty air, the sound of the sea, rain, wind, the crunch of sand or pebbles. Treasures of shells, sea urchins, Loch glass and feathers have been gathered creating an impromptu nature table.

We have travelled through many miles of truly breathtaking scenery, along single track roads with passing places aplenty, taken a slower pace and appreciated the measured lifestyle of highland living.

Dear reader, this part of Scotland has crept upon me and left a part of itself forever lodged deeply within my heart.