Pause in blogging

Just a wee pause I hope. Things have been a bit overwhelming recently. I'm hoping that recovery is just around the corner, but don't want to speak too soon!

When I blog again that will be a good sign.

Oh happy day!

Jamie has graduated! He is Dr Anderson. It was one of those perfect days when everything goes smoothly - the weather was warm and sunny all day. In fact the Caird Hall in Dundee was a tad too hot and the graduation programmes were put to good use as fans, so there was a rippling effect all around the hall. The rector Brian Cox was there on the platform (the actor not the physicist) and all the other berobed dignitaries; the Chancellor tapped all the new dentists and doctors with the Dundee bunnet as they filed past, each one making their family very proud. David arrived from Prague (via Edinburgh) just after the ceremony and we took photos in the sunshine before heading to the champagne garden party at the university. We barely had time for a brief rest at the hotel before it was time for dinner at Malmaison which was excellent. Unusually for me, my favourite course was my dessert, a "carpaccio of pineapple" which was sliced very thinly and seasoned with grated coconut and red chillies, and served with coconut ice cream. Aisling's family were also there and we all introduced ourselves and chatted. And now Grandma, James and I are back at the hotel, exhausted. However the evening is just beginning for the "young ones" - Jamie, Aisling, Ally, Cat and Davie are all going clubbing! 

Sunshine on Bonaly

What a beautiful day. Back to my happy hunting ground of the Pentlands with yet another D of E group. The perfect weather and the pleasant company (including my colleague Jennifer who has loyally come along even though she is so ill that she should be in her bed!) went a long way to soothing my troubled soul. I have never seen Bonaly Camp Site so quiet - in fact we are the only people here, which is unusual at this time of year even mid week. The staff are very friendly and helped us out with an unexpected equipment shortage! 

We had takeaway pizza for tea, sitting outside in the evening sunshine, with not a cloud in the sky. In fact it is only just beginning to get a bit chilly now at twenty past nine. Time for a cup of tea.

Fed up with feeling fed up!

It has been a really pleasant weekend, but overshadowed by the continuing uncertainty of my work situation. I am so tired of worrying about it! Hopefully I will know more by mid week. But my brain is actually exhausted by thinking about it. And poor James must be tired of hearing me agonising about it.

So here are some good things:

* The boys are all having fun. Jamie is walking the West Highland Way. Ally and Cat are having a brilliant time in Estonia and are moving on to Finland tomorrow. And Davie is having the time of his life in Prague. I am so happy that they are making the most of their summer.

* Jamie's graduation is on Friday. I can't believe that he will be a doctor! 

* Ally's Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Presentation is on 3rd July - I have written to Prince Philip to ask him if he can say Hello to Grandma and I received a reply to say that he will try, but cannot promise because it will be very busy. 

* Our holiday to the Western Isles and Lochinver is coming up - hopefully a relaxing time of mountains and beaches.

* The Commonwealth Games are in July - David is a Clydesider volunteer  and we have tickets for some of the Athletics finals and the Closing Ceremony.

So many good things in my life so why am I so obsessed with work? I have to get things in proportion - maybe it will be easier once I know what my position will be next year.

Jamie is home!

Jamie has been home since Sunday and it is lovely to have him here. When we collected him the three of us had a very nice lunch in the DCA restaurant. He has been busy sorting out paperwork, has done a big admin job for me, and has been very helpful by making dinner for us ready for when we come home from work. Today he hired a van and cleared out his room in Dundee. James pointed out that Jamie has lived there for six years, which is a quarter of his life. When he got home he divided his possessions between his old bedroom and Grandma's garage. It is so good to have him at home for a while.

Not a walk in Perthshire

Today I was checkpointing our Gold D of E group on their Practice Expedition in Perthshire. James loyally came with me although he did have a Corbett that he wanted to climb in the area, so he had a good walk. I wasn't quite so lucky; after dropping James off I had planned to walk south from Lochearnhead to meet with the pupils but before I even arrived I got a call to tell me that one of the pupils had taken ill. They gave me their grid reference and I drove the car up a scarily rough and narrow track to find them. I then took the unwell pupil with me and the rest of the group continued on their route. I arranged to meet her parents in Callendar and we all had a coffee together before they set off home. It was then time to collect James and go back north to checkpoint the pupils at Killin. The weather had been dry most of the day but by 4 o'clock the clouds came over and the group had to walk the last 5 km in heavy rain. James and I nipped off for a cup of tea then met them at their campsite. It has been a pleasant day in lovely countryside but unfortunately no walking for me!

New cushions

I ordered new cushions for our settees last week, and after much deliberation I chose a William Morris pattern called Golden Lily. The cushions were delivered today and I am very pleased with them, their botanic pattern suits the back room very well. However when James saw them he looked very quizzical and carried one of them through to the utility room where he showed me that they have the same pattern as the wallpaper in there! No wonder I liked the pattern so much - I have chosen it before! 

This evening I went out for dinner with Jackie and we had a good old catch up. What an eventful school year we have both had! 

Taking a ferret for a walk

James and I decided to go for a walk today and after some discussion we went to the Pentlands. David came too, and the three of us had a nice chat as we walked from Harlaw visitor centre up Harbour Hill, where we had fine views across Edinburgh. We then descended to Glencorse Reservoir and returned via Loganlea Reservoir and the Howe to Thriepmuir and then back to Harlaw. It was a pleasant walk of about 15 km and the weather was warm and dry. The second strangest thing about the walk was that I was walking it in reverse of my usual direction and it looked really, really different - for example I have never noticed the banking at the end of Loganlea Reservoir. But when I looked over my shoulder it all looked familiar again.
However the strangest thing about the walk was meeting a man walking a ferret named Flo on a lead! Flo was not a very fast walker and seemed to be trying to escape into the undergrowth! Amazing. We also heard cuckoos calling and David found a ladybird at the top of Harbour Hill.
Later on I took David and his suitcase over to Neil and Olivia's where he is spending the night before he and Stuart set off for their holiday in Prague tomorrow. James and I are going to be alone together for the next three weeks - for the first time in twenty-four years! At least we will have furry boy Jack to keep us company.