Wednesday, 30 September 2020
Covid-19 Continues
Monday, 28 September 2020
A touch of hypothermia
I went swimming again on Sunday afternoon in the estuary. Becky also went for a swim and after she left I decided to stay in for a while. The water seemed colder than yesterday but I soon got used to it. I saw a big fish flip up and back into the water; I think it was a salmon. And I noticed that I was being observed from the bushes by a pretty wee cat who reminded me of Floof. The ferry went past and the ducks were paddling about near the pond. I did notice that although I no longer felt cold at all, my hands were very numb which made it difficult to swim. Then Becky appeared at the river bank. She had noticed that I hadn’t passed her house on my way home and had come to check on me. I looked at my watch and realised that I had been in the water for more than forty-five minutes! As soon as I came out I felt very shivery and could hardly put on my poncho with my numb hands. My legs and arms had developed strange hues of red and blue. Becky very kindly walked me home and told me to have a hot drink to heat myself from the inside. On the way up the path we spotted two little roe deer watching us from among the trees. After I had warmed up a bit I had a hot bath which felt great. I sent a message of thanks to Becky; I will be more careful about how long I spend in the water in future.
Saturday, 26 September 2020
Autumn cometh
Saturday, 19 September 2020
September Swimming
Thursday, 17 September 2020
Stac Pollaidh and Canisp
Meanwhile James and Russ were climbing Canisp, a few miles north of us. They had a good climb although the last 200 metres were encased in cloud. We all felt that we deserved our massive dinner later, which consisted of Lochinver pies and mash followed by Jennifer’s famous and delicious bread and butter pudding.
Tuesday, 15 September 2020
Golf by the sea
Saturday, 12 September 2020
Brambles and Forest Bathing
I read somewhere recently that walking through a forest, spending calm and quiet time under the canopy of trees, is a form of nature therapy known as “forest bathing.” It apparently originated in Japan in the 1980s and is called shinrin yoku. However I would contend (and my sister Jennifer will concur) that my Mum and Dad actually invented it in the 1970s when we used to wander along paths through the forest in the Trossachs, often completely lost!
Friday, 11 September 2020
Wind and rain in the north west
Tuesday, 8 September 2020
Fajita Time
This evening I went to the bathroom after tea and just as I sat down Flora came jumping (it seemed like levitating) out of the laundry basket with a loud cry; I was so surprised that I nearly fell off the toilet! Cat and I had a girls’ night and watched several episodes of “The Bold Type” which I am now completely hooked on; I like the fashion, the stories and the language of these young New York people.
Sunday, 6 September 2020
Unfortunate lawnmower incident
Yesterday James went across to cut Grandma’s grass and when he came home he couldn’t find his glasses. After searching for them all round the house, he remembered that at one point while he was cutting the grass he had been hit in the face by a tree branch. He didn’t remember his glasses falling off, but we both went across the road to check. We searched under the tree and sure enough there were a few small pieces of glass on the grass beneath it, and, the conclusive evidence, a piece of one of the legs of James’ glasses! So when the branch had hit his face, his glasses had fallen off and then James had mowed over them with the lawnmower. Oh dear.
Heather and Ewan came round for a coffee this afternoon and it was warm enough that we could sit outside in the garden. It was lovely to see them. Later Ally and Cat arrived home from their weekend in Fort William where they had climbed five Munros over the two days.