Exam time again

It's exam time in Casa Anderson and in that satellite state of Anderson which is called Dundee. The big exam that Ally will be sitting tomorrow is in fact completely optional; he has chosen to do an extra subject that will be useful if he wishes to become an Advocate in the future. Typical of Ally to plan ahead like this. It has been a lot of work but the good news is that the exam tomorrow marks the end of the course, so if he passes it he will have achieved his goal. Fingers crossed.

And fingers crossed for Davie who has exams tomorrow and Monday. He has also been working hard and I know that he's a bit nervous so I hope that all goes well for him. I'm sure that next week there will be many celebrations when the boys' exams are over! 

No Smoke without Fire

James and I were tucked up in bed last night when we noticed a smell of wood smoke wafting in the window (luckily for our marriage, James and I are like minded in our preference for having the window open while we sleep, even when it’s quite cold outside.) We wondered if it was someone’s wood burning stove – this is a topical subject for us because we have recently ordered a new fireplace. However, Alasdair then appeared in the doorway to tell us that there was a fire engine outside our neighbours’ house! Further investigation (peering out of all the windows!) revealed that there was indeed a fire – but luckily not in any of the houses; it was the boundary fence between two of the neighbours’ gardens just next to us. How strange – the weather was really wet and horrible so I can’t imagine how a fire could have started let alone taken hold. There were firemen in the garden checking that everything was extinguished. This morning I was chatting to Tina on the way to school (I have been giving her a lift since her foot surgery) and she said that she had slept through the whole thing! But her Mum and Dad had been out in the garden with the firemen; the cause of the fire so far remains a mystery.

The Killing

James and I are currently exactly half way through watching the first series of The Killing; a Danish detective programme that is nearly ten years old, although until now we have never seen it. There are twenty episodes so it’s a long haul, however I am very much enjoying it. Like many Scandinavian dramas it is all about atmosphere and a slow but compelling pace, which makes for addictive viewing. It has a slightly soporific effect on James, but he is managing to stay awake for most of it – such was the sleep-inducing effect of the Wallander series on him a few years ago that I think I could have made him fall asleep simply by showing him the cover of the DVD! We do like to watch a “box set”, whether on DVD or on one of our many online television channels, as an alternative to watching any old rubbish on television. It gives you a sense of choice and as a result we have watched some really good series, often on the recommendation of friends, such as the afore-mentioned Wallander, Mad Men, House of Cards, Breaking Bad and of course the amazing Game of Thrones.

Mince Pies Outing

On Sunday we went to the annual Mince Pies outing with the hill-walking club; a not to be missed social event! As usual it was great fun. We walked from near Killin to the Mhor 84 pub at Balquhidder, along the disused railway track. We were treated to beautiful views over Loch Earn and the weather was more autumnal than wintry as we walked through woodland with the last of the autumn leaves on the ground. Andy and Gwen had arranged a photo scavenger hunt which we all entered into enthusiastically. When we arrived at the friendly pub, soup, mince pies and mulled wine awaited us. Santa of course made his appearance and was greeted by a spirited rendition of Jingle Bells. I must have been a good girl this year because I received a lovely tartan lambswool scarf! It was all very festive and a lovely day.

Jools

Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues band were excellent on Saturday evening at the Armadillo. We have been to his concerts before and they always have a great atmosphere. As well as his own performance he had some great guests. Eddie Reader has such a fantastic voice and among other songs she sang "Perfect" which always brings back memories for me of being young and hearing it played while wandering around the Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988. Pauline Black and Arthur 'Gaps' Hendrickson from ska group The Selecter played "On the Radio" but also, more interestingly, a version of Doris Day's "Secret Love" which worked surprisingly well as a ska tune! Beth Rowley was another guest with an amazing voice, and of course Jools' regular collaborator, Ruby Turner, who was magnificent as always. It was a marvellous and very happy evening. 

Friendship

I had the worst sleep ever on Friday night due to a really horrible nightmare where (without boring any readers of this blog with the convoluted details) I was attempting to board a flight to travel to Australia with Davie. Needless to say everything went wrong, including losing my luggage, being dropped at the wrong airport terminal by my Mum and Dad (yes those two have been making yet another dream appearance!) and eventually waking up in a panic. I was totally wide awake and had to read my book to get back to sleep. Tom was excited because he thought that if I was awake it must be morning so he did a bit of scampering by around the bedroom!

So I started Saturday quite tired but didn't get much chance to rest because James was on a mission to finish the remainder of our Christmas shopping. Off we went into town, where we had an efficient and satisfactory shopping trip.

I had lunch with my lovely school friends. We meet up three or four times a year and have been there for each other through the joys and sadnesses of our lives. Over the years there has been plenty of laughter and tears, and yesterday we had both. They are such good friends. 

Gut ache

Just a short blog today because I have a very sore tummy. This happens to me from time to time and eventually it resolves itself and the pain fades away. My tummy got more and more painful all day at work, and when I got home I laid out the ingredients for James' tea and took to my bed. James suggested that a nice crisp green apple might help, so he brought me it, all nicely cut up, and I munched it down. Ten minutes later I was saying a hasty goodbye to the apple as it exited upwards at speed! So I have spent the evening reading and dozing, and waiting for my gut to untangle itself. I hope it gets better soon.