It's a beautiful morning - again. We've had a few recently but I've not been able to take full advantage because I've been working at the house that my son is building 15 miles away. It's in the very final stages and he's hoping to have it almost ready for the cleaners to be called in during February so that the carpets can be laid and it can be called home. Even the groundworks outside are taking shape.
It's a long time since I worked an 'organised' six-day week and I am thoroughly enjoying doing physical labour (even though a lot of it cannot be called strenuous). However Gaz said the other day "I'm looking forward to the day when we can retire Dad." [Just from doing the house full-time you understand]. I echoed the sentiment. Gaz returns to his ship in about 10 days so we are having a final push. Having said that we are off to Inverness on the early ferry tomorrow morning to get things for the house and have a one-night mini-break.
When Gaz goes back to his ship I'm off gallivanting to Glasgow again.
I'm telling you this just so that you know that I haven't abandoned Blogland and I'll hopefully be back writing and commenting soon. In the meantime I'm still reading blogs when I can.
In the meantime I'm trying not to get depressed by the most unusual happenings in world affairs.
It looks like spring is on the way but this is Scotland and anything could happen in the next few months (and it probably will).
You sound like you have been very industrious indeed, and keeping extremely busy! What does your son do on the ships? How long is he on board for?
ReplyDeleteYour weather looks a lot nicer than down here the last few days where we have had grey, rain and hail.
Serenata interspersed with storms and cancelled ferries we've had some beautiful weather. Gaz is the Chief Engineer on a Super-yacht and is away for two months.
DeleteIt's a good thing to be working alongside your son, keeping fit and healthy and enjoying his company also. Enjoy your mini break. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Kay. I'm writing this at 0530 before I leave for the ferry in 10 minutes! Mini break here we come!
DeleteI know where you took those photos from, and I wish I was there right now!
ReplyDeleteWell if you were here Mrs S it would be lovely and you'd see me breaking the habit of a lifetime and having honey on my toast. (You'll understand why I told you that even if some of my readers will think I've lost the plot).
DeleteYou're in great shape if you can work at construction. Bur you are missed in blogland.
ReplyDeleteThanks Red. I'm certainly sleeping well at night after a day's labour.
DeleteGood luck with the "final push", I hope it all comes together as planned and that Gaz and his wife will soon be able to enjoy moving into the place and calling it Home! :) And a well-deserved Glasgow holiday to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Monica. When they move in it will all have been worthwhile.
DeleteSUch a stunning place to live, it's a part of the world I'd love to visit - the place of my ancestors - awesome.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed Amy. Good to see you here. I was playing in a croquet tournament in Mount Maunganui this time last year and walked round the Mount again for the first time for a few years. You are fortunate to live in such a beautiful country too. I lived in Hawkes Bay and I miss it very much.
DeleteSo nice to see your hills and bay again. The grass is the same colour as ours right now. It's extremely dry. Hope you enjoy your last days of hard labour!
ReplyDeleteWell Pauline I can't claim that it's been extremely dry here. When I'm working on my own house I can at least choose my own hours!
DeleteIs it always a one boat harbour? The Kestrel looks very happy there.
ReplyDeleteThere is actually a well-used little harbour round the other side of the jetty Cro. I'm not sure whether I've ever blogged about it though so I shall remedy that when the summer comes and it's got more boats in it.
DeleteIt was some sort of revelation to me when, as a kid, I discovered how satisfying work can be. I enjoyed work all my life and can enjoy even jobs other people would think beneath them or too tedious, as long as I have some measure of freedom in it, i.e. going about it at my own pace and - depending on the task - with not too detailed instructions but room for putting my own ideas and thoughts to it.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I would not want to make do without my weekends and the (more relaxed) home office days.
Things seem to be moving smoothly at your son's house, and I hope they can keep the move-in date they have set. I imagine there will be a housewarming party, with you as guest of honour.
PS: In my dashboard, a post of yours about Mr. Obama appeared, but you seem to have taken it off your blog before I had a chance to read it. I hope you weren't forced to do this by too many unpleasant pseudo-political comments.
DeleteMeike, as so often happens, you and I are on the same wavelength. I wrote a post about Mr Obama and accidentally posted it before I'd finished it. It will be posted later this evening or tomorrow.
DeleteWhat energy! I hope the end result is all you wish it to be.
ReplyDeleteThank you Frances.
DeleteI wondered where you'd disappeared to!! Next time put up the "Gone Fishing!" sign and I won't send out the search party! Just don't fall into the water!
ReplyDeleteI'll try not to fall in the water Lee. I did a 'Gone Fishing' post some while ago. It was a very 'Island' post.
DeleteI hope that the work at Gaz Castle doesn't cause you to have to kneel down on your (relatively) new knee Graham. I would hate to think of you having a setback. Take care and enjoy your break in Las Vegas... I mean Inverness.
ReplyDeleteOddly, YP, I was told that kneeling would be something I couldn't do when I got my replacement knee. As it happens I've been very little impaired in that regard.
DeleteGood to see you back Graham and to see more of your super pictures. It must be particularly rewarding building a house. It is one of those ideas I always adore in theory but would never be able to do in practice.
ReplyDeleteJenny it's been a long, hard slog but I think Gaz thinks that it's been well worthwhile. I've certainly enjoyed the part I've played in it.
DeleteIt must be so rewarding working alongside your son building his house.
ReplyDeleteIt is very rewarding Lynda.
DeleteBeautiful views, Graham! It's always so lovely to work on projects with family!
ReplyDeleteHello Graham, I recently 'stumbled' upon your blog. It was a such a delight to read and even more so given my husband and I will be travelling in Scotland next year. The 'expedition' gives us 5 days on and around the Inner and Outer Hebrides and so your observations will be very useful, you give such a visual account, wonderful to read. But that aside, I am a novice at 'blogging' (hwheat8.blogspot.com), in the public domain that is, so am finding what you and others have posted very valuable and most encouraging. Thank you - keep them coming. Heather
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