Post storm update

It was a strange day yesterday. We knew there was a major storm coming and it certainly seemed to be exactly as forecast when, mid-morning, the skies blackened - it was like the middle of the night in our house - and we heard the thunderclaps and then the rain.

There was an immediate announcement from our golf club that the course was closed and, with forecast lightning and more heavy rain still to come, we had no option but to re-schedule our usual Wednesday golf.

Then, as quickly as it had arrived, the rain stopped and the skies lightened - the sun even came out later in the afternoon - and the golf course re-opened late morning. Still, we didn't want to take any chances, did we? So we just sat tight at home.

The timing was obviously a bit out, because we were awoken in the middle of the night by the sound of constant dripping going down our chimney breast - and seemingly other places too. Surely our roof wasn't leaking again? The rains had come back - it was lashing outside and we couldn't get back to sleep for a few hours. As a result, we didn't get up until 9 am this morning - much later than normal - by which time any chance I had of joining our cycle group for a short ride had gone.

Still, it's looking good now for golf this afternoon. It's going to be a tight schedule for me as our golf group is starting at 2:30 pm and I have another blood test at 2:20 pm! I guess I'll be in the last golf group then - hope the appointments are running to time.

I discovered what I think is the start of a wasp bike just outside our bedroom window this morning, so I've bought the white powder and will dispense it tonight - apparently it's best to wait until the evening, by which time all the wasps have returned to the nest.

Jo's away at the hairdresser just now. I wonder if she'll return as a blonde? Her hair was pretty heavily bleached by the sun when we were away - and it suited her, so she may decide to keep it in a similar shade. We shall see - she still hadn't made up her mind when we walked down to the village this morning.

Golf today for me, then again tomorrow - Edzell - Saturday and Sunday. Four days in a row - how will I cope?

Next week we have Luca staying with us - he and Jo have a lot of catching up to do.

Tuesday swelter

Like everyone else in Scotland today, we're baking. We don't often get temperatures above 30 C. Somehow it seems hotter when we get this in Scotland than it does when we're away on holiday. Explain.

Jo and I did a bit of primary weeding this afternoon - especially between the paving slabs in the back. At the front, apart from the line of weeds at the foot of the small wall that separates our driveway from No. 5's grass, the main issue is the increase in moss - it's pretty obvious that it's been wet when we've been away. Anyway, we've made a start.

Golf at Balmoral last night was lovely - it was such a nice evening and it's a beautiful estate. Saw Prince Andrew driving through in his Range Rover, followed by a few very upmarket Bentley SUV's, which must have had a total value somewhere between £0.5m. and £1m. We understand it may have been a Chinese trade delegation.

Of course, high pressure brings consequences - thunder and lightning inevitably follow and we're told it will be here as soon as tomorrow. Looks like no golf for me then.

Ross is down in Edinburgh for a couple of days, talking to his old friend Harris about the potential of doing some work with him. Hope it works out OK for him - and Lizzie.

One major change we noticed on our return was how the apartments on the old Tor-na-Coille filling station site had come on since we've been away:

Almost ready then. Wonder how long it'll be before they're all sold? Not easy in the current local economy - and the initial asking price of £325K for the 2 bedroom apartments may be under pressure.

Back home again

It's Monday morning and we've now had 4 nights back in our own bed. Jet-lag does funny things to you. You get very used to the West Coast time zone after 6 weeks over there and it always takes a bit of adjustment when we return - and it's no different this time.

Generally we're waking at 2/3/4 am in the morning and struggling to get back to sleep after that, but, on Saturday we both managed it and it was nearly 11 am when we finally arose. It was a more conventional night last night, so I'm planning to head out on a bike ride soon.

Ross and Lizzie came over yesterday afternoon, which was nice. Gary and Luca had planned to be there too but Gary had to cancel after his long morning training run - he was shattered after it. He needs to get some miles under his belt before the Fort William marathon in 2 weeks' time.

My last blog post was a week ago - just before we headed down to Crystal Cove.  Jo and I had taken a short walk up to the viewpoint and the pagoda there:

This was the view from that point:

When we got down to Crystal Cove, everyone bar the injured Scott entered the water - even Jo, finally. The waves were fun:

Jo and I walked back to our villa from there, stopping for a quick beer at La Vista pool bar:

It was another early start on Tuesday morning for the drive back north to San Francisco - we had to be there in good time for the Alcatraz trip Lucy had booked. As it happened, we were there in plenty of time - in fact, too early to check in at our hotel, but we parked the car and walked down to Fisherman's Wharf and had lunch - Clam Chowder all round - after which we strolled along to Pier 39. I spotted a photo opportunity with Alcatraz in the background. Scott took this one - didn't notice the bird above Lucy's head until later:

Alcatraz was great. It had been 16 or 17 years since we had last done it and, if anything, it was better this time. Highly recommended.

We had dinner and Irish Coffees at Buena Vista - a favourite local spot apparently.

On Wednesday morning, it was time to do the cable car thing. We strolled down through Ghirardelli Square:

The cable car turntable was interesting - as was the view when we climbed to the top of one of the hills:

We had lunch in Chinatown and then headed back to our hotel to pick up the car and head to the airport, where we said our farewells - Jo and I headed to the BA lounge and the Lesinas drove back to Grants Pass. Both journeys went fairly well, although Scott had to detour a bit due to an accident on the road.

I always take an end of holiday photo outside Delsie Drive, but this year it had to be taken a little earlier - before we headed down to California:

I'm now planning to catch up with my golf again after a longish break. I played at Banchory yesterday and tonight, it's our annual trip to Balmoral.

To close, did you know the Moon Landing was 47 years ago today - or was it? It was also due to be Kelly and Chris' wedding this week at Drumtochty Castle - that would have been nice, but I'm sure they did the right thing by postponing this. Another time, another place.