I'm sitting downstairs in our office/studio and it's dark and gloomy down here. These are the longest days of the year - it's not supposed to be like this. We did, however, have a nice walk on Midsummer's Day on Friday in the Correen Hills north of Alford and the weather was a bit brighter then - and even more so yesterday when I golfed at Banchory on a lovely sunny morning. In fact, it was nice enough for us to sit out in the afternoon in the back garden next to our new shed/summerhouse. (Jo was doing some re-potting). Living in an island climate I guess we get used to such changeability.
Anyway, on to matters new since my last post. Jo's got a fitbit! I think we are both concerned that the weight we put on on our extended holiday isn't shifting and Jo, in particular, was concerned about her lack of regular exercise. She still tries to go swimming twice a week but her regular walks with her friend Anne seem to have come to a bit of a halt - partly due to the fact that Anne's just moved out to Drumoak and also that Anne's been poorly and is going in to hospital for an operation when she returns from holiday. The Fitbit is intended as a bit of a motivator - although Jo does like the fact that not only does it measure her daily steps, but also floors climbed, sleep pattern, heart rate - and it's a watch. She's just come running down the stairs, astonished that she even got a message from Mary on her Fitbit!
Lucy's Father's Day gift arrived on Friday - two cocktail sets. She must have thought we would be missing our usual summer of cocktails in the Oregon sun - and we are, so this is our refuge now:
As you can see, we started on the first one already. On Saturday night we made up the Blackberry and Pear Bramble:
Sunday night was a busy night on FaceTime for Jo. Lucy usual calls on Sunday - and she did - but she had to compete with Mary who was on for a while:
Brian and Mary and all the Whaleys are heading off on holiday to Italy soon to celebrate Brian's recent 70th birthday.
On a completely different tack, we've noticed a recent proliferation of seagulls in our street. What are they doing 17 miles inland? Perhaps they've been scared away from the tip? Anyway, they're a real pest, squawking away, scratching at our rooftops and defecating wherever they like - especially on top of our cars:
I had a bit of a senior moment on Thursday. I had arranged to get my bloods done as I've recently been suffering from some pain in my back when I move - roughly in the kidneys area. I cycled down for my appointment with the phlebotomist only to be told that my appointment is this coming Thursday! Doh!
I think that's it for now. I'll be heading down to the chemists (pharmacy for our American friends) soon to get some Beconase as we're in to the hay fever season now.
