Personality plus

After my wee Tigra had to go - to the great e-bay and it may well have a new life in Fife, I seriously thought that I would not replace it, but needs must in the country. 
Welcome to my new pal Herbie 2, VW Beetle sports complete with V5 engine - not sure what that means except for fantastic acceleration

and a petrol needle that goes backwards like a hyper clock.
Already we have travelled North but not quite as far as Caithness - yet.   When I mentioned to family and friends that I had a new to me car and that it was a VW - everyone, without exception said, " Just the kind of car for you".
 That got me wondering, how do people connect cars with owners?  Am I no longer a sporty Tigra type?  Am I now a sturdy, well built but reliable Beetle?
 I can go along with that cos I know, like my new model, there is still a little extra under my bonnet.
Wonder what kind of car you might be, readers of my blog?

Ceilidh Trail Feis Fhoirt

A great night out and for 2 great causes -enjoying the talented young musicians performing traditional Scottish music on a wide range of instruments.  Brilliant!  A rare night out together at CYP the venue for the ceilidh - funds raised for Pet Fostering Service in Scotland and Callander Christmas lights. More soon....

A sad goodbye

It should not affect me so much but it is.  I knew when the phone rang it was bad news - no hope of recovery.
We had a good life together, well travelled - all the usual platitudes going through my head.  But not believing in them. 
A trusted friend, helped me escape  from 'situations' many times.... and introduced me to new places and people. 
But now it is time to say good-bye - you are what is termed beyond economic recovery, my little Vauxhall Tigra is going to the scrappies this week :(

Blogger's block

Anyone reading this (is there anyone???) might think we have been on our travels in the campervan for the past three months.  Maybe one day....
The simple truth is that each time I have sat to write our blog since our return either the words  would not come or something else took priority.  Plenty to write about as much has been happening...perhaps that was the problem, too many diversions; different calls on time.
Did I mention our new pet?   A wood burning stove, takes a bit of work looking after it but offers hours of comfort and warmth in return.  With long winter nights and short days in a cosy house very much appreciated.
Well that's me again, got to go and say cheerio to our guests and turn the rooms ready for next time.  Hopefully speak sooner than last time.

High Days and Holidays

Well today is the day it has come at last - we set off for our own break this afternoon.  We pick up our campervan this afternoon from Highdays and Holidays which is just across the road from the cottage so very handy. It has the luxury of a real bed so we won't be needing to reorganise the furniture every night as we did last time  when we took our trip up the West Coast of Scotland.  No hassle really but if there is a choice I'll go for the cosy bed. 
Check out www.highdaysandholidays.biz on our local website www.incallander.co.uk we have booked the 4 berth van.  We've not made a real travel plan. Just going to head in the general direction of the South of Scotland round Galloway and see where the wind blows, or not, preferably.  Remembering our campsite two years ago, high on the hill above Ullapool, as the wind came straight over us that night, it was very scary - absolutely beautiful when the sun shone in the morning though.
The good thing about a campervan holiday is the packing, or rather loading, as it should be a case of taking what we need from the cottage and finding a space for it all in the van.  I may have more to add to that sentence on the next blog.  Now off to feed the birds with some peanuts to keep them going a wee bit until we get back in ten days time. Happy holidays here we come!

Special visitor to Roslin

One of the best things about having a B&B is welcoming back folks who have stayed with us  - and when they bring their friends it is even better. A few weeks ago Robbie brought along a very special friend, Scotia. A beautiful barn owl he has kept in his aviary for many years - and here is Scotia sitting patiently on the dike at the back door while we were inside having a blether.

After that we explored the garden usually full of the little birds who had quickly made a sharp exit to the hedge.  Can you see Scotia on the old cherry tree stump?

When the wings are out you can see how tiny the body is....

Scotia was as light as a feather to hold!

Where does time go?

Time is faster than Peter Pan's shadow at disappearing.  Though I have searched everywhere over the past few weeks it never seems to be in the same place as I left it last. 
I've looked under the beds and even took the hoover with me as it is good to be able to multi task if you run a B&B business but only a stray feather there which was quickly sooked up.  Thought for sure it would be in the den, lurking behind the computer, but no joy there either, but checked all the e-mails just in case it had slipped inside one. 
Of course that made me think of the pillow cases (mind like a grasshopper I have as you can tell if you ever read my blog - don't think anyone does though as there are no followers yet).  The ironing press is in the den too - strategically placed so that I can do some bird watching as the sheets and pillow cases have their wrinkles smoothed away. A young Great Spotted Woodpecker helped me look for a wee while as he was intent on getting the peanuts but time eluded  me again.
That took me out to the garden where time has so many places to hide the whole day can go by searching for it and that can be very rewarding as Roslin Cottage won 2nd prize for Best Kept garden this summer from Callander Community Council.
 I did find some lovely Shetland Black tatties which our guests enjoyed for breakfast.  Pity it was not nearer Hallowe'en as they cooked up truly black, and no that was not the chef taking his eye off the pan. Talking of Sid it is time to go and give him a hand - maybe we will have more success in finding time if we look together.