We were on a break...

This will be my last blog entry for a while.  Mr P has requested some peace and quiet from the limelight and has suggested I take a blog holiday. For a minute I thought that he meant an exotic Caribbean beach holiday...

I know for a fact I will miss my blog dreadfully and will no doubt have some sort of withdrawal symptoms. I'm sure my sister will be inundated with my phone calls and text messages and pray for the blog to return. I am really rather sad.

Whilst searching for a suitable image for this blog entry I came across the 'Love Is...' Pictures. When I was a child I had a sticker book and bought a 'Love Is' sticker every Saturday morning with my pocket money. Looking at all those stickers no bloomin wonder I've lived in fairy tale land most of my life!

Hopefully after my blog holiday I will have lots of crazy interesting things to write about.  Maybe I'll store up every day what happens and pour it all out in one go like verbal diaoreah! Or maybe I'll have a moment of weakness and sneak an entry in when Mr P isn't looking...

Milo and Me (and Mr P): The Moon is Mine...

Milo and Me (and Mr P): The Moon is Mine...: Today I'm feeling really down. My best friend left the Big house yesterday and as I said to Mr P she was the first guest we'd had th...

The Moon is Mine...

Today I'm feeling really down. My best friend left the Big house yesterday and as I said to Mr P she was the first guest we'd had that I didn't have to be introduced to. It was such a lovely weekend and was over far too quickly. I've spent so long at the Big house trying to fit in and feel at home. This weekend was a little different to that,  I felt like I was welcoming my friend into my home.  And now she's gone, grhh!

My mood was slightly lifted this morning by the beautiful sunrise I pictured.  Sadly I missed the Blood Moon. One of my favourie songs is The Moon is Mine by Fairground Attraction, never fails to uplift me...


No calls, no letters
Just fireweeds and stinging nettles
But the moon is mine
Yeah the moon is mine

Bad news in the papers
Bad news for this sinner's wages
But the moon is mine
Yeah the moon is mine

Skim a stone across the river
Throw all my money in the wishing well
I can't afford the cost of living
If the price is living hell



No-one to call me baby no no
No valentines again
But the moon is mine
Yeah the moon is mine

No hook to hang my hat on
No rooms for rent today
But the moon is mine
Yeah the moon is mine

Skim a stone across the river
Throw all my money in a wishing well

I can't afford the cost of living
If the price is living hell

I used to believe in a glittering prize
But lately I've seen
That that's just a pillow of lies

And the moon is mine
Yeah the moon is mine

That beautiful ball of cheese
Is my personal property
The moon is mine

The moon is mine
Oh the moon is mine
The moon is... Mine

Milo and Me (and Mr P): Hells Angels...

Milo and Me (and Mr P): Hells Angels...: Best friend arrived at the Big house in the dark. I was waiting on the drive with a torch like a kid on Christmas Eve. We had our hysterical...

Hells Angels...

Best friend arrived at the Big house in the dark. I was waiting on the drive with a torch like a kid on Christmas Eve. We had our hysterical hugging and screaming session before we went inside so as not to scare Mr P and our other guests. We then sat on the floor in front of the fire in the sitting room with some bottles of wine and chocolate buttons until the wee small hours.

I got woken by Milo extremely early yesterday, he obviously didn't notice my hangover. After a lazy morning walk around the garden with best friend we then went to the local town for lunch on the sea front. We were both rather bemused to receive some one pound 'paper' notes in a shop.  Apparently Royal Bank of Scotland still circulate them.

Back at the Big house best friend and I got bored so wandered into the Big shed.  And that's when the fun began... To begin with we played table tennis, both rather badly not helped by giggling hysterically and eventually running out of balls after squashing most of them.  Then we found a dart board but both struggled to even hit the board so gave up on that.  Then best friend went rooting and happened to find a saddle and lasoo. That was really good fun, enacting out a rodeo display. Mr P then arrived wondering what all the noise was and we used our pursuavive techniques to get the key to the quad bike! We felt like Hells Angels but were probably more like The Hairy Bikers! Last but not least we broke into Mr P's avery and pretended to be Falcons.

After a fun filled afternoon we were fed a feast in the dining room followed by a rather decent bottle of red by the fire. Once again best friend and I sat up all night chatting and then crept to bed trying to be all quiet with 'shush shush don't wake anyone up' and ultimately waking up the entire household...


BFF...

I Love...

I love that Mr P looks like the hunny monster first thing in the morning.  I love in the morning when Milo dives on my bed and throws his back on top of me and headbuts me.  I love that my mum cried when she saw me on the television. I love that my son saw me on television and has not 'yet' disowned me. I love that my sister listens to all that I have to say and always sounds interested. I love that my best friend can not hear from me for ages but pick up on our last conversation. I am so lucky in love that Kylie Minogue would be jealous!

I had a voicemail from BBC Radio Merseyside asking about a catchup with me.  I called them back just as Milo decided to chase Mr P who was driving the lawn mower.  So I'm chasing Milo, he's barking and biting Mr P's ankles and I'm screaming at him to stop, all with the phone in my hand. Little did I know my call back call was an actual radio interview! Luckily it was pre recorded and they were able to edit the beginning! Sometimes my life is like a Carry On Movie.

I am extremely excited today as my best friend, of 25 years, is coming to stay at the Big house for the weekend.  We have known each other since our sons were at nursery together and distance has never dampened our friendship.  I did warn Mr P that once best friend and I are together with a bottle of wine (or two!) he won't get a look in.  I'm sure he is secretly glad of this.

I've spent most of today trying to reply to all our wonderful messages and sincerely do apologise if I have missed anyone out. Nearly forgot, big news, my herbs are still growing! Although chives are lagging behind...

Me and bestie last time we had a bottle or two...

Alice in Wonderland...

'This Morning' (see what I did there?! Haha) whilst walking Milo I found the biggest rabbit hole I've ever seen. I reckon if I changed my name to Alice I could climb in it! Back in the real world... I actually do feel like Alice in Wonderland.  The last few days have been a whirlwind to say the least.

Mr P and I woke up really early on Wednesday and were so nervous we couldn't even stomach the fantastic cooked breakfast at our hotel (which bizarrely included peas!). We were collected by our driver and taken to the ITV studio where we were met by a lovely doorman by name.  We were then taken straight to The Green Room (which does actually have a subtle green colour) and provided with lots of refreshments.  Then we were taken to 'makeup' much to the bemusement of Mr P! I felt like a celebrity sitting in the makeup chair and all the girls were so lovely.  One of them asked for my list of unsuccessful men!

Mr P was slightly disappointed Sue Ellen was not in the studio but was compensated by getting to meet Holly.  I was chuffed chatting to Rylan, he is so sweet. And Harry and Dave of Rich Landscapes were adorable young men as was their 3 year old black lab. Was funny seeing The Osmond brothers too! But I must admit Phillip was my favourite :)

The actual interview went so quickly and apparently we were caught on camera kissing! I haven't seen that bit. I must say everyone at ITV was just so nice to us both, I can't thank them enough.  Even when our driver took us out the building people at the gate shouted that's Nicci! And even at the airport two lovely ladies approached us and said they'd watched us on telly. We have received so so many messages and even Milo has messages. I could write about this forever but I am still on cloud nine!

I was so excited to see Milo when we got back that I shut the front door and locked Mr P out of the Big house, found him some time later tapping on the kitchen window....

Who shot JR...?

What a rather long day of travelling. Nearly three hours to drive to airport, then a delay of departure. Then on arrival at London Gatwick ( old haunt of mine during my AirUk days) met by driver who took us to our hotel in SE1, a journey of a further two hours.  Funny thing happened at security on departure, I retrieved my suitcase from security and strolled over to seating area to redress after removing most of my clothing. Little did I know that I hadn't zipped up my suitcase and had trailed half my contents across the floor.  Mr P was behind me and was asked by a random stranger if 'little black bra' on floor was his...! Haha.

Our hotel is lovely and we have just eaten a rather delicious suckling pig. We were presented with complimentary fizz on arrival and given complimentary horderves with our meal. How lovely.  After dinner Mr P had to phone lots of people so I decided to wander out and find a sweet shop for midnight snacks. I did think at one point think - gosh dark, late, and wandering around London City female alone.  Then I remembered what I had been doing for the last few months...!

A car is picking us up tomorrow morning to take us to the studio at 8.45 am.  Mr P is especially excited now as Linda Gray aka Sue Ellen Dallas is on the show too.  He has mentioned this to me on numerous occasions this evening! I just mentioned once there is also a sex therapist on the show...

I think art work looks a little like my son!

MiloandMe and Mr P on TV...

Oh my word! Another crazy day at the Big house.  ITV This Morning, with Philip and Holly have invited Mr P and Me to be interviewed on Wednesday!! Sadly Milo has to stay at the Big house :( Mr P has never watched this programme I however am a massive fan. I do hope Gino is on :) (must remember to pack my pinny) This is all rather surreal for us both but we have decided to just try and be ourselves and go with the flow. We are both excited and nervous, well actually I am a screaming psychopath inside but am playing it down for Mr P! I am absolutely sure everybody will love Mr P and I will most likely get the usual unpleasant comments. But hey ho I am made of strong stuff.

On another note I think my job interview went quite well this afternoon.  Although I did notice a very large TV screen behind me whilst I was being interviewed.  Possibly Wednesday morning may change my chances of said job interview!

Norris, I mean Mr G, has been a perfect guest, mucking in and feeding me lots of positive thoughts of late.  He is a trooper. Our very kindly neighbours are happy to doggy sit Milo whilst we are away. So I am rather looking forward to the next few days.  I mean how often do you get asked to appear on national TV?! And for a good reason! We have received so many lovely messages of support and congratulations I am struggling to keep up with my replies.  I feel Milo and Me and Mr P are in a good place just now, I  hope it continues...

Love these guys :)

Spending Mr P's millions...

Question; can you have salad with dressing on the same plate as meat, veg and gravy? According to Mr P this is perfectly acceptable, according to me it's just plain wrong! Could this be our first argument in the Big house! Today has been much quieter than all the shannanigans of yesterday.  The phone never stopped ringing and messages came from far and wide.  I told Mr P that it didn't bother me that most people loved him and saw me as a gold digging ho! Of all the messages I've received throughout my adventure only one ever needed to reach me... And he did.

Amidst all our chaos yesterday dear Mr G arrived from the South.  He is staying with us for five days and has settled into the Big house splendidly considering our chaos.  He does so look like Norris from Coronation Street, something he has been told on numerous occasions. He and Mr P have just gone off to the hill to do some hawking.  I have chosen to stay warm by the Aga, no baking, just sitting next to it!

Took Milo to beach this morning and I'm sure I saw The Loch Ness Monster!

Tomorrow I have a job interview.  And trust me that is an achievement up here as there aren't many about.  It's only part time but it gets me out the house and gives me my own income rather than me spending all Mr P's millions...haha!

What's that I see?...

Behind you Milo...

WOW...

Gosh what an exciting day! Of all my herbs it seems my basil is the fastest grower... Mwhaha! Seriously Lordy Lord what a day! When I clicked on my iPad my blog page seemed to be over reacting regarding viewing figures. I thought how odd? Then I opened the Mail online to see if I could find the story about Me and Mr P. I didn't have to look far!

Of all the comments, we are embracing the kind and encouraging ones and saying 'pooh to you' to the negative ones (which are hugely outweighed by the positives).  We are both quite overwhelmed by the response to our romance, and I am personally pleased with how much closer it has made us :) For the record Mr P is romantic and always puts my heated seat on in the car before his.

I really do need to thank all the guys responsible for our story, you know who you are! And apologise to anyone I have not managed to message today. And thank my family and Mr P's for dealing with our crazy whirlwind romance! And while I'm on the subject of thankyous, I just love the steak pies Mr P gets from Bews the local Butcher. Oh dear this reads like an Oscar acceptance speech haha!

Well next stage is we have been invited to appear on TV this week, yikes! I am seriously lacking in a change of wardrobe and haven't had my hair done since February (miss you Dave). But hey ho what you see is what you get with me. So I'm off to batten down the hatches and head to bed.  Sweet dreams everyone, coz they do come true you know...


My amazing herb garden

Photo below Copyright Peter Jolly 

Will Mr P kick us out tomorrow?...

This morning started rather early seeing as I was acting as my own makeup artist/hairdresser haha.  I managed to borrow some 'country' clothing from a lovely friend and Mr P wore his kilt.  The photographer arrived at 10 and off we trotted up the hill to take some pics. I even found a little tartan collar and lead for Milo. Mr P was a star considering he was really rather uncomfortable having all these pictures taken.  I imagined this is what it would be like on a wedding day, being instructed to hold his hand, look into his eyes, move closer etc and all that smiling is actually hard work! Mr P lit the fire in the drawing room and we had some indoor shots too. I got to see some of the prints before they were sent to the paper and hats off to Peter Jolly, he managed to make us look rather good!

The paper asked me to also forward some of my travel photos to maybe use, I was rather tempted to forward some of my 'risqué' pics but will save them for 'the book' mwhaha! I suggested to Mr P that I should get a biro and cover him in tattoos and we could be Posh and Becks of The Highlands! Sometimes I do worry about myself...

The 'revealing' of Mr P is supposedly appearing in The Daily Mail Femail (is on editors list?) tomorrow.  Mr P and I are now trying to decide who goes into the shop to purchase it in the morning, and will we have to spend the next month or so using Tesco delivery for our shopping?!

Meanwhile another paper, The Times, have asked for an interview and have agreed to wait until after the publication in Femail.  That is if Mr P hasn't kicked us out by then...

Photo of Me and Mr P...

Well I said I needed to spice my life up and I think I might have just done that.  Mr P and I have just done an interview with the Daily Mail newspaper and we are appearing in Femail on Saturday. Mr P took a bit of persuading to 'reveal' himself but has agreed to go public.  Tomorrow they are sending a photographer to do a shoot at the Big house.  Sadly as it is such sort they are unable to send the makeup artist or hairdresser, devastated. So I apologise in advance for my scruffy appearance. Mr P will of course be wearing his kilt attire, I will no doubt borrow his wax jacket. I was interviewed by the lovely Jenny and am a little concerned I may have had verbal diarrhoea, so Mr P I apologise if I said too much!

This morning was so sunny we went to Strathy beach and had lots of fun in the sand. Milo was in his absolute element swimming like a little otter. I found some lovely rocks which I thought would look wonderful in the Big house so tried to sneak them into Mr P's rucksack, but he was unable to pick up said rucksack and limited me to one rock!  Got some lovely photos, even one of me and Mr P...

My rock...

My Mr P...

My new Beast friends...

I went into the butlers pantry this morning and was pleasantly surprised to find a beast of a food mixer.  After nearly breaking my arms beating my pancake mix yesterday I now have a new best friend to do it for me.  So I made some shortbread this morning and didn't even get my hands dirty.  Took the warm biscuits to show Mr P in the garden and he pretty much ate them all, managed to hold back a few for a photo. Also after doing various amounts of ironing of late Mr P informs me he has another iron that he has never used.  Yet another beast to become my new best friend.  It glides through clothes like butter.  Today I also took all the covers off the sofas and put them in the wash, and found rather a lot of loose change under the seat cushions. I'm sure the saying goes 'finders keepers'.

  Oh My! I feel I'm becoming a Stepford Wife! I need to do something to spice up my life that doesn't involve housework or baking... Or maybe I could do a spin on Iggy Aggy/Nigella Lawson and do it all in my underwear...

Feeling unwell can be good...

Feeling a bit under the weather today. Don't know what's wrong with me but seemed to have slept most of the day, and had some very strange dreams. One involved shortbread, so guess what I am baking in the Aga tomorrow.

I am quite pleased with my little herb garden.  My son bought them for me to grow whilst I was travelling but I never got round to it.  But they have just begun to shoot on the kitchen window sill at the Big house.  Obviously very exciting and I will photo daily updates (joking!).

The gentleman who took the photos for The Sunday Post, Robert, kindly emailed me some of the shots today.  I think Milo is looking like he is just waiting for me to throw that bloomin stick! Mr P liked them all.

I quite liked being unwell today... Mr P wouldn't let me lift a finger all day and cooked me a lovely roast chicken supper and is now doing the washing up, I do believe I may not be better tomorrow...

Flying underpants...

Mr P restrained himself and bought just the one copy of The Sunday Post, which I must say was very kindly written by Ben. The only negative comment I've received so far has been written by someone going by the name of 'cynical one', says it all really!  Otherwise I've had some lovely feedback and positive comments.   I do like the photo chosen for the article and so does Mr P.

Had a quiet day today just doing housework. I have requested from Mr P a sit on Hoover, it seems only fair as he has a sit on lawn mower and there is a lot of carpet in the Big house.

Mr P took down the Falconary flag today, I felt like I should have stood next to him with a bugle, there is actually one in the kitchen. Tomorrow he will fly the flag of Scotland. I thought it would be funny to swop the flag for a pair of his underpants and see how long it would be before he noticed...

The Sunday Post

Cutting the grass

Lowering the flag

Locked out the Big house...

The photographer for The Sunday Post turned up right on time and had a little scout about for suitable shots.  He then enquired if I had any suitable attire for my country lifestyle, obviously my Nike anorak was not the look he was hoping for.  Mr P saved the day and provided me with his Barbour jacket, tweed cap and walking stick! So off we went to the walled garden to begin with, where Milo decided to roll in a pile of fox pooh whilst being photographed, not a good look.  I can't imagine what the pics will be like other than me looking like someone wearing her dads clothes and Milo covered in s**t! Mr P said we have to go to the paper shop early tomorrow morning and buy every copy, for a moment I thought he was being sweet...

My pancakes turned out to be rather nice after a dodgy start. The battery in the scales was dead so my measurements were quite inaccurate, and all the different spoon sizes just confused me further.  Mr P gave me a lovely Mary Berry Tartan Aga pinny, who says romance is dead?!

This morning I took Milo for his usual walk on the hill and when I got back to the Big house Mr P had locked the back door.  I tried all the doors and windows to no avail.  Then I tried phoning him but no answer. I didn't know what to do next. I did actually check my van to see if he had dumped all my stuff into it. Eventually he came downstairs and found me in the garage, apparently he had gone for his shower thinking I was still in bed.  So now I have been instructed to always take a door key.

Mr P went Hawking yesterday so I went clothes shopping, although there is not a huge choice of shops, but I managed to buy a  nice pair of trousers and black knit jumper.  Mr P liked the trousers very much saying they had 'feel appeal', I think I look like I'm auditioning for the Cadbury Milk Tray advert...

Alone with My Mystery Man...

Tried what they call 'the famous Aga fat-free fried egg' today. How easy was that! Just popped a magic circle of  Aga Bake O Glide on the hot plate, cracked the egg and closed the lid. Job done. Perfect fried egg, sadly no bacon or sausage to accompany it just half a tin of baked beans.

Got a good photo of the sunrise through the trees in the garden this morning.  I did at one point think someone had lit a very early bonfire! I am going to try and catch it on the hill over the Loch, just means getting dressed very early and climbing the hill, but could be worth it.

Today is the first day Mr P and I have been alone in the Big house for about a month. We have no guests visiting for about a week.  Gives us a chance to get to know each other properly or we could possibly end up murdering each other! I will keep you updated, unless I am the murdered one!

Tomorrow a photographer is coming to take photos for the Sunday Post this Sunday. They are doing a follow up story of MiloandMe and finding Mr P.  The story will run mainly on me as Mr P is not keen  to be splashed across the tabloids. And I respect his feelings on this.  So they will probably photograph me and Milo minus my Mystery Man.  I suggested he could hide in the background wearing a large hat, something like a Jack Vettriano picture...

It's like riding a bike...

Today I found a bicycle in the big shed, a rather nice Raleigh one.  Well it must be over 30 years since I've ridden a bike but don't they say 'it's like riding a bike, you never forget' ? And it's true! I haven't forgotten, well I was a bit wobbly to start and the fact that Milo chased me all the way barking and trying to bite the tyres didn't help.  But very soon I was whizzing around the house like a natural.  And it certainly gave Milo good exercise.  I may make it a daily routine.

I tried my hand at baking scones in the Aga.  What I didn't realise is that Mr P had set the oven to operate on some kind of day mode between 9am and 5pm. I baked my scones at 2pm in a not so hot oven. They sort of looked like scones but felt like rock cakes.  Anyway everyone tasted them and said they were lovely, or maybe they were just humouring me and I will find them scattered in the garden later. Or even tragically ride over one on my bicycle and go over the handle bars landing no doubt on Milo! Anyway I'm going to try the pancakes tomorrow, surely they won't hurt me?

The sun actually shone today and I took great pleasure sitting in the garden with a cup of tea (and a rock cake) watching three men, yes three, hang out the washing.  They probably class that as multitasking...

Soon we will be fat...

Mr P was offered the opportunity of quarter of a cow from our farmer neighbour. He seemed to be deliberating this until I pointed out that he has four freezers one holding a mouldy punnet of strawberries and another a block of salted butter! Looking forward to our supply of very local Aberdeen Angus :)

Today I have scraped all the green slime away from the front gate.  Only as I am fed up stepping in it and nearly breaking my neck every time I step out of the car to open the gate. Mr P dismissed my idea of electric gates. At some point this week I am going to become an Aga supreme cook! I have a few recipe books and an Aga tip book.  I am quite excited about the drop scones, the pancakes, the seven minute quick cake and tip number 9 about reviving stale bread. Yes I can see it now, Mr P and I will soon be the fattest people in the village...

The future Me and Mr P...

Milo and Me (and Mr P): My new peeing technique...

Milo and Me (and Mr P): My new peeing technique...: As the nights get darker I am more aware of the lack of curtains in the Big house, more so in the bathrooms. Now I do appreciate we have no ...

My new peeing technique...

As the nights get darker I am more aware of the lack of curtains in the Big house, more so in the bathrooms. Now I do appreciate we have no neighbours but people do possess binoculars and it seems all the toilets are positioned next to or nearby a window. I could close the shutters but that would involve removing all my products off the window sill.  So I have adapted a technique of  dropping my panties whilst practically sitting down!

Mr P went off hawking again today so I decided to fire up the beast and take Milo to the beach.  Sadly the beast was not as keen and took quite a while to fire up.  Eventually I got going but the tide was right in and pretty rough so we returned and settled for a walk around the garden.  Sometimes in the middle of the night in the Big house I hear the grandfather clock chime midnight and it reminds me of a children's film I once watched.  I can't remember the title but a little boy who was staying in a big house would wander into the walled garden in his pyjamas at midnight and go back in time. I'm tempted to try this!

This afternoon I took a wander to our local hotel restaurant on my own to suss out any available employment prospects.  The manager I'm pleased to say was a scouser so hopefully he may contact me if something comes up. Though I did note the average age of the bar staff seemed to be about 18, I didn't give my age so maybe he won't notice mwhaha! I told him I just lived down the road and then left to jump in my van parked outside. Hopefully he didn't see me and think 'she don't live down the road she lives on the road'!...

Wandering round the garden

A sad day at the Big house...

A sad day in the Big house.  My Missy L has left us. Mr P and I drove her to Inverness airport for her journey South.  I did contemplate trying to steal her ticket or break her legs, but knew I had to let her go.  My little partner in crime no more.  The journey back to the Big house was long and quiet.  I said to Mr P it felt like we had seen our child off to university, would she call us? when would she visit us? the Big house would feel so empty without her. Then on our return I realised I had the whole bottle of wine to myself and soon puckered up!

Mr P did try to cheer me up by taking me shopping in Inverness. Quite a nice city for wandering around. He bought me items of clothing ;) and some sort of waterproof shoes to wear, presumably for when I am hauling coal in from outside! Oh and he did buy me a full length mirror as there are none in the Big house and I haven't seen my legs for over two months. We walked by the river and saw the castle and then went for some lunch. Then we spent the next twenty minutes wandering around the multi-storey car park looking for the Big car!

We stopped off on our way back at Dunrobin Castle to visit our friend Mr A who does an absolutely wonderful Falconary display. I even sat next to a Falcon in his kitchen whilst having a cup of coffee and unlike me I didn't even flinch.

So now it's just me and a house full of males and that includes Milo who is a little unwell today :( He swallowed a fly and when trying to cough it up he emptied the entire contents of his stomach, yuk. He then spent the next hour curled up on my knee feeling rather sorry for himself.  I felt like a mum again...

Inverness Castle

Dunrobin Castle

Gonna miss this crazy girl!

Dressing up day...

Mr P went off hawking looking rather dapper in his plus fours with the French so Missy L and I decided to go boating. The boat house of the Big house has not been visited for well over a year so we knew our journey would be difficult.  We dressed accordingly, layers, waterproofs, life jackets, hats and sunglasses.  And took necessary equipment, cameras and chocolate, oh and a photograph of the map Mr P drew for us. Off we went into the wilderness, map in hand gripping onto each other's hand, well actually it was one lane, one large boggy overgrown field and many thistles but non the less treacherous.  Then we came across the boat house.  The door lock was rusted but eventually opened and there she was... A rather large old wooden rowing boat full of cobwebs and spiders and two rather dodgy looking oars.  We had been given instructions on somehow rolling her on rollers into the water, but weighing up the height of the reeds and what was left of the jetty added with the fact our wellies were short and our skills were rather non existent we made the decision not to take her out onto the open waters. So we just casually sat in her in the boat house regretting our mistake of bringing chocolate and not wine.

The location was stunning, so secluded on the waters edge, swans swimming casually by.  The boat house was in need of some tlc, especially the outdoor toilet which resembled something out of a horror movie. So we returned to the Big house with big ideas for next summer at the boathouse.

 Back at the Big house we sat in the drawing room and poured a large glass of red and continued with our small intimate 'book club' (just me and Missy L).  I got a little bored and went off to explore returning to the drawing room wearing a selection of Mr P's clothes! Missy L thought I looked like Sherlock Holmes and chose an equally ridiculous outfit for a casual photo shoot by Mr R, who thought we just looked ridiculous. We quickly discarded our outfits as we were unsure when Mr P would return and whether or not he would bring the French back with him, although I'm sure we could have convinced the French this is how we normally dress up here...

Ready for boat trip

Said boat trip

Gross toilet

How we dress...

Beer and cake...

Had a couple of quiet days at the Big house. Monday did practically nothing, had a few hours on my own so had a sneaky siesta in the afternoon and woke up thinking I was at home, then realised I gave all that away months ago, moment of panic overcome by mopping the kitchen floor. Mr P cooked a beautiful leg of lamb for supper and we all had an early night. But I was awake most of the night due to the afternoon nap.

Tuesday Mr P had a haircut appointment in the town so Missy L and I went along for the ride. Mr R had an unfortunate ankle injury so stayed home with ice packs and babysat Milo. Missy L and I wandered around the town in the pouring rain which took all of five minutes and then found a suitable establishment serving alcohol! Two beers and two cakes in and all was good. Mr P then found us and offered us the choice of going to the supermarket with him or staying for another beer.  Obviously we chose the latter. After much girly chat we were collected by Mr P.  We returned to the Big house and both collapsed in the drawing room in front of the fire with a book each and a large glass of red while Mr P cooked supper!

Am quite chuffed today that one of my new followers on Twitter is Liverpool FC :)
Today Missy L and I are contemplating whether or not to venture down to the boat house and take the boat out on the Loch. Neither of us have any experience of boats but hey ho why should that be a problem...