Saturday, March 28, 2015

On the road again

It’s Saturday morning and I am typing this in an empty house, the only sounds the clicking of the keys and the wind lashing the rain against the window next to my desk. Yesterday afternoon I waved DH off on another of his regular visits to his very elderly mother and after clearing a few chores headed out into the garden.

Earlier in the week a good friend had presented us with a delayed house-warming gift, a bare-rooted rose bush which needs to be planted without delay. Unfortunately the perfect position was already occupied by a battered, unsightly and very spiny berberis, which it was my unwelcome task to remove. The struggle was fierce, but ultimately I prevailed and managed to complete digging the hole for my rose as twilight fell.

The berberis had its revenge, however, and I spent much of the rest of the evening with a sharp needle, extracting the numerous thorns which had made it through my strongest gardening gloves. This morning my poor hands look as though I have a very localised attack of measles, but at least I’m ready to sally forth into the garden as soon as the rain stops and the ground dries up a little, and bed the rose comfortably into its new home.

After that my busyness will take a different direction, as I get down to the preparations for our spring trip to the north coast of Scotland. DH will be home on Monday evening and by then I need to have everything ready for us to pack the car on Tuesday morning and begin our journey with our customary overnight visit to his brother in Southport.

I’m already looking forward eagerly to the long journey up through the Highlands. The road is familiar to us now and we drive it with huge pleasure, revelling in the grandeur of the scenery, whatever the weather, and keenly anticipating our arrival in our little home from home between the mountains and the sea. Easter in the Highlands has become part of our lives over the past few years and I can hardly wait.





40 comments:

  1. Not sure if my partial comment was accidentally published! It's a hectic morning with the grands and I have taken a little break! I hope you have a good trip north - it sounds wonderful!

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    1. Thanks, Pondside. We're very lucky - it's always wonderful. I'm afraid Blogger ate your partial comment, so thank you for trying again. I can imagine what it must be like trying to comment with young grandchildren around. :)

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  2. Beautiful pictures Perpetua. No wonder you can't wait to see the fabulous place again.
    Have a good journey.

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    1. Thanks, Ray. I'm afraid we can't rely on having cloudless skies this trip (or any trip for that matter) but as you know, we love the Highlands in all weathers.

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  3. We've had a rain and wind lashed 24 hours too. I only managed a bit of pruning in the gaps.

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    1. You too, BtoB? I had a window of opportunity this afternoon and got the rose planted, but was later driven in again by the rain and wind. March going out like a lion...

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  4. I used to use welding gloves - bought initially for picking figs which might well contain disgruntled wasps they were wonderful for attacking things with thorns.
    Amazing what you can get done when there are no calls for cups of tea and set meals....
    Have a safe trip. I won't see Scotland again, but I love to see your photographs.

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    1. What a brilliant idea, Helen. It would never have occurred to me. I think DH may have a pair somewhere - if he can find them. After planting the rose I got on with some tidying-up until the rain drove me indoors again. The rose is certainly getting well watered-in.
      It's sad that you don't think you'll ever see Scotland again, but I will do my best to fill the gap with photographs.

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  5. Your photographs are so enticing! I do so envy you the energy you have for your regular forays up north and to France. And on top of all that you moved!!! Anyway, enjoy the time you have for yourself -- the best way to renew oneself and go forward. Would love to see you on your way through town!

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    1. It's easy to take lovely photos in such stunning scenery, Broad. Not sure about the energy, however. It takes us longer every time to recover from the journey, but we'll go on doing it as long as we can.
      I've just enjoyed an evening meal which DH isn't fond of - one of the perks of being on my own for a little. Sadly, given that he won 't be back until Monday evening, I can't see us leaving early enough on Tuesday to be able to call in. Perhaps next time with some proper forward planning.

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  6. Can't wait to go north in a months time ooh less than a months time :)...If we get north to Tounge will FB you (thats if we have connection) Lochinver can be a little variable :) Strathan my be even more so.

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    1. Gosh, will we both be in the far north-west at the same time, Carolynn? I'll message you our phone number, which might be more useful when chasing a signal. It would be lovely to meet up if you're in the area.

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  7. Summer has suddenly arrived in Andalucia today.... 25 degrees! We'll be tidying the bombsite during the holiday. Your photos are spectacular! Happy travels. Axxx

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    1. 25 degrees!! And here are we with the five-day forecast showing a steady drop from today's dizzying height of 13C (that's without the wind-chill factor) It really has been a very chilly 3 months since Christmas, so I envy you. Have fun tidying the bombsite and I look forward to seeing some 'after' photos. :)

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  8. Beautiful rose. Have a lovely time in Scotland. The pictures are breath-taking.

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    1. Thanks, Molly. It's a David Austin rose called Blessings and it's scented. :) The weather was wonderful during the visit when those photos were taken and the scenery is stunning in all weathers.

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  9. Hi Perpetua, it's so nice to see a post from you. Sorry about the thorns. I had a similar experience a few weeks ago while weeding. There's some kind of grass with tiny spines in my backyard planters and the spines go through any glove I wear. I think even the leather ones! They're very unpleasant little things. I hope you have a wonderful trip to Scotland and happy Easter to you.

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    1. Thanks, Jennifer. I know I've been a bit slow with posting, but I just don't know where the past couple of weeks have gone. Isn't it amazing how these spines seem to be able to go through anything? I couldn't believe how many I had to dig out of my hands by the time I'd finished removing that bush. I think I've found them all now. I'm looking forward now to posting from Scotland and crossing my fingers that the weather will improve.

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  10. Hari Om
    Wow, that time again... it has to be said that after the eclipse, we had an unprecedented five days in a row of sunshine and double figure temps here in Dunoon... so do bring some sandals along as well, 'cuz you just never know!!! YAM xx

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    1. It is indeed, Yam. Technically our heading north is supposed to be a sign that spring is here, but it doesn't seem like it at the moment. Like you we had some lovely weather last week, but it's vanished again now. Still, I'll heed your advice and pack some sandals just in case. :)

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  11. You have really been hard at work. I envy the trip you will be making. It must be so invigorating to drive into the Scottish Highlands. I hope to see this part of the world before time it up for me.

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    1. I had no choice, Sally. That lovely rose needed to be planted before we leave. Driving through the Highlands is always wonderful, but I must admit I'm crossing my fingers that it's not quite as rainy and windy as it is today. I really hope you get to visit the Highlands one day.

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  12. Thinking of you on your journey north - send photos - always love seeing Sutherland...

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    1. hanks, Anny. Photos are a given, though I hope I get sun as well as today's wind and rain. :)

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  13. I hope your wrist was well enough to take the strain of removing that plant! Have a safe journey and look forward to more photos of that beautiful scenery x

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    1. Thanks, Ayak. My wrist stood up to all the digging very well indeed, I'm glad to say. The physio told me to use it as much as possible now and that's what I'm doing. Here's hoping for some lovely sunny weather for photos. :-)

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  14. I agree Berberis are prickly indeed, but the rose will more than compensate for the prickles you received. I look forward to seeing photos of the rose once it settles in and blooms for you!
    Enjoy your time in Scotland ... the photos are glorious. I will visit you in my imagination:)

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    1. Thanks, Shirley. I'd never before realised just how painfully prickly they are. My fingers are still recovering. At the minute the rose is still bare shoots, but I hope by the time we get back it will be a thriving bush.We need warmer weather here, not just in Wales but everywhere, even though Scotland is spectacular in all weathers.

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  15. What a beautiful pink rose! So sorry re the prickles - I had a few myself gardening yesterday!
    I love your trips to Scotland, if only to admire the wonderful views. Please keep 'em coming :)
    There is a glimmer of hope we might do Ireland/Scotland in the next couple of years.. Have a great trip, and Godspeed, Perpetua.

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    1. Thanks, Patricia. The rose is gorgeous, isn't it, and I look forward to seeing its first buds appearing.
      I promise to keep posting photos, if only to tempt you to make firm plans for that trip to Ireland and Scotland. You could even touch base in Wales to make it a Celtic trio. :)

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  16. Ooh lucky you setting off to such a beautiful spot. I hope you have the weather to admire it all. :)

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    1. Well I've just had an email from a friend up there telling me to pack extra woollies. Apparently it's been snowing again! But we love it in sun, rain and snow and have the pictures to prove it. :-)

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  17. I am tardy again at reading blogs, but am delighted to hear that you will soon be on your way to beautiful Scotland. Wishing you a safe trip and looking forward to your posts from there. The rose is quite lovely.

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    1. Thanks, Bonnie. Yes, the rose is such a gorgeous colour.
      We'll be setting off tomorrow in the wind and the rain and I gather it's been snowing further north. But we're still looking forward to it and I can promise you posts and pictures. :-)

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  18. My #2 son when still quite small made a wonderful crown of thorns for the empty central cross in the Easter Garden out of ... berberis! Perfect scale.
    I admire your energy to stick to your migratory pattern - though my energy has been depleted by our recent trip in Asia and the bug that accompanied us home.

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    1. What an appropriate use of the narrow but vicious thorns of the berberis. My fingers are still pockmarked.
      It takes us longer to prepare for and recover from the journey than it did, but we go for long enough to be able to bounce back and really enjoy our time there. I'm crossing my fingers we don't catch any bugs this time.. Breaking my wrist up there was enough of a health misadventure to last us a long time.

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  19. I missed this post Perpetua, I imagine that this morning you are up bright and early getting the car packed and ready for your journey - the sky looks lovely today which bodes well. Have a lovely time in your special Scottish spot - I have the suitcases out with the lids open too.

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    1. Thanks, Rosemary. Actually I'm taking a break, waiting for DH to finish our breakfast porridge (his speciality). Unfortunately the weather here is much less appealing, with a Met Office yellow warning for wind and rain which is proving only too accurate. Glad to hear you're planning a trip too.

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  20. A bit late in reading this, Perpetua, with a house full of family, especially the grandkids.
    I hope that by now the clouds have lifted and more springlike weather is upon you as you head to the Highlands. Our weather has started to clear here, thank goodness, and Easter plans are in the making. Enjoy yours in your lovely home.

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    1. Today is much brighter, thanks, Penny, but we drove north through some very windy and wintry weather yesterday. Thankfully the forecast for the Easter weekend is for dryer, if couldy weather. I think we'l;l have to wait a bit longer for some warm spring sunshine. I hope you had a wonderful time with your grandchildren.

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