Just popping in to say helloooo!

Hiya - I've finally set aside a wee bit of time to pop in and say hello.  Just like last year I seem to have been caught out by how busy things get over the holidays- in a very good way, but not one that leaves much time to sit in front of the computer.

I've pretty well abandoned blog reading and commenting - sorry, I will try and get back to normal in the next week or so.  I can't quite believe it but school starts again next Wednesday.  In fact, I'm in the middle of making a gingham pinafore for Islay (yes, I know I'll need to make more than one, but I thought it would be more sensible to make one completely first -just to check it actually works.......otherwise I'll have to make a dash to the shops and hope they have some left!)

 So, what have we been up to?  Lots, and it has been lovely to spend so much time with the kids and a bit more with John too.  Right at the start of the holidays John and I had a couple of nights away by ourselves (thanks very much mum and dad - grannie and grandy - for looking after the children).  We went up north to Invermoriston staying in this fantastic B&B as a treat in anticipation of our 10th wedding anniversary which is later this month.  We had a wonderful day exploring Plodda Falls and Glen Affiric. 

Plodda Falls were new to John and he was suitably impressed.  This whole area is stunninglyy beautiful and we enjoyed visiting Glen Affric again.  John was very good about missing out on a decent length walk  - when we've been in this area in the past we would have been out for the day taking in some of the peaks but I'm afraid that wasn't high on my list of priorities this time with my bump making uphill walking rather puff-making.

Please excuse the mass of photos - I didn't manage to be very rigorous in my editing (well, actually, I guess I was as I took a lot, but perhaps I could have spared you a few more) its all so wonderful for someone like me who loves trees and mountains.

Once back from that little trip we had a week or so at home and then headed off to Portsmouth for a great catch up and stay with friends.  All the kids got on very well and we enjoyed some adult time in the evenings.  Islay and I came home via London where we spent a couple of nights.  I did this with each of the boys before they started school.  Somehow it seems a good time for a special big person trip and  Islay was very excited in advance having been told about all the exciting things we could by the boys.  I think watching the Royal Wedding earlier this year helped too as we had pointed out some of the sights we might see.  Previously we have stayed with friends which has been a lot of fun but they have just move back up to Edinburgh (yay) so we had to make do with a hotel (which actually was pretty exciting as far as Islay was concerned!).

When we got back we had some lovely weather and one of the best days was a tubing trip down the river.  Again, Grannie and Grandy helped out.  Dad in the canoe (John had the chilly job of walking/swimming alongside Islay to keep track of her, and a very good job he did too!).  Mum and I were the ground crew and drove ahead to meet them at various points to check they were okay.  Islay stopped earlier than the boys........she got dunked fully under the, rather chilly, water right at the start so got colder much quicker. 

We've talked about doing this for the last couple of summers and it was great to finally manage.  We've learnt a few tips for next year when I'm sure we'll do it again.  Hopefully I'll be able to get wet then too if mum will combine ground crew with babysitting!

Next up was our week long summer holiday on Islay.  Wonderful....and I'll be back to tell you all about it in a day or two......she say rather hopefully!

Take care all and I do hope your summer is going well too.