The first week

Our first breakfast - notice the roaring fire

The first week has been about unpacking and repacking all the things we really really dont have room for....and.....the van.

We took our first walk up to the house on Wednesday.  There was lots of post for us - lots of people sending us cards wishing us well - and even some cards from the postie saing he had parcels too big for our letter box.  Armed with these cards and a bunch of bills, a basket full of washing and a shopping list Jussi took Ailsa swimming.  (The swimming pool is also an internet cafe and launderette).

I used this time to unload more boxes, try to unstick the van and set up the TV.  Good news! - we have good reception on channels 1,2,3 and 4 - much better than we expected.

After about 3 hours J&A returned, exhausted and hungry, with, amongst other things, a parcel from Claire and Shaun.  This contained all kinds of goodies to get us started - and thoroughly welcome it was too.  The posh choccy shortbread disappeared in milli-seconds - thanks guys!

I'd asked Jussi to buy some stuff for tea.  She brought home a leek.  "But it cost 63p!" she exclaimed vehemently in her defence.

So with that and the last of the Crunchy Carrot Veg box (I think this is the last time I'll be able to get a plug in for the crunchy carrot) and some aduki beans I made a quite a tasty soup (I can hear Gillian - "Come on Simon, surely it was the best soup ever...)

A new duty for Ailsa

Our cottage, already stuffed full of boxes, was now covered with wet washing.  A bit later it was hung out on the washing line - not to dry you understand, it rains far too much for that - but just to get it out of the way.  This system creates a rather exciting task for Ailsa in mornings.  It's her job to go chasing over the common grazings collecting all the washing that has been blown off the washing line.