Blog

Oct 8th

2023

By donich_admin

Saphy upside down

Saphy enjoying an upside down relax with optional tickles on the spare chair in my office. She quite likes her tummy tickled but is really not keen on being picked up. Amber is even less keen. R has managed it for a brief period of time on a few occasions – but I never have. […]

Oct 5th

2023

By donich_admin

Blackadder Buns and Balsamic Vinegar

These are actually seeded rolls with black olives. I can’t think why they remind me of the episode of Blackadder with the comedy breasts, aka “Devil’s Dumplings”. Actually this is the second time this particular episode has been called to mind this week. The first occasion was the dish served up (I jest you not) […]

Oct 1st

2023

By donich_admin

Some post storm damage

The paths not looking that good, but are largely passable with care.

Sep 28th

2023

By donich_admin

Huge storm

Storm Agnes hit Argyll yesterday with pretty dire consequences for Lochgoilhead. We have had very bad weather here in the past – notably just after we moved in during autumn 2013, and again in spring 2020, but this was the worst yet. According to our rain gauge we received 18cm in twenty four hours. R […]

Sep 25th

2023

By donich_admin

Saphy missing her favourite person

J has gone home now. Saphy loves him much more than either R or myself, and will even sit on his knee for longish periods of time. The picture is of J’s bed with his hoodie lying on it and Saphy lying on his hoodie. She is mourning his departure and the hoodie is all […]

Sep 23rd

2023

By donich_admin

Off on holiday

R and I jetted off to the bright lights of London for a week. This is our first holiday together since 2018. Our first night was staying over at London zoo in the “Lion Lodges” – great fun. This was the painted wall of our lodge. We got three separate private tours of the zoo, […]

Sep 15th

2023

By donich_admin

Mossdale one last time

We went to Mossdale in Dumfrieshire (where my parents used to live). This was really their happiest home- Dad had retired and was free to do the garden and DIY. Mum had lots of friends and was involved with the local community, and also with her art. Sadly, old age and infirmity meant they had […]

Sep 11th

2023

By donich_admin

My Dad died today

RIP John Francis Ellis 1930 – 2023. The picture above is of him with his mother and siblings in the late 1990s. All his brothers and sisters lived into their nineties, and he was the last to go at 93. He died in hospital today. He had a long and full life, and was a […]

Sep 9th

2023

By donich_admin

The combing of Amber

For a cat with such beautiful sleek fur, Amber needs a remarkable amount of grooming. She just loves being combed, and every night, R spends a good ten minutes giving her the proverbial “good going over”. But no matter how often he combs her, more fur comes out – she seems to have an inexhaustible […]

Sep 6th

2023

By donich_admin

My parent’s diamond wedding anniversary

My parents have been married 60 years today. We had planned a big family gathering, and I even arranged for a telegram from the King. Unfortunately, it was not to be, as a week ago, my father fell in the hall at home and fractured his hip. He is now in hospital and has come […]