Hi All! Everyone ready for Christmas??! I am in my usual state of disorganisation. I will get around to sending your chrimbo  cards out - honest!! I haven't gotten around to even writing in them yet! I will i will!!

Mum and dad are coming next week....can't wait! Only 9 sleeps til they get here! Hurry up ma n pa...drive carefully obviously...but get here quick!

Busy week ahead. We are going out for dinner with friends tomorrow night and then it is our respective christmas meals on Saturday. Nick has employed one of our friends daughters as a receptionist just so that we can get a lift home with her parents!! He has promised to keep an eye on her for the night! She is only 16....not so sure he is the right volunteer to look out for a gorgeous 16 year old twin!! Hope Donald and Rosalie aren't looking at this! Nicks gang are having a very typical roudy ceidlidh and we more sophisticated ones are having a lovely meal at a local seafood restaurant.

 

The kids have their carol service at school on Thursday and then their party - glad rags at the ready.....you all know Holly! No such thing as less is more with her - more bling the better.

 

Friday is the last day of term, so high jinks all round! Order of the day is to run around like headless chickens and to get everything ready for mum and dad!

 

I am back to work the day after boxing day (boo) bloody NHS!! But then, it will probably mean that everyone else will have done in the bathroom and have lunch on the go by the time that I get home at 1!!

 

Nick had decided that a New Years Eve party is the order of the day! So Saturday and Sunday will, no doubt, be spent organising food and drink for the hundred odd (I hope that I am being really silly with that guesstimate!!) guests. I have to work New Years day at 9am!! So that should be interesting!

 

We are invited to a bonfire party on new years day in the afternoon over on the mainland at Ardmaddy Castle. It is to celebrate the new year and one of Holly's friends (Davey) birthday. But it is a surprise.....so shhhhh!!

 

I have attached a few photos for you to have a peep at. Some aerial photos of Balvicar...the village that we live in - well, we live just outside the village....our house is just off the photo to the left as you look at it. There is also one of our house, we were sucked into buying them at the door!!. We are such mugs! But they are really cool. The one of the house depicts our normal weekend routine..nick mowing the grass half naked, bikes everywhere....dustbins by the dozen at the gate..big bag of gravel...spookily no dogs or children....no blue car....wonder where we were. Feels like we were being spied on!! Big brother is watching!!!

 

Did anyone see us on TV tonight? It was on Ch 5 at 9pm. It was the New Life in the Country programme. About a couple from Sheffield relocating here and renovating an old tin church. Lovely photography of the island...Nick feels sure that it will have made house prices shoot up again!! Wishful thinking maybe! If you missed it it will soon be on the 5 life channel!

 

Anyway, better get off now. Have a lovely christmas everyone, we will be back in old Keg in Feb for a few days - so hopefully will catch up with a few of you all soon. Keep in touch. Send emails and pictures. If anyone sees Louise tell her to pencil me in for my hair do around Feb 16th 2007!! I can never get her at home!

See u all soon

Love

 

Kaz

xxxxxxxxxx

 

Well, lots of catching up. I have been a bit slack about keeping up to date - so that probably means that you have given up looking! Well just on the off chance that you take a peek, I will add some more info and pics.

 

So, what has happened since the summer?? We have been up and down the road a few times to see you all and of course to see the Robster!

Nick and I went to see Robbie in september - it was a bit like planes trains and automobiles! We caught the train to Glasgow and had a nice day mooching around Glasgow some yummy nosh at Wagamamas (so sophisticated compared to Oban!) then we flew to East Mids, Clare and Ade kindly put us up then we were picked up by Claire and Jason and driven to Milton Keynes for the gig. We stayed in a cool hotel with a gym and pool. We had gold circle bands so we turned up at the gig just as the main man was coming on. We snook clare into the gold circle by sliding our bands off. She was wetting her knickers thinking she would get chucked out!! Such a goody two shoes!

 

The boy did good, it has to be said. Although it wasn't as good as Knebworth! We were in the gold circle there too so were a bit spoiled. I will add a few photos - Clare was supposed to be emailingme more....ahem, Clare.....when you are ready. We drove back to Keg the next day, then flew to Glasgow, train to Oban and car back to Seil island! How cool?? Bloody knackered for a week afterwards though!!

 

We have just about finished the kitchen and it is looking fab! There should be photos here.

 

In October I had a birthday and Nick gave me a fab surprise! He bought me a new car. He and the kids did loads of sneaking around - which did cause me to be suspicious but I didn't know what was going on! So take a look at the photos to see what I got! Not the most practical car for a family of 4 with 2 dogs and living in ARgyll where it rains all the time!

 

Holly and Joe had their birthdays last week - holly was ten and had 4 friends over for a false nail painting party and 'sleep over' (I use the term sleep very loosely!) For their tea they finished up with a chocolate fountain...not a good idea...ended up a chocolate and saliva cocktail! Ughh!

Joe had a footy party with a couple of his pals then tea in town and back to seil for a video fest. He had a great time and was much more civilised than his big sister!

 

So we are now planning for christmas and I am as disorganised as usual! Ihaven't bought a thing. I have no idea what to give to the kids - they were given what they asked for for their birthdays and haven't asked for anything else! So Now I have now idea where to start. So a trip to Glasgow calls! Aaaggh!

 

We aren't coming back to Keg til next year. It will be in half term. It seems such a long time since we saw you all and we are missing you heaps...specially mum and dad, pete and mary and Lucy & Matt. Can't wait to come back and see you all.

 

You all know that Brenda has been ill for the summer and so to update you - she is doing much better. She has been home for a month and is getting quickly back to normal. She is looking forward to a noisy christmas and new year with us all.

 

Its going to be pretty hectic here! My mum and dad are coming for christmas and new year (YAY!!!!) and Lucy and Matt may come on over too. Fingers crossed! So Wesleys B&B is going to be heaving! Can't wait! Mum will have her work cut out cleaning up after this lot!!

 

Well, I had better go and keep trawling t'internet for chrimbo pressies!! HAVE A GOOD ONE!!!!

Hello All! Just a quickie....yeah yeah...I know you have heard it before and I will still be waffling on at christmas!

We saw some of you a couple of weekends ago when we made an impromptu visit to Kegworth. Only for a couple of nights but it was lovely to catch up - if a little knackering! It was great to see all of the St Georges cross flags decorating the village...fingers crossed they stay up a while longer! Joe has now put one up on the outside of our house...hope we don't lose a window or two as a result!!

 

We were down to dismantle our 'new to us' kitchen. I know, only us could be mad enough to buy a kitchen off ebay and  for it to be in Stoke!! But the kitchen is fab. We are really pleased. It only arrived on Monday and already the base units and work tops are installed! Take a look at the photos of the works in progress. I will add to it when we have finished.

 

This weekend was the islands highland games. It is much more for the children and families than the traditional 'heavy' stuff. Although there were still a few Jocks tossing cabers and hammers etc. Joe won a small fortune which he spent on sweeties and had a stash of 4 of the coveted slate medals, Holly won 2 but had much more fun posing with her pals! She did the hill run...and believe me the hills are hills around here! She ran the whole way round and beat several girls much older than her! Nick and I were stewards - looking stunning in our bright yellow vests so we didn't get to take part ourselves - although Nick did the cross country run and the hill run. He couldn't walk the next day! The ceidlidh at night was a blast as usual. Even Nick will get up and take a turn around the dance floor now! he is getting quite good at the gay gordons, the dashing white seargent and the canadian barn dance! What a hoot. Holly is very good at it and didn't sit a single dance out! She didn't want to come home at midnight with her old ma and pa and stayed to sing auld lang syne with her friend and her friends parents brought her home at 1.30 am! What a party animal!

 

Yesterday was sports day at school. It was a beautiful day - glorious sunshine and the field is right beside the shore..stunning. Nick won the dads race - and I won the mums race!! It was the sack race...never let it be said that we aren't good in the sack!!! Hollys clan came third in total and Joe's clan came first. Although both won 4 medals each.

 

Finally, we can breathe a sigh of relief. It seems that Bella isn't having pups. Good job too - slip of a girl that she is! I don't think that I told you what happened. A couple of months ago, Bella was in her first season. Right near the end - after about 3 weeks of keeping her in - no walks, no off lead runs, not allowed in the garden on her own - she sneaked out into the garden through the cat flap and the local farm dog jumped over the fence and humped her. When i opened the gate to let chase him off she followed him begging for more - strumpet. I was wearing nothing more than a pair of old Pyjamas (I was painting in them) and nothing on my feet). So I am running along the road in the pouring rain (surprise surprise) trying to chase the beastie off my little princess screaming at the top of my voice - in my pyjamas. Meanwhile they were humping all the way down the lane. I finally caught her about a mile down the road, little hussey. I had to take her for 'emergency contraception' at the vets. Cost me 30 quid and a stiff talking to about responsible parenting from the vet! The jag that she was given is about 95% effective...so we have waited with baited breath. No signs of babies so far. Now we just have to look out for a nice posh boyfriend for her.....;O)

Anyway, see you all this weekend. School ends tomorrow for 7.5 weeks YAY!! We will drive down to Glasgow after tea and fly to East Mids. Hope to catch up with as many of you as poss over the weekend but bare in mind that we won't have a car...so you will  have to come to mums!! See you all soon,

Love,

We are just back from Dundee. We had a brill weekend! The weather stayed fine, we had some good food, met up with our friends Jo & Nick and a few tipples to boot. What more could you ask for???

 

We left Seil on Friday afternoon - set off twice (I left my jeans on the ironing board then never wore them!!) I really could have done with a visit Lou my friend who doubles up as my hair dresser! My roots were looking very grim indeed. I still go back to Kegworth to get my hair done! I don't think that Louise does anyone elses hair that travels 400 miles to see her!!

 

A beautiful drive across country and we arrived in Dundee - the city of discovery at dinner time. Our hotel was like fawlty towers - I kid you not. The land lady greeted us with "ARe you here for the concert.....how come you got tickets to both days, thats just not bloody fair, all the tickets went to England(...pulled no sway when we told her we lived in Scotland!)" She then went on to inform us that if we wanted breakfast it was before 9.30 sharp, to be out of our rooms at 10 or they just won't get cleaned....she was too busy to hang about and that we were to vacate our room on Sunday morning by 10.30 and no later. ...er Hello, we just traveled 100 miles and are paying good money to stay here....;o) Scarey lady!

 

We had a first class meal in a restaurant called 'Bon Appetit' - Delicious food and excellent service. We then checked in on Jo and Nick and crew who were still slogging away in the tent at Camperdown park. We had a quick tipple then got off home.

 

Saturdays concert was ace - my highlights were Corinne Bailey Rae and Snow Patrol. We were given VIP passes which enabled us to go into the guest area - nice, clean toilets, no queue in the beer tent and a seating area or two. We mingled with the radio 1 DJ's and their family and friends. Lee got his tshirt signed by anyone he could grab and then proceeded to schmooze the weekend away with Edith Bowmans mum! Firm friendship formed there - he is already booked into her B&B!!

 

Sunday was Nicks birthday and he enjoyed another great day! We got photos with most of the DJ's, went backstage and saw Pink! We were proper star struck groupies! We enjoyed the whole days music but for me...The feeling, Franz Ferdinand and Keane did it! We had an excellent view from the lighting deck with Jo & NIck. I am sure that we were completely under foot but they were great and didn't kick us out - although Lee might have been pushing his luck when he turned up with Ediths mum to watch Pink - cos she couldn't see from the floor!! What is he like??!!

 

It was really interesting to watch Jo, Nick and their team at work - its funny how you just take the lights for granted....you should all take notice next time...a lot of work goes into it all!

 

Well, its nice to be home and to see the kids....I am sure that I will get over that feeling soon! I did miss my dogs too. Bella is  in season and keeps escaping...we might be playing guess the daddy in a few months...god I hope not!

 

I don't think that I have anything else to add except for a huge thanksto Jo,Nick,Phil,Jake and all the rest of the crew who answered questions (1000's!!) tripped over us without moaning and provided us with a great weekend, good goss whenever possible and of course our tickets!!

 

Well, thats it. We said goodbye to Ruffy last weekend. It was really, really, really sad! I blubbered and then had a  really bad head - but that was maybe the wine drank the night before with JAson and Claire!!

She has gone to a super family in Strontian. They live on a croft and have 2 other ponies. They rang to let us know how she is getting on and they said that she is behaving beautifully, that the little boy, Arran is getting on very well with her. They were off to pony club this weekend. Holly is gutted that she has gone to a boy but she did like them and the family. They also invited us up in the summer for the day to see her and they said that Holly could ride their other pony if she liked. So it seems that all is well.

 

As I said before, Claire and Jason and their daughter Ellie came for a visit last weekend. It was lovely to see them, a good giggle and Ellie has grown so much - its been a year since we saw them last.

 

Mum and dads visit over easter was Fab. We had such a great time - just chillin' and taking it easy. We went to Mull for the day which was great. We did  abit of walking and a lot of talking. Polished off a bit of food and wine! Had to take the bottles down the village hall recycling thing in several loads....don't want the neighbours seeing how much we had polished off!

 

It was horrible when they went home, though. It makes me really homesick when they have been! We are going down to see them in June so not too long to wait.

 

The weather here has been gorgeous the last 4 days. So Nick has just about crippled himself gardening! The kids have been outside all day. The Famous long argyll days are fast arriving. It is nearly 10pm now when it goes dark. It happens all at once too. At easter..it was going dark at about 8pm.

 

Holly entered the Lorn and Islands music festival. The choir came 4th and she entered the solo competition and did really well! She got 87%. She sang beautifullly. Joes class entered the action song section. They were sooo cute. The whole school entered the ensemble section too. They also did an action son about a caterpilla...it was very funny!

 

Joe's is finally riding his bike without trainer wheels. And is starting to use his brakes rather than any other static object to crash into in order to stop!!!

 

I am trying to add a section where you can click on links to our videos. Take a look - but bear with me it might take a couple of days to sort it out!!

 

Well, Holly is coping very well without Ruffy. She is spending all day Sunday up at the Riding school. They ride for an hour then spend the day leading tourists out on a hack, grooming ponies and mucking out. Then they get to ride bare back up to the fields with the ponies in the evening! Thats her fave bit of the day!

 

So Joe's treat today is a trip to the rare breeds park. Will let you know how we get on later!

Take care, keep in touch and see most of you in June.

Love

Well,all. Easters almost here! And my mum and dad will be here on Saturday - can't wait!! My mum is really worried that I have published the fact that they will be away to the world wide web - so just incase anyone out there was planning anything, my scavanging brother and his wifey will be practically living there - raiding the freezer and cupboards - probably even having house parties.....so think twice!!

 

Mum has her birthday whilst they are here and Nick and I celebrate our wedding anniversary - 14yrs ( God knows how we did that!!) So we are off to the Willowburn Hotel - a little known hostelry on our island. Fabulous food and wine for the select few! I don't think that I should even write this here.....they are always booked up when I ring to book! Probably will be worse now!

 

The kids are on holiday from school for easter so its late nights and sleeping in for 2 weeks!! The sun isn't going down til about 8.30 now so they are out til dusk, playing! Our new trampoline came the other day (out old one blew away in a gale!) Its massive! and there is a huge dome tent attached to it! The kids love it - and when I say the kids.... I mean the whole islands kids!! It is proving a very popular attraction on seil island!

 

Holly saved her pocket money and bought herself a new bike. Its purple! Of course! No other colour was even entertained! She is pleased as punch with it. Bless her!

 

Joe is still stashing his hourdes of cash in the bank....I think he will be a wealthy man one day!

 

My mum has figured out how to use the "t'internet"!! Finally. She now sends us emails daily and we have web chats a couple of times a week! It is lovely to be able to see her. The kids think it is great! Dad is a whizz on the puter anyway so not much to teach him....infact.... we have a spare puter upstairs for the kids and we need to figure out how to share our broadband connection between the two....might have to set him on when they come up here!

 

I have tried to upload some more pics of the ickle lambs out in the back field - they are soooo sweet! And also of the snow last week, but msn seems to be playing up. I will keep trying.

 

A few messages!

 

Clare and ADe, Not heard from you for a while.....are you out there??? Clare, you are crap at sending emails!! You broke your new years resolution already!! Paul & Jo - don't despair, I have Bekka's birthday pressie here. I just keep forgetting to wrap it and send it. Give her a big kiss and tell her that we are just trying to make her birthday an even longer day.....ok so several weeks is stretching it a bit...but she knows how disorganised we are!

Charlie and Dem,,,the easter bunny left all of your easter eggs here in scotland! So nanny and granpa will bring them down for you!

 

Well all, I will shut up now!

Keep well and keep in touch!

Love

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So that was it for another year! Done and dusted. I waited til today to write about it because I thought - you know - slow post - takes a little while longer to reach up here....(not really but I can dream/hope!) No more came through the letter box this morning. Och well, didn't want to get into trouble with the post office people - you know - hurting the posties back with a very heavy bag. Probably better that I only got the one hand delivered one anyway!!

 

I did get one, from my beloved. I am not being ungrateful! It was a very sweet hand made kind with a sweet message inside. I sent one to him too - I made it though! I also gave him a mug with love heart sweets printed on it and an aloe vera plant. Yay! Don't I just know how to treat ma man??!!

 

                                                                                                                 

 

Let me know how you all fayred. Hope it was a good one! I have attached a pic of 'the' one and only card. Try your hand at my little quiz too.

 

 

 

Loads a lerv

Well,here we are once again. Back to work and all the other stuff. Had a lovely weekend at mum and dads, though.

We flew down on Friday evening afterwork and arrived at mums at about 10.30pm. Caught up with Lucy and Matt who FORCED me to abandon my 'alcohol free nuts and pulses' lifestyle in favour of the red stuff!! We all talked the night away - even the olds stayed up past their bedtimes! The chimes of 2am and a dry wine rack forced us all into our beds! 

 

Saturday was a sad day, my uncles funeral. A grand send off for a grand man. It is always the case though, that these funerals are one of the few times that the entire family get together. So many reacquaintences with cousins and old family freinds were made.Many photos flashed, Email addresses and phone numbers exchanged with promises of keeping in touch without the need for a death in the family!

 

Nick snook off during the wake to see his granny in Sheffield. Where he had to ring our 9 year old daughter to find out the flat number! And he reckons that granny is forgetful???

 

Back to mum and dads for tea, bringing with us my long lost cousin, John. John lived with our family for years - well he was there before me and left when he moved in with his fiance. So much catching up went on.

 

We had a fab chinese meal - from our favourite restaurant. The Chinese in Oban is pretty good but the one in Kegworth is fab!! We often step into mum and dads and pop straight out to the take away for our favourite dishes. The wine flowed once again (after replenishing the rack!!). I had to surrender at midnight though! The rest partied on into the wee hours!

 

Sunday, I managed to catch up with a few friends and thoroughly enjoyed mums sunday roast!! Wicked! Roast beef, yorkshire puddings and lovely thick gravy....yum yum!!! No one, makes sunday roasts like my mum, believe me. You may think that your mums are pretty good, and they probably are, but my mums are better!

 

Clare and Ade (friends of ours) are away in Tenerife. I just checked the weather forcast and it says that it is raining a little bit. Shame . Just kidding guys!!

 

Well, thats all folks. Look after yourselves.

Lots of love

 

 

 

 

 

Hey y'all! You probably guessed that we are coming on down to Keg this weekend. We are leaving the children for a proper weekend of ruination with their nanny and grandad!

 

Nick and I fly down on Friday night and fly back on Sunday afternoon. We have to attend a funeral on Saturday so not sure how much time we will have in good old Keg. Should have time to catch up with mum and dad and my brothers, their spouses and various offspring (and ponies of course!) Hopefully will squeeze a quick cuppa or 'something' in with friends in Keg too.

 

It will be quite a luxury to fly down, just the two of us! When we have previously flown, we have had Holly and Joe to prize away from the one arm bandits and the shoot em up games. And I will feel forever sorry for the lady in the very pale business suit who drew the short straw and ended up sat next to Joe in the plane. Especially when he plonked his chocolate covered hands on her knee and said, look at that out there, you can see to infinity and beyond out there! Bless! She will always wish that she had given up her reserved seat and let the wee fella have the window seat!! heeh!! Holly however, spent the whole hours journey boring this poor chap about her pony. He was obviously knackered (9.30pm on a friday night!) and she kept saying , are you listening? Can you hear me?? I thought that she was going to test him to see if he was listening properly!!

 

Well, the weather is pretty rotten here! Wet, wet, wet and cold and windy. Poor old pony is covered from head to toe in mud. Haven't been able to take off her rug for days. Just keep sticking my hand under the rug and I can't feel any ribs so all must be well!!  Joe was out flying his kite in the back field yesterday. It was so high that almost the whole string was out and grandad could see it from the other side of the hill!! I have tried to upload a rubbish photo of him but it won't do it for some reason!

 

I smell dinner burning, so had better go and rescue it!

Keep well, love to you lot,

Hehe!! How clever am I? I managed to add windows media player and to upload my fave boy!! (you may recall that I like the Robster a wee bit!)  Robbie AND horses in one video!!! A few of my favourite things??!! How cool is that???I am dead chuffed with myself - not bad for an old bird eh??  

The weather is bit milder here - milder than I hear that you lot are getting down south!! Nick and I sat outside on the deck last night. He lit the burner - you know Nick and his fires! The stars were fantastic. Owls hooting, the odd fox and Bella (our pup) yapping away at tourists daring to stagger back to the holiday chalets after a night at the T&T!! A glass of the old red stuff warming nicely by the fire..hmmm can life get better??

 

Tonight we have a quiet night in. Holly is sleeping over at her pal Rachels and Joe is off to his friend, Beths for the night - who knows whats in store!!

 

The DIY stand off is about to come to an end! Nick has decided that the woodburning stove in our sitting room is too big and so his parents are going to buy it for their new house and we will buy a smaller one with the money! So we are shopping for a smaller stove. You all know what he is like! He has been hacking the garden to bits too. He has taken down the pergola and lopped the height of the railings around the deck and moved lots of plants around. Looks very nice although he has a face as long as a wet weekend because I have been figuring out how to upload Robbie to our blog site whilst he was doing all of this! Face Ache!

 

Anyway, love to you lot. Keep warm!

Love