Friends . Day Out

 No photos today.. mostly I was too busy driving!

Pirate couldn't get himself up and running properly, so despite being up at 6.30am we didn't leave until two hours afterwards...but it did mean that we heard our favourite Radio Scotland programme "out of doors  " which runs from 6.30 to 8am!  

We didn't guess this week's Mystery Sound....it was the sound of underwater noise pollution that fish and sea mammals have to endure....

Off into the dawn..I wish we had one of those pull down visors on the car that busy have! It was a beautiful sunrise and sky.

A quick stop in Castle Douglas to post my NHS "poo test" sample..quick and painless every couple of years...and worth doing. We get these automatically until we are 75, and can request them after that with no bother.

Then on to Southerness for coffee with a friend and his son. They have a cottage they rent out for holidays next to theirs, and Saturday is Changeover day...except that this week the annual Council checkover will take place, so that they can stay on the list of arrived properties.

Then Kirkcudbright to buy a present for a special friend...and we went around the coast road for a nice change.

A quick stop in Palnackie on the way there to eat a sandwich near the harbour..where construction work is going on...a good sign....and the small tall ship was in the wee harbour too. Her name is La Malouine.

Then back to Castle Douglas to meet another friend...he is a forester and tree feller, but also makes things in wood!

Several seasonal and anniversary presents sorted....then lunch in our favourite cafe, a wander around the high street and home as day faded to night.

Party!!

 A lovely family party with friends...sixteen plus six assorted children!!!

Just up the hill from where we are staying.

Then a walk down a steep zigzag path

And along the bottom road back to "home", past a huge Pohukatawa (NZ Christmas tree) with its red flowers and Norfolk Pine behind it.

And opening our cards and presents....

Special biscuits from our coach here, and beautiful gifts from Peter and Laura in Waikouati.

A perfect day. Thanks to all xx

And today we can already hear motorbikes warming up for the Cemetery Circuit street motorcycle racing this afternoon....

Biscuits!

 

Ok...read those pictures backwards!!

Biscuit success...all I have to do is a couple more batches. Then pack and send as gifts.....

Success...a good day

 The glass is all in, the outside step is fixed and the dangerous trip hazard hole filled with cement.

Three parcels have been sent out , and when I turned the computer on to add the tracking numbers, another bike bit had sold!! 

So Pirate celebrated our good day by buying my Xmas present.....

He did object however that he has to wait until Hogmanay to taste the Black Bun that I baked last night...flour is on the shopping list now, and fruit cake on the making list!!

Back Home

We returned home to two parcels...one for Pirate...and one for me...

Thanks Steve, a nice welcome home from a fellow blogger, at Shadows and Light and far more interesting than catching up on washing and cleaning!
Today's other job should be mowing a lawn, but after yesterday's rain and today's damp air it looks like we will be weeding a patio and bramble clearing. We haven't had a chance to work in this garden since March and it gets overgrown the minute you turn your back!

ready for weather

Two wedding presents..the vane and the compass points...up and just about working.
The vane needs tweaking forward..its back wheel heavy...

Not that Archie's racing pigeons notice...

2016....nearly gone...

 We've been walking...when its been too windy to be awheel....

 and catching the fresh air and sun, occasionally.

 Presents from The Wizzard and his Lady...

 and making a present for Woodchip....

 and wearing presents...

 half an hour left of this year...with a jug made by Hannah...

Slainte....Blwyddyn Newydd Dda.....Here's to a good New Year...

presents

This year cash is tight...so no special presents.

Everyone will receive the same...a box containing homemade sweets and biscuits fun to make, good to receive and only costing £15 to make a lot. The main cost will be posting a few of them...

preparations

 My brother (the hairy one on the left, with the Tipi) is the advance party of those staying here and locally for The Pirate's Birthday.
 The gazebo is my present to The Pirate.

 The Cake!!  Made by "Auntie Beryl", mum of one of the Ayr Roads Cycling Club

 The Pirate mending his pew, which came from Maybole Church, and will be taken to The Club Hut ready for the party.....and mowing the grass by the hut!!

No, not the field,...... really!!

We've been busy sorting B&B accommodation for friends and family, working out what food to buy when, cleaning the house and finishing off all our grassmowing jobs.....we'll need a holiday after this!!    Still, he isn't 75 every day!

xmas presents

The next generation of Artist Designers has arrived!!  Mugs designed by the Boys.

Daughter felt a bit odd giving mugs to a potter, but these are priceless.

The Pirate meanwhile is chuckling as he reads his present..."Fifty Sheds of Grey"....