Jonathan's returm

Thursday 9th August
Another lovely day.Helen arrived and we looked at my suit for the wedding. Was going to sponge skirt myself, but decided not to risk it, so she’s taking it to a reliable cleaner.I think she may be kidding. but she says that everyone’s wearing hats to the wedding! Haven’t worn a hat in years, except in winter- for warmth.

Margo and John and the three bairns came to finish tidying front garden having picked up Jonathan on his return from Aberdeen Music Festival. It was great to see him and he seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed himself. There were choirs there from all over the world and as well as doing lots of concert they were able to socialise, going to a musical show a ceilidh, a disco etc..Couldn’t believe it when he sent me a text message 1.40 am one morning!

Keir and Ailie brought the cd rom of “Music Island Adventure” they won at the Fringe show, so they let me see it. It’s great and a they were enjoying doing all the games and learning at the same time. I’ve ordered one for Douglas and Robert.

Friday,10th August

Visit from Stuart bringing me lovely photo of him with Lisa. He took me to my doctor’s appointment, then to hairdresser. They’re off on holiday to Corfu for two week.

Lovely to meet Jan in the Co-op with her wee ones.They are so sweet and friendly, though they must be quite a handful for her. I think she’s amazing doing all the things she does.Was great having a chat face to face and we seemed to cover quite a few topics in a short time. Had a good laugh about the “shepee”. Dick picked me up and I had lunch with him and Joyce. They’re off to Barcelona in three weeks.

Caught up with housework in afternoon, then had a wee rest before going to the play “Catriona” in the Goth. It was excellent and so imaginatively done.The company had adapted the story themselves, so that the characters from “Kidnapped” were seen to be persuading Stevenson to tie up the loose ends of their story and write a sequel -hence “Catriona”. Jean and Louise came in for a cup of tea and enjoyed blethering until about 11.30. That's me, who's usually in bed before 10!!

New neighbour

Wednesday, 8th August

Another beautiful day. Lots of sparrows and my pair of blackbirds in the garden. They seem to know the drill and wait until I’ve taken Lucy in before I bring out the goodies. They were joined by some young starlings, so there was a lot of competition. Later I went out to do some dead heading and the blackbirds hopped around my feet. Kay phoned from the beach at North Berwick. I said I hoped they weren’t playing in a boat! Managed to hang out washing before Margaret arrived to help. I must say it always gives me a feeling of satisfaction, watching sheets blowing gently on such a day as this. Tumble dryers are wonderful when it’s raining though. Oh, how I wish I’d had one when the twins were wee. All those terry towelling nappies!

New neighbour, Karen, asked me over for cup of tea. Enjoyed our chat and she says she’s very happy in her new home. They’ve done a lot of work in the house and garden already. Later, Rita came and we had a look through my knitting patterns, but couldn’t find the one she was looking for .Went out a walk. View over the Forth from the top of Gardiner Road was outstanding. I never tire of it

Margo phoned to say that the show they saw was really good, but there were only fifteen people there. Keir won a CD of it, so they’re bringing it to let me see tomorrow. Arthur arrived and printed out a song he wants to learn. The band is playing at a wedding in Dynamic Earth on Friday

Happy Visit, Snails, Poem

Tuesday. 7th August

Pretty sore this morning, but I think it’s because I slept so late. I'm like the "Tin Man', I need an oil can. Kay arrived with the boys and their wee cousin, Alexander, who is twenty one months. What a happy wee soul and so loving. Every time we hummed a tune, he started dancing and he takes delight in everything. Kay went for my prescription and he was quite happy to stay with me. We wandered round the garden so that Douglas and Robert collected petals to take home to press. Of course he wanted to join in too.

After they were away, found three snails near my two biggest hostas, which are nearly eaten away.Have tried eradicating them with beer and slug pellets, but nothing seems to work. Hate actually killing any creature, so put them in compost bin. They’ll maybe chomp away in there for a wee while. On the other hand they may get bigger and bigger, escape and eat all my plants! I’m reminded of this poem.

For a Five-Year-Old

A snail is climbing up the window-sill
into your room, after a night of rain.
You call me in to see, and I explain
that it would be unkind to leave it there:
it might crawl to the floor; we must take care
that no one squashes it. You understand,
and carry it outside, with careful hand,
to eat a daffodil.

I see, then, that a kind of faith prevails:
your gentleness is moulded still by words
from me, who have trapped mice and shot wild birds,
from me, who drowned your kittens, who betrayed
your closest relatives, and who purveyed
the harshest kind of truth to many another.
But that is how things are: I am your mother,
And we are kind to snails.

Fleur Adcock, Poems 1960-2000

Holidaymaker's return

Monday, 6th August

I’m becoming a real telly addict. Enjoyed watching another film, “Educating Rita” on Sunday night.. Very funny and it reminded me of my own university experience, Helen came up early and helped me to finish cleaning conservatory. Discussed plans for going to London for Rory and Ian’s civil ceremony next month. Still not very confident about going, as I’m even wary of going to Edinburgh now. However, we’re going by train from Friday till Monday to a nice hotel and I know I’ll be well looked after By Helen and Al.

Margo, John Ailie and Keir arrived. Bairns brought holiday presents of a wee cat ornament and Betty Boop fridge magnet. Margo brought fudge (mmmm), and marmalade assortment. Keir delighted that lettuce he planted in pots had grown. They both wanted to make perfume, with flower petals, so managed to find dishes for them. Good fun. They’d brought loads of stuff for lunch and I didn’t have to do anything. Booked a Festival show for them produced by Margo’s former music teacher.Jonathan still away with his choir at Aberdeen International Music Festival.Just away when Bobby phoned, checking if washing machine ok. Been away fishing all weekend.

Panicked at night, when I thought my hard disk had gone forever. I was trying to put Margo’s photos in a folder and they all appeared on my desktop so couldn’t see it. Arthur said it was just behind them all and retrieved it. Wish I understood computers more. Watched a good programme about Thomas Telford and remembered John explaining how aqueducts work, but I still find the principle quite amazing.

Cinema in the fifties

Sunday, 5th August

Came in front door from church and heard weird noises in conservatory. Arghhhhhhhhhh! A blackbird was fluttering about and cat was trying to catch it.. Managed to bring cat indoors,went out front door, round the back to find the bird sitting on top of the glass door! Poor thing seemed paralysed and no wonder! Tried to tempt it down with bread, but finally gave it a gentle help with a newspaper and it fluttered out. What a mess! The suite was covered in big splodges so cleaned with “Vanish” and hope it hasn’t stained permanently. Cleaned floor a bit, but Margo will help tomorrow when they come to do the garden.

Watched film set in Venice, directed by David Lean and starring Katherine Hepburn and Rossano Brassi. Remember seeing it with John in the Regal cinema in Musselburgh in the fifties.Very romantic and the colour photography was outstanding. It was funny when the sex scene was symbolised by fireworks going off! I'm getting into bad habits, watching films in afternoon

Bamburgh beach

Saturday,4th August

Miss John all the time, but especially at weekends. When trying to put begonias into bigger tubs I was reminded of how he set up an old table for me to work on, so that I wouldn’t have to bend. He was always thinking of ways to make my life easier all through our married life. I’d better stop for the moment, or I won’t be able to see to type this.


Margo phoned to say she’s back and sent me some photographs of Berwick and Bamburgh castle and beach.While they were there a boy and girl were swept out to sea in their dinghy, which capsized. Their father was distraught and tried to reach them.The girl managed to swim ashore but the wee boy was in the water for ages.A passing yacht rescued him before the helicopter arrived,but he was taken away to hospital suffering from hypothermia.Ailie and Keir were pretty frightened and kept asking if the wee boy would be all right. It’s terrifying how quickly accidents like that can happen. I think something similar happened at North Berwick last week and at Port Seton last year a wee boy fell into the harbour while fishing.

Went along to see Joyce. She was so pleased to see me and it makes me ashamed to moan about my aches and pains when I see her falling about all over the place. Told me she had been to see the hovercraft with the day centre. She always keeps so cheerful too. Combed her hair for her and tidied up, but she insisted on making a cup of tea herself. I’m always scared she falls when I’m there as I’d never be able to lift her up. Dick’s baskets are looking lovely.

Lunch in the country

Friday. 3rd August

Tickets arrived this morning for the three shows we’ve booked at the Brunton. Booked tickets for “Catriona” in the Goth next week. Enjoyed my visit to Smeaton gardens with Chris, Ella and Mary. Seemed as if we were far out in the country as lots of sheep in our path and we even saw a deer in the distance.It’s an old walled Garden, with lovely herbaceous plants and apple trees, quinces, pears etc all round the walls. In the old greenhouses were grapes and what we thought might be apricots!. The tearoom was inside an old greenhouse, with oilcloth tablecloths and old fashioned tea sets.Pleasant homely atmosphere and delicious food

Washing machine repair man arrived just after I came home, so everything now under control. Helen arrived with Evelyn and her twins, Eilidh and Rowan. They are so pretty and talented, singing all kinds of songs. Couldn’t believe it when they started telling me about Pride and Prejudice, as they’re only eight. They haven’t read the books obviously, but they compared the characters in the two films with great enthusiasm.

Saw a colourful kite flying over the home.Not a big one, like those down on the links, but an ordinary child’s kite. Reminded me of the ones John used to make for the boys when they were wee. He made them perfectly of course, from garden canes borrowed from my dad, old pieces of brown paper, string and newspaper.My dad used to call them “draigons”. Lots of fun for all concerned.

Jedburgh Abbey

Friday 2nd August

Better day again, so managed to dry clothes. Kay and the boys arrived.They were very excited about being away in their tent.and dying to tell me about it.They also visited Jedburgh, where Douglas was very interested in the abbey and how Robert the Bruce’s heart was buried there. Robert was more interested in the spider story! They were also keen to tell me that Douglas is now a “rookie” lifeguard and can save me if I’m scared in the swimming pool!!! Also Robert can jump in without being caught by his mum and can swim on his own. I just love to hear their stories. Helen arrived, so they told her all about it too..She did my shopping while I was at hairdresser. Enjoyed being at Catherine and Arthur’s for tea again.

Visiting, Knitting, Guides

Thursday Ist August

Knew I should have washed yesterday when it was sunny, but did it anyway hoping the rain would go off. Washing machine didn’t spin properly, so put towels in tumble dryer ( which I’ve been trying to avoid to conserve energy) and ended up hanging them out dripping wet! Bobby’s coming up to try to sort things out. Other than that had a good day.Had a lovely afternoon at Rita’s and admired her latest knitting and patchwork. She bought cotton at Lidl’s and knitted two tops, which only cost about four pounds each and she made up the pattern herself. She inspired me a bit, so I looked out my knitting, which has been languishing in the cupboard for ages and have started knitting one of my baby hats again. They’re quite handy for a wee present, although hand knitted clothes aren’t so popular nowadays.

Listened to programme on radio about 100 years of Scouting and it brought back many happy memories of my time in the Brownies and Guides, I’m glad some of the principles have changed, such as now embracing all races, religions and colours,but some of the main values, I feel are still very relevant today, such as caring for others respect for the environment, learning new skills and how to work as a team. Learning to read an ordnance survey map in the Guides stood me in good stead, when I sat Higher Geography for University entrance!

Picture- Happy camping at Kinross, 1946. I'm fourth from right in front row (with black hair)