Plenty of jobs outside, especially as the weather is continuing to be sunny

Very fortunate to be able to get supplies from Rembrand, the builders merchant in Oban. In the past have only used them for timber, but find that they also have general building items. So cement, postcrete and ballast were also delivered with the fencing, gravel boards and fence posts.

 Built some steps and cut them into the bank in the hidden garden. Then yesterday l was able to make up concrete and bed them in. If the weather remains dry, Judith will infill and sculpture the bank, topping the inserts with grey slate chippings.

 Bring up some moss covered logs from the bottom of our wood to start dressing the hidden woodland garden. As we cleared the area at the back of the house, we took all the moss from the top layer of clay and transported into the hidden garden along with many of our potted fir trees and beech saplings. Also bedded in my cherished monkey puzzle tree, a present from friends in the south. It seems to really enjoy the extra nutrients. 

 Clouds are starting to build up, but it's not expected to turn chilly and wet until the weekend. So will have to crack on.

 Cut out the fire pit and bedded in the fire bricks prior to topping it with the steel frame.

 Now with the benefit of supplies, l have been able to start repairing the old stone wall between neighbours and ourselves. Bit of a struggle getting to both sides of the wall. Its a very thick stone wall, so l have to erect a system of  ladders to get to the other side.

Cold frames doing well, but the seeds in the raised beds are not appearing as yet.

The front garden is starting to establish itself as the flowers settle in and start to spread. once the lock down is over we should be able to bulk it up with new plants. 

 Bags of supplies lined up in the front, already for making steps, walls, fences and laying slabs. plenty to do and keep us busy.

Plenty of plants waiting to be moved to the Japanese garden in the back, although we have lots of hard landscaping to complete before they can be bedded in.

The hosta's are doing really well after the initial setback when the deer trimmed the first shoots back to the ground. Being in pot, we were able to get them hidden until they became mature enough not to be a temptation.

Hidden garden, not looking too great at present, but the basics are now in place, and the plants and trees just need to become established. Hard landscaping needs to be finished off, especially the small G&T patio near the base of the steps. A real  sun trap as the sun ends the day and slips behind the mountains. 

Horsetail/ Marestail

We have managed to kill most of ours, but the plot next to us is inundated with it

Very pleased with the wild garlic in the hidden garden. Hopefully it will spread and fill up the holes. Need to keep watering due to the Mediterranean climate 

 We spend all day Friday working on the hidden garden, finishing off the steps and planting ferns from the bottom of the wood. Also brought up plenty of logs to add to the garden.

 On Thursday we set the fire bricks into place, and today we added the heavy fire surround we had welded together. Looking good. Need to just add some more sand to the centre and cut a grill to rest on the top. Just in case we decide to heat up the pot.

Judith can now move the earth around the fire pit, prior to laying weed resistant matting and topping with stone pebbles. Presently discussing the options. But the price variations make me take a big intake of breath. Whistle and try and use my best negotiating skills on Judith to see my point of view. That of buying the local, most reasonable chips. Prices vary between, £20 ton(local) £88 bag (800 kilo) or self compacting at £180 bag.
From my point of view when we need at least 12 ton, the £20 local stone looks very appealing.

 The pond had really done well. Its bubbling with life. 

Pond-skaters

Water snails

Water beetles

Water boatmen

Larvae (possibly caddisfly, alderfly, dragonfly and damselfly )

Tadpoles

Newts 

along with frogs and toads in abundance

And of course the birds love it as do the deer.

The fig tree is starting to get its legs. We had one at the other house, and that is absolutely massive now, although it hasn't produced any fruit. Could be the weather.

Saturday, and the Roe deer woke me up early at 5am, barking away. Someone hasn't told him that the rut doesn't start till July/August. Read recently that once the deer is fertilised the egg doesn't start maturing until January. Then they give birth in May or June. The reason for this is to allow them a better chance of survival. They seem to have a good survival rate in our patch, we have had twins born on our land most years since moving into Innellan. 

At this time of year they have a lovey red coat, but this turns greyish as they go into winter. Even though they have destroyed some of our sapling trees, l still enjoy seeing them around the place. We just have to make sure our young trees are protected. A small price to pay.


So still across the water today, its like a mill pond. Not a breath of wind about. But according to the forecast its all about to change for the worse.

The reflections in the water from  across the water at Wemyss Bay in Renfrewshire are a testament to the stillness. Must say that l always thought that the land mass across from us was Ayrshire. Just goes to show how ignorant l am.Must get out more!

 sun is still out as we head to the corner shop to collect the weekly newspaper and the odd supplies, fresh milk, eggs, couple of rolls. Try to support the community shop throughout the week.

No wind today, and the sea is calm, although there is a mist in the distance. Must be the warmth of the sea against the cold air.

Getting rid of the evidence, ready for another lock down, and the occasional alcoholic drink, or perhaps two. 

Three locations in one photo. Toward in the fore with the Isle of Bute behind, and Arran towering behind that.

Couldn't walk by this glorious scene of the subtle pink from the clematis, punctuated by the colourful cloths pegs, as we walked by some of the tenements on South Campbell Road.    

Mist rising over the water.

The blue denotes where we live across from Wemyss Bay 

A day makes all the difference. The wind is blowing a gale from the arctic North and its freezing outside. Yesterday was shorts and a T shirt. Today its layers with thermals and winter hat and gloves.

 Clouds flying by over the water.

 Plenty of rain, but fortunately for us, not in Innellan. It stayed in the South

Still managed a little work outside. But by midday it was time to head in doors, make some fresh bread, the dinner of Pork Wellington and relax doing accounts and lazing about with a double espresso in hand. Exchanging the coffee for a refreshing G&T aperitif and a couple of glasses of Rioja to wash down the dinner before falling asleep in front of the box. Well its what old men are supposed to do, isn't it?