July is upon us , summer is here, but up on the West coast we are patiently waiting the sun.
The summer storms that decimated parts of France.
At long last manage to get onto Loch Loskin for some early morning fishing. I have been waiting for my new life vest, and at long last it arrived. Went out with Martin, a friend from Kayaking who showed me the ropes.
Was good enough to take me to all the best spots. Managed to bag three beauties. The first of the day was a whopping 2Ib brown trout, who tried everything to shake me off, but l eventually managed to bring him in. The other two were a pound and a half. All were caught on barbless hooks and released whilst still in the water.
The River Masson, another favourite spot.
By the way. That’s my sponge to soak up the water in my kayak. These old spray decks let in a fair amount of water.
A bit choppy on the way back, and rather humid. The winds behind us, so it’s not cooling us off.
Whilst I am out, Judith is back home, feet up, martini in hand.
Ice cold vodka martini. Relaxing in the sun, not a care in the world.
Realised why the sub was so heavily protected, two helicopters and at least ten protection vessels. The submarine was flying an American flag. Their budget must be slightly larger than that of the uk’s.
Another treat from Judith. A Yeti insulated mug. Especially bought for our next cruise. Keeps drinks really cold. Just the ticket for the G&T whilst moving around the deck.
Our first water Lilly this year. For some reason it doesn’t seem to like the pond. Either not enough sun or it’s the wrong plant for this part of the world.
A latecomer, a delicate Aquilegia, hidden under the shadow of the boundary wall.
Gunnera really getting a foot hold. Seems to love the damp boggy area. The run off from our top pond runs around the roots, so it’s constantly damp, even in the height of summer.
Managed to see the two baby deer this evening, frolicking at the bottom of our neighbours land. Cute little things. Must be about two weeks old now.
Two hours on Loch Loskin, first thing this morning. But drew a blank. Initially there wasn’t any wind, and nothing was rising, then it blew a gale. Still pleasant being out on the water, among the varied bird life. A flock of Canada geese decided to land not far away from where l was fishing. Make an almighty disturbance, just when l thought l might be in with a chance. Perhaps a little too warm for the trout.
Rather stormy this morning on Loch Loskin
Fortunately, a few days later, the weather had improved, slight breeze disturbing the surface, and two great fish in the three hours on Lock Loskin.
Both on a dry fly, a Goddard’s Sedge barbless hook. Both released whilst still in the water.
Fortunately for us up in the North, our temperatures are staying manageable, hovering around the lower 20s, with respites brought on by thunderstorms and sudden down pours.
Keeping the garden quite fresh.
Looking at the devastation caused by the high temperatures, we can feel rather fortunate to live in a milder part of the U.K. Especially if this is going to be the new norm, due to climate change.
Why do British sportsmen always put us TV followers through so much stress. For the first 75 minutes of the game against Spain we were overwhelmed by their skill and presences. Only the substitutes managed to bring life into our national team, equalising three minutes from time.
In extra time we played magnificently, scoring a superb winning goal, only to sit back for the final 18 minutes, making my heart jump and miss a beat every time Spain attacked. The blood pressure was off the scale.
Will have to sit through another minimum of 90 minutes as we now play in the semi finals. Not sure who we will be playing. But l am sure England will make it difficult for me to sit relaxed and comfortable on the sofa.
Better not watch any more sport then.
The weather this past few days has been quite wintery, with plenty of showers, the odd thunderstorm. The other night the heavens opened and we saw a deluge. So much, that the gutters couldn’t cope and the raging mass flooded over. Our own spectacular waterfall cascading off the roof. It was the noise. The thundering of water hitting the deck. Sounded like an old steam goods train rumbling past. Good job we have gabbion baskets and a ring of soakaways to capture the volumes of water.
Thought that perhaps the gutters had filled with leaves, so the following morning brought out the ladders. Fortunately, the base was level, being pavers, but l hate heights. Needed all three sections to get up to the top, but forgot that the eaves supporting the guttering protrude a good 20-24 inches out from the house. So had to lean out to get my hand into the rill. Very unnatural, leaning back into fresh air, whilst holding on to the ladder with one hand, and gingerly reaching over my head to feel along the metal guttering. Climbing down and repositioning the ladder until l had checked the whole section. Not a happy bunny. But all was free of debris. It was just the volume of water.
As this unseasonal weather continued and l couldn’t get out into the garden, decided to do some baking. Made a load of bread rolls to freeze down. Find them useful for my lunch. Often partial to a roll with soup, or stuffed with all manner of goodies rescued from the fridge. But recently it is thick chunky peanut butter. Lashings of butter, if Judith isn’t looking, then a good dollop of the stuff. Delightful. Although the last half a roll has to be washed down with an Americano coffee or two. Any excuse to consume my energy drink of choice. Used to be espresso, but you have to have a double to make it worthwhile, and after a couple of those you need to try and climb down off the ceiling.
Tend to need to bulk up with all manner of unhealthy foods recently. What with my daily exercises from the physiotherapist, tai chi, kayaking and the building of stone walls and concreting in preparation for the greenhouse. Maintaining my weight is difficult to control.
Also knocked up a few individual quiches. Freeze them down and pull out when l’m a little peckish.
I say greenhouse. Since Judith got involved, it’s become something akin to the great I’ll fated Crystal Palace exhibition centre of the 1800s.
Hope it doesn’t suffer the same fate. Judith’s motives are totally different to mine. For me, l want to be able to grow the occasional exotic foods, as well as enable the basics to get a head start on the growing season, as well as lengthening the meagre six weeks of growing in this part of the U.K. Even the poisoned dwarf who has aspirations of manipulating the ruling of this glorious land can’t alter the climate. Anyway, away from the thought of independence.
Judith is looking for a garden retreat, a summer house or orangery to escape the winds whilst bathing in the occasional rays of the sun. Helped along the way by the addition of a small log burner. The struggle to find a balance between growing and lounging continues. A compromise will be found l am undoubtedly sure.
In my normal manner, decided to construct the greenhouse/ shed with growing areas/ summer house/ orangery or what ever we decide to call it, from recycled materials. Using wood left over from the build, deconstructed pallets and any glass that is being thrown out. Managed to collect quite a bit from the joiner along the road who has just replaced his double glazing. But this wasn’t going to be enough. So put a request on the local Dunoon Google page. I now have enough double glazing to fulfil all our dreams and more.
Finished the retaining wall. The back of the greenhouse sits on this. At the front l have set steel into the ground to support the front. Believe it or not. The top is level with the base of the wall. Will have to build it up with a concrete base, leaving the front edge bare for planting. Decided to have a cold frame on the front, enabling the internal bed to merge with that in the cold frame.
Once completed l will post photos and it will all become clear.
To the right, our neighbour is getting on with his self build.
Received an unusual but sought after Anniversary present from Judith. Rather early, as our anniversary isn’t till September. Can’t believe its 36 years.
It’s called a Pinter, and it’s a beer maker. Rather stylish one at that. Bit different to my mass of plastic we have in the loft.
The Pinter [Pint-er]: produces 10 pints of Fresh Beer at home in as little as seven days, although it’s better to condition it for a further seven to improve and mature the flavour.
It’s very simple to use, with online guides to take you through every step. Simply add the handcrafted Fresh Press, fill with water and brew. Add to the fridge for conditioning, then open the tap and pour yourself a pint.
There is a great selection of beers to choose from, ipa’s, bitters, lagers, German beer, stouts, even ciders. And presently the kit has been reduced from £129 to £79. Check it out.
I tap my first beer on Saturday 6th. So l will let you know what it’s like. Can’t wait.
We had lots of hotdog sausages so searched for recipes. This came up, Hot dog sausage Pasta taken from endchildfoodpoverty.org it was delicious.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 packet of dried pasta shells (conchiglie, or any shape you
have)
1 mug of frozen peas
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tin hot dog sausages, drained
1 chicken reduced salt stock cube
1 tbsp American mustard (or other mustard you have)
4 tbsp light cream cheese
Pepper
Dried grated parmesan, to serve (optional)
METHOD
01
Bring a large pan of water to the boil. Add the pasta shells and cook
for 10-12 minutes, or according to the packet instructions. When it's
nearly done, add the frozen peas to the pan for the last 1-2 minutes
of cooking. Keep back ½ a mug of pasta water (to use later), then
drain the pasta and set aside.
02
In the same pan, heat the vegetable oil over a medium heat. Slice up
the sausages and add them to the pan, cooking for 1-2 minutes to
heat through.
03
Crumble in the stock cube and add the ½ mug of pasta water, then
add the mustard and cream cheese. Stir it all together to get a light,
loosened sauce, then season with pepper. Finally, add the cooked
pasta and peas to the pan and give it a stir to coat everything in the
sauce.
04
Spoon it onto plates and sprinkle over the parmesan. Now
tuck in.
It’s the cream cheese tat makes all the difference. Add some chilli flakes and loads of black pepper. Scrumptious.
Can’t see me wearing a getup like that. That is unless l am performing in a circus. Sorry Lewis
In fact it’s perfect, plenty of beach areas and open banks. So l will be able to take a friend who l am teaching to cast to try out his skills, with the Likelihood of catching some decent rainbow trout, it may encourage him to take it up.
More excitement as England storm through to the final on Sunday. Just can’t believe it. After a very tentative and nervous first half, they eventually sparked into life. Once the second goal in the first few minutes of the second half, nothing could stop them. Superb.
It was great to see the whole team soak up the atmosphere for over an hour after the game, cheered on by the ecstatic crowd.
A freedom day. Our guests had departed on Tuesday, the forecast was good, not too hot, less than 5% percent chance of the wet stuff, and my Achilles had been improving. Caught the Western Ferry over to McInroy’s Point near Gourock, and walked into the town along the coast. My heal was feeling good, so then through Battery Park and on into Greenock. A glorious walk, made even better by the weather. Managed a little shopping before heading into the centre for a late lunch. A couple of Brewdog IPA’s for me and chilled white wine for Judith. It’s becoming a weekly ritual. But this is the first time since the end of March that l have been able to walk without pain and discomfort. The physiotherapy has done the trick, although now l need to try and get the scar tissue of the tendon treated. But it seems that surgery is the only solution, other than deep tissue massage. Will have to investigate the latter, too many risks were surgery is concerned.
At one stage we needed to head onto the beach. On the other side of the Clyde you can just make out Kilcreggan and Helensburgh.
There is a little ferry that takes you over to Kilcreggan. Some decent walks over the hills and supposedly a pleasant pub for lunch or early dinner afterwards.
At one time there used to be a similar service to Helensburgh, but that’s long since been shut down.
Sad day, 28th July 2022
Our French cottage was sold and everything went through as planned. A pity, but realistically it was becoming difficult. 1000 miles to drive each way, too many other things to do and enjoy. And what with the covid restrictions and the new regulations limiting the amount of time you could spend in Europe.
Plus we were just not spending enough time in the house to do it justice. it’s not as if we aren’t going back to see our friends in France. We will definitely go back, to walk, eat and drink and soak up the atmosphere.
Just a few photos, memories of previous visits, trips to the coast, eating fresh oysters and mussels. Chunky bread to soak up the juices, and the alcohol.
Relaxing in the garden, soaking up the sun, sharing a pizza with friends, cooked in the old bread oven. Picking our gorgeous fruits, growing in the garden, that is if the birds hadn’t got there first.
Big juicy black cherries, apple, pears and giant grapes.
We move on. Another chapter in our life.
Now we have the Commonwealth Games to keep us on the edge of our seats. And up to now we are doing exceedingly well. Mesmerised by the gymnastics.
The nit and nats have been doing well this past month. First we had a royal post box topper to celebrate the Queens Jubilee.
Now we have a maritime theme going on. These people are so ingenious.
Back in the wilderness garden we must be doing something right. Lifted a stone and found a large slow worm, put it down and lifted another and found half a dozen babies, moved onto the next and found a further two adults.
They are great for the garden, keeping the slugs under control.
unfortunately they are a feast to many, such as birds,
including pheasants, hedgehogs, badgers, and domestic cats.
But they do have a specific skill to avoid being eaten. They can shed their tail. And they are completely non-venomous and do not bite or sting. Plus we provide plenty of ground cover and hideaways.
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