Norman the Gnome

 I would like to introduce you to Norman (The Gnome) who has returned home after spending six years travelling the world.

He just arrived with a lovely bunch of flowers because he thought he would be the icing on the cake, so to speak in the garden.

Welcome home, Norman!

Well, it’s been quite a week. The sad news that the Duke of Edinburgh passed away last Friday. There was a lovely quote that it was if someone had taken his hand and he just went away. What a lovely way to put it.

Today’s newspapers are full of the “news” that Harry has arrived back in England for the funeral next Saturday.  It would have been more appropriate if he had made the effort to make it back before the Duke passed away.

Meanwhile, Castle Douglas experienced very strong gusts of winds at eight in the morning on Monday, which tipped over not one but two of our parasols together with stands.

One is completely useless, as is its stand.  Happy to say the other one seemed Ok and we won’t have to replace that one.

Apart from loosing a couple of pots the garden didn’t suffer too much.  The whole thing sent the pets into a tizz, but they are all settled down now.

With thanks for the inspiration from a friend of mine in England, we are now well into experimenting with cocktails.  My lovely gardener (AKA Agent Double O Two) sourced a cocktail shaker for us for the grand price of €2,50!  I was gifted a cocktail book as a birthday present  in 2004 - my, how time flies. My thanks to my past partner in wine and her husband.

We are looking forward to a roast lamb with trimmings later today.  It was supposed to be yesterday but I got carried away with the Sunday breakfast.  Waistline 🙄 

Our new bed arrived last Thursday, and it is a complete joy to sleep on, if a little strange.  When it arrived it was rolled up like a carpet, the men took off the wrapping and this rather flat mattress looked very uninviting mattress. But, ho ho ho , never fear.  We had been assured that within 24 to 48 hours it would have reached its proper size.  I have never seen anything like it.  You could actually see it, bit freaky really, but so comfortable.

Next thing on the wish list is a stick vacuum, light, easy to use and gets underneath the bed without having to bend.

Whatever next?

I  hope you all have a good week and the weather improves wherever you are.

Thanks for reading.