My nine beats your eight.. !

 The riverbank is bristling with wild ducks and their young. I caught these wonderful young Mallards on camera late this afternoon as they followed their mum back up the bank. Mum and dad swans also appeared with their complete clutch of eight cygnets.

Prescott Race Day

There are 'bugs' and there are 'BUGS' and I know which one I prefer! This magnificent beast of a car, the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport is a real crowd-puller having made it into the Guiness Book of Records for achieving a top speed of more than 430 km or 267mph / hr. It is the fastest road-legal car in the world and is the holder of the World Land Speed Record for the fastest production car. It can accelerate from 0-100 km/hr in, wait for it, just 2.5 seconds and it takes just a further 4.8 seconds to get to 200 km/hr. If you're buying a Bugatti, it's unlikely you'll ask the price but just out of interest, this beauty is worth a mere 1.8 million US dollars!

"Just the one" he said...

That was the answer when I asked how many miles my new mini had done... ! I've never had a new car before so this one is very special indeed. It's the perfect colour, the perfect shape and I think I'm in LOVE!

"MY 2 for 1 MINI OFFER!!"

I love great service and I'll drive miles to get it! It takes nothing to smile and my two hero's here certainly put a smile on my face today. I always think it's the little things that shout the loudest (that goes for people too!) so when they showed me my new car and the message on the front, I was chuffed to bits! I have no idea whether they do this for everyone but it's a genius touch and one that doesn't cost much but means a lot.

BBGirls motto - work hard, play hard :)

Us girls don't need an excuse to have a good time and certain evenings demand a 'great time'... just because. It's been one of those weeks and it's only Wednesday  - crikey!! We both had the same thought, "Brasserie Blanc tonight" so with shoes, bags and dressed for the occasion, we sauntered into town to have dinner at one of my fav places. I have some great meals and lovely memories here and tonight wasn't going to disappoint. The evening went off with a "BANG" as the waitress opened our bottle of bubbly. It "POPPED" like a rocket going off emptying half the contents over the table, my chair and the floor. I heard the "LOUD POP", saw the ensuing laver of bubbles and leapt out of my chair so fast I managed to avoid being drowned in champers. I was so proud of myself and the fact that even after a week of traumas, disagreements and craziness, my reactions were still intact and could be relied upon in a fizzy crisis! Needless to say, the lovely team at BB were over in a flash with big apologetic smiles, a big mopping cloth and a brand new bottle of fizz! No damage done and best of all, we were moved to a much better table which was perfect. We spent the rest of the evening gossiping, putting the world to rights and generally having a great time as we so often do.

Goodbye bird

He wasn't exactly the most energetic or talkative of characters but he was my bird and I'll miss him. There's a big space in my hall where his cage used to be. I know he was always chucking seed onto the carpet but he liked my toast and was always chirpy. It's not a great way to go - falling off one's perch but he had had a good life.
He arrived in our family following a long line of birdie friends. First bird was the budgie, then we had two canaries; when they all pegged it I decided to go for something bigger and more robust - and that's when 'bird' arrived. It was meant to be one of my children's pets but over a period of years, the children moved out and that just left me and 'bird'. He began his liking for toast in recent years. Though there was a certain guest who wasn't aware that I was making toast for my 'bird' and ate it! He was like a 'guard-bird' really, screeching instead of barking whenever he heard someone at the door. He was generally quite quiet and well behaved. It was only when visitors arrived or I was on the phone that he started to make noises. I guess it was the sound of voices that made him want to join in. When he was younger he used to screech at the tv and allsorts but he stopped doing that when I moved to where I am now. I think he felt calmer and had the birds and the ducks for company - not in my flat I hasten to add!
I remember when I first decided to move to the Cheltenham area that I contemplated leaving him behind. I asked the man at the pet shop if he could find a good home for him. I was worried that as I was renting I might not be able to have a 'pet'. I remember going into the pet shop one day and the guy, looking very pleased said, "I've found someone who'd like your Cockatiel. She's an old lady and would like the company" I was torn because much as I like keeping old ladies happy, I couldn't part with my bird. I felt I would be leaving behind one of my family and as the rest of the family weren't coming with me, 'bird' was somehow symbolic in a 'birdie' friend kinda way. I was so fond of having him around that I had to tell the pet shop owner that I'd changed my mind. 'Bird' was coming on an adventure with me.
And so when the van came and I packed up all my worldly goods, I was given a choice. Sleep in the old house (on the floor) or drive down to Cheltenham and sleep in the new barn (on the floor!). So packed up to the gunnels with 'bird' in his cage on the front seat, I drove down to the barn. Me and 'bird' dropped in to pick up the keys and decided that we had nothing to eat and not knowing which direction was closest for the supermarket, I started to drive - the wrong way! We ended up in Pershore, which was totally the wrong place to be. I remember leaving 'bird' in the supermarket car park whilst I went into get something to eat. I came out about 10 minutes later and he was screeching his head off. The guy who collected the trollies was keeping him amused - or perhaps that's why 'bird' was making a noise because he was an odd looking fella!
So me and 'bird' spent our first night in the rented barn and it felt like home. I slept on a camp bed, he slept on his perch and we felt good to be starting a new life together. That was almost seven and a half years ago! We've moved once more since then and again, he sat in the front of my car for the whole journey. So you see, he's has had a good - no, a great life. He's felt safe, secure, happy and loved - that's all we can all wish for in the end :) xx xx

Here's my new baby...

Look what I made with a little help from my friends :) my new magazine launch. It's been one of those amazing creative journeys I go on from time to time. What begun life as some ideas scribbled on a piece of paper has now taken shape and looks even better than I would ever have imagined.
Before I launch any magazine I have to get totally absorbed in the subject matter so I've spent hours, light years, early mornings and late nights researching my latest new project. My little team of exceptional people have worked their socks off creating exactly what I had in my head. It has twists, turns, facts, tips, projects, features, amazingly interesting reads, reviews, products, little nuggets and some fab photos. Every page is packed from top to bottom with snippets of creative joy. It's such a triumph and it makes me very happy to see it in print :) now the fun begins.. ! XX XX

Bowmore and Ardbeg

That marvellous little tipple called WHISKEY

Learning how anything is made is fun. Discovering how grain + water + peat smoke = a magical concoction called whiskey is fascinating. Yesterday afternoon we went to visit Laphroaig distillery and spent a happy hour learning all about how whiskey is made. Located right on the coast, Laphroaig is one of the best distilleries on the island. We were taken to see the grain stores where 7 tons of grain lie covering the floors. We walked into the kilns where the grain is dried by the great peat ovens. We visited the room where the grain is turned to mash and bubbles in enormous steel vats looking like porridge. We visited the very hot room where the 7 stills work their magic, condensing the vapour into the spirit. The alcoholic liquid is then stored in barrels which come all the way from Kentucky. It was a fascinating tour and although, dare I say, I'm not a whiskey fan - I really enjoyed it!
ps the weather is rubbish but I don't really care XX XX

Is it a sheep or a bush?!

To be honest, I can't see clearly enough to tell! I'm looking out of the window and it's very wet and very misty here in Islay. I'm told it's going to be like this all day so it's the perfect duvet day! Not that I'll be spending the day in bed. I may read my book, write some notes in my diary or just watch the weather from the window - whatever happens, I'll be chilling and that's the perfect way to spend a Sunday!

We've had the most amazing breakfast this morning. Porridge, fresh fruit, cereal, cooked Scottish breckie if you wish, scones, toast or even Loch Fyne kippers :) I have had a light fruit, cheese and oatcakes option and I'm still stuffed! I won't be requiring lunch, unless it's a liquid one on my tour this afternoon. Rachel, our host, is wonderful. She made us feel very welcome when we arrived yesterday evening. The boys went out to sample some local whiskey whilst me and Liz put the world to rights in the sitting room here. The bed is so comfy, I could have stayed there all morning. If I ever decide to come in the wintertime, there are electric blankets on the bed - woo hoo

This week's big adventure...

I'm sitting having a cup of tea on a ferry, the Caledonian MacBrayne, between the Scottish mainland & the island of Islay. I'm not a fan of ferries so I'm wearing my wrist travel bands & have taken my sea sickness pill - so far so good! This was the bit of the journey I wasn't looking forward to & although it's pretty windy outside, it's not a bad crossing so the hour & 50 minutes is passing reasonably quickly. I do feel like I'm in another world. I haven't been on a ferry for years & I'm usually heading south so this is a new experience being here in Scotland.
Last night I was staying near Lockerbie in a beautiful old Scottish guest house. It's lovely to sample some real Scottish hospitality. I'm looking forward to continuing with a whiskey sampling session (hoping it will prove to me that whiskey is a decent tipple!) when we arrive at our B&B later this evening. XX XX

Woo hoo, I'm celebrating!

However illogical I might seem to myself, there's no one around to change my plans :) I've had an amazingly manic, special week and tonight I came home, looked in my lovely fridge and there in the door staring at me, was not one, but two bottles of prosecco, mmm. I may only be here for one evening but hey.. there's no one here to say 'Don't open that tonight because the rest will be wasted!" "What rest?!" I hear you ask - exactly! I wasn't so blazee when I couldn't get the cork out of the bottle though. But with a little bit of twisting and tugging, I am now enjoying a glass of fizz. Tonight I've managed to conjure up a delicious risotto using a wilted yellow pepper, some chorizo, garlic and an onion. I am a domestic diva when I put my mind to it. My swans are snoozing, I'm looking forward to my whiskey tour and some little tasters :) XX XX

How lucky am I?

Here's the view from my window this evening. For weeks, I've watched a single swan that has appeared only very occasionally on the lake. I thought he was a loner and I felt quite sad that this year he didn't appear to have a mate :(

 So imagine my delight when I arrived home this evening to see two gorgeous swans sitting on the grass beside the lake. I was so happy.

 Then I spied.... Cygnets under mum's wing.. not one, not two.. but eight gorgeously fluffy cygnets.

 I watched as they hid under mum's protective wing keeping warm until dad said it was time to go...

 They fluffed up their feathers...

 And slipped into the water still hudding as close to mum as they could get... an Amazing sight :)

So what's the bad news..? I should keep away from anything stuffed! I avoid stuffing because it's obviously got breadcrumbs in it. Well apparently, as I found out this evening, ravioli, which is stuffed pasta also has breadcrumbs in it! Grrr. And I'd bought it especially... 2 x Grrrr.

Tonight my pasta was minus the filling but after my wonderful discovery, I really didn't mind. On a day like today I feel so privileged to live here. It's such a special place. I love the view from my window XX XX

Chasing rainbows...

 I took this magnificent rainbow from my window this evening. One minute it was lovely and sunny, the next it was pouring down. Then out came the sun and a beautiful double rainbow. See the colours are the opposite way around on the second weaker rainbow so both reds are in the centre. It was so long I wasn't able to catch both ends so the crock of gold remains hidden from view.

Before and after

 From sun to rain and with accompanying thunder and lightening, all on the same day! Tonight's storm was a real mill-shaker with rain beating on the roof and big claps of thunder and lightening every 5 minutes or so. The lake shook and quivered like a blancmange whilst I sat watching the rain, drinking prosecco (yes, I know again!) and listening to James Morrison - nice :)

Today’s sausage isn’t quite as good as yesterdays!

I spoke to soon.. ! Disappointment comes in many guises. Are you a sausage connoisseur? I like to believe that I am though my favourites list is relatively short. Lincolnshire is my pet hate, whereas a chutney mix just puts a big grin on my face. Tonight’s little beauties were from M&S, pork, cheese and red onion. Not as sweet and tasty as yesterday's Debbie & Andrews Sicilian sausages. You can scoff but quite honestly they are the tastiest Yorkshire sausages I've ever had! Check out these delicious bangers! :) Ha ha!

Logs of love to you all...:)

Last night we were driving without really knowing where we were going when I spotted these logs and shouted "Logs - stop the car". Ginger knows that feeling! But I think I caught Lisa unawares because by the time we'd stopped we'd driven past so not wishing to turn back, I forgot about my logs and we carried on. It was not until we were driving back from the lovely Seagrave Arms that I remembered the spot and as we came down the hill shouted 'LOGS!'... so the lovely Lisa stopped, I leapt out and just like that memorable "Combine Harvester" moment with Ginger Claire, I quickly took my photos, jumped back in the car and we drove off. I'm not sure what the guy sitting outside the village hall thought but sometimes being blonde does help - a lot :) XX XX