So here we are - it's the 21st June, the longest day of the year with the sun not setting until long after 23.00, full daylight as we go to bed and sunrise at 04.47 - which means a rude awakening around 04.15 when it gets light and ....... we have just reignited the boiler and the central heating as it is barely 12 degrees out there!
Did I mention that it has also rained almost non-stop all day?
Our first experience of long summer days and short nights and we still haven't shed our winter layers.
I hope those celebrating at Stonehenge this morning had better luck with the weather but I'm not sure they would have.
However, we do have something to celebrate - man plus digger, structural engineer and M&E consultant all engaged and en-route to either the plot to get pits dug or the drawings to get the required details worked up so that we can submit for building warrant.
We will complete the sale of the plot at the end of July so might have to make a journey to Skye just so that we can stand on the piece of mud and heather that we have purchased and walk the bounds. I may need a new pair of wellies - or waders - depending on the amount of rain that falls in the meantime.
To fill the time spent waiting, we have been exploring our local hills even more and finding new tracks to explore, new valleys to walk in and some very steep terrain. A few midges to report in the woods before the hills are reached but the vitamin B is working so far with no bites yet. Managed to get to the top of Dumyat again last weekend but the clouds arrived so no view for the third time of trying. Descended through a rhododendron forest and steep cliffs then had to walk the final mile on the A91 as we couldn't find any path along the foothills. Got very wet - a mixture of rain and sweat- so no stopping at the award-winning coffee bothy but home for hot showers and a hot drink.
Meanwhile some facts and stats from our adventure so far:
I am a third of the way (eight months) through my job at Clacks council
We have signed up to stay in the rented house until October 2013
Munros climbed so far - one (Ben Lomond)
Munros planned in next two weeks - one, possibly two (Lawers range)
We live in a weather "hot spot" or rather "sheltered spot" where we rarely experience extremes and the promised wind, rain etc misses us by dropping south or heading north - quite disappointing if you have recently installed a weather station. Gary's website is worth a look though. Link is http://garyburnett.co.uk/php/wxindex.php You can also view the Fishcross skies on this site.
Scottish phrases learnt to date - several eg: rammie, stromach, dreich, braw, mince
Anticipated build time for the new house - 9 months
Trips to Skye - three so far; all different and all wonderful
Looking back to this time last year, we were heading to Skye for a week at the lovely Fisherman's Loft with an eye on a few likely plots. No job for me, testing the housing market and living in the equivalent of a showhome, enjoying challenging walking on Dartmoor and the south Devon coast, getting fit again and making the most of a few months off.
Now moving on to the glorious task of planning the details of our dream home. Colours, flooring, furniture, lighting, equipment, kitchens, heating etc etc. I am setting up a Skyebox into which I will be depositing all kinds of good things in preparation for our new house.
No photos to share in this entry as it has been to dreich on recent walking jaunts to take any good photos. Will attempt to put that right on the next one.
We are finally heading in the right direction, Skyewards for sure, and will continue to live in this lovely spot until we move to Skye.
