Wednesday July 8th

The “Then” blog. For details see entry for March 7th 2009. In brief the restoration of Claonairigh House

Wednesday July 8th 1992
Cloudy start but warm later
Went to Lochgilphead to see solicitor. No problem abut te caravan also saw the man from the council about grants. Went to house quite late. Cleared grass, weeds, old raspberry canes etc from round the house. G destroyed well partition between kitchen and hall, also began to remove the glass shards from window. G removed the slate and rotting beams from porch. Every time i look at the house I cant believe it. A perfectly positioned 250+ year old house in our safe keeping. It is all our dreams and more come true.
Ps my compost heap fell over.

Tuesday July 7th.

Freya's birthday today. The final birthday treat long agonised over turned out to be a very painless trip to the pool in Dumbarton which has a small flume and a wave machine. A couple of hours was idled away reading and chatting to Toby back at home on facebook via the phone whilst they cavorted, splashed and even swam a bit. . Freya was supremely satisfied with the day which is always a plus! We came home and ate lots of big pink cake...perfect.
The “Then” blog. For details see entry for March 7th 2009. In brief the restoration of Claonairigh House
Tuesday July 7th
Cloudy but warm
More tree felling today. The mill can actually be seen now as can the back of the house. Met the architect, very nice enthusiastic man but a little too forceful in some areas. Still, he is working hard for us and is willing to proffer help and advice as required. Made compost heap.

Too tired for anything but the "then".....sorry!!

The “Then” blog. For details see entry for March 7th 2009. In brief the restoration of Claonairigh House.
Sunday July 5th
Caravan park
Very hot clear day
Today Garret and I moved a very large mound of dead Rhododendron bush 50yds to the right! We were clearing a space behind the mass of still living rhododendron for the caravan, boat, trailer etc. We also met the “neighbours” from The Kennels up the road. Pleasant friendly folk.

"Here is the weather forecast rain for the 3rd July"...then and now the same with some lightning thrown in today for good measure.

The “Then” blog. For details see entry for March 7th 2009. In brief the restoration of Claonairigh House.
Friday July 3rd
Inveraray caravan Park
Heavy rain with clear spells.
Visited solicitor in Lochgilphead. All going ahead, has purchased the superiority of the feu from Argyll Estates. Briefly visited the house. Some one ? on behalf of Bidwell’s has removed the cottage roofs. The roses at the back of the house rambling up the wall to the first story and over the garden wall are breathtaking both in their beauty and smell. They are very small delicate ivory flowers and a pleasure to look at. No further tiles have gone which is a relief; we met Mr Hendry on the way back to the camp site through the forest. He saw 6 deer in the paddock recently.

Last Day of Term.....

A very happy Smiley Freya with her two trophies, one for Sports and the other for Creative Writing...pretty much sums her up really. The other photos are Toby chilling out at Lindsay's in the afternoon after the traumas of rising before 11 to attend the Primary school Assembly.


The “Then” blog. For details see entry for March 7th 2009. In brief the restoration of Claonairigh House.
Tuesday June 30th 1992
Milarrochy Bay.
Drizzling and cloudy, clearer in the evening.
Contacted solicitor and architect today. Architect has contact with a previous owner of Claonairigh whose sister happens to be a historian who is kindly putting some notes together on the history of the house. He also took his wife and children to see the house when passing this morning. Wide was impressed. They are really giving very good support with their enthusiasm.

Having never won a 10k before I win two in one day!!!

This was a local 10k organised by a friend in aid of the Community Hall at Achnamara and jolly tough it was too! The day has been warm but overcast and at times the breeze was so non existent that it felt (I imagine having never done this exactly) like running into an oven on pizza cooking mode. I set off fully feeling the four glasses of wine imbibed with Garret at The George last night when the run seemed, oh...hours away but was chased by a lady from Glasgow for the first 4.5 k up hill and down dale, actually scrap the down dale bit as there was not too much of that at all. Water stations were plentiful and provided a welcome opportunity to fling ice cold water over one's head and to feel it sizzle its way down your back before evaporating. At about 5k I lost my shadowing running pal at a water halt and was on my own from there on in. Despite the promise of "downhill from 7k onwards" I distinctly found three significant ups but hey was first lady home AND first old lady so, two medals in teh one day. And a spot prize of a gorgeous mug too. No wonder I am smiling!

Gorgeous

This view was definitely the pay off for a long heavy run last night. Taken on the phone down Loch Fyne and above Furnace at about 9.15pm. Oh, and some random foxgloves providing a jolly good excuse to stop and be appreciative.