Bigger Splish Splosh.

DEAR SPOOK, just took a couple of photo's from the kitchen window at about 3pm today. This was during a dry spell, but the town ground to a halt due to flooding and people had to abandon their cars. White streaks appeared on the mountainside, in places I hadn't realised were streams.

I got the call to arms this morning, at 8.20am. I was lying in bed pondering my morning tea and the enormity of 6 more weeks of having to get it myself. I had all sorts of plans to get more things off to the charity shops, or OP shop as it is called in NZ. But oh no, 23 rooms needing serviced and someone off sick again. I might have said no, but it was our ex neighbour Joan who was on her own and I figured I owed her one. Remember how we abandoned Finn aged 2, as Meg and I were in Liverpool and you were on a Jolly in Germany? He still wasn't sleeping through the night and we asked Joan to look after him for a couple of days. We moved his wee bed upstairs in her house to the foot of her bed and when she told him it was bed time, he shot up the stairs with great excitement and slept through the night ever since.

I had to get Finn out his kip and to his 1st rugby training session. It is amazing how shouting at him has no effect on his speed. I'm sure you havn't forgotten that. And he still got there in time, so presumably the shouting really is unnecessary. It didn't even cause a melt down. He just sort of ignored the shouting and chatted pleasantly to me. He was very relaxed as I dropped him off and he had a hard training session. I asked why it was so hard and he thought it might be because he could never get hold of the ball that often in NZ and had more posession of it today. He got a bad bump on the head and a doze of wheezing from over exertion, but did enjoy it.

I worked like the blazes to get through my share of the rooms, didn't take a break and whizzed back up the road after 4 hours. No children were home and I lay on my back for a while to recover from the bent over toilet position. Our tv is not working, so whether I work or not, there seems to be a particular attraction for The Cameron's sofa. Grieg was at a Celtic game and Finn has taken to answering the phone. I had to woo him home for some family time with a fire and a DVD. Meg came home earlier and played around with some art things.

As usual, I am ready for bed long before they are and they know it. It wont be long before they are having late night parties and I wont even notice.

xxx

Splish Splosh.

DEAR SPOOK, as you can see, your son had a bit of trouble getting out the door to school this morning. He was frightened to lift Snap out as he still thinks he might be allergic and didn't want to go to school with streaming eyes.

It was 17 degrees, (according to Meg) as the children waited for the bus to school. I headed off through a very foreboding looking Glencoe on my way south to Mum and Dad's. There was sun hitting Rannoch Moor though, and creating layers of moorland all the way to Schehallion. The black cloud over Glencoe ended at Loch Na Ba and there were many fingers of light streaking down to spotlight the lochans which looked silvery and dramatic. It was such a striking view, that it brought a lump to my throat. There were cars abandoned by the roadside and people running to take photos while the light was so good. I had no camera and no time to stop as I made it for coffee 3 minutes past the official cut-off time.

The journey back was also probably 17 degrees, but rainswept and dangerously flooded. Have we really only been a year away from these busy roads? I longed for the wide and empty roads of the South Island as I got chased up the north section of the Loch Lomond road with cars in both directions and puddles that obscured the windscreen and every droplet of water reflecting headlamps and blinding me. It was 7pm on a Friday night. Where did all these people come from and why were they in such a hurry?

The children were at The Cameron household and I phoned at 5pm to make sure all was well. Finn answered the phone and when I asked how he was, he said he was really sad. That worried me as he had a great chat with Thomas from New Zealand this morning (it was lovely to speak to Thomas and stand looking at his photo on the kitchen shelf). I thought perhaps a Kiwi homesickness had struck Finn. He told me it was because Amy had the TV remote and wouldn't give it to him, even though she had promised he could have it.

Glad your journey to Invers was a bit easier than mine.

xxx

Wide Open Spaces.

DEAR SPOOK, posted these photos as they show what is on our minds - well, Meg and I anyway! Finn continues to be happy and interested in our life in Wanaka whilst totally embroiled in his life here. Due to my work commitments of the last 2 days of the holidays, I wasn't able to keep an eye on his nutrition. When I tried to establish what he had actually eaten yesterday, I was offered a quote from the movie Kung Fu Panda. "A dragon warrior can live on the dew of a honey tree for a week" He himself had only required 2 weetabix and a bag of crisps the entire day, which included a game of 5 aside football......or 5 divided into 2 sides. Finding him had not been easy. There was a note left for me saying that he had gone to Connors. His pal Shane phoned at 3.45pm looking for him. I asked him if he would let Finn know it would soon be time to cycle up the road before dark. When I phoned Connors mum to find out where he was she said they had all gone to Caol to play football. I was panicking as it was getting dark quickly and he had no lights and was now 2.5 miles away instead of the original 2. I phoned Shane's mobile and was informed that Finn was in Inverlochy. This was now 4 miles away. I couldn't believe how fast he was moving, and all in the wrong direction.

It turned out that Aaron's Granpa had run them over to the floodlit park (so it wasn't actually dark yet, according to Shane's logic). I think the game pretty much ended when Finn kicked Aaron on the hand and he had to be taken to hospital to have his fingers strapped up.

Time had been ticking away when he had to get his dinner, get organised for school and go and stay at Grieg's. I liked the simplicity of Wanaka. He was iether home or in Sam's house!

I have completed this week's work effort. It falls far short of your working hours as usual. But it does feel like quite a lot. The phone rings more often here and it had just rung 5 times over a very short period, when it rang again and I barked down it. It was Granny phoning to tell me that your father had noticed the waterfalls all around the house and had cleared all the gutters yesterday. Sorry Granny and thankyou Papa!!

I hope you have a great weekend in Invercargill. Can't believe it has taken year to get there. Enjoy your wee holiday.

xxx

Let them eat cream buns - yum yum.

DEAR SPOOK, still drawing upon Mel's portfolio (so to speak), but bit worried she may start charging me. It's just that the inside of a toilet bowl isn't terribly picturesque, even though I am quite good at cleaning them. I thought you might like to see that we have images of 'home' on our pristine kitchen wall. Richard's painting looks as though it is going to drip on to the wharf. Mary Forfar gave me these pictures as a memento.

I learnt a new word today - goovna. It was not directed at me, but at the person who didn't turn up for work when there were 19 changeovers and 8 services. So as I had hoped for, I did get brownie points for turning up. I am still 'darleenk'. I taught her the word equivalent to 'goovna' in Gaelic and it has a lot to do with that stuff you work with.

With my free thinking time, (which is what cleaning is good for) I became a Che Guevara type revolutinary, freeing the oppressed from slave labour. I did realise that I would probably need to lose the Landrover and walk to work in the pouring rain, as my comrade must do. Then I worried that I was really more of a Marie Antoinette type figure (who parks the Landrover in the furthest away place and then wonders if she should take an alternative route into the hotel so that no-one notices) and decided that the best thing I could do was just work hard and make my Leader happy. Which proved to be a good choice.

Amy and Grieg are coming for tea and then all 4 will go back to their house so that Granny Maggie can look after them all and put them out to school tomorrow. First day back and I imagine the real work will start for the children. I am going to sleepover along the road and go straight to my minimum wage post in the morning. Tommy Sheridon would have something to say about it, I'm sure.

Take a good look at the photo of the mast as it will be your first running race when you get back. 26th of December is Rogers race to the mast and back. It's always an adventurous race, whether it's being chased by horses, up to the knees in mud, waist in snow and getting lost at the end.

A Chinook flew down the canal just as I came home today, and veered toward me and over the croft, really low. I know they are part of a war mongering force, but I can't help getting excited when I see and hear one. And I always think of how helpful they were in getting rid of those nasty giants in the BFG.

xxx

Yeddin. Ooah. I am learning a new language.

DEAR SPOOK, I have had to draw upon Mel's selection again, as it rained all day today. There is a cascade of water pouring off the roof all around the house. Once the last of the leaves are off the trees, I will borrow Frenchies ladder and do my duty with the gutters.

Cleaning hasn't got any easier since I last did it. Myself and my Polish leader cleaned 18 rooms today + the bar and hallways. There is no Mary Hawea to bring me coffee when I am most needing it and the cup of the day was drank at 4pm. I will become used to being called 'Morrrrag Darleenk', because I think she probably has far worse names up her sleeve when things don't go well. I got away with a few missed shampoos and soaps today, but I may not be so lucky tomorrow. Credit to her, she works incredibly hard!

I knew I was coming home to a messy house as things have gone down hill a little with the touring around the country. When I arrived home, soaked more from the cascade at the doorway than the rain, I found Meg and Isla had scrubbed the house. Meg had got bored but not Isla, who had just mopped the floor and was drying and putting away dishes. Meg made me the coffee (brave girl) and I sat in our lovely house and let the blood move away from my feet. What wonderful girls. There were 3 boys upstairs in a cupboard, whom Isla had fed and watered earlier.

They are in the cupboard as Meg and Finn decided that the big cupboard outside our room would make a great games room. We have a 4 bedroomed house, and they choose to sit in a cupboard. This has not helped the general chaos of the household. I will give them a little more time and then I will need to reclaim it.

The 2nd day lasagne was fine. Well, Meg and Finn knew better than to complain, but Grieg was a little dubious. Perhaps the maturing flavours of the cauliflower and brocolli were a little strong for his taste

Another day of hoovering tomorrow. It was a challenge to change back from Lux-ing.

I did learn how to say 'one' and 'ouch' in Polish, so that's good.

xxx

It's very quiet over here.

DEAR SPOOK, I am using Mel's beautiful photo's of her side of the country as I have been far too busy to create new images for you!! I thought you would be pleased to see that contents of your shed are not as hairy as you might expect. The black and white version of your tractor seemed the kindest way to display it to you.

I am eating alone as the children must have seen the vegetables coming out of the shopping bag this morning. Meg is having macaroni cheese at Maisie's and Finn is eating at Griegs, having been out all day, and is staying the night at Angus's. Emmy came round as I was sitting outside having a very late afternoon coffee, watching the squadrons of geese heading north and wondering why they were going that way. It was mild and peaceful and I wondered if maybe the birds new something we didn't and that winter is actually over.

Emmy chatted as I made the vegetarian lasagne. As a Faroese meat eater, she made a reasonable job of refusing my meal on account of having some leftovers at home that couldn't wait another night. As I munch on my lovely, if lonely meal, I remember that time in our early courtship, when I came up to my caravan with a friend who was a vegetarian. She invited you to join us for dinner and I came down to your mothers to see if you had forgotten, as you were a little late. I caught you stuffing a plateful of your mothers mince down your throat whilst running out the door. Boy did you look shamefaced. You said that you thought you would be hungry after vegetarian offerings and decided to fill up first, just in case. It was so funny when she presented you with the biggest bowlful of vegie chilli ever, as she knew you had a big appetite and she didn't want you to be hungry. Your bloated body was not at it's best and you are lucky I was able to overlook it!!!

I am hoping that vegetarian lasagne has that great 2nd day taste, as there is plenty left.

I put on my overalls at 7.30am, determined to get the kitchen finished. It was after 2pm by the time I got any paint on the walls. You will be lucky to have half a living room painted by the time you get home.

Tomorrow is the first day at the hotel. I am a little nervous as I sold myself as a professional cleaner (well, I was paid to clean, so that does make me a professional - I think). It will be very embarrassing if I don't measure up. I was originally thinking I would get brownie points for just turning up, but I am losing confidence by the minute. Like Finn on his first day at school in Wanaka, I will pleased when it is over.

Witches and Warlocks were not dancing in Alloway's Auld Kirk today.

DEAR SPOOK, I have posted some photo's from our wee tour. Glencoe was looking even more magnificent than when we came home from NZ on the 1st. I remember that from when I used to come up to Fort William from Glasgow every weekend, that each week throughout October just got better and better. The pictures don't show it, but if you put Finn out there in the right clothes, you would never find him again. Meg took the photos from the car on the way down, and the way up. It was great to be in the car together for 3 hours, as it is the longest time we have spent just by ourselves, so we could catch up on a lot.

Well, I did get to spend a great deal of time with Finn last night, but I wouldn't really call it quality time. Meg and I were to share a bed, and Finn to have a room to himself. I was just drifting off to sleep when Finn woke me up to say goodnight. Then I was drifting off again when Meg woke me up to say she thought she would rather share with Finn. Then Finn woke me up to say there was no way he was sharing with his sister. I can tell you that the talking in the sleep which sounded loud from a far away bedroom, is a great deal louder when it is at very close proximity. Remember we used to think he was dreaming that he had scored a try? I do think he was playing a game of rugby with the amount of tossing and turning. At one point he touched me and got such a fright that he looked as though he'd seen an Orc. At another point he sat bolt up in bed and then collapsed again. When he touched my leg in his sleep, you would have thought he'd burnt himself and he shot over to the other side of the bed. Auntie Alexa has got a beautiful new spa bath (I can't look at a spa bath now without wondering what to clean it with and mentally measuring it up so that I wont fall in whilst polishing it) and the last thing Finn had said when he went to bed, was that he couldn't wait to get up and have a go in it. I pondered the option of telling him it was time to get up, so that he would have a bath and give me some peace. The wind hurled around the street in as a wild a fashion as Finn hurled around the bed, so all in all, it was a long night!

The clocks 'fell back' an hour today, so I assume you and I will be 13 hours apart now, but I can't quite work out which 13. Winter will push on now, with the dark closing in fast, but at least we will have lighter mornings for a while.

You'll see that Alexa and I went on a walk around Robert Burn's hunting ground today. I do love Alloway and as someone who doesn't know much poetry, Tam O'Shanter is probably my favourite poem.

xxx

Ne'er a toon surpassies, for honest men and bonnie lassies - Ayr, my town of birth.

DEAR SPOOK, we have finally arrived in Ayr after tea and a good walk with Marion. The children had a lovely period of time catching up with Andy and Scott, the cousins, and were really happy with their visit. Meg has forgiven me for dragging her around the country. It rained plenty, but is warm. Somehow wet weather doesn't bother me here as much as in Wanaka, as I know what to do with it - you just go out. Whereas in Wanaka, you kind of wait for the sun to shine again. Not that that takes too long!
The children went to see The Fantastic Mr Fox at the cinema. Finn loved it and Meg, who had prejudged it as 'a bit odd looking' did also enjoy it, though was still slightly reserved. Is used to her animation in a certain format, methinks.
My glass of red was waiting for me on arrival. My brother is looking very fit, and you may have to put a little effort in, to keep up. He is cycling in a race with your own brother for the 2nd weekend in a row. He is very excited that I am picking you up at the airport and delivering you straight into the hands of The Boys Weekend up at Aviemore/Kingussie. He is a little concerned that you may not be at your best after 30hours flying, so I hope you will take that as a challange.
Morag - your old pal (any Morag in a storm) has come round to visit, so I must take my glass of red and sup it in the kitchen. The children are happily ensconced in front of a large screen TV.
xx

A Wee Tour

DEAR SPOOK, I haven't got any nice photo's for you as I am not on my own computer. There are some great ones on the camera, from Mel's eastern side of the country, so I will put some of those on when I get home on Sunday.
We had a good drive over glens and moors, but I was a bit late in starting out, so Mum was suffering cold turkey from tardiness of the morning coffee, which I had originally timed my arrival for. Truly, I get more like my mother every day. I see it when I catch sight of the mirror, never mind the suffering we both go through when morning coffee is late.
Your daughter was a bit miffed at travelling again after London, but I heard Auntie Marion mention the cinema, and cousin Scott was looking really cheery and welcoming, so I assume all is well down there.
I expect Uncle David to have a very nice glass of red waiting for me tomorrow night in Ayr, and I will get lunch and blether with Marion tomorrow.
I left Mel and young Archie in the house this morning and I suspect Mel will have run round every room and daubed paint on the walls to make sure I have to do something about it when I get back. When I was out on Wednesday night, she moved around the living room with polyfilla, filling in holes. Finn was watching her from the sofa. He said, very casually "what you doing?" Mel said, "painting the walls". Finn said, less casually "Does MUM know!!!!"
xxx

Been talkin' instead of bloggin'

DEAR SPOOK, the quality of the photographs has improved greatly as Mel is here. There are a few things around the croft needing fixed that I probably wont get around to. The shed and the trike being two of them. These are the clouds that had Finn and Kier's attention. Angus, Kier, Grieg, Finn and Archie. The only reason Angus has short hair is because his dad wont let him grown it long.

I secured myself some work at the hotel, starting next week. Meg came home from London in time to note that I was not dressed so smartly for this interview as I was for the last. She suggest tucking fur trimmed marigold's (washing-up gloves) into my back pocket. I didn't need them as I managed to convince them I would turn up when I said I would and that seems to be more than they get normally.

Meg, Mel and I painted the kitchen while the boys ransacked the rest of the house and then sat out on the trampoline, chatting and putting the world to right. (they may have actually been talking about flatulence).

Tomorrow I am going to Mum and Dad's and the children are going to their other cousins in the village.

Lovely dry and sunny day again today.

DIY - eventually.

DEAR SPOOK, I still haven't achieved much towards your ultimate homecoming comforts, but we bought some paint, got scissors to splice and adapt the new/2nd hand curtains, some filler for the walls and some sandpaper.
We did a lot of talking in between this and Finn ran around in a gang of 5 again. The weather was dry and breezy and there was a truly amazing late afternoon sky with cloud formations and colours that even had Finn and Kier lying on the trampoline and pointing out the shapes of things. Mel has taken some great photos and I will post them here when I work out how to get them off her camera.
I am going out to support my friend tonight and Mel is staying to keep an eye on the boys and write a play - which was on our list of to-do's today, but there is still some hope of her achieving that with me out of the house.
I haven't heard from our daughter but she will be on the over night train home and I will see her in the morning. I have an interview for the housekeeping job, and have laundered my reference which I will iron in the morning.
We did manage to worm the cat.
xxx

Smokin'.

DEAR SPEAK, I haven't manage to achieve anything towards your comfort when you return to the dark winter of Lochaber. But I did get a couple of ideas. Finn and I met Frenchie and young Angus as they were out walking the dog. We called into the house for a cup of tea and the opportunity to admire their new wood burning stove. It is pretty magnificent, but not so magnificent as the wood pile. A military operation of wood cutting, stacking and storing has gone on the entire time we have been away. Sheds have been utlized and others purpose built (and numbered). It has become clear, that lifting a piece of wood from both Frenchie and John's stash, each time I pass will not only be cost effective and energy efficient, but would barely be noticed by either. John's pile will soon be encroaching onto the road, so it would also be helpful in averting an accident.
I wore Mary's t-shirt yesterday and today, which has the name of her cleaning company on it, and some kind words about my performance on the back. I thought it would be a good point of referance for anyone interviewing me for a job in the local hotel. But as no-one has made any attempt to meet me, and as Frenchie's stove was a little smoky at the time of my visit, I fear that the smell of me on a third day would not be conducive to gaining employment. On the positive side, I did recieve an offer of employment from my old job today. Subject to my disclosure's coming back in order. They have offered me the new workers Induction grade of pay and will review that after a year of training and induction. I did query the wisdom of putting me through a lot of induction training after 17yrs on the job and one year off. She asked what I had been doing (personel dept) for the last year and I said cleaning and she sort of said "well, there you go...." as if I did need to be induced out of that state. She did take my point and whilst I said I was going to be signing the contract anyway, I did think it might be worth their thinking about.
The cat has worms, and I am hoping I can recruit Mel to help me address this problem while she is here.

G'morning.

7.50am. Getting my own morning cup of tea..........AGAIN.

I'm having the sleepout redecorated.

DEAR SPOOK, here's the plan. As you will have been living in a shed/sleepout for 10 weeks prior to your return to Lochaber, I think you should have a phased return. You can start in your cute wee cabin that you built, with the nice steps up to it, and after a period of adjustment you can move into your house.

Your daughter has headed off to Kingussie to catch the overnight train to London. They missed out on the good deal from Fort William, but managed to get £50 return from Kingussie. They have tickets for Billy Elliot in their pocket and an appointment at the London Dungeons. Catching up with Mel and Richard will be the chocolate icing. She will be home on Thursday morning.

Finn and I got a Daniel Craig movie out, based on a story of Polish Jews who hid in the forest for years. Ultimately, he managed to save 1200 Jews (well, not exactly Daniel, but Tuvia Bielski). It was not a fast moving movie, but Finn was able to soak up the story, having so much background from his work in Johanna's class. The fire was cosy and we had some gob-stoppers, so it was a good night in (my jaw does ache a bit, but it was good for the bonding thing). The choice of movie came about from the handsome attraction for me in Daniel Craig, and the pictures of guns on the front cover for Finn. It was nice that it did have more meaning to both of us considering such superficial requirements.

I fixed the PC. I took some advice from the local shop and bought a keyboard with a USB connecter and heyho away we go. (£7.99) Well, a wee bit of cursing and Shirley came in just in time to stop me tossing the keyboard out the window, but with some perseverence, it all came good in the end. It is a voyage of discovery, all this poblem solving instead of just waiting until you come home.........you can still come home though.

These photos, for non-spooks, are Ben Nevis and Nevis Range from 3 miles further along our road, North of Fort William.
Ben Nevis from our front window.
The Great Glen through the gum tree, out of the kitchen window.
The girls neat den.
The children on the croft, checking it is still here.

Internet connecting us.

Kiwi Connection

DEAR SPOOK, your children had a lovely day with the expensive new toy, which I have bought in lieu of the gear box that is required for our vehicle. That was part of the reason that I couldn't face them with no laptop. Last night was the first time they have been in the house together, with no-one else here, since we got home. When we got on line, they checked out Facebook and found photos and news of friends back in Wanaka. With no sense of sadness, they thoroughly enjoyed a trip back to their old home, and were snuggled up together in the one bed, laughing and joking about things. Up until then, you would have thought that NZ hadn't happened. They have been so busy catching up with here, that they haven't had time to catch up with there. Today they downloaded Maori music and The Black Eyed Peas. There were thoughts about school being back and how their friends were, but not regretfulness. It was the internet that gave them the visual stimulus to start chatting about it. I was feeling sad for their friends in Wanaka who might easily think that they have just forgotten about them.
I am going to The Moorings Hotel tomorrow to enquire about part-time house-keeping work, in order to make a stab at paying for the laptop. The children are happy to eat macaroni cheese until you get home. But I will still need to get that part for the car, as I don't think I can lord it in a landrover for too long - lovely as it was, purring it's way north this morning.

I love you darling - please remember that.

DEAREST SPOOK, we finally got internet connection last night. We were so excited. Meg had her whole day today planned around her laptop - the only computer working as our keyboard on the PC is not performing.
This was all good, until 4.30am. I had lain awake since 3am and thought it would be a great idea to sneak into her room and get hold of the computer, snuggle up back in bed and see if I could find you online for a chat. It was how I got hold of it that was the problem. ON the last manoeuvre of the delicate operation to not wake her, I pinched the top of the screen between my forefinger and thumb and heard the thin snap of glass. Sure enough, it was munted. I imagined our daughters face as she was confronted with this news on awakening, having looked after it all across the world. I set the alarm for 6.40am with a plan to go to Oban and buy a new one. But it was not possible to sleep with such dread eating away at me, so I got up at 5am and headed up the long and winding road, lit by a thread of catseyes glinting like diamonds and leading me to my salvation - the capital of the Highlands - Inverness. Well, ok, the 24hr Tescos. Unfortunately, when I got there at 6.30am they told me that there would be no-one to sell me a laptop until 8am. I ran around the isles of the huge shop, with my slippers sclurping along the ground (sorry Maggie), frantically looking for someone who understood the needs of a teenage daughter and a careless mum. I am lucky not to have been drug tested.
I was home and had it all set up and back on wirelss by 9.30am. I was amazed that the alarm which I had forgotten to turn off hadn't wakened them.
Meg went through a few levels of emotion before settling on disbelief and finally the conclusion that I have some kind of mental disorder.
I need a job.

Nobody loves me, every body hates me.......

DEAR SPOOK, I did some crofting today. I strimmed the grass around the hut and the trampoline. I felt empowered by the fact that the strimmer started first time and that I didn't break it. Ronald was out on the quad next door with a small lawnmower attachment, mowing the field that is truly a lawn. I felt compelled, after much raking and removing of grass, to get the Flymo out and compete for the most perfect green space. However, after more cutting and raking, our lawn that is truly a field, still looked like a field.
I created a little hut for the cut wood. There was a small amount of cut wood left over from our tenant which I piled in there - about 15 pieces. Going to have to find some more. John down the road - he who loves to say "a family who gathers wood together, stays together" - has a pile of wood the size of his house now. I suspect that the whole theory will back fire, when his 4 children refuse to leave home, having invested so much of their time gathering it.
I chopped some kindlers ( about 15 pieces, so likewise with the wood) and tidied up the field around the bonfire site as it wont be long until the next bonfire. If anyone does want a fire, it will need to be a community effort to build one, as the two wooden seats I have chosen to recycle as part of Guy Fawkes Night will not take long to burn.
The children were very good last night and didn't wreck the house. But I don't think they will want to come back as they awoke to a lecture on the total yuchyness of sleeping in their clothes (on my clean sheets!), followed by me scraping the extra chocolate spread off their toast as it looked like the bread was thinly spread on the back of the chocolate, followed by a lecture on the total yuchyness of eating afore mentioned chocolate toast with open mouths and that no self-respecting girl would ever go out for dinner with them. I am hoping that self respecting girls these days do eat with their mouths closed, but it wasn't a great incentive for improving manners anyway.
Finn was exhausted today. I think he finally stopped long enough for Jetlag to kick in. I thought Angus and Greig would abandon him, but they tucked him in a duvet, gave him a pillow and they all settled down to watch Lord of the Rings. When I came in for a coffee later, you would have thought something far scarier than an Orc had appeared before them from the look on their faces. Apparently a spattering of mashed rowan berries, grass, slugs and some other suspicious substances is not a good look.
It will all be so lovely when you get back.
xxx

PPS. She came home with a Horse Owners Manual!!!!!

Ps. Meg phoned from Inverness to ask if it was ok to bring home a small pet. She meant that quite literally as the beast in question was a Dwarf Russian Hamster. When I said that we should think about it a bit more, she asked if she could at least buy the cage ( obviously counting on my sense of economy to not want to waste such a thing by leaving it empty.) I suggested leaving that just now and she took it well. I can imagine her 3 hungry cats sitting on the cage staring at the poor thing for 12 hours a day and after BJ's dogs worrying the guinea pigs to death, I'm just not so sure about the combination of certain animals.

My Turn

DEAR SPOOK, with both children leaving home together yesterday, I managed to get stuck into his bedroom, where we had stored all our junk. It is a lovely room now, albeit needing a lick of paint. I also got some recycling done today, and said goodbye to Emmy's 18yr old daughter, Femi who heads off to Australia tomorrow. Emmy was doing a similar job to me - cleaning out cupboards and dusting places that have not been dusted in years - butas a much needed distraction, rather than a necessity. I'm not looking forward to that stage in our lives, but as the chances are they will head off to Wanaka, it doesn't seem so scary.
I pulled a few weeds out of the yard, but guilt was tickling me round the edges, so I headed up to Granny's croft at Inveroy to see if Finn was needing home. It was a perfect day. Warm and sunny and glorious colour. Of course Finn wasn't needing home at all, but as he has been there so long now, he has thrown off his Kiwi accent in favour of his cousins Glaswegian one (which is not of the same dialect as the gentleman of the Che Guevara story, but does go up at the end like the Kiwi one). It can get quite busy for Auntie Al and Jamie, Granny and Papa; and Uncle Pele and Nicky in their weekend encampment - especially since Finn came back and swelled the numbers with all his friends. It was only fair to invite the children home with me, but it was not without some regret as our orderly house would be thrown into disaray. So there will be 5 children sleeping in here tonight and I will try not to fuss around them, straightening things up. Thankgoodness for the x-box which keeps them all in the one room, rooted to the one spot. Great inventions.
I did note an air of celebration at your family Seat in Inveroy as the entire adult members of your clan headed off to The Roy Bar for dinner. I sensed, rather than heard, the sound of bagpipes and fiddles as we drove off down the drive.
It's funny that they have these names plus Roybridge and Glenroy, but not Mt Roy which you have in Wanaka. Even the dog across the road from us is called Roy. He still goes out for his evening ablutions at 10.45pm. I have enjoyed hearing him bark at the darkness, as you and I always glanced at the clock when we heard him and new it was nearly time to turn out the light.
After sweeping the children out of the house tomorrow, I may attempt to strim our luscious grass.
xxx

Swan-ing About.

DEAR SPOOK, 2 weeks since we got home and I do feel a little more 'at home'. A wee feeling of contentment at being in our house crept up on me. It was a lovely day, and I have adapted to the green-ness of the surroundings. There is no wind, it's warm, and there are no midges. Ben Nevis glowed in it's autumn cloak and I had a wee fancy to be up on the summit. The evenings are very mild too - good nights for having a wee dram on the doorstep, though the seating still has a dampness about it. I met Andrew Mcleod in town today and he was laughing at the enthusiasm one always has for the building of a bbq after a spell abroad. And then you never get to use it. We both laughed at the difference in the understanding of 'indoor/outdoor flow' in different climates. It is often used as a selling point for Kiwi houses, but in Scotland it is all about how quickly you can run between the car and the house. Especially important if you have bag loads of shopping. However, it has been dry all week, so it would be perfect weather for that fireplace you are going to build when you get home from your wee spell abroad!
I had another thought about how people are viewing our circumstances. Not only are you not here, but I am driving around in a very nice, modern landrover (on loan from Dad.) As I am not too chatty with the imediate neighbour, I wonder if he is thinking that we made a lot of money in NZ and the landrover is part of the divorce settlement. I have seen one or two of the more distant neighbours further down the road doing a double take when they catch sight of me. Considering both our (slightly in one case and very in the other) ramshackly vehicles blew up on us before we left and we had to borrow your Dad's Proton, which was fondly called The Champagne Dream, but was not so glamorous as it's name, our fortunes must look as though they have turned.
Your daughter went to the gym and swim with Katie today, out on the horse with Auntie Al, and then up to stay over with the cousins at Granny's. Tomorrow she is getting picked up at Spean Bridge to go shopping with Amy in Inverness. She has her social life finely managed. All going very smoothly. Finn played around with Angus most of the afternoon, but still didn't have clean anything packed or wellies or toothbrush, whilst Meg had everything packed, including nice clothes for shopping, before she started her day! She leaves me lists of things I need to remember.
I haven't managed to get into the e-mails today, but I hope you have left me some loving words inbetween your hectic work and social life.
xx

Revolutions.

DEAR SPOOK, That's us home now, from our wee tour. Scotland looking lovely and seems smaller and quicker to get around. Life is less stressful if you obey speed limits and don't stress over crazy drivers. Especially as I may be one of them. I have forgotten things I knew instinctively - like how to negotiate roundabouts between Stirling and Dunblane. As I recovered from the dizzy spell incurred by the circuits of the two roundabouts, several times, I remembered my friend driving round and round the two new roundabouts in Fort William years ago, and her very Glaswegian brother sitting in the back seat saying "F** sake Jean, yiv din mair f**ing revolutions than Che Guevara!!"
I also had a wee lane issue, as I travelled that road many times as a student and I forgot that they had added a new exit from the roundabout, which changed the lane I was supposed to be in, which did cause a little confusion in one driver. Without any damage occuring, thankfully.
So we are safe now, darling.
xx

a few words from Spook

DEAR MO, Wanakafest is on this weekend, an Urban downhill race on Saturday, a couple of bands in the park and 3 nights of open air cinema - should catch something from each of those events. also, on friday night is a concert by Tim O'Brien who has played with The Waterboys and many others, so I will try and get a ticket for that tomorrow. It is at The Riverhouse in Albert Town. Today is a year since I started work in Wanaka (13th).
xx

Misty Moors.

DEAR SPOOK, it was nice for you to see me looking so fetching on the No Fuss DVD of Relentless 24 www.nofussevents.co.uk . I am sure it will entice you home.
The children and I had a good drive to Dunblane this morning. They used to find the 2 hour drive long, but since experiencing the 10hr drive to Nelson, the 5hr one to Christchurch and thinking nothing of 2hrs to Ranfurly for a game of rugby, it was easily broken up as an hour in the front seat each and we were there. It was great to catch up with them, having seen so little of them since Friday. They are both very happy with their weekend, and excited to see their cousins in Dunblane. The Glen of Weeping was weeping mist and rain all over us, but was suitably moody and forboding. Rannoch Moor looked awesome with those terrible wee lochans, which ultimately ended Nathan Fava'ae, Richard Ussher and the rest of the Kiwi team's hopes of competeing for the World Adventure Race Title in 2007, as they dragged their kayaks across them from Dalwhinnie, having suffered hypothermia, been rescued by the caretaker of a lochside castle in the wilds, taken refuge in a reknowned haunted bothy and missed the cut off for completing the full course, by a measly 10minutes. Spook and I always spare them a wee thought when we cross the moor. We had never been to NZ at that time, but were as much on the edge of our seats as anyone in The Land of the long White Cloud, as we had met them, lent them our van and offered them recuperation (chocolate cake and dry beds, haggis etc).
The weather dried up and it was a pleasure to drive through Bonnie Strathyre, and later, after dropping off the children at my sisters and heading to Mum and Dad's, through the lovely wee villages of Arnprior and Buchlyvie, past Drymen where Billy Connely used to live with his wife Ivy, before he fell in love with Pamela Stephenson, and got a taste for Royal Deeside. It was the number of cars on the road that took some getting used to. It is amazing for so many cars to be in rural Scotland. I wouldn't cope very well with the M25 just yet.
The children were delighted to reunite with each other and Rona and I had a good hug and a strong coffee.
Good to know you are still enjoying Bonnie Wanaka Spook - we wouldn't want you to be TOO miserable.
xxx

tic-ity boo.

DEAR SPOOK Busy day in Lochaber - need to bullet point it as time has run out for blogging.

• Interview - made me feel very welcome and relaxed and it was very sociable. When it was over I thought we might all go for a cup of tea and it took me a while to realise that they were waiting for me to leave, as the next candidate was outside. Very positive, if a little 'Morag-ish'
• Had a cup of tea with a lady I've known around for a few years and didn't know she was a Kiwi. I get very excited when I meet Kiwi's now and feel a big warm rush of emotion. She and her husband have rented a house in Wanaka for 7 weeks next year.
• Meg was meant to come to retrieve her brother from Granny's croft where he has gone feral for a couple of days. She was building a den with Maisie and refused to come.
• Finn was very smelly. As he now runs in a pack of 5, Spook's brother and wife have been feeding many boys for 2 days. they fed us all dinner too, before I had to run home to get organised to stay over to support a friend tonight.
• Discovered sheep Tic in inaccessible place and had to make 3 phone calls to find someone who was willing to remove it. It only took 2 calls to get oil drums made into braziers, no phone calls to have my children cared for tonight (but several to find them since we came home), so not sure if it was the tic, or the inaccesible place that was causing the resistance.
• Phoned Nicky who had tweezers, antiseptic wipes and a no-nonsense approach waiting for me within minutes. Wasn't as inaccessible as the one Spook had once!!!
• Have phone working now and had lovely chat with husband who is adapting very well to his new circumstances. Internet will be active by next Monday -hopefully.

ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz

DEAR SPOOK (first, a wee note from Spook on life in Wanaka) Afler my DKs Pass ride I went back home and sat in the garden had lunch and read a book.I then dicided to go to the cinema and see the new Quentin Tarantino movie - Inglorious Bestards, I think that is how it is spelt!! I went to the Bullock Bar for a pint then the Paradiso where I met Steve and Shannon so we all sat on a sofa next to Hound.He is very dissapointed not to have Finn in the team next season,He reakoned Finn could go far on the pitch ,He said 75% of that team had played together since the under 7s and for someone to turn up who had never played before and walk straight in to the team was pretty special!!! He did mention something about an award for Finn but then the film started and that was that.He sat there and scooped a bottle of wine by himself!! and I doubt very much he was sober when he arrived.The film was excellent with the usual twists that you never saw coming.Cally has to get her wrist x-rayed again on Monday but they think it is broken,she is raging as she is banned from the Rib-Stick as she is very good on it.

Spook, I am really tired as I had an hours sleep last night, but the event was a great success, despite the night time hours of reain and wind. The cyclists continued on regardless and there was such a display of grit and derermination. The atmosphere at the prize giving was one of warmth and appreciation and all podium winners glowedwed with pride, whether they were the only ones in thier category or had competed against many. The Istanbul team, who had travelled especially, loved their experience as the hospitality and sportsmanship of everyone they encountered made their trip well worth while. It was an event that made me proud to be part of No Fuss and Lochaber and it was great to meet so many people who love what No Fuss does - ambience being the biggest part of it.
I am having a lovely evening with Emmy and also Neil from our Art School days. He was at our going away do, so it is very fitting to meet him again so early on my return.
I am going to post part of your e-mail today, to reassure all that you are still enjoying Wanaka on all our behalfs. Do be sure, that all will be happy to see you back at No Fuss and that Russell will arrange the Kingussie Hospitality Christmas Outing around your return.
Too sleepy to say more for now, but a really great demonstration of what is good about this place.
xx

XXXXX

DEAR SPOOK just read all your great e-mails and not got time to answer them, or anyone elses. Passing through Frazer's house on the way to Relelntless. The carpark is filling up with relaxed and enthusiastic looking fit people. There is a very happy team from Istanbul, who have come specially for the event. I have got my place at the top of the forest above the firebreak and have only got Dougie Mclean and Jim Hunter to sing their way through the forest. Jamie will supply louder and more rocky stuff down at the 'hole in the wall'. There is a nice atmosphere and dry, clearing weather - the No Fuss magic.
Can you e-mail David and ask him to send my old phone to me? We should be up and running by the end of next week in all departments, hopefully. So glad you had a great night with the Turners and slept in Finn's old bed. I miss you terribly but like it that you are still flying the flag. I am happy to get life back in order, with the help of family and friends, and to know that there is still fun to be had in Wanaka. That you should already have saved so much money and still had fun, does make me wonder what I spent all your money on?????
Will be in touch once Relentless has relented.
xxxx

Overall, not a bad day.

DEAR SPOOK, I got up this morning and dressed in your old overalls. Of course, whilst this looks very effective on the hard work front, it usually means that I don't achieve very much. True to form, it was your father and Frazer who got the dirtiest and I just handed out some nuts and bolts. They were good for keeping the wind off though. Aileen and I went to the coal yard to get some bags for the braziers. She loaded the van while I chatted with the coal men. They offered me a job, as the office girl has 'jacked' and Dougal said I would fit in really well, as most of the rest of them stood around talking while he did the work. Aileen got really dirty, but your overalls are still clean. When I made further enquiries about the job, however, it turned out to be a serious office/invoicing job, full on until April. Not what I need as a filler. Still, as you could imagine, the craic with the boys would have been great. A bit like being a tree-planter again.
It was similar at the Quarry when Frazer and I went to confirm last minute plans for marking that part of the course. It was full of Highland men, standing around exchanging light-hearted banter and not in a hurry for anything. When we went in, they were discussing a mate going in for ultra sound and how scared he was. I tutted about how unscary ultra sound was - especially when I heard that it was just for his stones. They had to spell out to me that his 'stones' were not his kidney ones, but the outer ones in his nether region. It did help to remind me why I had liked it here so much. Mostly I have been seeing the busy Lochaber town, queues of traffic, queues of people in the supermarket, and finding it just too much. I went to the big supermarket to buy food for the marshalls and it took me a long time to get round. A combination of size, time of day and number of people I knew. Meg was horrified that I hadn't removed the overalls. There are not as many women in overalls here as there are in the Wanaka supermarket. At least mine were clean.
I still feel it very sad that we are not doing the 2nd year in NZ, but the children are so happy to be back in their comfort zone, that I think for them, it has been the right decision. I never thought about the potential for rumour, with you not returning with us. Lenore did ask, tentatively, if you were coming back. I wonder how many people are thinking the same thought, but too scared to ask. With me cutting such a dashing figure in the overalls and my Kiwi hat, I know that there can be no doubt in the strength of my charms.
I hope you had a good night at the Turner's house.
xxx

I'm having Tom Tom Drums made - should be better than the phone line.

DEAR SPOOK, it was so lovely to speak to you this morning. Sorry that it is raining, with snow well down the hills. It was sunny here, and still just the wee dusting on top. I would like to post the photo of your new abode on the blog, but not quite sure how to. It looks quaint. I have some photos of the den, and once I have reconnected our house to the world, I will post them here for you.
I was an excellent stand-in for you, I must say. I had the brazier issue sorted in 2 phone calls. I think the combination of No Fuss, Frazer's good name and the similarities shared by the Highlands and the South Island, worked a treat. It is nice that although the country is choked by Health and Safety, peoples willingness to help was at the forefront. I will pick up the adapted oil drums no later than Saturday morning, with no promise that they will look as pretty as the ones you made.
Only Finn got off the bus today as Meg continued on further up the Great Glen. She loves that she can pick and choose where to get off. She went home with Holly today. Angus turned up and he and Finn went down to the rugby pitch. Grieg joined them as did Finlay, and apparently our Finn's kicking skills were much admired. He will always be grateful for the trip round the world to discover the joys on his own doorstep, which he has cycled or driven past most days of his life!!! He was covered in mud and very happy when he cycled home for a shower and home made pizza. Almost as good as DeVinci's.
Your father and I will be part of the tent raising team tomorrow. I hope I don't let you down. I happily ignored the finer details of that job in the past. I don't suppose it will be as easy as today's 2 phone calls.
Phone line on Monday by no later than 8pm. That's progress...........isn't it?

The Sundance Kid

DEAR SPOOK, The relentless rain was simply a nasty negative thought in my head. It was a beautiful day in the forest. Great light and some warmth!! Gavin only worked in the Wanaka pie shop for about 3.5 weeks, but with the night shift, it probably seemed like 6 months. He watched the Ironman that July in 35 degrees of heat. That shows how varied Wanaka's weather can be as it was pretty cold and dreich when we watched it at the same time of year.
Your son smells that awful damp earthy way that was a permanent feature before we left. He never ever smelt of that in Wanaka, though I'm not kidding myself that he smelt sweet. I found him at the table doing his French homework when I came home yesterday. Meg was upstairs trying to catch up on some Chemistry, which she says is probably not going to be the subject for her. She is way behind and it is very mathematical. She was quite philosophical about it. The house still seems reasonably warm without heating on and fresh snow on the hills. Stark contrast to a regular Kiwi house!
I go to bed with Peter Kerr everynight and read about his family's departure from Mallorca after 3 years and their return to Scotland. I cried when they drove away from Mallorca!! It really is a comfort to read, when I can't talk to you. Your story will be called Pinot Noir to Plonk. Peter's story is Paella to Porridge. The Turners are missing their wee ginger friend, and will be looking for you as a poor stand-in. All they have left is a stuffed Celtic T-shirt, fashioned into a cushion. It sits in their house like a monument to Finn.
I am going to be a poor stand in for YOU now as I need to go and find oil drums to make into braziers for Relentless. Your old ones have perished. There are 300 people coming to ride round the forest all night. The weather forecast is..............well, not great, but with Frazer lighting candles, burning incense and chanting gobildy gook in between mobile phone calls, I feel optimistic.
No phone, mobile or internet.
xxx

Relentless Rain

DEAR SPOOK, well darling, it's raining. No surprises there. I have just dropped the children off at school with Amy and Grieg as their guardians of the day. Finn seems to be taking it all in his stride. The hockey went well last night, but it clashes with rugby training and he is very sure that it is rugby he wants, so that's good. Grieg has said he will go to rugby with Finn, which will make his parents very happy.
Frazer is picking me up at 10.15am to go and mark the course for Relentless. We are meeting James and Gavin Shirley up at the forest. It will be nice to see them, especially as Gavin spent 6 months working in Wanaka's Dough Bin - Finn's favourite pie shop. Frazer expects us to be out on the job until around 4pm so I am having coffee before I go as I know there will never be a Mary 'Mcleod' of Hawea in my working life again, bringing me coffee at crucial times. Just another of the things to adjust to.
I called in to your old work yesterday to see if I could hire a hubby. George and Henry were there. Henry is really looking forward to you coming home and getting a good blether. Jamie came over after his work and helped me to get our bed back up the stairs. I suspect you built that bed in our room and never intended it to leave. There was no way I was ever going to get it up the stairs without help. As Jamie wears your old clothes and smells quite like you used to, it was a good compromise in the hire a hubby stakes.
I need to go and look out some water proofs now..........heavy duty.
Maybe I might have a phone today, but let's not assume.
xx

No Phone Zone.

DEAR SPOOK Last night, I tried to light the stove with an old packet of Ryvita. As confirmation that I have still not learnt to multi-task, I burnt the lentil soup I was re-heating at the same time. I nearly set fire to the kitchen, but not the multi-fuel stove. The positive take on this is that I can in fact multi-task, and the other observation is that Ryvita is not one of the fuels that works in the stove. Possibly just too far past it's sell by date.
The children and I had a walk round the croft, checking out the old den's, the new ones, trees that you could fell, and testing Finn's tree climbing ability. He identified the big oak at the bottom of the croft, directly opposite Ronald and Sheila's, as a good spy tree. But as Sheila spied him imediately and came over to say hello, I think he may have mis-judged that one.
Finn watched for the school bus all afternoon. It was no surprise when it stopped at the bottom of the road and Grieg hopped off. It wasn't long before Kier appeared on his bike. This was particularly good, because when Kier's father came to to retrieve him, he was able to draw my attention to the smoke billowing from the kitchen and not the chimney. The smell should be gone by the time you get home.
Jetlag has kicked in. We were all very tired last night. The children love having their cats all around them, but still make hints about a dog. Finn, Angus and Grieg all slept in a circle the other night, with Granny Maggie's dog snoring and breaking wind in the middle of them. This seemed to make the boys very happy and they slept well. Must have been the noxious fumes.
Still no phone, internet, or mobile. How did people cope in the 'olden times'?
xxx

Magpie and Rabbit Pie.

DEAR SPOOK - love your stories of the warm, weed free, dry life.

Awesome day in paradise,early morning frost gave way to glorious sunshine-not a cloud in the sky!!

Work still feels long as I am going up early and having breakfast there,which is fine as because of holidays there is not much action in the house in the mornings.

Came home and went straight out round the Hawea loop on the road bike which was magic but I was attacked by very angry magpies!!!! twice!!!!! they must be nesting.I asked Chris about them and he said he would contact the police and have them delt with.An Aussie bird,I should have known!!!!!!!! They have problems wtih them every year and as some of the cops are cyclists it gets sorted very quickly.He says some of the riders stick false eyes on the back of their helmets and that is meant to keep them away.

I am planning to go to Gore on Wednesday and also hook up with Robbie as she heads back North after Invercargill !

Ah, Spooky - dogs and horses here, Magpies over there.
The children saw around the school today, which was just a re-introduction for Meg. The staff were lovely and very accomodating. There is a new member of staff who has played rugby to quite a serious level, and is keen to strum up more numbers. Great news for Finn. When the new sports facility is competed, it will be the best in the Highlands. They are very excited about it. The children are now having a relaxing couple of days with their friends all at school, until they have 3 days school before the break up for the holidays. That will be a gentle start.
It is hard to get things done quickly in town as there are so many people asking how we all are. The town looks shabby, but the library has been done up. I was thinking I could get a job picking up the rubbish. Possibly Council cutbacks, but I don't remember it looking so bad. and of course, graffiti on the underpass. Quite a contrast to Wanaka. I think of that nice man, Ryan, cycling about on his bike and cart, dedicated to the cleansing of the town. WE do have a big blue wheely bin that gets picked up once a month for the recycling. That is progress. But I wish I could take all the contents of the stored back room straight to Wastebusters. We can't possibly need it.
Finn has seen a couple of rabbits on the croft which has made his trigger finger twitch. Some of his friends adoring parents will struggle with that bloodthirsty new outlook - not what is generally associated with our gentle son.

Sicky soup for tea.

DEAR SPOOK The day dawned clear and calm with that cool autumn nip that somehow exictes us!
There was a wee fresh dusting of snow on The Ben, but the true sign of summer coming to a close, was the streak of billowing white steam that cut through the dark trees at the foot of The Ben and The Nevis Range as the Harry Potter steam train headed back to Glasgow after it's busy summer , transporting all the Harry, Hagrid and Hogworth spotters out to the coast. That was about 7.45am and the sun popped up over Sgurr Finniscaig at 8am.
The 8 sleepover girls bedded down at 10.30 and were all up at 7.30am - very healthy. Finn had the good sense to go for a boys sleepover at Grieg's.
Emmy came round after work last night which was lovely, but she wasn't impressed with the lack of a fire. I haven't felt it cold in the house yet, and the girls generated a fierce heat upstairs. We will light it tonight and cosy in.
Our neighbours fields are looking very pristine. There are more weeds in our yard than their entire field and I promise I will make everyone pull one or two out each time they pass. It will be all done by the time you get home. The girls tidied up after themselves with Isla doing a magnificent job of 'Luxing.' I had a coffee up at Nicky's and then called in to see Tracy. When I got back I thought all the girls had gone to Amy's. It was lovely and peaceful. I was being a good Highland Wife, gathering kindling from around the yard, when girls came screaming at me from every direction. They had spent 2hours down at the Den (don't you love that 14 year olds are building a den?) when one of the horses got over excited. Amy was pushing Meg in a wheelbarrow and got such a fright she jumped 2metres up into a tree and couldn't get back down. The others shot up the designated horse tree and Maisie got such a fright she couldn't move. But as the horse was never actually coming for them, that didn't really matter. They ran up the road and the neighbours dog ran after them, so they were a wee tad hysterical by the time they found me.
I made 'sicky' soup for tea to counteract the junk food and toast everyone has lived on for the last 24hrs (Grieg and Amy still call my lentil soup 'sicky' since that time I poisoned you all).
The children are so happily embroiled in life here at the moment. The Cameron household and Munro household are barely distinguishable as Meg is now going out with Amy etc for her mum's birthday dinner and Grieg is coming home with myself and Finn to light the fire and eat the soup. Wish us luck. I'm sure it was really the bread you dipped in your soup that night that made you all SO ill.

Out of Communication

DEAR SPOOK It is great to hear that Wanaka still has a stong feeling of home despite your family bailing out on you. I love to hear that you cycled in the Sticky Woods with Pete and his son and bumped into Chris and his son on the way home and went to the pub with them. And that you are having dinner at Pete's tomorrow. It really is amazing the difference in climate. It is very mild here, but wild and windy. some of the hills are dark and rusty and others are yellow and orange with some bright green spots. Autumn is all on the hillsides. Although this wind might blow all the leaves off the trees before they get a chance to change colour. I pity the poor bride who is getting married today. Hard to stay dry and all in one piece. ~The house seems quite dark, so I am planning to paint everything white. But it is cosy and the landlady is quite friendly. Unfortunately, I have no phone, no mobile and no internet, so I feel I am in a remote location. I had my morning coffee sitting on the bench seat at the table and loved looking out our window. Yes, the rain was driving accross the view, but that seems to work over here. I haven't had the nerve to go out to the shed. The potential hairyness of everything out there is too scary a prospect. There are horses everywhere. I hope that is enough to keep your daughter content without rushing out to buy one. Uncle Jamie will keep her right on that. I forgot to say that Uncle Jamie and Auntie Al were round yesterday, as was Aunty Coila - not that anyone got much sense out of me as my head was spinning at high speed. So much for maintaining that lovely pace of life in the south island. I hope you bump into Mary, Maggie, Carrie and Mark. Has John found his way to your new abode yet???? and of course I know you will be round at the Turners when their holiday is over. I do love that you are still there, so that those people don't seem so far away iether. You don't need to be in the middle of our chaotic house just now. You are better in your wee sleepout while we make our house back into our home. Keep telling me every little detail. It would be very easy back here, to forget we were ever away. I'm not ready to feel that way. xx

OOr Hoose

DEAR SPOOK We got into our house at around mid-day. It is bare, but still looks like home. The cats couldn't believe their luck when they were allowed to roam around. They were all sitting on their cushions in the back lobby waiting for the children. Then they began to regret it as more and more children poured into the house once school was out - Angus, Aaron, Grieg, Connor and Shane. Upstairs was for the girls - Alice,Amy, Katie, Holly, Maisie. Mothers came and went and helped me to throw toast and beans at the children. Sara brought me a food package and so did Shane's Mum. Others adults were Postie Jim, Ailsa, Jenna, Robert, Nicky and Dave. Everyone says they have just been desperate to see the house back to it's normal open door policy. Our bed has been moved downstairs and upstairs has been taken over by the children. I will put all that right over the weekend, or it really will be anarchy by the time you get home.
All sleepover's have been postponed til tomorrow so that I can get a bit of order into the house and maybe attempt to unpack one or two things - at least by the time you get home at Christmas. I need to strim the grass (it has never dried long enough for the mower) and do a lot of weeding round the house.
By the sounds of it, there will be about 20 children sleeping over tomorrow. I hope that reassures you that you are in the right place for the time being.
xxx

Fort William

Sure enough, the children found 8 hours of flying a piece of cake. They got increasingly excited the closer we got. All in all, it was a very good journey home, the hardest bit being the 5 hours in Sydney. (How easily I have forgotten my childrens faces, stricken with fatigue, Meg hanging over a sick bag which she had identified early on and laid out - presumabley in case she did turn out to be allergic to the anti-histamine.)

It was lovely to be met by both sets of grandparents. It was a little traumatic to also be met by the the same number of people as the population of the entire south Island, at the 10 mins pick up point. The peace and quiet of the south was quite special.
After lunch at Mum and Dad's we set off North with the children looking forward to savouring every part of the journey. The only CD we could find in my fathers car was Mozart. After listening to Pink swearing at me in the Subaru since Christmas, this was light relief. Finn thought it was awful and both children were sound asleep within half an hour. Then I was able to enjoy the journey on my own. It was very green and lush on Loch Lomondside, but after Tyndrum, the burnt orange grass reminded me it was October. That was when I started to feel excited. We have the whole of October ahead of us and along with the spring, that is my favourite time. Past Bridge of Orchy and over Rannoch Moor was awe-inspiring and Glencoe was dark and brooding as the clouds closed in a little. I was always excited by this journey, so nothing really changed there, but good to know that the beauty of New Zealand's South Island and Central Otago, hasn't diminished the beauty here. Our Kiwi cousins would be impressed.
The homecoming at Frazer and Aileens house, who are sheltering us until our house is free tomorrow, was more than the children could have hoped for. Grieg and Kier waiting at the top of the road and jumping the hieght of themselves when they saw Finn, Connor appearing 5mins later when he got the call that 'he' had arrived, and Angus 5 mins after that. Then the girls appeared, with Ailsa bringing Alice and Holly +gifts for Meg, followed by Morven bringing Amy. Aileen ran around and made coffee, pizza' and dinner for all and sundry. When I took the girls home, I had to drop Meg off at Maisies and when I returned to pick her up, it was like she had never left. It is truly very good to be home. I have loved my year in NZ and the people there who have helped to make it a success and am truly grateful to them for that. But yes, it actually is good to be back.............phew! And gratitude to those here, who spontaneoulsy made me feel that way. Wonder what it will be like to be back in our house. I have been thinking of running around naked, screaming, but not sure. (I may have been watching too much American TV, but please don't think that means any Americans I know run around naked, or screaming - just the ones having their house madeover - and even then, not usually naked. I just wondered if by having a clean house, I might feel the same as if it had been made over.)