Monday 19 September 2016

The Shed

It's a gorgeous day today.  Rosemary, Pippa, and myself have been for a nice stroll along a quiet side road and now Rosemary is happily playing with giraffe on her playmat; Pippa is passed out in her crate; and I am uploading photos while the washing machine does the nappies.

So, the shed.  The house we're currently in doesn't have a garage or any sort of outside storage.  Wouldn't be a huge problem except the trike needs somewhere and we do have things like lamp oil which are safer stored outside.  So, after poking various websites, Jo found someone who was willing to send the kit via MacLennan motors.  The kit where one box weighed 54kg.  Have I mentioned that crofters are deceptively strong?  There's one who does the MacLennan deliveries, he hoiked the 54kg (that's something like 8 stone) box out of the van on his own; Jo had to unpack it in situ!  Never underestimate a crofter.

And so the bits of shed sat/stood in the house for a bit until the weekend before my parents came up.  That Saturday it was warm and fairly still, and most importantly dry, so Joseph and two friends set to assembling this shed.

I popped out to assist every so often but Rosemary was having a hungry day so I spent most of my time indoors feeding her and changing bums.

The manual suggests that two people will take approximately 6.5hrs to construct this thing.  Nine hours later this was bolted to the concrete:
 photo ShedShell_zpssp9beanb.jpg

and the roof was in progress:
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Why did we have fans plugged in outside?  Believe it or not, they kept the midgies at bay.  Jo looked like he had the measles the next day because of the bitey bugs.

Rosemary wanted to supervise so she came out with her personal midge-proofing:
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Sunday afternoon the roof was done and, with the aid of my 6'4" dad, put on top.
 photo ShedBuilding2_zpsevz3d926.jpg

and that was how it sat for a day or two.  Dad and I assembled the doors while my Mum sat with Rosemary, and the shed was DONE!

But four 10mm bolts versus Tiree winds?  Yeah, right.  Jo had purchased some marquee pegs and ratchet straps.  We installed one about two weeks ago, and I put the other one over this week after hearing the shed making banging noises in some not-high-for-Tiree winds.

It's looking pretty good.

 photo ShedAndCar_zpsrbzcnkr8.jpg

That car?  Prepare to see it driving around Tiree, slowly, and wiggly, I am going to learn to drive.  I've had my first lesson (thanks dad!), but am a fairly long way from driving more than 15mph.  Still, I only stalled twice and kangaroo'd twice; not bad for someone who has never driven before.

We get in some lovely walks in this area and I finally have photos of highland cows!  There are none in easy walking distance of Crossapol, so I lived here for four and a half years seeing only meat cows.  Now we have this one and its pals just down the road:
 photo SummerCow_zpsn9wr93bh.jpg

Rosemary and I have also seen cruise ships off the shore:
 photo CruisingOffTiree_zpsdzgra5il.jpg

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One lot visited this week and had a great time, the weather was wonderful for them too.

Autumn is coming though, Rosemary had to wear a jumper at the weekend:
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She liked the warmth, but not the restriction to her movement.  Bulky arm seams are a baby's nemesis apparently.

That's it really, we're adjusting to family life; the dog is adjusting to the new house; and I may one day catch up on my sleep.  I'll leave you with a photo of Rosemary chewing her friend, mouton.

 photo EatingMouton_zpshcv0mnsb.jpg

TTFN

Monday 5 September 2016

Three months already?

We have moved again.  We are now renting a house over in the gorgeous Balemartine.  It's taken weeks to unpack; who knew having a baby added so much time to things?

Babies also add to packing time, and you may find yourself packing the baby...
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One sunny day we went for an explore.  Rosemary decided her feet needed sunning apparently.
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Rosemary is three months old now!  She's almost managing to sit and has great grip.

One month old.
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Two months:
 photo RosebugTwoMonthsOld_zpsb5sytvdk.jpg

Three months, and growing like a weed!
  photo RosemaryThreeMonths_zpsv3oykczo.jpg

We had Jo's family up about mid August and Rosemary got to meet her Grampy, Granny, and aunties and uncles, and her cousin!

 photo CousinsTogether_zpsn5l6ngqq.jpg

 photo HelloCousin_zpsl6hyw5es.jpg

You wouldn't believe there is three months between them, would you?  He's six months already, closer to seven now.  He had a great time saying hello to his cousin, exploring things, and smothering himself in food!  Broccoli especially, makes great body paint.

We all had a wonderful week and the sun was out most of it too.  Rosemary learned to grip things.
 photo Curler_zpswjfiazye.jpg

This did lead to her attempting to thieve the yarn I'm using to make her a blanket.
 photo YarnThief_zps7wrzz1ls.jpg


I ordered her a sunhat, but didn't measure her head, need to put in a little tuck I think!
 photo BitBigMum_zpsq7io3mea.jpg

She also had a few goes at sitting on sofas
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 photo ChillingOnTheSofa_zpsmiq5ncsf.jpg


She LOVES holding things now.  Playtime has gained a whole new dimension.
 photo PlaytimeAug16_zpsgdfijpyb.jpg

We had a week "solo", just the three of us with Jo at work during the day; and then it was my parents' turn!

 photo GrandmaGrandadRosemary_zpsuhpi6574.jpg

My parents took lots of photos, I just enjoyed the extra bods and Dad's help putting up our blinds and finishing the shed.

Yes, the shed!  But that will have to wait for another post, I am being summoned.  I shall leave you with a photo from today of Rosemary and her giant pal, Peter.

 photo RosemaryPeterDog_zpsnfsz90ph.jpg