I’m at a loss. Finished all my projects, tidied my sewing room, and don’t know what to do.

For the last few months I have been possessed. Finished the Iliad and the Odyssey, and Margaret Attwood’s ‘The Penelopiad’, Madeline Miller’s  book, ‘Circe’ and Robert Graves, ‘The Greek Myths’. All this coincided with Edinburgh University’s series of on-line lectures. I was able to consolidate so much with Rolland Mann’s lecture on Homer. So – a good start to the year. Natasha rang the other day saying we should go to Greece next April (if possible) and I nearly jumped down the phone. How wonderful would that be. Culturally of course, but I have visions of the blue Aegean, the stuffed vine leaves and red mullet and cold white wine and olive trees and wandering about in flip flops and letting the ancient world seep into my bones.

Apart from revelling in myths and legends, I have been sewing my swansong. I started with birds and butterflies, which eventually became the border of a rather pretty garden quilt.

which eventually became the border of a rather pretty garden quilt.

It just seemed to grow, and I would stand gazing and wondering if a clematis might suit the edging and should the gold finch have a crocus to stand by him.

It was a joy to do, even though John was concerned about how black my eyes looked after hours bent over the sewing machine. Yesterday we took the finished quilt to the Long Arm Quilter who lives in Stirling who will work her magic on it, and I should get it back in a couple of months.

John has been foraging the sea shores on both sides of the Forth. Discarded bricks dating back from the 1850s lie embedded in the mud and sand,

and together we have hauled them out and carried them home. He has painstakingly chipped the rubble off them and treated them to a good bubble bath, then finally painted in their names.

They now stand around our latest feature… a new flower bed (a bit like a kid’s paddling pool) and they look very classy in their new role.

We have planted wild flowers in it, near the Beespoke Hotel. Nobody can say we are not doing our bit for the planet. Mind you the only residents so far in the hotel are two spiders. We have high hopes.

I had my second Covid jab and promptly fell at death’s door. It was awful. I had NO reaction from the first one, then wham, I had high fever, shivers and headache. I still feel flat and tired, but all the other symptoms have gone. But we are so lucky. We are done. We can move onwards. Didn’t expect that, this time last year.

I did meet Irene a few weeks back (when we were allowed) and we had such fun. Jumped on an Edinburgh Bus and did the whole route, sitting up at the top seeing the sights. It was brilliant. People sitting out in the sun, cherry blossom and spring flowers dotting the way and we talked and talked, like two bandits with our dark glasses and masks.

Meanwhile John and Mike had been fishing, and came back with two mighty rainbow trout each. A good day was had by all.

We have had Dillon and Darcey for the odd day when Nursery has been closed, so that has been good for taking us out and letting them run free. Their chatter is a tonic. Sadly I can’t see Bonnie and Hazel yet, and Hazel seems to agree. Natasha showed her a picture of my quilt on her phone, ‘I don’t want to see Granny’s quilt, I want to see Granny!’ Quite so.

Hopefully we can break free soon and get out on the open road. We are so excited to get the camping things together, but my goodness the weather has been cold. Poor little baby plants are being treated like royalty, being brought in to sleep in the warmth every night. They are getting a little big for such pampering, so hopefully after this weekend?

Mind you, I was pleased the weather was so vile during the Snooker world championship. I felt no guilt, sitting and watching frame after frame, sometimes being quite animated at the twist and turn of fate, as the little balls didn’t go quite where they should have. I also found Mark Selby very pleasing to the eye – Mr Granite – he would be a very good model for Ken of the Barbie doll world. I also love Ronnie O’Sulliven, but he was knocked out quite early… he is just a force and is so revered. My mum and I used to watch Pot Black many moons ago.

I took a notion one wild windy day to paint a mural out on the decking. We were able to get some sheets of wood, which John coated in white and we set about it. I started doing a Scottish mountain theme, but it was too cold.

So, inspired by a Doha friend who had created Tuscany on her villa wall, I tried something similar. I just got a sponge and started! It was quite liberating. John painted the arches, and helped with the architectural accuracies of the little houses, and we now have the most unusual scene to greet us every morning. I do need to touch up the lavender fields and I want to put on a vine to hang down from the arches. But, feel reluctant. It somehow looks ok.

So for today, it is goodbye. I shall await further inspiration. I do hope it won’t be long in coming. Everyone needs something to look forward to, and something to be interested in.

For today my aim is quite lowly. I shall make some soup.

Adieu.