You may think this is a rather creative image, but basically my hands were shoogling so much because of the cold that the camera wouldn't stay still.  HOWEVER the point is that Mike is plastering the hall in Mhairis.  We have put off redecorating it because we knew it hadn't been done for ages which would mean layers of paper,   and yes - 6 layers in all.  But with the help of a steamer and Andrew and 3 days work it was taken back down to the plaster board and Mike set to last week-end and got it all plastered.  Excellent way to spend yet another pouring week-end. My contribution was tea and rushing in to town to get more bags of Thistle Ultralight.  So by the time the first visitors to Mhairi's clock in there will be a new look hall AND new windows in the living room  (joiner comes today).  Generally you wait a year down here to get a carpet laid, a joiner to join, or wood to get delivered - 2 years to get the phone mended.  But we have hit a lucky break with the windows - a joiner plus a dry day.  Cross fingers!

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Here we are, the first daff of the season - not the earliest ever but not bad going.  I hope it's cheering up passers-by as we have yet another awful week-end ;  sitting on the balcony overlooking Dougie's sodden fields is a bit like being on the bridge of the Arran ferry. (well, we don't actually sit on the balcony at the moment, just press our noses against the salt strewn glass hoping for a fleeting glimpse of the sun).

Currently we are waiting for Andrew  to come and do some painting in Mairi's Cottage, for Ewan to chop the tree down in Colin's garden, and for Gerry to put new windows in.  It was a shame that Mike packed the tin of paint badly so when he opened the car door it upended over the car park;  still, it missed the back seat which was something.

Latest chat is that a fabulous cake maker has moved into the village (as they do) and is planning a super tea shop so we'll see; but the place seems to be reverting back to its holiday persona again and who knows what will be in store for you this coming season.

Meanwhile the dog is barking so I better go and see who's at the door....