Well here we go , the annual round of chicks -  will they be boys or girls? We ended up with only 2 , and we have our doubts about them, but they are very sweet and there is little you can do when a hen decides she's going to sit. And of course fewer eggs so I've had to go back to porridge in the mornings.

A lovely summer though mixed weather in August. A friend came down specially to tackle parts of the Kintyre Way, but it was thick mist and rain and we had to make do with the pub at Machrihanish instead. The golfers were made of sterner stuff and one came in in bare feet wringing out his socks.

Brambles are well on the go - not as large and juicy as last year but loads of them - Mike loves bramble jam so they will keep me busy - a nice way to spend a miserable winter's day is to hoick some out of the freezer and make jam. wonderful smells round the kitchen.

Last week-end was the Mull of Kintyre Music Festival and we managed a couple of super concerts.  Braebach a very innovative Scottish Band, and the highlight of a lunchtime do was Soig  Sibiril, the Breton guitarist.  Quite quite brilliant.  So we get our little treats down here.

Makes up slightly for the loss of the Picture House which has had to close.  We were great fans and will miss it a lot.  In theory, if they raise the cash, a new improved Phoenix will rise up in 2016 , but we shall have to see.  So Screen Machine here we come.