Looking back over the past week or so, it doesn’t feel like we’ve done much other than watch an awful lot of sport on the telly!

We’ve had a few trips out, mainly for shopping in preparation for a visit from Louise, Lee & the grandkids later this week & decorating after they have gone, plus to buy bits for the garden (including a new BBQ, fruit trees etc), and enjoyed a few walks when the weather or energy levels have allowed!

Like much of Scotland, the weather has been mostly grey interspersed with the occasional sunny bit (Saturday 14th was lovely – amazing how a bit of sunshine can make you feel more positive…) but, although we’ve had some rain, I don’t think it’s been anything like other parts of the UK. Pete and I have decided that the Holm has its own climate and weather system as it never really matches the forecast 🤣

Pete’s energy levels are still a bit up and down although he seems to be getting over the chemo and some days there is no stopping him… I know he’s feeling better as he’s taken to getting the hoover out on a daily basis meaning his obsession with cleaning the house daily is returning 😣!

Rain or shine, we have still managed to walk most days and have started to extend our walks although these are still mainly around the village.

Here’s some pics…

The spring flowers are looking good – plenty of snowdrops…

… and crocuses coming through 😊 – can’t wait for the daffodils to bloom in the garden!

We have both been enjoying the Winter Olympics, particularly the curling which seems to be an exclusively Scottish thing for team GB.

How exciting to watch Matt Weston win the first Olympic Gold medal (Skeleton) by any individual man since Robin Cousins (Figure Skating) back in 1980 (I vaguely remember that one too! 🤣)! And then to do the double by winning gold with Tabby Stoecker in the Mixed Skeleton too – woohoo! And then there was Gold from Huw Nightingale & Charlotte Bankes in the Snowboard Cross – very exciting. Well done all of them and let’s hope there’s a few more medals to come! 🤞

Our Winter Olympic champs… photos off the internet:

I never got to go on the skiing school trip as a kid although brother Andy (& I think maybe brother Chris too?) did. By the time it came round to me, either the school wasn’t doing those trips anymore, Mum & Dad couldn’t afford it or it wasn’t deemed appropriate for girls… not really sure! Bit jealous though as brother Andy is still a regular skier to this day. He often works with Traveleyes doing guided ski trips for people with sight impairments… Of course, living in Romania on the edge of the mountains, they tend to get a lot of winter snow so winter sports are a big thing for my sister in law & niece, who first skied when she was about 2 years old!

I find it strangely exhilarating regardless of whether people are whizzing down mountains on skis or the sliding track on a tea tray! I love the acrobatics of the halfpipe & big air comps, the tactics of the curling and the sheer madness of ski jumping but my favourite is the cross country skiing – particularly the Biathlon (skiing & shooting).

Pete and I have always been interested in having a go at curling… there are plenty of rinks near us now in Lockerbie, Dumfries & Kelso that do “try curling” sessions but neither of us is sure we are actually flexible enough now – it looks surprisingly physical to me! Maybe one day…

Saturday just gone was of course, Valentines Day… ❤️ Anyone fancy guessing what we did?

Yep – we sorted out our funeral plans with the Coop! Romantic or what??? 🤣🤣🤣 At least that’s done!

We did also go for a nice walk as the weather, despite being flipping freezing, was sunny! It was like the local wildlife had come to life again once the sun came out – I saw a red squirrel in the woods behind the houses (no photo – it was too quick!), and we spotted not one, but four Bullfinches in one bush…

All-in-all, am feeling pretty contented this Monday morning… TTFN xx