Monday, 1 May 2023

Not squatters after all...

For a brief moment I was most alarmed when we arrived at the Torridon cottage last week. It appeared that squatters had taken up residence.

While Gail hastily intervened as I was about to lift a half eaten bar of chocolate from a bag left on the floor, the front door opened and in walked the 'intruders'. 

Happily it turned out that it was our dear friends M and J, using the cottage for a short break away from Aberdeen. I greeted M with a level enthusiasm appropriate to a known bearer of dog treats, while J kept a safe distance. 

It is always possible, when guests are present, that they have not been told those tedious 'house rules' about not feeding the dog from the table. I waited patiently, but in vain, next morning as our friends enjoyed their breakfast. 

Later, after M and J had departed the sunshine appeared and it was time to inspect the garden. 

And then to help Gail dig holes and plant out the azaleas she'd purchased from Cottage Garden Nursery* near Poolewe.

*Gail says: This delightful place sells a huge range of plants, specialising in varieties resilient to weather conditions in the NW of Scotland. Whether the plants are also resilient to being pulled out of the soil after planting and dragged across the lawn by a very NAUGHTY fox terrier before being put back in place, remains to be seen...

10 comments:

  1. Nobby you look such a patient boy, sitting quietly beside M, that I'm surprised she didn't share her breakfast with you.
    The garden looks so lovely, and I'm sure, if they are left alone, the azaleas will add welcome colour and beauty.
    Carol xx

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  2. The photo of you being greeted by M is just a delight.
    The garden looks lovely and I'm sure Nobby was just testing the resilience of the plants. If they can survive a mauling they can survive anything . . . but that face . . . awww!

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  3. What fun to see your cottage in the midst of such spring beauty!
    Those intruders/squatters were a fun surprise for you, Nobby!

    Our auntie's first two pups, cairn terrier and cairn mix...were naughty in the garden, too...they dug up anything she had touched...our current cousin so far has not had her sending that sort of news to us. BOL!

    We do hope your azaleas will thrive, despite your rough attentions!

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  4. Hari OM
    Well, Nobby, what fun to have your good pals come stay with you... as for the planting assistance; pawhaps just stop at digging the holes and leave the rest to Gail, eh? Am a tad jelly green at the weather you appear to have had. Winter temps by the Hutch again requiring Michelin level dressing once more... sigh... Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  5. well not so nice Nobby, the evidence is plainly in sight on your beard. Waiting for a report if the plants live or die... the garden is so beautiful . I wanted Beau and Big to not be fed from the table. they bothe came well trained and did not expect it. I live with the man with the hardest head on the planet, and now we continue to feed tidbits from the table. you were a naught boy but you are a nice boy waiting patiently to not be fed

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  6. BOL BOL BOL NOBBY, I am sure M&J really enjoyed the beautiful cottage and OMDs everything is bursting with color. I loved the tulips at the end.
    NEW HOUSE RULEZ Nobby, once something is planted in the appropriate location THERE WILL BE NO DIGGING THEM UP
    Hugs Cecilia

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    Replies
    1. Thank you dear friend Cecilia, you have opened up a new line of defence. I really was concerned that Gail had not chosen the appropriate location for that azalea...
      Toodle-oo!
      Nobby.

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  7. I am glad you did not have strangers in the house, just friends taking advantage of your awesome hospitatly.

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  8. Nobby, everything looks so splendid at the Torridon cottage, who could blame you for lending a paw with the garden? You are obviously a naturally helpful soul. Thank you for the link to the nursery. And the new header photo is a winner!

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  9. Those pictures of the springtime garden and flowers and scenery are AMAZING! And we are sorry you did not get any extra goodies from the guests, too bad they couldn't slip you a little nosh of something!

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