Today - there is snow

See the mountain on the left - Snow time.... all the puddles were frozen.
Mixed feelings about this. Love winter - hate the dark...

HMM not dog related

I got tagged by Maja

Players- you must list one fact, word or tidbit that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your first or middle name. when you are tagged you can write your own blog-post containing your name facts etc.at the end of your blog-post you can choose the amount of people that your name has to tag (i.e.- 6 letters, 6 people to tag). don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they have been tagged and to read your blog.

Maja sent me the above - so being the good sport that I am I will try and give it a go.

S - toss up between Strong and Sensative - one day I am one and the next day I am the other. I feel that I have a very strong personality and a pretty tough exterior, but the interior is mushier than Völu buff (a super sweet super soft Icelandic marshmallow coated in chocolate and coconut)

I - independent - easy one that one. Taught by my father to always be able to do things for myself or at least attempt to do it - but also to realise that sometimes you just have to ask for help.

G - gregarious... I love people (most of the time) and there is nothing that I enjoy more than having friends and family over for dinner or just hang out.

G- gastronome - according to this definition: a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink). I love food, especially - I love a good wine... what more can I say

A-ambivalent - uncertainty or fluctuation, esp. when caused by inability to make a choice or by a simultaneous desire to say or do two opposite or conflicting things. Thats me to a tee - which is all caused ofcourse by the absorption of Linda Goodman at an early age, believing that being a Libra made it inherantly impossible for me to come to a quick decision or having made a decision wondering whether the other alternative/s may or may not have been a wiser move.... Hence, to over come this I now try to live by the motto "No regrets, EVER"

I will not inflict this on 5 others... so it ends

Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.

So the dog gives me the look - isn´t it time to go outside now... Well, today is a typical autumn day with a rather large low pressure system moving over the country resulting in extremely stong northerly winds and what can basically be referred to as rather "shitty" weather. Nevertheless, she won (again) and we went for a walk.

The above photo really doesn´t show the extent of the wind force, however, it is one of my favourite shots of the town, looking down from the path up to the cemetary towards the church and old part of town.



If you look carefully you can see the waves at the southern end of the fjord, you can just barely see the mountains on the other side of the fjord. We made it up to the top of the path, with a few doggy stops on the way.



Freyja has such a lovely butt don´t you think, all this long hair - its all a part of her "virgin" queen image.

The new zealanders are in town again for slaughter season, which means that the social life is slightly improved. Funny how when living in a small town, one knows that the microscope of community opinion is on all the time, so going out as a single woman, no matter what the age often incurs a feeling that everyone is looking at you. Being just shy of 45 I have decided that this is something I need to overcome, because surely people have better things to do. Added to that I have been here for 3 years and have felt at times totally invisible, so thinking that I am under a microscope is so utterly far from the truth. Just last week someone asked me whether I was here on holidays. - which basically proves the point. No more hanging at home or being dependent on the relatives to accompany me out. Mind you as I said it helps that the kiwis are here - at least I know that I am bound to see a friendly face.

It´s my nieces birthday today - she turned 30. Strange how her birthday affects my aging more than my own.

The mountain sheep are sweeter, But the valley sheep are fatter. We therefore deemed it meeter To carry off the latter. - Thomas Love Peacock

Just a quickie

Survived the sheep round up - part 1.

We started off at 6:30 in the morning - rode for a few k´s to meet the rest of the round-up people. Here we divide the hills and valleys between the different crews. We take a valley that runs parallel to the mountain pass.

It was raining - which meant mud and lots and lots of water logged land.. not much fun for horse and rider. However, it did get nicer at around midday. The sheep herding went quite well and we made it down to Kálfadal by 3:30 and then to the main rétt by 5pm. Twas a long and weary day - but very enjoyable - as usual all the pre-roundup jitters were for naught and although tired and sore today I am glad that I did not pike out this year. Am even wondering whether to volunteer for part 2 next weekend - which really is just a nice ride in the park - not so many sheep and just horses that basically follow you home.

Will try and get some photos from Maggi - I think I saw him there with his camera - he was a "hero" rode with sheep over his saddle....

Biting and scratching is Scots folk's wooing.

Glennfinnen Monument:
Just down the road from the house we were renting. Apparently this is where Bonnie Prince Charlie arrived and raised his standard in order to gather the clans to take over the throne for his daddy who stayed behind in France... well we all know how that ended don´t we. Anyway, Glennfinnen is a beautiful place and apart from constant drizzle we had a wonderful time there.


This is the house that we stayed in - twas great the greatest and bestest bit though was the stove:

I was in kitchen heaven. they could have had a few more utensils and serving dishes. I cooked every night bar one - when we attempted to eat out - third hotel we went to was able to serve us - remember when going to Scotland to either make a reservation or never go in groups of more than 4....

More later

"A collie has the brain of a man, and the ways of a woman."

This was not the only dog I saw in Scotland but it was the first one I saw!

Have just returned from 9 days away from Freyja - I don´t know who is feeling worse about me being away - I think that it may be me...

Still had a great time. Saw heaps - but not enough! A beautiful country with lots and lots of places where you can lose yourself completely.. Am now seriously thinking about buying a crofters cottage in some forgotten glen and lose myself completely. However, it will have to wait..
The house we were in "the old school house" was perfect. Such a great warm and welcoming house - with three bathrooms. Which is what you need when there are eight of you. Also, the best bit, it had an amazing kitchen. And as I was the cook for the week I had a wonderful time, I am now thinking seriously of turning my whole house into one big kitchen. Forget sofas and making people feel comfortable. After shelter comes food (maslov???) So I figure a house with a kitchen and a bedroom is really all that man needs.

Will post more on Scotland soon