Last night, Euan and Auri nipped along to Chanonry Point to meet some friends and watch the dolphins as the tide and the weather were both perfect. It was Elfi’s bedtime so we couldn’t join them, but it was a magical evening, and listening to Auri chattering away excitedly as she got ready for bed when she got back (waaaaaaaaay past her bedtime!) will be something that will stay with me forever.
Remember the other day when I thought Auri might be worn out from a busy day and go to bed on time? Well, this was what she did instead.
Today, Auri and I had An Adventure Day, featuring buses, a bank, a museum and art gallery (including a Highland Cow treasure hunt!), a trip to campus, and coffee and croissants. A tiny, tiny part of me thought Auri might actually be worn out tonight and go to bed on time, but no.
“I’ve got combs in my hair and they won’t go,
The lyrics to “Spirits” by The Strumbellas, as sung by Auri.
Spirits in my hair and they won’t go…”
Today, we had one of those lazy family walks which turned into a two-hour ramble. Auri kept saying, “I’m having too much fun!” and Elfi kept laughing and chattering away. The promised showers hadn’t really come to anything, and it was still, warm and calm. We are in peak mushroom season right now, with several varieties popping up in different parts of the woods. Auri knows not to touch any, as I’m not confident enough in my identification, but keeps reminding me that our friend Daša knows which ones we can collect and eat so she’ll be doing that with her one of these days.
I have had my eye on this, by Jane Glue, for a while, and I finally decided to buy myself it to mark the end of my maternity leave. It arrived this morning, and I couldn’t love it more.
“And one thought crystallises like an icy blast:
The lyrics to “Let It Go”, as sung by Auri.
I’m never going back, the pasta’s in the pan!”
And it’s all change for August! A beautiful day, and a walk filled with pale, dappled sunshine in The Pinewood. Elfi has now started nursery, Auri has two weeks left before starting school, and I’m officially on annual leave rather than maternity leave now.
And… breathe.
A rainy, rainy walk today, though so much greenness! July bowing out true to her form this year, on both accounts.