Living in a cloud... or should that be cloud cuckoo land?

Sometimes the weekend can just take it out of you...

We've certainly had a busy time and there's no let up on the horizon yet but hey... that's what makes life interesting doesn't it? 

We had visitors come to stay... the first since we've been back here, so it was both lovely and terrifying all at once, especially when the dust was still landing from yet more rubbing down of paintwork the afternoon my guests were due to arrive. 

Seriously, where does that dust come from? I'm sure it's shipped in! 

Not only was the interior of the house covered in white... but also the outside was too due to fog. Or should I say 'Haar' which is a coastal fog that occurs in this part of the country. 
(Haar is typically formed over the sea and is brought to land by wind. This commonly occurs when warmer moist air moves over the relatively cooler North Sea causing the moisture in the air to condense, forming haar. 
Sea breezes and Easterly winds then bring the haar into the East coast of Scotland and North-East England where it can continue for several miles inland. This can be common in summer when heating of the land creates a sea breeze, bringing haar in from the sea and as a result can significantly reduce temperatures compared to those just a few miles inland)
So not only are you visibly impaired by this phenomenon...you're also freezing, whilst just a few miles down the road it can be glorious. 

It is amazing to see the haar come rolling up the hill.
We've been living in a cloud for nearly a week off and on. 
I really thought I'd done so well getting through the winter unscathed. 
I hadn't grumbled too much about the temperature and wet weather (had I?) but when further down the country they have a least 20+ degrees more heat than you...then I'm afraid I'm not such a happy bunny. 
Thankfully, just a few hours before my guests arrived the sky cleared and the sun shone, so at least their welcome was a little more cheery...but then it took a turn for the worst once again. Talk about Scotch Mist!

But it never stopped us doing what we wanted and even managed an afternoon when the thermometer touched 34 degrees Celsius... I kid you not... but then it was in full sun. 

(this photo only shows 30 but believe me it did reach 34 and without a match involved as someone suggested!)
Well that's just typical of our British weather I suppose and it's what keeps us on our toes and constantly talking about it.  
So enough about our weather...

Now this part of the post is where the internet left me last night...it just went phew and disappeared, so this post is a little disjointed plus I've had a humdinger of a day today.
I will spare you all the gory details but one of the main factors is that I put the wrong fuel into my car! Now I wish I could blame someone...anyone...but I can't. I was very skilled and proficient in this action even ignoring the fact that the nozzle didn't fit correctly! 
I KNOW...you can't say anything more than I've said to myself already...plus I know you're possibly doubled up with laughter and at risk from falling off your chair, so I'll move on swiftly! 
I'd just like to say in my defence that apparently it's quite a common occurrence according to the nice chap in the garage... so there you go... I'm not alone. 

I'm being distracted by a tap, tap, tap on my new windows as I type. 
Is there no let up today? I seriously think I need to take myself off into a darkened room. I'm just not safe.
The tapping is from a 'willy wagtail' flinging himself at the window. 
He's working his way around the whole house leaving his little marks behind. 
On my new windows too! (deep breaths...in through the nose...out through the mouth!)

At first I thought he was catching insects but he's wearing himself ragged, so it must be a territorial thing and his reflection is a threat in his eyes.
I remember we used to have a robin constantly flapping and pecking at my wing mirror on my car when we lived here before. He spent days trying to defend his patch and so I decided to intervene in the end to save his sanity by putting some kitchen paper around the wing mirror every time I parked on the drive so he couldn't see his reflection. 
It worked thankfully but I can't do that for the wagtail with all the new windows! 
There's 36 of them for goodness sake! 
We've also had surprise visits from white doves over the last two days. 
Firstly only two arrived but this morning five landed. 
Obviously they've passed the word on that our five star bird feeders are a must! 

(the ladders are from the slater fixing our roof slates...so don't worry if you see a dodgy slate...he hasn't made it to this side yet)

Now what else has been happening...oh yes, we did visit a castle over the weekend, so if you'd like to come on a little tour then come back soon. I'm just editing later today...
In the meantime I'll sign out with yet another sunset... I just can't resist them.

I'm off to go to that darkened room!
At this rate I'll never get to do any artwork which reminds me... the studio is coming along nicely and there's even creative work being produced in there. 
My daughter has settled in well and at least she's creating which makes me very happy. Hopefully I'll be able to join in soon. 

(Psst...I've not forgotten that I've not got back to your emails and comments...I opened my inbox yesterday and there were 203 unopened waiting for me. 
I've seen everyone of them, but just haven't got to answer them yet...but I WILL!!!!

Have a great week and just a tip from me... take a second look at that petrol/gas gauge before you continue! Eek...
 xoxo