Earlier this week Scotland was hit by Gale force winds which caused havoc all over the country. Huge ancient trees were uplifted and in this area many of the fruit farms poly tunnels were ripped to shreds, horrendous for all affected. In general May has not been it's usual sunny warm month, we were spoilt by the glorious weather in April.
As always the bluebells in Darroch Woods looked stunning again this year. I suggested to South African guests to go and have a look as they were keen walkers and they loved it and took many photographs. They did many of the local Blairgowrie walks, they only checked in for one night and ended up staying three nights.
On Monday night I had two couples staying and the husband of one of the couples had arranged for some flowers to be delivered the next morning for his wife as it was their anniversary, naturally she was delighted. However they were all off to walk the Cateran Trail so I looked after the flowers. I had another bunch of flowers delivered this morning for the lady from her husband, so when they returned today to pick up their cars and luggage they kindly said I could keep the first beautiful bunch. the flowers are from our local Blairgowrie award winning florist 'Something Special'.
A couple of weeks ago I won a potato planting kit on Twitter from a competition run by Tyrrells crisps. This morning at 7.ooam the door bell went and it was the postman with my prize. I was only expecting a potato planting bag, but in the box there was also a lovely trowel and eight packets of crisps. The crisp flavour selection was Stilton & Grape, Chicken & Tarragon, Salt Marsh Lamb & Mint, Ludlow Sausage & Mustard and finally Worcester Sauce & Sundried Tomato. Better get eating crisps and planting potatoes! Thank you Tyrrells.
I love the local small-holdings you can come across selling their own produce. I thought a nice poached Duck egg would go well with the asparagus and stocked up on some Rhubarb for my popular breakfast compote.
On Tuesday I saw some 17 week old Black Rock pullets for sale in the local paper and as I have space for some more I thought why not. So yesterday after a call to the advertiser I went and picked up two lovely new ladies. I left them in the hen house for a while before opening the door to see what would happen. They didn't waste any time emerging for some food and a drink, the resident ladies were not totally impressed, which was to be expected, but by and large the introduction went well. Once the original hens had gone into roost I put the other two in the hen house and left them for the night. I got up earlier than usual just in case there was some early morning fighting, but all was quiet, so fingers crossed they will all settle together.