Week One - Moniack Mhor

My cottage

My neighbours

My view

The darling buds of March

I'm really here. And now I so don't want to leave!

Everyone has been so welcoming - even the demented resident crow, Rupert, has flung himself repeatedly at my windows in what I can only hope is enthusiastic greeting. And the centre car - The Beast - is no longer an unknown terror. After having my bottom boiled (thank goodness I've found the off button for the seat warmer at last!) AND having to back 1/2 a mile up a steep single track road with ditches on either side because the guy with the trailer missed the passing place, I made it to my first school in Dingwall without killing anyone and had a great time. So The Beast is now, I guess, more of a known terror, but those are the better kind.

I am well stuck in to writing Samuel Palmer's Moon, and still setting myself unrealistic daily goals. Week 2 includes going off to the Aye Write book festival in Glasgow Monday and Tuesday, and visiting 2 schools in Inverness on Wednesday, then time again to write my tiny socks off.

And now, back to it!

Cheers, Joan.