From this point on, you are just to assume that life in Bamberboo Land is full and overflowing, and slightly crazy.  The wall papering is NOT finished because… because, I have not had time to finish it.  It is on the schedule for tomorrow, if the six kids in my charge will allow me to do it! 

Saturday was spent in a mad dash to Costco for general supplies and a birthday cake for Hannah’s party.... Sunday was the party - and can I just say The Farm is a brilliant place for party games like Sardines and Treasure Hunts.  Len’s neice, Karen, and my neice, Bethan, stayed over for a couple nights and with the weather still on The People’s side for a change this year I hardly saw the kids on Monday and Tuesday.  Rumour has it ‘the fort’ has wall to wall carpeting now (thanks to the carpet fitters off-cuts) and it has a small TV now too.  The power supply is questionable, but it is said that with the right kind of effort The Imagination is enough to make the TV and the imaginary remote work!

My sister, Annette, arrived from Ireland yesterday with her three kids and one of their friends so we spent the day with them at Mammy’s house… which turned into an overnighter for the kids.  I popped home for the kids hiking gear and then this morning, Mom, Annette and I took the kids (my 4, Annette’s 3 + friend) to Queen’s View for a little hike (pictures to follow… yes, with the wallpaper pictures!  Oh yeah, and the Edinburgh pictures from last month...)

This the first hike I ever did in Scotland when I was 14 years old - and I did it quite a few more times as a teen. It was wonderful taking my own kids there today and sharing it with them.  The children, even Rosie, were amazing for the whole walk (which I think was nearly 4 miles) (the first 2 being mostly up hill) and I only had to say once that if they complained about this exercise then they wouldn’t be watching any tv, playing the computer/xbox/gameboys etc for a month!!  I know, I sound mean very mean!!  This is a little map of the walk. 

We took the route that appears to be at the top of the map starting from the A809 and we ended at “The Whangie” The Whangie is a geological fault, 50 feet deep and 300 feet long, probably the result of glacial movement and is beautiful series of jutting rocks from the ground.  We rested there (well Annette and I rested while the kids climbed the rock and found little caves to crawl into - I miss unlimited energy like that) then we headed back down to the car park where Mammy had a BBQ waiting for us!

After lunch, HHD & R (Hannah, Heidi, Daniel & Rosie) begged me to take them to Loch Lomond (Which we could see from up the hill) to “cool off”.  I assumed they meant taking off their hiking boots and dipping their feet in the ‘baltic’ water - but no.  Oblivious to onlookers, my children stripped down to the bare bones of clothing and went swimming in Loch Lomond!!  A sure sign that they have 50% of their father’s blood running through their veins!  They had my permission to go in but they had to promise not to whine ("even once") when they got out and there were no towels to dry off with!  They were good to their word!

We got home at 7 this evening and they we’re excited find that Calder and Bethan were staying overnight tonight an tomorrow night! 

I came home excited to find that I have a bedroom (partially wallpapered.. but that’s another story) to sleep in tonight!!

Friday Annette and kids are here at The Farm with us… and then, did I tell you?  Our friends are coming from Belgium on Sunday… for a week!!  Oh yeah, and school starts on MONDAY!!

*contented sigh* This summer has been what summers should be!