a new hotel is opening in the neigbourhood

At the time of typing this paragraph, there are six teenagers is the house. Three are camping out in Annie's bedroom, three in a tent in the garden. It has been a constant coming and going here and I wonder if maybe we are a bit too welcoming? There are also three pre-teens in the house... Do you think I should start charging hotel rates for towels, bedding and meals?

The weather forecast was abysmal for the Bank Holiday weekend and we cancelled our camping trip. We recreated the camping spirit on Friday night with an impromptu BBQ with all our camping friends. It was a lovely night and I we were all glad to be sleeping in our own cosy beds, comfortable in the knowledge that any nighttime wanderings to the loo would not require wellington boots, rain coat and storm lamps.

We used the time not spent keeping warm by gathering wood and huddling around the campfire wisely. Richard finally hung pictures that have been sitting on the dresser in the spare rooms since September 2016. We had a large picture wall in our old dining room and opening up the space when we built the extension meant that we lost quite a bit of wall space. We hung our favourite art but there were some less loved pieces that we chose to ignore. They were all given a wee wall space now in our spare bedroom, where Richard recreated our picture wall with what was left. A photo collage that Richard received for his 40th Birthday is also finally hanging on the wall. Richard has celebrated his 50th Birthday a while back. We do take our time in this house. He also took all the accumulated crap to the recycling centre and charity shop. The room is more inviting now and it needs to be because Sam offered the room to a University friend in August. He'll stay until they find an affordable flat to share with two more friends. Ideally with a pool table and a live in cook :-)

We made space for a family gallery in the hallway outside our shower room . This is a much travelled hallway and well lit, too. A good spot to look at family photos I think. We have a small selection of framed photos that have also been gathering dust in the spare room and I have some photos in mind that I would like to add to the collection. I aim to have this done by the end of the year.

I made peace with the proportions of my new quilt top. In fact, the size is perfect for the spare bed. I did a bit of leisurely browsing for perfect quilt proportions (thanks Jane for the tip). There is a golden ratio that can be applied to rectangle quilts but it makes for an even longer and narrower quilt than I already have. Common sense prevailed, the perfect quilt proportions for me are those that please my eye. I am feeling much relieved. I ordered some fabric for the back and to join them, I pieced some smaller remnants together on Sunday afternoon.

Richard and I went bathroom shopping on Bank Holiday Monday. Neither of us likes this kind of shopping but needs must. We have been unable to find a plumber/small local business to fix the plumbing and renovate our shower room. It appears that these chaps can't be arsed calling back and if they do, they won't have time until November 2031 to come out for some measurements. The one plumber that did come never produced a quote and we have not heard from him in weeks. End of rant. We went to exactly one bathroom shop, a national chain that does everything. We had a wee wander around the showroom, saw some nice things, picked up a catalogue and made an appointment for someone to come out, take measurements and work out a design according to our specifications. This week. Yes, this week. If we like the design and the quote, a surveyor will come out to make sure it is actually do-able and check measurements and existing plumbing. Free of charge up to this point. I am moderately optimistic that our leaking shower room will be fixed this year - albeit at a high cost.

European election - what can I say? I voted Green as I usually do when I am allowed to vote. The Scottish Greens didn't win a seat. I see here that the Scottish National Party with three seats is lumped in with the Greens in Europe, I am ok with that and I am glad that Scottish interests are represented in Europe (long may it last, Europe that is). Despite its unfortunate name, it is a party that has greener credentials than many and Mrs Sturgeon (the Scottish First Minister for those readers not familiar with her) has more integrity than any of the big names in politics in the UK at the moment. On a similar note, the Conservative leader contest fills me with dread.

It is Monday evening now and you'll be pleased to hear that at the moment, only one additional teenager is in the house. It is mercifully quiet and I am enjoying it very much. Back to work tomorrow.

Have a lovely week. Thank you for stopping by and saying hello.