A Wintry Day

Well blow me down !!!! Or was that just the high winds in the mountains once again. Had to slow down on the road on the way back from a housesit on the Bells Line of Road to visit the in-laws and had to stop behind a long line of cars. What now?? Over the last year we've have many stops on this road, with pot holes being filled, tree trimming by the electricity people, whole sections re-tarred, new line painting, electric people again - replacing poles and then this time, cleaning up the remnants of yet another tree which decided to lay it;s life on the line - LOL - and lie across the road to try and trap the unwary motorist. Alas, poor tree - you were reported by a vigilant local ! No laying down on the road and resting when you could be someones firewood. Never fall down here where it's been freezing cold and the locals trying to keep warm - you gave them what they wanted - your fine bark upon their fireplaces :)

The heaters are cranked up high and by the smell in the air and the pervading mist of smoke, many fireplaces must be burning brightly in the hearths, thus keeping their owners warm. I love the clicking sound of my own oil heater as it hums along keeping my toes toasty and my brow sweating. LOL. Sometimes I think his Lordship likes being hot - never mind warm. I sometimes think that too hot equals getting sicker quicker, because when we venture outside the brisk wind and icy air sucks the breath out of us and chills us to the bone.

At least the wintry weather is kind to my lavender plants. Have four different types in this collection of twelve and they look good for much of the year. The deep hues of purple come out during Winter. Nice to look at and even better to smell. And the decline of bees although noticeable in the mountains seems not to be too effected within this patch.

A little break between 'sits' and work and so we are busy mending and erecting new fences for parentals, visiting friends, parents, children and grandchildren and tending to the needs of some of our relos who are not in the best of health at the moment. News of births encourage - a little girl for Shiri & Lloyd, a little boy for Rebecca and another grandson to come for me before the year is ended.

And of course, I have to write and let you join in :))

Life goes on and so do we. Enjoying the moments.

Miles of Smiles - Lady Di

What Does One Say ??

I had a friend ask me yesterday about my 'Title", to which I asked what would you like to know? She then asked 'Well, how did you became a Lady?'

Of course I stated - I've always been a Lady as this was found out at my birth !!

You know there's a couple of differences when a child is born - it's a BOY or it's a GIRL !! That's the way announcements go. Well, she spat a little of her coffee, not LadyLike I'm afraid, and belted out a belly laugh, another not so LadyLike thing to do. After her little splutter and cough we chatted about the title. I told her about my mother in law being born in the Highland Barracks as her father was one of the Queens Guards throughout the 1930's. My friend was so impressed, after I told her the title was placed upon my grandfather-in-law. After ummming and ooooing, I couldn't keep from smiling myself. The story about Grandad is very true, alas the Ladyship and Lordship he passed along was not.

   I thought I would add a recent portrait of myself here :))

 

i CAME CLEAN HERE.I showed her my papers, and explained how I inherited a title upon purchasing a plot of land in Scotland, thereby becoming a Scottish Landowner. With our plots of land, we are able to plants trees helping our 'scottish roots' take hold in a grand way. What other way can we help our future 'children' if we do not look after our Earth, and restore the highlands to their former glory?

Terribly impressed, she asked when we visited our land last. I was able to show her photos on the internet - thank you Lords and Ladies of Glencoe. My pictures included my pets, and forbears, and the remnants of our castle :)

 

My Pet - 'Coe'  

A portrait done of my highland cattle

I have added some 'family' portraits here so you can see what glorious lineage I come from.

Jane's possible portrait

Our highland cattle has eaten everything but a few sods of earth. We purchase a special tree every year, to be placed on the highlands, and each time it's in one of our families names. Quite some time ago, both my Lordship and myself FOUND WE do come from titled persons, alas they did not pass them down to us the right way as there was problems in the past. Lord Stephens great Uncle Harold's Grandmother 'Jane' was a titled Lady herself. Though she was never known as such. Back in the years gone by, when a child was born early - now known as premature - that child was deemed to be born on the wrong side of the blanket - and possibly illegitimate and not the child of the supposed sire. I believe after the death of the original Lord, the first born son and the second and only other child born entered into a family dispute. This dispute ended up with all entailed being taken by the Chancellory, and the titles died with the parent.

 

As you can see - this castle is in good repair

Alas this castle is not - not even anywhere near me :))

Lord Stephen of Glencoe my Lordship

Not the reason for becoming Lord and Lady H though. I found a website by chance after looking up or what I call trying to find the Scottish roots of Steve and myself. I thought what a great wedding anniversary presie for His Lordship !! Always one for unusual or presents that one would not necessarily buy for oneself person, I deemed this to be perfect and went on to purchase same for myself - another little story there - joint anniversary presies - and one plot for Lord Nathan, Lord Brendan, Lady Kobe and little Laird Jordan :))) Usually I send Lord Steve up in the air in a Helicopter Lesson, or a Portrait (cartoon like) of him sitting on his motorbike, with one of our Schnauzer pups behind him, sword in hand and a cheesy grin, and the latest - a trip and luxury stay (c/-coupon buying - the canny Scot in me)  to the Great Ocean Road.

Me as a wee Lass

 

 

So Ladies, Lords and Lairds of Glencoe - What do you tell the people who ask you ?? I would love to see your written responses - so go ahead and add them here for all to see. It's actually a GREAT story to be told to all.

 

Many smiles - Lady Di

 

Now it WORKS !!!

I have had enormous troubles getting through to writing some new posts - alas - even to write as a new blogpost was difficult. So i got on to the net again tonight and have been trying on and off for hours and hours because I know how much I need to write and let you all know what I am getting up to.

Lord Steve and I are travelling do0wn to Victoria tomorrow - well we are going half way at least. SOOO much traffic today being the Monday of the Queens Birthday Long Weekend in NSW.

My daughter and I went shopping and teh usual 5 minute drive to the local supermarket took 20 minutes. Not long - though the rain was hard and the travel weary folks in cars around us made it seem so much longer. Cars with trailers and caravans, packed with tired children, sleepy parents and loaded with unused boats and canoes were parking across the traffic light lanes. So dangerous as the people in cars trying to get onto the main road - couldnt :(  The weekend was a washout for most people living or visiting the east coast of NSW. I know other states are suffering all types of weather as well - hopefully Lord S and I get some sun rays on us whilst away,

So now I must go as I want to wrtie a few bits for the Quilt n Craft Diva part of me - so check me there.

Till I get on to blog to you again soon --- Cheers Lady Di

Blue Mountains of NSW - The Land of the Mist and Rain.

ooooops. Had a bit of a migraine yesterday - waiting for the rain to come - and today it did. Very sorry for no news about the Lord & Lady of Glencoe here in the Blue Mountains of NSW.

This is the view from Kurrajong Heights towards Sydney

Today we are awaiting the arrival of the dinosaurs. The weather is mainly thick with mist and its drizzling all the time. Birds are in and about the trees taking in their good fortune as when it rains the worms are easier to snatch from the ground where they come up when the ground is sodden. 

My hens however, are very naughty today as I only managed to find one very soft shelled egg!! Thats it said Lord Steve, they'll stay in tomorrow - too busy gadding about to be concentrating on the job at hand!!

SO - it was off the mountain today for my Lord Stephen and I to go looking - at houses land and the like.

Lord Steve and Lady Di are up and moving in a month or so - well hopefully just the month and are moving up to the North Coast of Australia. So there will be more to share about what we are up to and what we will be seeing.

We quite like the look of this land

But today I have also been sorting out all the paperwork we get in the mail and made some interesting discoveries. In Australia we pay into our Superannuation funds usually with the employers we work for. Sometimes we can remember or are allowed to use the same Super people and sometimes not. So WOW - Lord Steve has 6 and I have five !! Now just to get them altogether for when we get old. LOL. Think we are almost there now :))))

Am happy to be writing bits and bobs tp share with my Glencoeans and those looking to join us, by buying a little piece of land to help save the heritage of it. Just take a peek for more information on the following link :-

http://www.highlandtitles.com/