Last day at Dundreggan, for this year.

Davy (a Focaliser for TFL, who I’ve met at a couple of changeovers), has been staying at the Cottage for a couple of days.  He’s been practising his chainsaw skills to remove the Leylandi next to the cottage. which has made the area outside the door seem much less claustrophobic, especially after dark.  Myself and Derek help to tidy up the brash.

Davy pointed out that we act a bit like those lizards that are shown on the TV, that live in the desert, having to raise one foot off the kitchen floor, and then the other, whilst cooking.  Unlike the lizards, we do this to keep our feet from getting too cold.

Anyway, today I’m on my own again, for most of the day.  Steve’s router turns up and I set it up as a wireless gateway.  This may require further testing, but I have another job to do.  I get a pair of secateurs, and a bag, and walk over to the East side of the estate to find some greenery for the Christmas dinner.

I walk up the burn on the South East part of the estate.  It’s beautiful.  In fact it may be my favourite part of the estate, and I’ve only explored it for the first time today, on my last day!  There are masses of Juniper, holly bushes, and several places where the water cascades over steps of exposed rock.  By the time I have enough greenery it’s getting dark, so I hurry down to give my findings to Elaine, and then go back to the cottage to pack up my stuff.

I’m honoured to spend the evening with the TFL crowd at their annual Christmas dinner.  Every one is on good form and the conversation flows easily.  The night finishes with a giant game of untangle, which doesn’t quite work out, with two connected circles, but is hilarious.  By the time I get to bed it’s half 12.  I have to be up shortly for the next adventure…