March is a strange time of year.  Too cold to be out in the garden for long, yet the planning for colour has to start now.

My latest passion is begonias, all sorts of begonias.  Last year I had trailing begonias in my hanging baskets but because of the wet weather, sadly their flowers were often knocked by the rain and wind.  Yet I don't intend to give up and this year I'm trying to bring back some tubers I saved.  Little success so far but who knows.

The sitooterie is looking like a mini-greenhouse although there's still plenty space to sit and unwind.

Yesterday I was given a present of 20 begonia tubers and how delighted I was.  They're not the hanging variety but I intend to start them off in trays of compost then transfer them to 5" pots once the shoots are around an inch or two.  They should look lovely in pots as they're a mixture of colours.

As yet I haven't thoroughly checked the garden out for any plants which didn't survive the snow.  Fortunately the heaviest snowfall wasn't around for long because the temperature rose within days and that made such a difference.  We still needed to clear the drive though because we like our guests to have as easy access and egress as possible.

Next time I write I hope I'll have been able to turn the heating down and discard the heavy jumpers!

For My Irish Guests

Proms at Glamis is Cancelled

It's just come to my notice that the Proms at Glamis, which were scheduled to take place the evening of 10th August in the grounds, has been cancelled.

It seems the recession has hot another wonderful event, but as we all know, organising and putting on such events isn't cheap - quite the contrary.

So, if you know of anyone who was attending and had bought tickets, please let them know so they can apply for a refund.

Glamis is still one of my favourite places in which to recharge my batteries.  I've lost count of the visits I've made over the years and I've yet to hear any guest say they didn't enjoy their own time there.

New Website Completed!

Phew!  It's done - the new website that is.  Have a look and see what you think. It's taken some time to understand the software, but I managed in the end.

The redesign started when I received a new computer from Santa.  In fact two Santas.  My old computer was on its last legs and, looking around the new one, I noticed it had many new bits and pieces.

Because I use an iMac sometimes free software is hard to find, but I noticed Sandvox was website building for only Mac users and it also insisted it was idiot proof.  That's for me I thought.

Many years ago, long before websites were the norm for any business, I built my own from Mac software.  It was easy because sites were simple then.  The last site I had was kindly done for me by a lovely gentleman who took pity on my pathetic efforts with Dreamweaver.  I couldn't master that then and still can't understand it.

The new site looks good on tablets and if the media are correct saying 40% of people use tablets for browsing, then perhaps it's a good move for it to suit mobile as well as desktop and laptop equipment.

Now it's time to put some thought into the summer garden.  

Do keep warm.

A New Year and Winter

library picture

It's too long since I posted and for that I apologise.  Early winter brought the cold virus into the house and my cold developed into pneumonia.  Three courses of antibiotics later I was back on form but I still didn't have any voice.  That had vanished when the cold started.

However, much to many people's dismay, the voice returned before Christmas and I was able to take part in the fun.

In November we had quite a fall of snow which took a couple of weeks to clear, but over the festive season the weather was pleasant and everyone was able to get out and about with no problem.

Last year was also a reasonable winter and I wonder if it's because I bought winter tyres then.  What a difference they make on icy and slushy roads.  Now I wouldn't be without then because they give me so much confidence driving in bad weather.

Part of my 'chores' this winter was to update my website and I hope to have it up online very soon.  Will let you know when it's active.

Meanwhile, rather belatedly, I wish you and yours good health and peace for 2013.

Another Eating Out Review

Last week I recommended a good restaurant in Blairgowrie, but this week I'd like to recommend my favourite.

The owner of my favourite, Little's Restaurant, is Willie Little and he used to own Cargills, until he left the area to specialise in the wholesale fish industry.

Willie has now returned to the town and has finally set up a website. He openly admits to being a technophobe but has taken advice at long last!

His restaurant offers the highest quality produce cooked with imagination. A blackboard shows the 'specials' and it's certainly worth studying.

Although much of his menu is composed of fish dishes there is also plenty choice for the carnivore. How he cooks venison in so many ways defeats me!

The staff are friendly and the wine list offers a good variety.

There's no need to dress up but you can if you feel like it and won't feel out of place at all.

Little's is not a restaurant where you feel it's necessary to have a three course evening meal.  You can choose whatever you like and at times I only feel like eating a starter. None of the staff will pressurise you into choosing more than you wish.

I would advise booking as it's a busy place.  Unfortunately it's closed on Sundays and Mondays because Willie needs a couple of days away from the heat of the kitchen, so if you're visiting the area on these days I would suggest you visit Cargills. (See previous review).

Enjoy.

Carpets and Cargills

I'm feeling very guilty at neglecting the blog for so long, but I lost the password and have only found a way to access it (with a lot of help from people so much more technically knowledgeable than myself).

The winter was busy with painting and decorating.  We decided upon a new hall carpet but prior to its installation, we also decided we would paint the hall.  It became like the Forth Bridge - never-ending.  But it's done now and looking quite good.

Strangely enough people notice it and make a greater effort to wipe their feet when they arrive!

I wanted to recommend Cargills as a place to eat in Blairgowrie.  It's in the centre of town at the riverside and is open 7 days a week.  The menu has been completely revamped recently and offers a much smaller selection of dishes but I think that benefits the Bistro.  The previous menu was far too extensive.