Plot-hunting and the dismissing of Cunzierton

Spent yesteday with the Ozzies in Cranshaws while Anna was back in Langbank conducting the funeral of a friend of ours from our days there. She died of cancer last week after a five-year battle, leaving three young children.
Found an email on our return from an estate agent, informing us that a plot we were interested in but never quite got around to bidding on was back on the market, having failed to attract any satisfactory offers. This coincided with the gradual cooling off on Cunzierton as reality starts to sink in about the amount of work and expense involved there, so this morning we all (minus Ellie, who stayed in Cranshaws) set off and looked over the two plots. Luckily Neil (the seller) was at the first one (Hownam Howgate), so we were able to discuss grazing for the horses and clarify a couple of other things. It's in a wonderful spot, with the hills rising quite literally from the garden and a niice stream flowing through the plot. The only downside is that there are plans for at least one, and probably three other houses in fairly close proximity.
Our visit to Cunzierton reinforced what we were coming to realise about the unrealistic nature of the place. Too expensive, too remote for the kids, too much work, too long a project. Bloody gorgeous plot, though, with about 5 acres of woodland and 6 acres of grazing.
Now agonising about how much to offer, having both independently compiled lists of pros and cons. Buying a property in the Scottish system is a bloody nightmare.

The First Post

Just set this up with grand plans to keep the geographically (and, in some cases, mentally) spaced out family in touch with the kids' daily development and demolition, my stuttering athletic ressurection, Anna's news and hopefully the imminent construction of our family home.

I'm just about over ther dreadful lurgy that flattened me for the best part of a week. It struck on the final day of a camping trip to N. Ireland with Hamish. We get together with Joe and Jack Anderson once-a-year, and this year it was in the Mournes. Cracking trip in lovely weather. Will upload some photos shortly.

Other things going on at the moment: Running back on track this year after several years ticking over. Heading out to France at the end of July for a 6-day, 200km race in the Alps, around GR54. The following week, we're all heading out to cousin Jenny's cottage on the edge of the Pyranees for a week.

Before either of these, though, we'll hear whether we've managed to bag the derelict farm steading we've had our eye on for over a year. It's our dream plot, with 7 acres of grazing and 4 acres of woodland. Closing date is July 25th.

As I write, Ellie's on her way back from a fortnight in Florida with Terry and Sabah. Sounds in good fettle, despite the heat and the late nights. It'll be just grand to have her back.

Oscar has just run in from the garden, naked, and proclaimed "we're not doing anything, Dad", before running out again. I rather think I should go and check what he and Toby are up to!