Surprise parcels!

I could not get going this morning... I was still snoozing when JR came back in from Archie's round-the-block-pre-breakfast walk. I still could not get going when she popped back out to the gym. However, I did get going when the doorbell rang, and opened it in bare feet and dressing gown, thinking it was JR. No, it was a delivery man with a big heavy parcel. And on the bench was a even bigger, heavier parcel.

'I haven't ordered anything. What is it?' I enquired.

'Nae idea, hen, ah jist deliver.'

Inside the first big heavy box was some bird seed and a box of very heavy suet blocks. Hmmmmm. Wonder what's in the big heavy box... A humungous bag of bird seed!! Hmmm. Who could have sent this?

Our neighbour has bird tables, so I texted to see if they were expecting a supply. No. Perhaps our friends in Jersey had sent it, as I'd admired their bird feeder... but then we twigged. A swift text to Anne, Archie's borrower, confirmed our suspicions. Her dad in America had sent it!

We met her parents, Kit and Fran, when they were here in June, and they loved Archie, having had a schnauzer many years ago. In fact, Kit started blipping when they went home, and has been including photos of the birds at his bird table. The last comment I made was, 'I think I need to have a wee bird table outside the window...' Well, I have now! A big thanks, Kit and Fran!

Uncle A came for lunch and told us all about his forthcoming trip to the Outer Hebrides to visit our many - but dwindling in numbers - relatives. My newly retired cousin is going with him to help with the driving. I went with him years ago during an unseasonably hot summer, and we had a great time, seeing where my forebears are from.

As soon as he'd gone, we rushed to Dobbie's to buy a bird feeder. Archie came too, and we noticed that Dobbie's is now dog friendly. On the way home we took Archie up the hill for a run.

We couldn't wait to set the bird feeder up. So the wee sparrows will get a nice wee surprise tomorrow. I think our supply of bird food will last for decades.