Birthdays and bluebells
It is my birthday today.
Exactly five years ago Euan and I viewed a house in Balfron - it looked perfect in the schedule.
There was a lot riding on it - we had been looking for ages, a friend had thought about and then decided against selling us a barn to convert and nothing else suitable seemed to come on the market.
This property was old (bonus), had a big garden and an outbuilding that could be converted into a workshop/ studio/shop just off the main street.
Mum looked after the children and we made a day of it - we needn't have bothered. The house that looked so promising in the schedule was just all wrong, irreparably and bizarrely connected into its neighbour in a way that guaranteed a complete lack of privacy.
The ensuing rather bad silent pub meal is the worst birthday meal I have ever had.
Three days later Euan phoned me to tell me to get the paper, that there was a property he thought would be ideal. I looked it up - a squat, brown pebble dashed, aluminium windowed bungalow. Hmmm.
And then we came and viewed - we spent 10 minutes in the house - we spent a lot longer in the gardens - this bluebell wood is why we live here - it flowers every year for my birthday (and anyone who knows me knows what a big deal I make about my birthday).
The house is still pretty awful - to be honest it is in a worse state that when we bought it as we wait for a building warrant - but the wood is magnificent.
Photos all by Jane Robertson.
happy, happy birthday to you x
wishing you so much happiness and time off to just sit in that amazing woodland x
like you we purchased for the land and the view - the house can wait!
t x
Posted by:tracy x | May 19, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Happy Birthday Jane. Another year on and look at what you have achieved. I feel certain that this year will just get better for you and Snapdragon. Wishing you a lovely day.
ginny x
Posted by:ginny | May 19, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Happy Birthday Jane - what could be nicer than spending a few moments on your special day in the peace and quiet of your own bluebell wood!
Posted by:Alice C | May 19, 2008 at 06:04 PM
Happy Birthday Jane! Here's to another even more sucessful year to you.
x
Posted by:Samantha Salway | May 19, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Hurray, it's your birthday!!! You should make a big deal Jane as bluebell time is so gorgeous. have a great time xx
Posted by:Pipany | May 20, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Happy Belated Birthday Jane:)
The wood is lovely.....the bungalow can be tarted up...
Posted by:gigibird | May 20, 2008 at 10:23 AM
How spooky! Have just looked in on your blog and found that we are covering the same ground today. Look in on me at www.countrygate-blog.co.uk and you'll see what I mean.
Hope you had a splendid day. I too am a big birthday person but as mine is in November it's more soup in a flask after a yomp over the fields and home to mix up Christmas pud.
Will raise a glass of nettle beer to you and the business tonight.
Cally x
Posted by:Country Gate | May 20, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Happy Birthday!
Posted by:carolyn | May 20, 2008 at 06:01 PM
Happy birthday yesterday Jane, hope you enjoyed it in your little piece of heaven.
Carolx
Posted by:Clover Yard | May 20, 2008 at 08:59 PM
I'm a little late, but happy Birthday! Hope you had a lovely day. The bluebell wood looks absolutely gorgeous. What a lovely present to have every year.
Posted by:Nonnie | May 22, 2008 at 02:13 PM
Happy belated birthday from me too! hope it was a good one! Cx
Posted by:caireen | May 22, 2008 at 04:52 PM