Hassells in the Highlands

We went to France! To Marseille, (pronounced “Mar-say”) in the south of France – to have access to a beach on the Mediterranean, to have sunshine and warmth, and of course, to eat French food. And because we could. What we learned after the fact is that even though Marseilles is the second largest city in France (behind Paris), it has not long been a nice, tourist city. It seems that until about 5 years ago, it was overrun with Mafia and drugs.  Someone decided to clean it all up. It seems they did a pretty good job. We had tourist guides telling us of the many structural changes that have been made in the last 5 years and what a nice city it is now.  (If we had known all of this prior to our trip, it may have caused me to consider someplace else – like Nice.) We stayed in a flat we found on AirBnB – and chose it because of its location and reviews – and for the view. It had this wonderful view of the Basilica Notre Dame (not to be confused ...

The Blue Door Diner. It is in the middle of a campground at the beach in Thurso . There is no parking lot. People just park on the grass.  And it is a hopping place. It is owned by a woman who grew up in Texas. And there is a variety of Texas/American themed items on the walls. It is filled with families - both campers and non. And there is a group of Dounreay employees who meet there pretty much every Friday night and have done so for many years (at least 4). They are mix of American, English and Scottish.  Sometimes there are lots who show up. Sometimes the numbers are smaller. People leave and new people (like us) join them.  Sometimes there are wives. But the two times I have gone, I was the only wife in attendance. The super funny thing about this little place is the fact that you can bring your own alcohol. I know. Go ahead and read that again. And not only CAN bring your own alcohol, but if you want to consume any alcohol, ...

This country is full of small things. SMALL ROADS. I think we've touched on that one already. Our apartment, surprisingly, is not so small. Our rooms are decently sized. The second floor is an open plan - kitchen, living room, dining room with adjoining sitting room with a view of the river. It was renovated to be this way. Apparently, the apartment next door is divided up into separate rooms. Probably with doors into each room.  That would make the same space feel very small. So, let's start with the fridge.  Do you recognize it? This is the refrigerator we all bought for our kids to use in their dorm rooms at college. But even those often had a freezer built in. This one does not.  But we, apparently, are lucky, because the expat who lived here before us said that one tiny fridge just would not do, and she asked the landlord for a second fridge. And he bought one. That one sits on top of the counter.  So, I guess it really is a blessing tha...

The honeymoon may be over. Sigh. I know. I know. Already, you say? I thought, too, that I was made of sterner stuff.  Yes, it is beautifully green. Yes, I love that it is obvious that I am in Scotland by the way the streets are made and the stone bridges and buildings. And yes, I even love the gentle rain and intermittent sunshine. But Mike went to work today (well, at least for part of the day), and I was here at home to do life. That meant, learn how to use the vacuum cleaner. And migrate between bathrooms with a shower that was not draining and a toilet seat that would not stay put, and going grocery shopping with a list and not being able to find Italian sausage.(I confirmed this today with another ex-Pat and it is true. There is no Italian sausage in the highlands. Though there is a rumor that there is some in Edinburgh).  And standing in the middle of the aisle and wondering what was I going to make for supper if I couldn't find t...