On slowing down (and missing Thursday entirely)

Happy Sunday. A very dreich day here in Argyll, and that feels like the perfect excuse to stay home and coorie in.

Of course, there’s no saying which way the day will take us. There’s some destruction work we’re mooting in the kitchen. We want to remove a bank of units that simply gather dust - or, more accurately, Goldie Glitter - and get in the way as we try to negotiate entering the cottage with two big dogs and all the accompanying paraphernalia. It’s as though they didn’t consider such complexities in 1870. I will, of course, keep you posted on how the day unfolds (we also started talking about adding more windows and doors to the cottage, removing ceilings, radiators, moving the kitchen… so anything could happen).

For now, though, a little look back at the week gone before, along with the musings of a halfwit (me, for avoidance of all doubt).

The world of “Instant Messaging”…

I am seeing a lot more people talking about the need to slow down. Reminiscing about gentle days. The simplicity that the 90s offered us. And it’s true, I can’t argue with that. The world of social media is a huge part of my life, and largely for the positive. Instagram, and now Substack, has introduced me to whole new worlds. It’s brought us new friends - some remain virtual, others we’ve become ‘in-person’ friends with - and the connection and engagement is very special. I means I can chat with you right now. A virtual coffee and natter.

Our devices can do all kinds of things that we probably cannot imagine being without, even if it’s something as simple as a message that says, “I’ll be late home” or “I’m here safely.” I suppose before the advent of mobile phones (a sentence that makes me sound decades my senior, I do appreciate), we had no reason to worry if we didn’t hear from someone immediately.

The world of email and WhatsApp is wonderful for keeping connections, but it also brings with it an expectation of instantaneous response. I have had emails sent to me, followed up immediately by a WhatsApp message to say I’ve been emailed - have I got it okay? This is why I’ve removed all notifications and that little thing where my ticks go blue (don’t ask me how; lots of fumbling, but it can be done). This means people don’t know I’ve read the message. I can read it, process it, and reply when I’m ready.

And because I don’t get a little pop-up saying I’ve been contacted, I often neglect to check messages for days. Of course, I do feel a pang of guilt - but that’s because instant replies and constant availability have been normalised. I detest that.

I am a slave to my inbox. My days are spent reading and replying. Organising. I should be dedicating more of my working day to ‘thinking’. I should be enhancing my knowledge of the latest research and policy developments in my field. But I don’t. I do admin (mostly that could be avoided or wait a little at least). This means that when I’m in meetings, I often feel on the back foot, because I’ve been prioritising the wrong thing.

So, a marker in the sand. From tomorrow, my emails get read until 9:30. Then not again until midday. And then a final check at some point later in the day. Let’s see how that goes.

…and the perfect antidote to it all.

Despite the busy day job continuing and our lives becoming more and more hurried, life in Argyll does a good job of wrestling with it. It creates the friction necessary to remind you to slow down. It feels like a step back in time in many ways. Community is at the heart. Argyll time.

Last Sunday, after an impromptu morning of tidying and organising (and cleaning the snug, which frankly should have been condemned), we headed out to one of our absolute favourite spots in the world: the Crinan Canal.

We started our wee outing with a visit to Polly’s Coffee Stop, which, if you’re local, you’ll know is the most sociable queue in Argyll. Along with superb coffee and divine home bakes, Polly’s provides the warmth and conviviality that I now associate with our little corner of Argyll. No one is rushed. Conversation is key. As people are steadily served their goodies, the entire queue is invited to join in, as though we’re all old friends gathered around a big, gnarly table in the homeliest of rustic kitchens. We have genuinely made friends just by waiting for our mocha and carrot cake (you must try the carrot cake).

Once sated, we took ourselves off for a wander along the canal, where we could admire the cute cottages and some of the most wonderful gardens. Like ours, many of them are not easy gardens - long, narrow, and often with a steep gradient - yet they show what can be done with any space. It just needs a little inspiration, a bit of work, and most likely time and perseverance as you figure out how to tackle land that is pushing back. And these are sometimes the more interesting of spaces. Along the way we stopped to natter with friends (made, of course, through Ishbel’s Most Sociable Queue).

Calmness along the canal

Then, to round off the weekend, wonderfully weary from the fresh air, we met friends for a Sunday dinner at our ‘local’. Safely ensconced in the cosy stone pub, with a crackling fire, we tucked into the most delicious roast beef, accompanied by chatter and laughter. It was decided to skip the starter - not a decision I was wholeheartedly on board with - but this did mean that by the time we reached the dessert menu, I wasn’t savouried-out. So, rather indulgently, I went for the cheese board. A bit of a wrangle, as I’m an awful sweet tooth. But all was not lost. When I’d finished my cheese, I hoovered up the remaining desserts of those defeated - meaning I also ended up with a knickerbocker glory and apple crumble. A good result.

Rounding the weekend off heartily

Nothing beats a good natter

Whether it’s over a cup of coffee or on a winter’s walk through the forest, spending quality time with good friends is, frankly, medicine for the soul. I took Wednesday off work to catch up with a friend and, as coincidence would have it, another friend also got in touch to say they were taking their dog for a walk in the forest. Would I like to join?

So I had an entire day catching up with friends. I had intended to get on top of my book club book - I Am Pilgrim, which is a tome - but an entire day away from screens, nattering away and putting the world to rights in the company of good people was exactly what I needed. I felt properly rested, recharged, and ready to tackle the rest of the week.

Except I was so relaxed I thought Thursday was Sunday. Thankfully I was present and correct, but very nearly missed the whole day! And I still haven’t read the book.

The bits in between

Monday night is carpet bowls through the autumn and winter. They are incredibly sociable nights, but they don’t begin until 8pm. This means that the thought of leaving the toast cottage deep into a dark, rainy evening can feel like quite an unreasonable prospect. But once out, with the whisky being passed around and catching up with everyone, the evening is filled with warmth and entertaining - even a little competitiveness. Despite not walking away victorious, we did all get to see the Northern Lights. Maybe this distraction threw us off our game, but none-the-less it’s a spectacle I shall never tire of.

Given the LED glare of the streetlight, we were very lucky to capture the Northern Lights (even if the cat stole the show). I think the wheelie bin just adds to the Scottish Highland charm!

We popped to town to get a few bits from the shops, and in doing so stopped in for a quick bite, before taking a little walk along the coast. It’s funny, as we walk by the water, I still feel like I’m on holiday. The day was stormy and moody, and as the sun was about the set, the clouds parted, ever so slightly, providing the most glorious, deep blue hues. More photos for painting inspiration. I also gathered inspiration from the ceiling of the pub - this will feature at Keeper’s. And Logie flirted with a very handsome Golden Retriever he met in Mountain Warehouse.

And on that note, last night Paul did the cooking - a very hearty and delicious cottage pie - and while he busied himself in the kitchen, I picked up the paintbrushes. I haven’t done any of my online art course for a few days, and I’d missed it. I also noticed the days I’d been absent from my wee painting nook. I felt a bit out of practice. It’s a swan by the way!

I shall bid you a farewell at this point, I’ve rambled on quite long enough. A happy Burn’s Night to you all - we are off for supper with friends. I shall report back.

Happy Sunday, G xx