At last, as we offically entered summer last week, you can 'feel' it. There's warmth in the sunshine, things are beginning to grow and that hazy, feel-good factor is engulfing Lochend. Ain't life sweet!

The foundations have been dug and, in a couple of very wet days last week, work started on the new playhouse.

World earth day finds Lochend amidst blustery April showers...

staying in seems like a good idea.
However lets advocate 'switching off when not in use', running taps, lights and heating - it's blustery but not cold. Happy World Earth day!

The Buchlyvie District Ploughing Society was formed in 1872 and this year they had their ploughing competition in a field at the Mains of Baquhapple farm, Thornhill. Of course mondernisation is essential but I can't help but feel farmers were more connected to the land when it had to be toiled in this way. I supect the wouldn't agree! Beautiful beasties, both the horses and the vintage tractors!
Thanks to Archie Paterson for his pics.

So delighted to be welcoming back Nic and Duncan from Aberdeen. Nic all but grew up here on family holidays and she has had a tough journey through the world of hospitals since she was last here in Septmeber 2012. looking amazing and laden with a gorgeous 'Office hamper' - those biscuits aren't going to last long! Thank you both.

Here's Nicola's story on her 'Just Giving page'.

With its large plate of roots exposed for over a year it was time to chop this silver birch up and put the plate back to rest on the earth. Then came the sap, flowing out of the stump, it was dramatic. Then this morning it had frozen. Icicles and all!

So our now resident canadian geese, who like to show off they're rather beautiful plummage, in a kind of sail-boat-tacking from right to left way, look like they've shamed our wee Mallard's, who are pretending to sleep, camouflaging themselves with the rocks! 'Mon the Mallard's!

We have decided to run a trail, for a year, of 2 new services, which slightly contradicts our type of business, but have come to our attention through some feedback.

An 'End of Stay Clean', which would mean not having to think about picking up the hoover, emptying the dishwasher or even doing your final recycle...lets us do it for you and take the pressure off, a different price for each house will apply and this service will be available to you when booking, or if you have already booked and wish to use this facility, then just e-mail and we can add it on.

Similarly, for a 'Mid Week Tidy', a housekeeper will come in for 2 hours while you're out and tidy round. This can include a hoover and dishes, or really whatever it is you'd like done in a 2 hour period. Extra hours can be arranged.

Costs are as follows:
Cedar cabin £25, Pine Lodge £30, "A" Chalets and Apartments £40, Coach House £60. The 'Mid week tidy', is flat rate of £18, which would be a 2 hour run round your chalet. If you need longer, that can be negotiated, we're new at this and so will be super flexible this year!

We understand this isn't for everyone and not adding extra costs is why you choose a non-serviced self-catering holiday! For others we are hoping it'll be a bonus.

A perfect combination for Spring half term, crunchy ice and sparkling sunshine. Ducks being well looked after and the rest of the birdies are getting very vocal!

Excitment! Especially when the children's school bus couldn't make it. However we had folk arriving from Glasgow and the road was 'clear' until the B8034 and our drive, so 5 hours of shovelling and salting and snow ball fights (Bunty ending the day with a snow sculpture of a Bottecelli lady - I think that helps for her art prelim on Monday?!!) we had black tarmac tracks!