July Already

Happy 4th of July if you are celebrating. Have you noticed that if you accidentally hit the Shift button and press No. 4, you get the dollar sign? So, I guess you can’t go wrong on the 4th!

July marks a time in the year when I take things that wee bit slower, give my hands a rest. Time to get out there on the mountain bike early when the air is fresh and full of nature; the scent of pine blows gently across the morning breeze as the day opens up, the smell of dew from the grass as the wheels roll on by. Being able to watch deer drink from the mountain streams as quietly (unless you're going up some of the more severe hills, when the sound of panting betrays how unfit you still are!), your wheels rolling over the overgrown paths of grass. Of course, it doesn't take them long to know you are there, but to watch their wee ears twitch and then, with such graceful, long legs, they bounce off, shaking their cheeky white bums at you.

The reward is always worth it. Breakfast up in the hills surrounded by birds, butterflies, and this morning lady birds, with a view of hills rolling from one to another stretching out across a panoramic view. Even watching the clouds gather, donning their dark grey cloaks, cannot dampen our spirits, only our waterproofs. As July usually marks the start of the rainy season here in Scotland, our waterproofs get plenty of use.

But, as always, every month is different, and we are always happy to enjoy whatever joy or challenge comes our way.

Here's to July, sunshine, showers and a new bottle of gin to sample.