Wednesday 18 January 2012

Doing the washing

I just wanted to share this lovely passage from my book 'From a Highland Croft':

'But even among such beauty the daily darg must continue, and there is always washing to do. Though it is a case of a tin bath on a couple of chairs and a relay of kettles off the open fire, I would not change places with a town housewife for all her gadgets. This morning the sweet briar at my elbow smelt stronger than the suds and the soft rain water from the tub at the end of the house was velvet to the hands. I can splash as much as I like, for it only makes the grass greener. Every now and gain I could raise my eyes to the loch, lying still as glass between the silent hills.
I interrupted my washing to go to the gate to tell Sandy's bellowing cow that she was looking in the wrong direction for her friends and to set her on the right road. Then a fish jumped, and I stayed tow atch the silver circles widen; a mallard rose with a loud flapping of wings on teh water, and, watching that, I saw a small boat rounding the point.  Then a friend came carrying a maggoty sheep and we promised ourselves a cup of tea on his way back. All these things were just as important as washing, and there were plenty of kettles on the fire anyway.
I have a special dirty towel behind teh ktichen door, one that I wipe my hands on in a hurry when they are half washed. I put it in the stream with a stone on its tail towards its cleansing. During the night rain came in torrents, blattering on the skylight; I remembered the towel and realised it was probably well on its way to Tobermory. However, I found in the morning that a kindly gooseberry bush had held  up its travels. As I dontinued the washing, a wren sat on the bush beside me with her ehad on one side as she encouraged me with a ''chre-eee''. My wireless was not working, so we had to sing for ourselves, the wren and I. In spite of all these interruptions the sheets are out to bleach on teh green aftermath of the hayfield, and the clothes are hanging on the line at the edge of the wood, beside the  mouse's hole that is at the foot of an old oak tree. A newly dropped acorn lay just ooutside the hole, Nature's way of saying 'Tea for two'. Some sheep were moving in the clearing beside the wood, crushing the bog-myrtle which filled the air with scent. If I were abroad and anyone sent me a sprig of bog-myrtle I'd be back on the next plane or boat for sure, for all the Highlands is in that tangy smell'.


5 comments:

Hearthwife said...

Well I've had to go and add this to the A. Wishlist now, as it definitely sounds a "keeper"!

Could you keep excerpts down to a couple a month please, lol :)

MrsL said...

ok lol

x

Leanne said...

wonderfully descriptive isnt it? more satisfying than my washing!

Leanne x

MrsL said...

Mine too, but am going to address that soon I hope. I love the idea of spreading your washing to dry, as well as/or instead of hanging on a line; bleaching in the sun too.

x

funkyhan said...

Sounds like heaven <3