Bondhu's Bairns: Part two of Granny Irving's Diaries: Follow-up from Molasses and Midges (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798952408531)

The BIG MOVE from Dunoon to a cottage in the Scottish Highlands, was a turning point in the life of the Irving family. For Gladys, it increased the challenge of managing her ever-growing family. A practical and loyal wife, she learned to become an expert in thrift, time management and the Scottish art of 'making do'. Never did she complain about coping on a forester's modest wage nor the challenge of clothing, feeding and loving ten active children. Never did she abandon her diary entries.

This large "Irving family" became well-known in Glen Lyon during the 1950s. Gladys' diaries show how her family made an impact on the lives of most for miles around. From dignified landentry to humble travellers, all would drop in to enjoy a maskin' o' tea or to leave crates of apples or even more welcome, outgrown children's clothing. Salesmen pedalling anything from carpets or shoelace to the grocery vans packed with daily necessities were the stream of contacts who kept loneliness at bay.

Eventually, when her husband turned to farm work, animals provided a source of food. But chickens ran loose, cats hid kittens, and calves and lambs fell sick. All animals, with two or four legs, were brought to Gladys. She crammed them all into her busy life.

A constant for Gladys was her diary, her reading and her studying. This book tells how this remarkable woman found the time.