Seasons

A good day out

And yesterday we managed one. It had all the best features Beautiful scenery A picnic We had more than just grapes, but these were particularly delicious grapes* And a happy dog there are few things DogS likes better than running after balls on a beach And historic sites this bridge isn't a major historic monument…Read more A good day out

Fireworks, but not tonight.

So tonight is Bonfire Night tonight, more formally Guy Fawkes Night. But this year there won't be any big public displays, England, Wales and Northern Ireland are currently on lockdown and here in Scotland large gatherings are banned. And while I'm missing all the things we can't do at the moment, this one well, I'm…Read more Fireworks, but not tonight.

When someone* else does the gardening

Actually, who am I trying to kid? It's MrS who does more than the lion's share of the gardening. He cuts the grass, what we have can't be described as a lawn, trims the hedge, and plants out the things I buy at garden centres. these are my greatest achievement in the garden, I did…Read more When someone* else does the gardening

Observing traditions

Today is the Feast of All Souls. Friday you may have celebrated Hallowe'en, perhaps decorating your house or yard with pumpkins or spooky items. In Scotland children mark the festival by "guising" dressing up and going from house to house, ideally performing some kind of "turn" in return for treats, usually sweets or chocolate. That…Read more Observing traditions

Challenging myself again

Not anything new, in fact I'm looking back six months and reviving my "every day.." challenge. It's just a pity that "Every day in November" doesn't have quite the same ring to it. I didn't manage to keep up posting in between times. June was a time of hope, infection levels were dropping and lockdown…Read more Challenging myself again

Islay, (again)

Our first visit was in 2018. MrS celebrated a landmark birthday last month but we were busy and couldn't get away, though we did have a night off and a lovely meal at our local. Oops! Forgot to take a photo of the food. This month it was our wedding anniversary and we did get…Read more Islay, (again)

Sunshine

It was sunny this morning and I retraced some of Saturday's steps. This rose had unfurled the anemones seemed happier and the May* was definitely out. The lambs had left their shelter and this guy looked contented. Here's that peony, even blousier than before There was even a breeze to keep the midges at…Read more Sunshine

The changing seasons

So I'm now 23 days into my #EveryDayinMay challenge to myself. And Spring is moving towards summer. Here are some photos I took around the beginning of the month And now some taken on walk today. First I noticed these Hawthorn or "May" blossoms. Do you know the saying "Ne'er cast a clout 'til May…Read more The changing seasons

Towns that smell of chocolate*

To be honest I think I've only ever been to the one, although both Edinburgh, my home of nearly thirty years, and Carlisle, smell of biscuits.** The chocolatey town? Oloron Ste Marie in the south of France, where we visited the Lindt factory. Actually that's a bit misleading, I don't think you can take factory tours.…Read more Towns that smell of chocolate*

Exploring festivals abroad

Not the musical variety, in fact I don't think I've ever been to one of those home or away. There were Glasgow's Big Day concerts in 1990, somehow I got into the then Copthorne hotel to watch the George Square gig and then went down to Glasgow Green in the evening (that was the time Sheena Easton…Read more Exploring festivals abroad