Autumn

29th November, almost there

Yesterday's sunset, and later starlit sky didn't deliver their promises. Today has had a grey, damp chillness. And I'm feeling at a little of a loose end. Yesterday I was very efficient and prepared tonight's supper* so there's no real cooking to do . The vegetables are ready too. celeriac chips to be air fried…Read more 29th November, almost there

A walk along the Crinan canal

It's not raining! Well it wasn't last time I checked. It's dark outside now so I can't see but I can't hear any rain. But more importantly it didn't rain during the hours of daylight. So we had A DAY OUT! To be fair it's not been all that long since the last one, the…Read more A walk along the Crinan canal

Remembering

I'm actually struggling to write a post today. It should be easy because it's Remembrance Sunday and I've already written about Hallowe'en and Guy Fawkes. But I don't have anything personal to bring to the commemorations. One of my uncles and a great uncle served in the Second World war, and I have a few…Read more Remembering

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.

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

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*

Le Puy en Velay

I'm back with the armchair travel. In Le Puy. A stop on our return through France in October. And at first I wasn't sure whether I did like it. Actually it was strange and beautiful on first sight. Approaching from the hills we could see its stripy cathedral, and weird volcanic toadstools, those topped with…Read more Le Puy en Velay

Taking time to explore

Once upon a time we took a trip to Europe. MrS, DogS and me. Well it seems like a long time ago. Even at the time we felt it might be a kind of a "last hurrah". We didn't know how easy a trip like that would be after Brexit. To be able to pack…Read more Taking time to explore

…walks with a little brown dog

I may have written this before but there are few things that can't be brightened up by a little brown dog. Recently two much loved local dogs have died; I'll miss seeing them about, though nowhere near as much as their people will and it's made me specially glad to have B around. Part of…Read more …walks with a little brown dog

Walking beside Loch Lomond

Today it's wet and windy so I'm hunkered down at home, wrapped up in warm woolies with DogS curled up on her bed nearby. Yesterday was completely different, it was one those gorgeous, crisp Autumn days. We travelled south for a family visit and on the way stopped off to stretch our legs. A friend…Read more Walking beside Loch Lomond