Dentist, tip and Blairgowrie

 I have been asked to give a talk on bonsai to the local WI next spring, so I have started taking photos and saving them in a folder. If the new ones take it will hopefully be interesting to see their progress. A couple of the mature trees I pruned have quie a lot of new growth now.

The two saplings, one beech and one rowen are very different at the moment, the Roman seems okay, the beech very sad, but maybe it will survive.

The Birnam baby looks even worse!

After that I set off for Dunkeld for my dental appointment. We have a health service dentist and the charging is different up here. Check ups are yearly instead of six monthly but they are free, with charges for all other treatment, but very reasonable. I had a thorough check up and discussion on issues, three x-rays and a clean and it was just over £35. While I was in Dunkeld I took the two canvasses I painted to the collection point. I walked along the river path both ways.

I did post a pic of the small sculpture by the Birnam oak before but today took close ups of the people hiding in it as well.

When I got home Tina was loading the car with boxes from the small shed. The small shed had literally been full to the roof. The removal firm had come to collect them at last today, but would only take the ones they supplied. As the boxes hadn’t arrived until a few days before we left less than half of the in the shed were taken. With the car packed we went to the tip. This evening we have moved stuff from the big shed into it.

From the tip we went to the ice cream place and had their special dessert. A Perthshire pancake with ice cream , strawberries and cream on top and given a knife and fork to eat it with! That was easier than it sounds.

Outside I took a pic of their pig.

From there we went straight to Blairgowrie as Tina was going to afternoon tea with The Mothers Union and I had a wander round the town. Called in a couple of charity shops and some crafty places and had a cuppa. They had one of the soldier figures outside the British Legion building, but a Scottish one.

They have town and street names in two languages, which is interesting.

Tina got me a collection box for Mary’s Meals which I will fill as I never did get the pig in Dunkeld.

I finished two books yesterday and enjoyed both.

After sorting the sheds I watered the garden and trees and that is enough for one day.

Hot and very busy Edinburgh

 I left home soon after eight to get to the station and catch the train to Edinburgh. The rhododendrons along the church path as I went through are coming into bloom, very pretty.

When I got to Edinburgh I familiarised myself with the station, where escalators and lifts were to different platforms and where information and loos are. Then time for a drink before going out into Princes Street. It was very hot and very busy, like bing in Oxford Street in London! Numerous benches in Princes gardens  but not many unoccupied! Started taking pics.

The Royal Scottish Academy had their annual exhibition, it was the 200 year anniversary so they were offering people party hats as they went in. A few of us took them and wore them whilst looking round!

Most of the work was for sale, don’t think I saw anything for under £1000 and the crouching youth bronze in the photos wA £100,000. Some items were very modern and some more traditional.

This painting caught my eye and the plaque next to it was sad and shocking.

This next one won an award.

One more photo and then I crossed over to go in shops to stay out of the heat for a while.

I missed the direct train home so he to change at Perth. I had tried to get timetables but they haven’t had them for years and there aren’t even any up on the walls as there used to be. I did download the app which states it has timetables, but I can’t find them! I got home hot and tired, but at least I feel more confident about travelling now.

Tina took a couple of photos while she was out so will finish with those, while I sit here and get used to my new chair.

Jigsaw started and new chair

 I have felt tired today, I think a combination of the heat and more walking at the weekend made me feel my age! I did some chores this morning the sat with the cat for a while, I think she has been affected by the heat and slept and I was trying to read and was dozing off!

She obviously heard something so that was a good time to move! I went outside and pruned the bonsai trees, even my favourite one as the benches were getting too long.

I made a start on the jigsaw and found the missing edge piece.

I had ordered a manual recliner chair from Wayfair and it was due to arrive between five and six today. It arrived at the allotted time and he put the box in the office for me.

Tina had just gone out so I set bout getting it out and assembled. Getting the rocking chair out and the new one in was quite a manoeuvre and all was going well until I attach the wings. First on only a couple of attempts, the second one I lost count, but here it is.

I have loved the rocking chair and stool but it was getting a bit difficult getting up from it, I bought it at auction and have used it for over eight years. Hopefully it will be enjoyed by someone else.

I watered the garden before Tina got home and we had dinner.

I am planning to get the train to Edinburgh in the morning to checkout the railway station before I travel south.

Morning and evening walks

 This morning I walked to Dunkeld along the river path with Darren while Tina was at a meeting. We had a drink there and went into a couple of shops and then returned along the river path. Darren went down the bank at one point, I watched!

We had an early lunch and Darren was on his way back to Hornsea before midday. It was hot and muggy this afternoon so I fed a bit but it was making me doze so I did a sketch from a photo I took yesterday indoors. Need to keep practicing those trees!

When the sun was going down a bit o watered the garden and tree and pots before Tina drove up to The Hermitage so we could have a stroll. 

It was still quite warm and there were a few people enjoying a walk there. 

I am feeling quite weary so won’t be late to bed.