Garden and Aberfeldy

 I spent about an hour and a half in the garden this morning. Firstly I hoed all the areas I have already done as it is an on going battle with the ground elder and other weeds. Then I carried on from where I had finished, cutting the hedge back above the area and then digging it over and removing masses of roots. I haven’t finished the area, but have made a good start. I sat and read with the cat on my lap for a while when I got in before having lunch.

We got some of the charity shop stuff into the car and we drove to Aberfeldy where there is a thrift shop that is run by different organisations every week. Took a photo from the car on the way.

Sadly the thrift shop isn’t accepting donations at the moment but we went to the Co op to do a bit of shopping and there was a Salvation Army container there for clothes, so got rid of one bag! We decided to call in at Spirit of Wood as we were in Aberfeldy, took another hoot on the way there.

It was a very narrow road up to the wood place so luckily we didn’t meet anyone coming away! What a fantastic place, such unusual pieces. I took some pics of a few.

I was tempted and got a side table to go next to my new chair. It was marked as a stool but a fantastic table for me!

Just down the rod was Dewars whisky distillery which also had a cafe.

Some funky wood use in there too.

Very plush bar/cafe.

We shred a whisky truffle, but there wasn’t much whisky involved!

A couple more car pics on the way home.

Tina had sent for a jigsaw from EBay being sold by a charity. It will be a challenge but the wooden jigsaws re such fun to do.

I had picked three Alliums, which were falling over but still looked great when I was working in the garden. After dinner I thought I would try to draw them without much confidence, but you can tell what they are!

Feet up without the cat at the moment, she had given Tina dead legs instead!

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.