Chores and a short walk

 This morning I did some overdue household stuff and then went for a walk into Dunkeld. I went by the river path which was quite dry which was good. I took some photos of the bridge from the other side.

Tina had ordered some blue poppy plug plants, just three, and they arrived today. So I went out , did a bit of weeding and got them planted. We had a roast dinner this evening as Tina is out tomorrow evening.

I tried drawing with coloured fine liners 

Listen to an audio book now.

Sorting, weeding and evening walk

 My bedroom has become a bit of a dumping ground as I have stuff that hasn’t got a home. So I have tried to rethink it a bit and have decided on a few more things that can head there was to the charity shop.

This afternoon I went out to do some weeding on the area in front of the bungalow where the cars are parked. It is gravel but a lot of tufts of grass and weeds are appearing. I spent an hour or so but it was really making my hip hurt. In case you think I didn’t do much I added a pic of the full tub afterwards!

Tina had some Tesco points and kindly used them to get me some flowers. I enjoy getting them into a vase.

This evening Tina suggested going for a walk. We went to the higher car park at the Hermitage where the walks are through wooded areas. It was a nice walk, some quite steep parts though. We arrived at a folly, the sign was at the top but will add it first.

Resting now and have a program about Bob Dylan on the tv.

Fairly busy day

 For a couple of days there have been signs of nibbling in the cupboard under the sink! The nibbled items were bamboo cleaning cloths, but not droppings and no smell which was strange. But thinking it had to be a mouse I set a trap last night. First thing this morning I checked and there was a cute little mouse in the trap. It had eaten the bird seed and shot off under the bushes when I released it. I put a load of washing on and then completely cleared the cupboard under the sink. Surprising how many spare cleaning items we had! There were a few dropping near the trap and very few others, convincing me that the mouse was a visitor rather than a resident! I imagine it was taking soft stuff for a nest. There is a hole at the back of the cupboard where the pipes go. After I had sorted the washing out I went grocery shopping with Tina, but we went and had our free drinks at the garden centre on the way. I took a pic of this little bear before but both sides are completely different.

After lunch I walked up to the Birnam book shop, quite a small shop that opens four day so the week. Good variety of books but no prices which was an off putting. Then I went into the art centre to see the latest exhibition, I didn’t like the first artists work and the second set were clever but not reply to my taste.

I hadn’t been back long when I got a message to say that my prescription was ready so I walked into Dunkeld to collect it. No particular plans this evening but I did do a sketch with some new coloured fine tip pens.

Almost forgot to add the non raining view!

Big day in Dundee

 Today the three of us went unto Dundee. Tina and Darren were kind enough to take me there for the end of a mission, but we decided to make a day of it. When I was at art school some 63 years ago I designed a ring, I think as a technical drawing test rather than to make it. I have held on to the original drawing all these years and this year I decided to try and get it made to give to Anya. The first jeweller I approached said he couldn’t make it but gave me Islay’s number and she said she could. She could make a mould or hand build it, I chose the hand built option. Today was when I would collect it. The drawing says a gold ring but I had it made in silver. I have to admit that seeing it made me very emotional.

After that we found a cafe, had a wander round and found the Lush store!

We had a look round some of the exhibits in the museum.

We went to another shopping centre where Tina bought a pair of waterproof trainers. I tried some on but they were too tight.

We called in at a garden centre on the way home and I bought a house plant! I have entered its details in my journal.

Having a quiet evening now.

That’s more like it!

 Yesterday evening I sorted out the edge pieces of the new jigsaw, only one piece left to find now!

I need a repeat prescription but I am not sure if the doctor actually put them on my file. It was raining but I wanted to go in person and not try to explain on the phone. The walk certainly made me remember I live in Scotland now, that is much more like it!

I went into Dunkeld after leaving as I had to re register for text messages when the prescription is prepared, they have a new system so everyone has to re register. I was truly soaking when I got home including splashed legs and wet shoes and socks!

As I am on a plant mission I decided to clean my two hydroponics. I do refresh the water occasionally but this time I tipped out all the stones and washed them and cleaned the marks off the vases. Hopefully they will pick up a bit now.

This afternoon I was taking the yellow pansy painting to Joan in Dunkeld. Darren gave me a lift into 

Dunkeld as it was still raining but I walked back. We had a nice chat and tea and cake and got to know each other a bit which was really nice.

I will finish with some photos sent by my friend Jean in Hornsea. She and Terry, her husband are both in their eighties and recently moved from their home of forty years which Jean especially found very stressful. At the weekend they went to a farm where you can pay to cut wild flowers. Lovely photos and they look so happy.

Rain stops play

 I will start with a couple of photos from Tina. She and Darren walked up to the war memorial quite late yesterday evening and got a nice view of the sunset from up there.

This morning we had light rain but I got ready to go to the garden group anyway, I was just on my way when Moira, who runs the group phoned to say don’t come this week. I came home and spent a couple of hours firstly trying to identify my plants and then find their botanical names and families. I like plants but my knowledge of names etc is very scant! I will show pics of a couple of the pages to give you an idea of the journals layout.

Tina was doing a session this afternoon being on reception at the art exhibition so the three of us went and had lunch in Dunkeld then afterwards Tina and I could go to our appointments and Darren could head home. I had a bit longer before my group so I had another look round the art exhibition and browsed in some shops. I finished the embroidery I was doing last night and I took it along as people had shown an interest in it.

I took some patchwork to do today.

I went back to the art exhibition while Tina was finishing off. We had both really liked a photograph in the exhibition and decided to share the cost, so it will probably go in the kitchen.

It is still raining, but still very light. May have to get back to the plant books now!