Friday, 15 May 2026

Jigsaw, Perth and a mouse

 First thing this morning I saw a blackbird uprooting one of my saplings that I potted yesterday! As I was going out to repot it the cheeky bird was about to do more damage. I moved the to be less an accessible and they are still in the pot this evening but not looking the happiest. Tina and I both set about doing the edge of the jigsaw, still a few pieces missing but almost there. Then we went to Perth, Tina hadn’t been for a look round there before and we both had things we wanted to do there. An interesting building we could see from the car park.

Walking into the city centre we passed a couple of paintings, shame someone had scraped the babies face.

I got my watch strap changed and we recycled out medication blister packs, then both bought something in Next. We had a very nice lunch at the museum and this display was near where we were sitting.
Walking back to the car park we saw this statue.
I had ordered a wall photo from a photo that was taken on my birthday. I have it above the tv.
We were having a cup of tea when got home and Pandora jumped in through the window complete with mouse! I went and got the traps ready and we put them in the sitting room. Amazingly, while the cat was sleeping on her stand and we were having tea the mouse was obviously hungry and had triggered the trap. It was enjoying its snack and is now back outside.
I have felt quite achey today so not doing a lot, but maybe a little jigsaw before bed.
Just realised that I didn’t mention that I got my glasses mended, one of the nose pads broke off a few days ago. No charge so that was good and  Tina made an appointment at an optician she had a recommendation for.




Thursday, 14 May 2026

Gardening group and trees

I got the bee jigsaw out this morning and started finding some edge pieces before I went out to go to the Evergreen gardening group. It was held at a local sheltered complex, there were only five of us and the group organiser, I had met a couple of the ladies before. We had a chat, tea and biscuits and the cleared and repotted a large trough at the entrance of the complex. It was a pleasant time but the meetings will be spasmodic at the group leader has a new job and has to try and fit it into her diary. I will go along again. I brought a few plants left as there were a lot that we removed to put new ones in.

After lunch I walked into Dunkeld along the river with path. I had to collect my prescription. This fallen tree has new growth all around, nature really is amazing.


I cut through the community orchard to the bridge.


After getting some shopping, collecting my prescription and having a drink I had a senior moment and decided to go down these scary steps to ge to the river path.
Having gone down them realised that I was on the wrong side of the river and had to climb up them, which was even scarier!
I went through the orchard again, picnic tables in there which is nice and one of the black bunnies!

I pulled a couple of sapling trees which I think are beech, time will tell.
After a sit down nd a drink I went into the garden, got the few plants from yesterday and today planted.
Got the saplings into a flower pot and transferred the oaks into a bonsai dish. Pruned the roots but left the leaves for now,
Feet up and tv now and maybe a bit of jigsaw edge piece finding in a bit!



Wednesday, 13 May 2026

Visit and meeting

 This morning Tina had an errand to do so we went into Dunkeld. Errand completed we bought cakes to take to her aunts and had a drink before coming back to finish off the jigsaw.

It has been chilly today and spasmodic showers. We drove to Pitlochry to have lunch with her aunt and cousins. Aunt Anne was 85 today. We stayed for quite a while, leaving when Anne was clearly getting weary. A couple of journey photos.
This evening we went to an informative talk at the arts centre about the planned development of the Beatrix Potter garden. There are going to be new statues and activity booklets for children. The garden is quite tired looking now so it should help to bring more visitors in in for the evening now and keeping warm with the cats help, although having her sleep on my feet is making them go numb!

Tuesday, 12 May 2026

Garden and river walk

 I did do some clearing of ground elder at the back of the beds I have dug and planted, did take photos but have deleted them as they were so dark inthe shade you couldn’t see where I’d been! Did take a photo of this pretty allium, it was a  ‘rescued’ plant from the garden centre and looked on its last legs, so I didn’t expect it to flower this year.

I did take a photo of the jigsaw this morning, as you can see, still a way to go.

Tina dug up a sycamore that was in the middle of a bush, it was over a foot tall but it is now a stick with trimmed roots! Will it or won’t it grow?
We at out for a ride in the car withTina to Perth, she had some printing to be done and we went to have the car washed as well. We picked up something at a bakers for lunch as we had to get back as Tina had an appointment,
I went for a walk this afternoon just walking along the river path. Took this photo of the Birnam oak, the one in the middle, as it is now in leaf.
I made my way along heading for the bench opposite the cathedral on the other side of the bridge.a couple of photos on the way, one of the new growth on a fir tree.


I sat on the bench opposite the cathedral for a while.

I decided to walk on a bit further looking to find a way down to a lower path and spotted two more benches that I hadn’t noticed before, they were looking over a beautiful spot, one to visit again and it is bout a mile away. Had to go down a very rooty slope to get there!
But so worth it!

I did do a sketch.
A couple of photos note way back, a view of the bridge and one of the massive sycamore in leaf.

I have watered the garden and put the bin out. Maybe do a bit of the jigsaw after I have written couple of letters.

Monday, 11 May 2026

A tree day

 I prune the bonsai tree roots regularly, well, every other year, but I have never trimmed the branches as much as I should. So today, I bit the bullet and decided to do some pruning. I have got wound sealant so all should be well.

Trimmings and trees!


After lunch I went for a walk and took the sketchbook just in case.
I went to have a look at the repaired sign, it was well received so I may have made a rod for my own back!
I walked into Dunkeld and picked up a small canvas for a small donation. There is going to be a display of these canvasses when painted to raise money for a charity. You get the canvas, paint on it and submit it. They are displayed and sold for £10 each to raise the money. A very different idea, I will take a photo when it is finished. Then I walk to the cathedral, I hadn’t been in it before, or know much about it.





The information said they have visitors from all over the world, and at the back they had information sheets in numerous languages.
The grounds are lovely and plenty of benches.


I have never really felt conquering drawing trees, but decided to try sitting on one of the benches.
The rhododendrons up here are splendid and everywhere. They are coming into flower now.

I had a drink and then walked home. May do some jigsaw, yes, still the secret garden, when the cat decides to move!
Will finish with a photo that Tina took a couple of nights ago.