Highlights and lowlights

 This morning quite early was a highlight. There was a red squirrel in the garden, it jumped on the windowsill briefly and then went across to the flower bed I have been preparing and started digging. Tina’s photo was better than mine as she was at a different angle and didn’t get the window glare.

Squirrel and evidence of digging!

The weather was good and my legs were less painful so I got into the garden for an hour or so. I cut the two daffodils and the cleared about eighteen inches, so little be little.

I have had a couple of short sessions on the jigsaw, that is proving to be challenging, so little by little there too.

This afternoon I decided to practice the pen shading, as I had wondered yesterday if it would work using coloured fine liner pens. The Secret Garden film was on to watch while I practiced. So that was enjoyable.

Tina suggested we got the water feature unpacked, it is near the bird feeder for now but we may change that. Sadly my knees both started to ache again which was definitely a lowlight.

Taking it easy this evening with the feet up.

Pen shading and evening stroll

 I had a pretty quiet morning, a bit of jigsaw and popped out to post some letters. Had a fairly early lunch as the drawing class started at 1pm. I took a picture from one of the upstairs windows in the art centre.

The pen shading class was interesting, but not a lot to post as she showed us different techniques and said we could finish them at home. I will endeavour to finish them and practice!

After dinner Tina suggested going for a stroll, parking at the Loch of the Lowes and walking along the woodland walk. It is a narrow, single track road to the car park, and it’s closed when we arrived, so had to drive on as there was no way of turning round! We then had quite a long drive, but the plus side was we saw lots of pheasants, a small game bird, possibly a quail and best of all a hare that ran along the road in front of us before disappearing into a field. It was a very pretty ride, partly long side the loch and when we neared Dunkeld Tina parked up for us to have a walk long to the cathedral. Quite a few photos and I will make some comments now. There are black rabbits as well as the usual wild rabbits and a couple of shots of them. There were huge cut down trees and a great bench made out of one.

Picture of the puzzle tomorrow!

Shopping and printing

 This morning Tina suggested we go shopping and I said could we go to the garden centre as well as they had a 20% off everything event. I wanted a pot holder for Spiky, who was in a casserole dish! Got a nice pot, I wanted a raffia one but settled for a non pottery one and the ceramic ones are nice, but so heavy when holding a big plant. Also bought a cockerel for the garden, as you do! We had this months free drinks while we were there.

Then we went and did the food shopping. Tina was out to lunch and apart from gong to send a package I have been indoors and one of my knees decided to be very painful! I did put a few bits in the jigsaw,and them did some chores in the house. Put the cockerel outside!

Many yers ago I make clocks for people as Christmas presents. I had read an article about getting a marble effect. They turned out well but I didn’t make one for myself. When I was helping Rose get ready to move a couple of years ago she want going to take the one I made for my sister so I bought it home. Today I put a battery on and it is working so I am quite pleased.

I struggled with the printer again for quite a while to no avail, but luckily Tina got it gong for me so I can print photos for friends who don’t do tech stuff!. Will write notes this evening and get them sent off tomorrow.

Bit of gardening, bit of walking

 Unbeknown tomeTina had taken a photo of me working on the jigsaw before starting the day properly, with a not very helpful assistant!

I did go out in the garden for a while, I wanted to get a couple of plants into pots and clear a bit more of the bed by the hedge so that I could get the third heuchera in. The plants are now in the pots and the bed cleared although it was the hardest section yet!

After lunch I walked to Dunkeld, I wanted to get a small gift for someone and I did take my sketchbook.

This was a different view from where I was sitting.

Although I feel a bit better in myself today, walking back from Dunkeld I was really struggling again and it is less than a mile. Flopped in the chair for an hour or so when I got in. Tina got home quite late from a visit and said the pizza van was still by the arts centre, so I nipped over and got tea! Took a couple of pics while I was waiting.

Will finish with a couple of pics of Pandora enjoying the sunshine.

Much quieter day

Still not feeling 100%, more like 50%! I did get into the garden for a bit and hoed the res I have planted out, as the ground elder was popping  up in several places, theonlywyto keep the beds looking good is regular hoeing, and hopefully pull a few more roots out each time.

After lunch Tina dropped me off in Dunkeld as I wanted to get some fresh veg for dinner, was going to do the first roast dinner in the oven here. I walked home and to be honest that was enough for today, I tire very easily at the moment. I managed to miss the rain which was good.

I did a crossword and started sorting out the edge pieces of the new jigsaw. We had dinner which turned out quite well and I may try to get the the edges done of the jigsaw.

Yesterday I bought a set of colour yourself greetings cards, two of each design. I have a nice set of colouring pencils so they will get an outing at some point!

Trip to Dundee

 I went to post a letter this morning and the mist ws rising in the hills.

Today Tina was driving me to Dundee. I haven’t been there before but my main reason for wanting to go was to see a jewellery maker. At college a bit over sixty years ago I designed a ring. I did do. Bit of copper plate engraving there but the ring was more of a technical drawing exercise. After all the moves I have had  and recently disposing of most of my art work I still have the design. I went to a jewellery maker in Dunkeld who thought about it but decided he couldn’t make the ring and he suggested someone who might be able to and she is working in Dundee. I decided it would be nice to get it made for Anya as I have kept the design for so long.

Islay, the jeweller said that she could make it but it would be slightly adapted. Obviously I know nothing about what is or isn’t possible in making jewellery. She is going to estimate cost for costing and hand building.

After leaving her we walked in toe city centre and had a drink the walked to the river and went to the very modern V&A there. A few photos, the Tay Bridge was in one direction and the old railway bridge the other way, but that is hardly visible on the photo. Several photos now.

We had lunch there and then walked back into the city and did a bit of shopping and I had to have a photo with this statue before we headed home.

I had been quite achy today and I wore new socks which were tight and I think they stopped the blood flow to my feet! So back home I was pretty tired and Tina got tea while I put my feet up. Still resting and luckily my new Puzzler magazine has arrived today. Despite wearing me out it has been a lovely day.