Birnam Highland Games

 We set off just after ten and walked into Dunkeld along the river path.

We had a coffee and looked into some shops and the went to The Cross to see the band get ready to start their March to the games at noon.

They went over the bridge on their way to the field followed by a huge crowd of people. We had a walk right round the field, saw the hammer throw and running and cycle races. Several huts where pipers were being marked and highland dancing. 

We walked back into Dunkeld as Tina’s friends wanted to try Clootie dumplings. I had some too.

Darren ani I made our way home and Tina and the girls went for a walk and back to the games. They saw the haggis eating competition and and the caber toss.

I was quite weary so watered the garden and got dinner for myself and Darren and feet up time now.

A crafty day

 This morning I was designing a 3D card to send to a friend, needed some foam double sided tape to finish it off and hoped it would arrive reasonably early. I had to go to the surgery to hand in my repeat prescription so went into Dunkeld and bought something for lunch at the bakers and for dinner at the food shop. I had a drink before walking home. I love it when the clouds are rising from the hills.

I took this photo to show the size of the bed I was edging the last two Mondays.

Anyone can pick apples from the community orchard and today there were boxes by the sign, nothing in them today, but the volunteers pick them so people can take them as they pass. What a great idea.

I sat and did a bit of embroidery when I got back and after lunch back to the card and the tape turned up early so I finished it and caught today’s last post collection.

Then a bit later I did a sketch.

Back on the embroidery now.

When I was out I spotted these large chunks of tree in the hotel grounds. I am pretty sure they must be from the giant sycamore.

I forgot to mention yesterday thati had got around to using the the stuff that stops your carpets and rugs ‘walking’. I have a circular rug which I have to move twice. Day as it ends up against things on a regular basis. The net type stuff has helped but it has moved. This was earlier and now about n inch is showing!

Tina and her friends and niece have been to Loch Ness today, they have had a good time.

Window cleaning and a short walk

 I sent for a window cleaning kit a while ago but wanted to try cleaning the outside windows when it wasn’t sunny. I had cleaned inside a few days ago but it was outside that was well overdue for a clean! Especially nice in my sitting room as every day I am reminded how dirty it is! 

Tina had friends and her niece arriving today to stay locally for a few day. Her friends were coming on the train and Sandy, her niece drove up. They were all on target to arrive at roughly the same time but Tina then got a message to say that no trains were coming to Birnam for a while as there had been someone hit by a train and that affected the train timetable. So Tina went off to collect them from Perth station and we were here to welcome Sandy when she arrived. They had a look round the bungalow and Tina’s friends really liked my plant display which was nice. They went off for a wander round the village and a bit later I decided to walk into Dunkeld as days. It made me quite weary today, think I am a bit under par. I did take some pics of the bridge, I managed to fine a different spot that was not quite so masked by trees.

And some little toadstools amongst the grass and twigs.

I have done a bit to the embroidery since I got home and may do have posted this.

That’s about it today, Darren is out but I will watch Ludwig with Tina in a bit.

That’s more like it

 Mi started off fairly quiet again, few odd jobs and listening to the men cutting the yew trees in the churchyard back. Didn’t take. Before picture but they lopped bout two metres, which won’t affect my room but will make. Difference in the in sitting room.

Mid morning Tina took me to Williams house to see his garden and pick out some plants that we would like cuttings of. A lovely cottage garden that he has developed over many years. We had a cuppa with him and he gave me a few bits to bring home and will drop other cuttings off at a later date. After lunch I decided to do something about the small shed as I fight to find anything. I had already broken up lots of polystyrene and the huge box which the freezer had been in as they were next to the door. I had binned the polystyrene and needed the Stanley knife to break down the box as it was very sturdy.

The boxes have charity stuff in, I have them near the door now.

When I went out to the shed Pandora had been in the chair next to me, when I came back in she had settled in my chair!

As I will need to put the shrubs Willian brings for me I will need some bigger pots so Darren took me to Dobbies, we did have a cream scone before shopping! I wa going to get some weed trays as well but they only had the flimsy ones. I got three sizes of plastic flower pots and trays.

When we came back I got the bits I had brought back potted, and put some bulbs he gave me in the shed for now.

I ironed a few tee shirts this evening which were very creased. I will probably do a bit more to the embroidery this evening.

I will finish with three pics from Dollywood taken eleven years ago, Patty sent them to me today.

Very quiet day

 Definitely a take it easy day, did do basic chores but not a great deal else.

Took this photo this morning as we did have a little rain over night.

I did get the next jigsaw out and have found all the edge pieces. I thought I would try and be more methodical like Darren so sorted out window and flowers to start from the top!

My plants all seem fine after their first feed, maybe they will become triffids. 

Tina heard about a different gel which is said to help with arthritic joints, she got me a tube and I am going to use it for a while, the first use seemed soothing, but will see if that was mind over matter as the days go on.

Feeling a bit sad this evening as Dolly Parton has died. 😢

Group day

 This morning I went along to the are near the surgery that we started tidying last Monday I readiness for the Birnam games. Apparently thousands of people descend on the village. I carried on where I left off last week, I took an edging tool with me today. I took a couple of photos, one where I hd started md one where I wa going next.

One of the other volunteers worked with me, she did the kneeling and I did most of the edging and digging. A photo of one side of the bed, we actually did the other side as well. I worked for a good hour and a half and it was quite hot.

I walked home very slowly and was thinking I may not go into Dunkeld for the knit and natter group, but after lunch and cooling down a bit I did go along to it. I did a bit to the embroidery, it is going to be a long time before it is finished.

I walked back with a couple of other ladies.

Before I went out this morning and since I have been home this afternoon I have been feeding all the house plants one at a time. I never feed the plants so hopefully I won’t kill them all off!

I have watered the garden and taken the bins out.

Darren and Tina went for a walk and went to a high spot I hope to get to some time. Tina took some photos.

Afternoon concert in the cathedral

I was still quite weary this morning so got some washing done, made a crumble and prepared veg for dinner later and packed the jigsaw away. So nothing too strenuous. After lunch I walked into Dunkeld with Tina, I had the concert to go to and she wanted to see how the enactment had gone and if any new people signed up for the archeology group. We went via the poorly sycamore, that was one huge branch that came down!

I went to the field with Tina.

We had a drink and then walked down to the river in the cathedral grounds before I went in to the concert.

The concert was very good, not cello pieces I know but the final one was particularly lovely.

I walked home very slowly, my hip wasn’t at all happy! Zoomed too much on the jackdaw but will post it anyway.

We have had dinner and I will watch the final of The Piano a bit later.