Bit of a mixture

 This morning I pulled out some drawers from my bedroom chest of drawers that had stuff in, toiletries, stationery, and small boxes of stuff packed when we were moving. The intention was to reduce the ‘stuff’ drawers to two so that I had somewhere for towels etc. That is ongoing but think I will be able to do it.

I went outside to pot some plants I carried home from the garden group yesterday, some London pride and some tall grass. I didn’t have a lot of compost left and nor did I have a pot pig enough for the grass. I did pot the London pride.

I bought some wide, waterproof trainers a while ago but cannot manage to do laces now so Tina suggested getting elastic laces. They came yesterday, I threaded them okay but could not work out the knot thing as an ordinary bow doesn’t hold. Tina did one ant tried to show me but try as I might I could not do it, very frustrating, Darren did the second one!

As I needed more pots and compost I suggested we go out, have dinner and got the stuff I need as it meant a trip to Perth. B&Q first, got pots nd some seed trays.

We had lunch at Dobbies and then had a look around. There were some very sorry looking Chinese lanterns but no reduced. There was nobody around but I I saw a member of staff near the checkout and asked her about them. She walked back through the store with me and said I could have one for half price. She told me to tell the lady at the checkout that Pat said I could have it for half price, and did!

We did cal in at a discount shop before coming home. I did a sketch of the rescued Chinese lantern before going out into the garden.

Tina had bought a cheap picture frame to see if it would be suitable fore something she was doing, she needs a different size so she gave it to me. I popped one of my sketches in it.

I went out to pot the plants, I couldn’t push the holes through in the big pot so ended up emptying a pot I had to put the grass in. I will need a drill for the new pot!

Potted the Chinese lantern as well. It was the best one there.

I ordered a second hand book about making bee houses, it came today and in perfect condition.

I needed some milk so went round to the shop. Looks like rain might be in the offing, although it looks brighter out now.

I have made my hip more painful than usual doing exercises to make it more flexible!!

Off to Pitlochry tomorrow to have a jab at the cottage hospital.

Garden group and embroidery

 Group day today, I walked into Dunkeld long the river path today as I left in good time. More fungi lodging in a tree.

However many times I go up these steps to the bridge, the thought of them still makes me bit anxious!

I did tidying along the walkway and then swept up the leaves around all the benches and removed some weeds form the pavers. It rained briefly when we stopped for a drink but it was dry when I walked home. The bending had made my hip sore so I was undecided to whether I would go back into Dunkeld for the knit and natter group. Tina had lunch waiting when I got home which was great. After a rest I got changed and did make my way back to Dunkeld but via the arts centre where I managed to book the last place on a life drawing class on Saturday. It will not have a tutor and I will take my easel and a board as there will be a limited number of them.

The afternoon group was fine, everybody else just knit or come for the cuppa and chat so my embroidery has got them interested which is nice. I have never used the stitch before but I like the effect as do the other ladies. I had walked in through the village but as I could take my time walked back along the river paths again.

I think the hip has hd enough exercise today so m doing a bit more to the slow growing embroidery.

Wardrobe changing time

 This morning I decided it was time to drag the case out and get some cold weather clothes out and pack some summer stuff away. My drawers are bursting at the seams as I have too many clothes for the limited space that I have. So as well as moving stuff around I moved some into a black bag for the charity shop! I put the washer on again as some bits needed a freshen up. We had thought of going to the boot sale but it rained most of the morning. I took a photo from the back door for a change.

That hydrangea is lovely, we need to trim it back well when it has finished flowering.

After lunch I walked into Dunkeld, it had stopped raining and there was a craft fair at the Duchess Anne. I felt very weary out walking today, I have had a bit f a throat and a headache, so maybe a  bit under the weather. I also found out that my expensive raincoat is too tight in the sleeves even with just a light sweat shirt. I went into the craft fair, but very few stalls and not many customers!

The mist was still hanging around on the way back.

Seeing the mist in the hills is one of my favourite sights.

I got Sunday dinner early as Tina had an evening service. Feet up now and probably a bit of embroidery.

Great talk and workshop

 A fairly quiet morning, a load of washing, bit of jigsaw, wrote a letter and did a sketch. That was y plan when I picked up the lovely cones yesterday. Like a challenge!

We had an early lunch as we needed to be at the Loch of the Lowes by 12.30 pm.we listened to a fascinating talk about bees, he was a brilliant speaker and rested behaviours to our own, he was funny too. I bought some seeds and a book, and nave ordered one on making bee houses published by Haynes! Also go an identification sheet.

We had a drink before doing the workshop and watched this pheasant waiting for the seed to drop.

The we had a go at making a willow fat ball holder.

Very therapeutic to do, we both really enjoyed it.

We have had the family call and dinner, now a restful evening and maybe some embroidery!

Quite morning, unexpectedly busy afternoon

 This morning was very relaxed, I got everything ready for making a crumble later, we had frozen blueberries and some blackberries from the brambles at the back of the garden. I put a few more pieces into the jigsaw and did a sketch.

Last weekend Tina had been a Blair castle and fed the deer with her friends at 2.30pm so she suggested we go today so that I could feed them. We were a little late arriving and the had to walk up hill against a head wind (so strong the closed the woodland walk). Sadly they weren’t feeding them today but we saw them in the distance.

Just realised I didn’t post the photos of the lovely views on the way there.

We had a drink and the had a wander round. It was very cold when we had the drink but the sun came out and it was warmer.

The dog in this next photo appeared to have no owner, some minutes before he arrived.

After leaving we went to Killiecrankie where we made our way to the Soldiers Leap, a challenging walk although not overly long. A lot of steps, some with no rail and occasionally almost a foot high!

Views from the bridge, not of it!

Just as difficult for the hips and knees retracing our steps.

 

After leaving we went to B&Q before coming home. Tina wanted some paint and brushes for the rail near the porch and I got a bargain pineapple plant, half price so £9 including the pot!

I will finish a photo of two fabulous cones from Blair castle.

Forgot the plant!