Dog sitting and pizza

 I will start with mentioning the jigsaw which was finished yesterday and we bought another one in. Charity shop in Blairgowrie, only a five hundred piece but will be another tricky one.

I walked into Dunkeld this morning to sit with Aurora while Anya, Louis and Isobel had a day out in Perth. I had never really looked at the centre of the statue in Cathedral square, it seems to be fishes.

Aurora was unsettled and whined for a bit but soon calmed down, although her ears pricked up if people passed the house.

Then she spent a lot of time on the sofa.

I tried to sketch her but she kept moving!

They had a good time in Perth and went along the path next to the train line that crossed the river and they went down onto the island, seeing the allotments and golf course! I really must go and check it out, looks lovely.

They got back in time for us all to meet in Birnam and have pizza from the mobile pizza van. We ate them on a bench outside the art centre.

The family went for a walk after tea and found a bit of beach for Aurora to enjoy.

To finish I ordered some bee water flowers, so cute, just a teaspoon of water in each!

A lovely final day for Anya and family, they have te long journey home tomorrow.

Humid trip to Blairgowrie

 Walking into Dunkeld on the way to see Anya and family I took a photo of some yellow antirrhinums as I have been asked to do a yellow painting! It is for a show that the WI are entering in Aberfeldy.

Sat with the family for a while before we set off for Blairgowrie. It is a pretty journey but very bendy roads and quite near lochs in some places. Sadly the noise and traffic really freaked Aurora so we headed for a small grassed square which was quiet and away from the hustle and bustle.

Louis took Aurora for a walk alongside the river, and we went and spent some time in The Nest that has lots of donated art and craft material and sells them at very low prices. We met up with Darren and Tina and went for something to eat. No dog friendly eateries so Louis stayed by the river with the dog.

We went to the dome restaurant and sat beneath the dome. Anya took a picture of us deciding what to eat and of Tina’s all day breakfast!

We met Louis at the green again and Anya went and got him some lunch then we went to look at a craft shop that does classes, but sadly on a Sunday so Tina can’t go with me.

We looked in some charity shops but no dogs allowed except guide dogs so Louis remained on dog duty. The temperature up here is not as high, but the humidity is much higher, so we were all feeling pretty washed out.

I came back with Darren and Tina and Anya and family headed back to their holiday home.

It was still a nice day and Louis and Aurora did enjoy the walk and found a spot where the dog could paddle, and it was quiet.

Pottery painting and great tennis

 This morning I walked with Darren into Dunkeld to meet with Anya and Isobel to go pottery painting, but we couldn’t get in at ten as we hoped but there was space at twelve. Darren had an afternoon appointment so couldn’t join us but we all went for a late breakfast before he went home. I went with Isobel and Anya back to their accommodation for a while. Took a couple of photos of pictures in there, nicely decorated holiday home.

We enjoyed the painting session, I will send their pieces on after I collect them.

We went for an ice cream afterwards, I love this photo.

I had been going to dog sit for the family but Louis had been on a long walk with the dog and was hot and tired, so they decided to just relax indoors. I said I would walk home nd watch the tennis, Anya walked back with me nd came in for a bit before going back, which was nice.i saw most of the amazing tennis match with Arthur Fery winning in straight sets and secure a place on the semi final.

Think o will need to do proper watering this evening.

Ice cream and relaxing

 This morning I went with Tina and Darren to the ice cream parlour where we met Anya, Louis and Isobel.

We mostly had waffles and pancakes and someof us had a small tub of ice cream before we left. I took a photo of the one of the pigs they had there, last time they were sleep.

I went with Anya and family when we left and we went to Taste Perthshire which is a large shop and restaurant. We had a good look round the shop and Anya managed to find a belt she like. They had a mini painted bear there which was very cute, maybe decorated with children’s work.

They had highland cows there and Isobel took this picture. She also took the next three yesterday, very lovely photos.

We spent the afternoon at there accommodation and played some games and started a jigsaw.

Hopefully pottery painting in the morning,

Gardening and embroidery

 I walked into Dunkeld this morning to work in St Ninian’s garden with the Birnam in Bloom group. I weeded along a flower bed and swept up leaves and after a tea break dead headed the hanging baskets. There is n mazing Himalayan lily, it must be eight foot tall. I took a second photo as it is in a shady prt of the garden and difficult to get a good picture.

I had a drink in a cafe and then went to the cathedral to do a sketch, didn’t go home because it was the knit and natter group on Dunkeld in the afternoon. I had taken my pencil case, nd that is what it turned out to be, I hadn’t put my drawing pens back in there. Haven’t done a pencil drawing in a while! Also began to have doubts about the subject matter, but you can see what it is!

I walked to the car or where the public loos re nd spotted this van.

I just carried on with my embroidery at the group, I only do it there so progress is slow. A photo when I have done more. Anya called in towards the end of the meeting as they had got the keys to their second holiday home a few minutes walk away. After the group I went along to their accommodation and she drove me home. They had been to the Hermitage this morning and there is another bear there.

I must get up there again soon.

Have watched some tennis and great to see Arthur Fery get through to the quarter finals.

We are meeting Anya and family at the ice cream parlour in the morning.

Walk into Dunkeld

 Anya and family arrived late morning. I had made a cake so we had a drink and cake before going out.

We had a wander round the Beatrix Potter garden, more interesting now than when Anya saw it back in February.

Then I walked into Dunkeld with Anya, Louis and Isobel, and Aurora of course. Talking of Aurora, Pandora made herself scarce, we think probably under my bed. But she did reappear quite quickly when the coast was clear.

I took that one from a distance and Anya took the second one.

We spent quite a while in Dunkeld, checked out the next holiday let and went into a lot of shops. Anya mad enquiries at the bike rental place, and when we had pretty much see. The shops they were interested in we stopped for a drink before returning back here. I took one photo in Kat and Kat, a local craft shop with items by local artists. This display was all fascinators and I thought it was very effective.

We all had dinner here and the family headed off soon after as they were all still tired from the travelling yesterday.

Pandora is back on her usual window sill now,

Not too busy

 Tina and I both slept in later today but that isn’t surprising. Firstly I will put the photo on of Tina’s tennis ball before I forget again.

I did some clearing in the area where Tina’s office is as there is not a lot of space for another car. Then I did a bit of clearing next to the church path as the bushes were to the point where you needed to dodge them. This handsome fella was on the gate when I went through.

A did a bit of housework and tidied the stuff we brought home yesterday. We have had a sorry tv day as there has been the tennis and qualifying for the British Grand Prix. But is did do a bit on the jigsaw when I could get to it, Darren had finished half of it when we got home.

Pandora will have a rude awaking over the next few days with a dog visiting!

I went out to water the plants that needed it Ned took a photo of this bush which has been in my old garden truck for a few years now.

Still watching tennis so may not be too early to bed! Looking forward to seeing Anya and family tomorrow.