Fairly busy day

 For a couple of days there have been signs of nibbling in the cupboard under the sink! The nibbled items were bamboo cleaning cloths, but not droppings and no smell which was strange. But thinking it had to be a mouse I set a trap last night. First thing this morning I checked and there was a cute little mouse in the trap. It had eaten the bird seed and shot off under the bushes when I released it. I put a load of washing on and then completely cleared the cupboard under the sink. Surprising how many spare cleaning items we had! There were a few dropping near the trap and very few others, convincing me that the mouse was a visitor rather than a resident! I imagine it was taking soft stuff for a nest. There is a hole at the back of the cupboard where the pipes go. After I had sorted the washing out I went grocery shopping with Tina, but we went and had our free drinks at the garden centre on the way. I took a pic of this little bear before but both sides are completely different.

After lunch I walked up to the Birnam book shop, quite a small shop that opens four day so the week. Good variety of books but no prices which was an off putting. Then I went into the art centre to see the latest exhibition, I didn’t like the first artists work and the second set were clever but not reply to my taste.

I hadn’t been back long when I got a message to say that my prescription was ready so I walked into Dunkeld to collect it. No particular plans this evening but I did do a sketch with some new coloured fine tip pens.

Almost forgot to add the non raining view!

Big day in Dundee

 Today the three of us went unto Dundee. Tina and Darren were kind enough to take me there for the end of a mission, but we decided to make a day of it. When I was at art school some 63 years ago I designed a ring, I think as a technical drawing test rather than to make it. I have held on to the original drawing all these years and this year I decided to try and get it made to give to Anya. The first jeweller I approached said he couldn’t make it but gave me Islay’s number and she said she could. She could make a mould or hand build it, I chose the hand built option. Today was when I would collect it. The drawing says a gold ring but I had it made in silver. I have to admit that seeing it made me very emotional.

After that we found a cafe, had a wander round and found the Lush store!

We had a look round some of the exhibits in the museum.

We went to another shopping centre where Tina bought a pair of waterproof trainers. I tried some on but they were too tight.

We called in at a garden centre on the way home and I bought a house plant! I have entered its details in my journal.

Having a quiet evening now.

That’s more like it!

 Yesterday evening I sorted out the edge pieces of the new jigsaw, only one piece left to find now!

I need a repeat prescription but I am not sure if the doctor actually put them on my file. It was raining but I wanted to go in person and not try to explain on the phone. The walk certainly made me remember I live in Scotland now, that is much more like it!

I went into Dunkeld after leaving as I had to re register for text messages when the prescription is prepared, they have a new system so everyone has to re register. I was truly soaking when I got home including splashed legs and wet shoes and socks!

As I am on a plant mission I decided to clean my two hydroponics. I do refresh the water occasionally but this time I tipped out all the stones and washed them and cleaned the marks off the vases. Hopefully they will pick up a bit now.

This afternoon I was taking the yellow pansy painting to Joan in Dunkeld. Darren gave me a lift into 

Dunkeld as it was still raining but I walked back. We had a nice chat and tea and cake and got to know each other a bit which was really nice.

I will finish with some photos sent by my friend Jean in Hornsea. She and Terry, her husband are both in their eighties and recently moved from their home of forty years which Jean especially found very stressful. At the weekend they went to a farm where you can pay to cut wild flowers. Lovely photos and they look so happy.

Rain stops play

 I will start with a couple of photos from Tina. She and Darren walked up to the war memorial quite late yesterday evening and got a nice view of the sunset from up there.

This morning we had light rain but I got ready to go to the garden group anyway, I was just on my way when Moira, who runs the group phoned to say don’t come this week. I came home and spent a couple of hours firstly trying to identify my plants and then find their botanical names and families. I like plants but my knowledge of names etc is very scant! I will show pics of a couple of the pages to give you an idea of the journals layout.

Tina was doing a session this afternoon being on reception at the art exhibition so the three of us went and had lunch in Dunkeld then afterwards Tina and I could go to our appointments and Darren could head home. I had a bit longer before my group so I had another look round the art exhibition and browsed in some shops. I finished the embroidery I was doing last night and I took it along as people had shown an interest in it.

I took some patchwork to do today.

I went back to the art exhibition while Tina was finishing off. We had both really liked a photograph in the exhibition and decided to share the cost, so it will probably go in the kitchen.

It is still raining, but still very light. May have to get back to the plant books now!

Domesticated morning and afternoon walk

 This morning was a few chores, talking to Anya and getting dinner as we were eating early as Tina had n evening service. This afternoon I went for a walk. I have walked here once before and it is really lovely. It is alongside the river but is up hill all the way. I took a lot of photos as every turn in the path was lovely, I have deleted a few but there are still lot. All but one was taken going up and I think the views were just a lovely but I will take them on the way down next time, here goes!

This last one I took on the way back as I thought the branch coming out of the water looked like a snake like river monster!

Darren got my printer working this afternoon so I can start getting photos of the plants into the journal.

I went round to the church with Tina to help get the chairs ready for the evening service.

Sitting quietly with the cat for now.