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.

Some chores but taking it easy

 This morning we went and had breakfast at The Birnam Oak Cafe, and then Darren set of for Hornsea before ten thirty. He is back home safely and got his shopping done. It has been a lovely weekend with him.

I sorted some washing and a couple of household chores then spent a while preparing butternut squash, sweet potatoes and carrots to make soup. We had some for lunch and it turned out well. I needed milk so went to the local shop, the sky looked moody. It has been a typical April day, sunshine and showers!

Tina’s cousin Tim came after lunch, he brought Archie the dog with him and luckily Pandora was asleep in the lounge so we shut her in. He had bought over twenty beech saplings with him to plant to make a hedge. He was telling me how easy it is but the ground was very little soil on gravel. He got them all in but they won’t do much this year.

Tina feeds the birds and when I went round to take a photo of the saplings they seemed unperturbed . A couple of photos, not great as not much zoom on the phone. But on the first one I think the bird on the left is a siskin.

I packed the jigsaw away and have the new one out ready to start.

I did a sketch this afternoon.

There was a lot of soup over so decided to transfer in into freezer soup bags, but to keep in the fridge. Thought it was less messy to divide it into portions now than get messy every time we went to the bowl!

I haven’t felt too bright today, but of an upset tummy and more achy that I would like to be, so sitting with feet up and at the moment with no cat!

Ice cream sundae and Loch Cally

 This morning I decided to freshen up one of the garden ornaments which had faded quite a lot. I had ordered some model paints which arrived yesterday. I did have to dodge some showers but did get it painted.

Darren has enjoyed a couple of spells on the jigsaw, it is nice to have one on the go.

After lunch we went to Stewart Tower Dairy, the place for ice cream in the area. The restaurant is called the Round House for obvious reasons, it is situated quite high, so nice views too.

 

On the way back Tina drove to find Cally car park that we had seen signs for. A very narrow, bendy road that was single track, luckily we didn’t meet anything coming the other way! We had a short walk but up quite a steep slope, in fact we went the wrong way first so a couple of steep slopes. It was a very wooded area and we got to Loch Cally.

This is what I mean by uneven paths, lots of roots and lots of rocks too.

Liked the fungi and the next on was of uprooted trees that were still alive, it was like a cave, great shelter for wild life.

I picked up some pine cones while we were out, did a sketch, not a scribble of them after dinner.

Darren has had a good weekend, he makes his way back to Hornsea tomorrow.

Dunkeld and repotting Spiky!

 I will start with a jigsaw update, Tina and Darren have both put some pieces in but it is proving to be slow progress still.

I walked into Dunkeld this morning and right along the Main Street to see the building I had noticed when in the car with Tina.

I walked through it and went a little way along but there were a lot of cars so I went to a path that was at the corner of the car park it veered behind the cathedral and some different views.

I did try a sketch but will call it scribble of the day!

I think the walk yesterday had more of an effect than I had realised as I felt really exhausted walking home, so sat with the cat for a while. I did repot the plant I rescued yesterday, I had watered it well yesterday evening and it looks quite happy now. It is called Spiky and it is and it was quite difficult not to get damaged while repotting.

Best not rescue anymore plants as there will end up being no room for me!

The good news is that my Scottish bus pass arrived.😊

Darren and Tina went out for a bit today so a good birthday weekend.