Shopping and printing

 This morning Tina suggested we go shopping and I said could we go to the garden centre as well as they had a 20% off everything event. I wanted a pot holder for Spiky, who was in a casserole dish! Got a nice pot, I wanted a raffia one but settled for a non pottery one and the ceramic ones are nice, but so heavy when holding a big plant. Also bought a cockerel for the garden, as you do! We had this months free drinks while we were there.

Then we went and did the food shopping. Tina was out to lunch and apart from gong to send a package I have been indoors and one of my knees decided to be very painful! I did put a few bits in the jigsaw,and them did some chores in the house. Put the cockerel outside!

Many yers ago I make clocks for people as Christmas presents. I had read an article about getting a marble effect. They turned out well but I didn’t make one for myself. When I was helping Rose get ready to move a couple of years ago she want going to take the one I made for my sister so I bought it home. Today I put a battery on and it is working so I am quite pleased.

I struggled with the printer again for quite a while to no avail, but luckily Tina got it gong for me so I can print photos for friends who don’t do tech stuff!. Will write notes this evening and get them sent off tomorrow.

Bit of gardening, bit of walking

 Unbeknown tomeTina had taken a photo of me working on the jigsaw before starting the day properly, with a not very helpful assistant!

I did go out in the garden for a while, I wanted to get a couple of plants into pots and clear a bit more of the bed by the hedge so that I could get the third heuchera in. The plants are now in the pots and the bed cleared although it was the hardest section yet!

After lunch I walked to Dunkeld, I wanted to get a small gift for someone and I did take my sketchbook.

This was a different view from where I was sitting.

Although I feel a bit better in myself today, walking back from Dunkeld I was really struggling again and it is less than a mile. Flopped in the chair for an hour or so when I got in. Tina got home quite late from a visit and said the pizza van was still by the arts centre, so I nipped over and got tea! Took a couple of pics while I was waiting.

Will finish with a couple of pics of Pandora enjoying the sunshine.

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.