Thanks Tina and new television

 Tina was working in her stuffy this morning so I did some chores and then put some pictures up on the bedroom. Took this photo out of the window early on.

Yesterday evening I got the earrings out and put them back on their holder. I have been alternating between two pairs since I arrived here.

Some pics up in the bedroom.

And the window sill in the bedroom.

Before we went out for lunch Tina helped me send for my new driving license, well that’s an understatement, she did it for me and it was very complicated. I would have given up! So a big thank you to Tina. I said I would get her lunch so we drove to Dobbies near Perth. We had a very nice lunch and I was very daring and tried the ‘cauliflower and spinach balti pie’ . Very unusual and about as hot as I could manage. I think it was suet pastry which was very tasty. I bought some cat litter and hope Pandora will approve! While we were out Tina got a message to say the television would be delivered to up this afternoon. It did arrive and thanks to Tina again who set it up for me.

Had to open the little gate leg table and then it fitted perfectly. I am watching now and it is very good.

Looks like a square eyed evening awaits!

Birnam Oak and trying to create order!

 While Tina was in church I walked with Darren to see the Birnam Oak,  it was a beautiful morning so I took photos of the oak, with Darren in it to give an idea of the size, and of the sycamore next to it.

We had a drink at the Arts centre before going into church after the service to meet the congregation. They are a lovely friendly group and they have ready lined me up to be part of the Birnam in Bloom group who tend the flower beds and planters around the village. Then we got an early lunch and Darren left before 1pm to drive back to Hornsea. Hopefully he will be home by nine this evening.

I have worked on and off in the bedroom, I was sorting through all the ‘odds and ends’ boxes and trying to put things that should be in the same place together. Had to keep at it so I could get in the bed tonight!

Pandora found one of the banana cat toys and had a play. She didn’t really play at all when we first had her.

I am not anyway near sorting out my stuff, but the bed is clear and the storage boxes fit nicely under the bed now.

Not doing a lot now, have a sleeping cat on my lap anyway!

Bus to Perth

 I went out quite early to check the times of the buses to Perth and there was one at 9.25am so got ready and went to catch it. I need to get a Scottish bus pass but the fare was £6.10 for a return and the journey was over an hour. The bus was quite full so I had to switch on one of the lower seats and couldn’t get a good view, but it was a very rural trip with some very narrow and bendy roads and a lot of very isolated houses, presumably farm houses. A lady I met at the bus stop and she said that you caught the bus home where yu got off, so that was helpful. There are signs in the city to give you some ide where things are, but  it is still very strange trying to remember which way you went! Some photos of the city, I went to the museum cafe for a drink, and had a look in the shop but didn’t buy anything.

More about that building a bit later. The buskers were two me playing violins, very unusual and they were good too.

I went into a shopping arcade and there was a key cutting place that fixed watches as well and a lovely young man removed the loose stone from my watch and even gave me the stone in a bag. No charge.

I had time before I caught the bus home so stopped for tea and cake. Bet you can’t guess what flavour!

I had a wander to the building I photographed earlier and there was the loveliest art display there. All by children in primary schools throughout the area. Sorry, took a lot of pics.

Near the bus stop I looked in a shop window and thought these baby models were really creepy!

I sat a bit nearer the back of the bus this time, the seats are higher for a better view, but I was struggling to stay awake.

This afternoon I got everything away from my bed so Darren and Tina could get the raisers under the legs. My folding boxes will fit under the bed now, but the case has definitely got worse before it gets better!

Feeling weary now and trying to build up the enthusiasm to get the bed cleared and obstacles out of the way.

Dunkeld and more box emptying!

 This morning I did open a box and had the contents on the bed. I looked out and it had stopped raining so I decided to walk into Dunkeld. Took a couple of photos while on the bridge, one of the river and one of the town. Not actually sure if it is a small town or large village!

I  walked right to the end of the shops as a man had told me that the path to the Loch of the Lowes started opposite the Royal Dunkeld hotel. There was a wall on the opposite side and there were a couple of gaps with very dangerous looking steps going up! I asked a passing man who was local if the path started there and he looked blank then said I probably could go that was but it was very steep, so he suggested walking down to the first turning on the left and it isn’t so steep. I called in at the bakers on the way down to get something for lunch and then took the next left. There was a lady outside her shop and she said that I had to follow the road round, mostly with pavement, then it became unmade and the a track! May look another

day! I did take another view of the town.

I had been looking for the jewellers to try and get the loose stone removed from my watch as it keeps jamming the hands. But I went down to have a drink before looking for the jewellers again. Then I walked up the road again as I was sure there was a jewellery shop. It was quite a way up and the entrance was like a private house. It is a bespoke place that makes individual pieces, they do not fix watches!

Took another photo as I went back over the bridge as it was looking quite moody with rain on the way.

Back home I got on with box opening. The carpenter arrived to put the old shed on its new base and to fix a couple of the doors that don’t shut properly. I had a chat with him and he has agreed to build me a stand for the bonsai trees. I just need to take some measurements and a design. I found a picture of my previous stand, made by Mike and Brian many years ago. Tina has his number so I can contact him. Soon after he had gone Darren arrived, lovely to see him. We were moving umpteen boxes into the old shed, the ones that had been emptied and broken down, Darren helped us finish that job. I carried on with boxes and I now only have one left to open and that has books in. I haven’t got room for them but Tina thinks she will have space on one of hers.so that one will stay as it is for now. I have chaos, but now I know what I have to fit in and will get rid of more things if necessary.                                                                                     

                     

Sorry about the uneven edges on the writing, every now and then the computer decides I want it centralised!

                                                  

Walking and sorting

 I got a few more boxes out of Darren’s room this morning m realised I still had about ten to do and decided it was a complete nightmare so decided to go for a walk and try to get to the Hermitage. There is path that starts in the village and goes past the doctors surgery then on to an underpass to get the other side of the A9. There are a lot of flats in the village and I certainly would want to live in the first floor ones!

There is a sports complex which I think was open air but now has a roof, not that it rains a lot up here!

A couple of views along the path and then the river ones are actually from the underpass. Which was pretty cool with the road overhead.

Then up to and alongside the A9 for a bit.

It wasn’t much further then although when you get to the car park there is still a way to go.

Then I made my way straight to Ossians Hall, which is a small domed building with the viewing plant form. There was a bench on the way so I had a bit of a rest. The view speaks for itself.

I don’t think those deep rocks were so obvious when I went with Anya.

I walked back along the path that was by the river. It was quite muddy but I was careful.

I should have mentioned that when I came up from the underpass there were no signs or obvious paths. I went left and came ot the .A9 so presumed it was the other way but I put on Google maps to direct me. A I hd the phone open directions I didn’t take any photos on that part of the walk so took a couple coming back.

I presume this was the village on Inver but there were no signs.

Loved this wall and then the caravan park practically in the river!

I was quite tired when I got home, Tina made us some lunch which was nice. This afternoon we spent quite a time trying to organise the utility area, it really doesn’t qualify as a room! Nd also got the rest of my boxes out of Darren’s room, I have over ten to still find homes for! Tomorrow is another day……