Tina took me for a drive round the bays yesterday evening, so some sky pictures from a different view point.

Today has not been the best for me, the pain in my ankle has been extremely bad today, not sure whether that is caused by the Scholls, either making it worse, or, making it worse before it gets better. Need to try using them a bit more and see how it goes. I had planned to make a start on the Christmas cakes this morning, but hadn't got the black treacle, thought I had some left over. I did wander down to the local shop, but they don't stock it. Tina bought dyes a while back to use on her faded collar shirts, but so far we hadn't got around to trying one. As I wasn't cooking the cakes I decided to give dying one a go. It has turned out quite well so that has saved her having to replace it. I really wasn't feeling happy today, really hasn't been a good year with the ongoing ankle problems and no real progress happening. Must try and get the positivity back! I did get some paints out this afternoon and a couple of small canvases, trying to distract myself more than anything.

Charlie goes out all day and would go out again at night if allowed but Tina has heard that there are foxes about and we did have an unidentified 'poo' near the back door a couple of days ago, so at the moment he has to stay in. He has taken to joining me, last night he slept in my shower room, this evening he looks one content cat on the settee!

Hopefully I will feel brighter tomorrow and the first set of cakes will be made,

The sky was good again last night, never short of sky shots here.

I made the bed up in here as I had decided to watch the opening ceremony for the Olympics. Tina found me some headphones so that I didn't disturb them. I managed to stay with it until Andy Murray led the UK team into the stadium. took some pictures of the ceremony which I thought was very clever and thoughtful.

A few more.

And Andy leading in the UK contingent.

This morning Darren dropped me off at the station on his way off to his Amiga meeting. I have a wander around town and then made my way to the ceramic studio. Donna didn't need me to do the pots so I spent some time painting a guitar pen holder for a present.

Walked up onto the cliff top and took a picture of 'summer by the sea'.

This afternoon I went to the naval battle show again, this time with Sandy, who has lived in Scarborough for over twenty years and has never been before. Will post a couple of pictures.

This evening I have weakened and had Charlie up here with me for a bit, he is actually asleep on my settee at the moment! He is a big wuss, but I really like him, and he isn't keen on Colonel or Blue because they intimidate him, even though he is the biggest cat by a mile!

Tina and I went along to the Thai restaurant this evening and had a really enjoyable meal. She has a delivery to make in a bit so think we are taking a drive along the sea front which well be a nice way to finish the day. My Scholl shoes arrived today, maybe they will be the answer to the ankle problem, only time will tell. Did wear them to the park and they do make the ankle 'pull', so let's hope that is a good thing. My viewing will be mainly Olympics for a while now!!

I was going to catch the bus into town and walk up to Sainsbury's, I wanted to get supplies in for the Christmas cake marathon.Tina had the day off so said she would come with me, we had breakfast and shopped. I had been going into town but had a message from Sandy asking if I wanted to go with her to the park as she had to walk down to the doctors for a couple of appointments, bloods and her knee to be dressed. I said I would meet her there at 1.30 pm at the surgery. I wrote a couple of letters as I was in for a bit. Tina was settled with Colonel on her lap and Blue next to her, looking very content with her babies.

Went in with Sandy to see the nurse, her knee is healing so well that she didn't need a new dressing put on it. She still has to walk with two crutches when she is out and about but is doing really well as it is only two weeks tomorrow that she had the operation. We had a cup of tea at the cafe and then made our way to the kiosk and had an ice cream. Then a nice slow walk back which suited me and my ankle really well! On the way back we saw this cloud that looked like a tornado!!

I walked on to town after I had seen Sandy home, I thought I would walk up to the auction house and take a look. Nothing I really want, although if I spotted and American rocking chair I would make room for it. Didn't buy a catalogue and nothing caught my eye to buy, but loved this furniture and I know a man who could make me some if I ever have the room again!!

There were also a couple of great old wind up record players, this was the bigger one, complete with records.

I walked on into town then, couldn't buy the moisturiser I wanted but did buy a new case a bit smaller that the one I usually take when I go to America. Then I went to York Place and caught the bus home. Tina wanted some new bedding so we had a trip to Dunelms. So a lot of inning and outing today. The sky is looking dramatic tonight.

The decision tonight, is do I stay up half the night and watch the Opening Ceremony of the Rio Olympics, or go to bed. Tina suggested I make up the bed in here and then I cover both bases, I might just do that!

This morning we had breakfast with Tina's friend Simon and his family, so eight of us but we managed to get a table all sitting together. The two girls came back with me before everyone else to see the kitten and to see some of the craft stuff I have been doing. Jude is a very talented girl and showed me pictures of some of the great stuff she has done. They all went off to see the church and then get back to their holiday accommodation so I walked into town. The foxglove in the front garden is just beautiful now.

I wanted to get some enamel coated pie plates and tried the pound shops and Wilkinsons but none there. I walked on down to Boyes and bought a couple there. I was struggling a bit with the ankle, but am trying to still be positive and build up how much I do. I cut through and walked along the cliff top again. You could see the rain in the distance.

It was a very muggy day today, we had been promised storms, they didn't arrive, but the clouds were rolling in.

The rain arrived as I started home, it was torrential and I got soaked, quite nice though as I had been really hot and bothered!

Took that one before I cut back through to North Marine Road. I stripped off in the porch and Tina brought me a towel so that I didn't create too much havoc in the house! It is bright out again now and still very muggy, the rain was heavy but didn't last long and didn't clear the air. Wrote a letter this afternoon but otherwise have taken it pretty easy, must be getting old!

I set off to walk to the swimming pool at 8.30 am this morning. Allowed plenty of time so that I could walk slowly. Near the shops there was a damaged post, oops, I bet that car had a pretty good dent!

I walked through the park and took some nice shots of the plants. These I have never seen before, they look like yellow red hot pokers!

These mahonia leaves have turned red, it is one of my favourite plants whether in flower or not.

This one I have no idea of it's name, but it is very pretty.

I love the way that hydrangeas change colour on the same plant, so attractive.

After a swim where my ankle was twinging every time I kicked, good obviously as it was doing something, got to keep those positive thoughts going! I wandered down to the front, which I have not done nearly as much this year. Approaching and the new road and work has made it much better.

The wind was catching the waves and making a fine spray, managed to catch it a bit in this shot.

When we went to Hobbycraft a couple of weeks ago I bought a sheet of really lovely paper made in India for £1. Then in town this week I bought a plain file holder in the pound shop. Thought I would marry them together this afternoon.

Pleased with the result, love the paper!

I should write an update of the dragon. It isn't going to happen! After endless hours of fiddly knitting and starting to assemble it the instructions were vague in the extreme ad the bits didn't fit. Decided to join the head to the gusset, had one of the the wrong way but didn't realise until I had started sewing them together then managed to snip the knitting and it started to unravel!! It is not in the bin, yet, but is well out of sight!

One sky picture, without an aerial for a change.

When we were in Kings Lynn last week Tina bought me a double copper coloured picture frame in the closing down sale at Beales. Yesterday I bought the complete set of the new Beatrix Potter stamps to commemorate 150 years since her both. Most of you know that I love the Beatrix Potter books and illustrations, and anything to do with her really. Tina suggested I used the frames for the stamps, turned out to be a good idea.

This morning Tina took me into town on her way to a meeting, I wanted to go to the post office and see if I could get another ankle support as I have misplaced my most comfortable one. Not that I will need one much longer of course (ever the optimist). I need the largest size and after boots and another chemist not being much good found one I could use in the second pound shop! After I wander through town I thought I would go to the cliff top to see the sea. Walked up a little street I haven't been along before, and although this house was in a bit of a state of disrepair I really liked the railings up to the entrance.

The bay, with misty hills in the distance looked as stunning as ever.

The flower beds on the cliff top and well maintained as most of the public areas are in Scarborough.

Tried to take arty photos, most didn't work but this one wasn't too bad.

This afternoon I have filled in some baptism certificates for Tina and have now knitted all the pieces of the dragon. Went out and did a bit of shopping with Tina this afternoon. The ankle is sore, but I am working on it!!

A nice aerial shot from last night!!

This morning I stayed home because we were expecting a delivery and got on with some cooking. We had minced beef and fruit in the freezer, so I made a large cottage pie and apple and blackberry and gooseberry pies. Had quite a lot of cat company in the kitchen, talking of cats the kitten was making a determined attempt to get past my gate very early this morning, don't think it will be long before I lose that battle so may box the more precious ornaments up! Had a drink with Tina when she got home then went off to see Sandy as she wanted me to check the curtains we shopped far a while ago were okay. Had a chat and cuppa with her and did a couple of little chores. She is doing fantastically well after the knee replacement surgery. I took a steady walk into town from there, had a parcel to send off and a couple of letters to post. Remembered to get myself some teabags as I had run out completely - major disaster! I went into the chemist that sells Scholl shoes but they didn't have any my size and she phoned to order a pair but they were out of stock. I used to wear them years ago and am thinking they may make me exercise my ankle more, will look on line. I caught the bus home, but have decided the ankle WILL start to improve this week, but we will see. Took some photos of plants in the front garden when I got home. This lovely bush which I keep having to prune back as it overhangs the pavement.

The lace cap hydrangea that had been strangled by the reedy plant when we first arrived is looking lovely this year.

The hollyhock I planted last year that got flattened by the wind late in the season, has begun to flower already, so should get a lot of pleasure from it this year.

I bought a set of handles to make a bag in a craft shop in Kings Lynn on Friday and some material at a great shop. Both shops have been there since Tina lived in the area.

On the to do list after dragon and birds!!