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Busy doing nothing – 18 April 2026

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One of those days when I managed to keep myself busy, but didn’t actually do anything worthwhile. I’m getting quite good at it.

We went over to Condorrat to get some rolls for lunch and to post a birthday card to one of Scamp’s witchy friends. Wandered past what used to be called Brodans, but is now in the process of being converted into an Italian restaurant. Maybe next year at or around this time, it might open its doors. So far all that has been accomplished is a few holes have been drilled in the wall and a bit of plastering has been scraped off part of the wall. Wheels turn slowly in Condorrat.

The rolls were converted into Egg Rolls for Scamp and a Bacon Roll for me. I don’t know about the egg rolls, but the bacon rolls were the best I’ve had for ages.

I was eventually coaxed into going for a walk in St Mo’s. It had been a rainy morning, full of April Showers, but the afternoon promised some good weather. I took on the challenge and went for a circuit and a half of St Mo’s pond, carrying the wrong lens as usual. Most of the photos were of blossom from the trees in the park. PoD went to a Dogwood branch backlit with a warm background bokeh. I quite liked it.

Dinner tonight was Fish ’n’ Chips from the local chip shop. Fish was delicious, but the chips were just reheated potatoes. Could do better!

We watched an episode of Gardeners World tonight. It was about the new area in Regent’s Park. It opens to the public on or about 27th April. Looks like an interesting place to visit, Hazy / Neil. Oh by the way, Hazy, I’m still struggling through “A Drop of Corruption”. It’s a bit of a slog, but an interesting slog!

All seems to be well here. Speak in a few days.

Meeting Charlie – 17 April 2026

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Out in town with an old friend for a couple of beers.

Scamp very kindly dropped me at the station and the train arrived seconds later. Extra kind of her to arrange the transport!!

Charlie and I were meant to meet in the Horse Shoe Bar in Drury Street in Glasgow. I arrived just after midday, a wee bit early, but not much. I had a pint and waited for Charlie to arrive. I had a good view of the front door of the pub and clocked a few folk coming in, but no Charlie. I thought I’d better go and see if he was round the other side of the horse shoe shaped bar, but no Charlie round there either. After half an hour I decided I’d have another look and there he was watching the comings and going on the other side of the bar. He’d arrived not long after me and had gone to the toilet before he’d ordered and that must have been when I went to see if he was round the other side. Anyway, we had a good blether.

Now that Charlie is retired he seems to be having a great time. Driving all round the country and claiming he’s going to work at getting his weight down. We discussed the different folk we’d worked with. He had been my apprentice for a while, before I left to go down to the Borders with Scamp and Jamie, hoping for more secure work. Hazy being the tiniest sparkle in her mum’s eye.

A couple of pints later we went upstairs for lunch. Gammon Steak with Chips and Onion Rings. About a tenner each. He paid, I’d paid last time. Only two of us because Steven couldn’t come as he was looking after his mum who was just out of hospital. More beer and more catching up, then the long walk up Buchanan Street for Charlie to catch his bus to Gourock and me to get the train to Cumbersheugh where Scamp would be waiting for me. The weather was terrible. Lashing rain and a strong wind. Not the nicest weather for April. We said our goodbyes and promised we’d do it again some time soon, if he can find the time!

While I waited for the train to arrive, I grabbed some ‘people photos’ and although today’s weren’t as good as I’d hoped, they filled a page on the blog. PoD went to a shot of the hopeful travellers waiting for their trains.

The weather didn’t improve in Cumbersheugh, but I didn’t think it would. Scamp drove me home because I’d definitely be over the safe driving limit.

Tomorrow I’ve a bit of tidying up to do.

 

Dancin’ – 16 April 2026

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Back to Glenburn this afternoon to get some exercise, dancing.

Before that, I went for a walk in St Mo’s just in case I wouldn’t have time to grab any photos before we left for Glenburn and I was quite happy with my little collection of flowers and plants. A fair amount of sun to make things bright and cheerful. I even managed to get my PoD which is a Horse Chestnut candelabra just opening up to expose the flower buds.

I had been allowed 45 minutes to get to St Mo’s, grab my photos and get back in time for a quick lunch and an even quicker change before we made our way over to the outskirts of Paisley. I made it just in time with a few seconds before the cutoff time.

The hall was only about half full when we got to Glenburn, but gradually the cars arrived and the hall ended up almost as busy as it usually is. The usual mix of Ballroom, Jive and Latin in the first half, then in the second half it was almost all sequence. Since the schools were still on holiday, it was safe for us to take advantage and dance for almost all the available time. If we’re running a bit late and the schools are open, our journey home takes much longer with parents ferrying their little darlings home.

Dinner was from M&S and was Scottish salmon all butter en croute. It was remarkably good. I think we may have it again some time

We watched an illuminating episode of Grayson Perry interviewing folk about their adventures with AI in America. It really did make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. What are these folk thinking about? Do they live in a different universe from us? One woman claimed she had married her AI ‘boy friend’. The more I hear about AI, the less I want to hear.

Note to self: Thursday Prezzy was a box of grapes, which were deemed to be great!

We watched the final of The Apprentice and agreed that the best woman won. There were no men in the final!

Tomorrow I may be meeting Charlie McKillop for a beer or two and a catch up. Steven may be there too.

Feeding the birds – 15 April 2026

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Another wet day in Glasgow, but the lady feeding the birds didn’t seem to mind.

We got the bus in to Glasgow. Scamp was looking for a pair of sandals and I wanted to get my hair cut. We went separate ways to achieve our goals, but only I was successful. A Number 3 for the top and a Number 2.5 on the sides and back. Ten minutes later I was walking out of the barbers.

Scamp and I met up again on Sauchiehall Street and walked up the hill because she thought I should be looking for a new camera bag. Admittedly, the bag I use is a good age, and it does let in the rain sometimes, but for the most part, it works. Reluctantly I went to WEX, but I already knew I wasn’t going to find my ideal camera bag there. I’m pretty sure I’ve whittled it down to two models, neither of which are available in Glasgow. Empty handed we walked back down the hill again and dropped in at Waterstones, not for a book this time, but for a coffee and a shared cake.

Then instead of Scamp dragging me around, I dragged her for a change. She wanted to find a pair of sandals, so we went in to most of the shoe shops on Buchanan Street, but again, came away empty handed. I think it just wasn’t our day today.
Luckily as we crossed the road to the bus station, the doors in our bus home were just opening and we hopped on. The roadworks are still going on in Glasgow and the bus took us on yet another variation of routes round the city. I really don’t know how the bus drivers remember all these different routes on different days. Well done to the lot of them.

Back home I made Smoked Haddock & Leek Risotto for dinner and it was hailed a great success even although I’d forgotten to add the Crème Fraîche at the end. Maybe I should ignore it in future. Anyway, it’s too complicated to remember all the accents 😉.

PoD went to a lady feeding her flock of pigeons in Sausageroll Street, completely ignoring the rain.

Tomorrow we may be going looking for dance shoes for Scamp and we are hoping to go to the tea dance too.

Meeting Isobel – 14 April 2026

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Scamp and I met Isobel for coffee in the morning and it was a lovely morning.

Blue skies and fluffy white clouds. What’s not to like. I had a cup of coffee with the ladies and listened to the stories Isobel was telling. I’d forgotten that she is well travelled in South America and further afield before she and her husband settled down in Scotland. She must have been a bit of an adventurer when she was younger.

Eventually she had teased enough information from us both and was ready to go back home, so we bundled her walker into the back seat of the wee Blue car and squeezed Scamp in beside it. Then we drove over to The Village and left her to make her own way up to her house. She wouldn’t hear of either of us helping her, she is so adamant that she can manage for herself, and I actually believe she can.

We drove home via M&S to get something for our lunch and we challenged ourselves in Wordle. I thought it was a goner when I realised there wasn’t a vowel in the grid! I suppose that’s not really true because there was a ‘Y’ in it and that sometimes takes the place of a vowel. Still, it was a strange grid that eventually formed although it was a common enough word that appeared.

After Wordle and its extras, and after lunch I was toying with the idea of going for a walk in St Mo’s, but then Scamp told me it was raining. I didn’t want to get the 24-105mm lens wet so I gave in eventually and took a few shots from the open back door. I also took the inside shot you can see here. It’s a couple of dried cut flowers in an old vase I like from the cupboard. That was the PoD sorted.

We watched a film Scamp had recorded about the dangers of allowing AI to control what’s happening in hospitals. Although it was based on situations in the US, it could possibly get a toe hold here too. Very thought provoking.

Tomorrow I may get my hair cut. It’s not quite a ‘Pure Affro’ yet, but it’s heading in that direction. While my locks are being shorn, Scamp ma be looking for a new pair of sandals. Then, if there’s enough time, she might buy herself a pair of dance shoes.

Garden Flowers and shopping – 13 April 2026

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Too many showers to risk going out anywhere  to take photos.

Instead we drove to Stirling to do some shopping. On the way there, we passed a few warning signs of imminent road closures beginning today. No reason given, but I’m sure it would be “Essential Maintenance”, it always is. Three months of this on the M80 was what we were told we’d have to look forward to. Oh what fun.

When we turned off to go into Stirling town we had to suffer more roadworks. Thankfully we were, going IN to Stirling. The queue on the other side of the road coming out of the town was much, much longer. I think we’ll try to avoid Stirling for a few months.

We got parked in Waitrose car park quite easily for a change and we filled our trolley nearly to overflowing, but not quite. As usual we bought lots more stuff than we really need, but it’s a comfortable place to “go for the messages in”. Our small Tesco doesn’t have a great selection and if we go to the big Tesco at the town centre it’s always mobbed. Anyway, we got what we wanted and drove home by avoiding the Three Way Traffic Signals and instead drove through the outskirts of Stirling, heading roughly north and then joined the southbound carriageway of the M80 and got home in half the time. Wild weather again with heavy rain. It didn’t feel like April at all.

The rain was on and off most of the rest of the day. I did manage to get a few shots when the sun was shining and my favourite was a deep purple Hellebore called Viv Mirabella. It has been flowering all through the winter and into spring without showing any signs of stopping any time soon.

Not much to say about the rest of the day. We went to Stirling. We went for the messages. It rained. There, that about sums up Monday for us.

Sprouting Cosmos – 12 April 2026

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Today I was hoping for a resolution of problem.

I think it worked.

I’d spent a couple of hours, a week ago, trying to work out how to reissue an SSL. You don’t need to know what that it, just be aware that it’s a bit of computer technology that controls lots of things like sending and receiving emails and stuff. You might have read about it in yesterday’s blog.

I thought I’d fixed it a week ago, but yesterday there was a new message in my inbox telling me I had only 15 days left to reissue an SSL that I thought I’d fixed last week. After a lot of questions forward and back on-line, I finally ( I hope ) got the all clear from a couple of clever folk on the interweb who said my SSL was installed properly and the reissue was ok. I could ignore the message that had appeared in my inbox, at least until October, when I’ll need to do a real reissue.

I’m sure SSLs never used to be as complicated as this, but apparently an update last year had changed things, making it more difficult than it needed to be. If I get any more messages like this one, I’m going to ignore it and pretend it didn’t happen.

It was a cold day today. I went for a walk to the shops, that’s as far as I got. I took some photos of some horse chestnut flowers starting to burst in the trees, but the PoD went to a tray of Cosmos seedlings, Scamp had planted in a tray on the kitchen worktop. That made PoD.

Spoke to Jamie in the evening and heard about his own plantings. I liked the idea of his automatic watering equipment that will water the seeds when he’s at work. We don’t need an automatic watering equipment. We have rain, usually on tap.

No real plans for tomorrow, but we may go out shopping.

 

Dancin’ – 11 April 2026

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Today we drove to Brookfield after I’d spent about £1,000 on half a tank of petrol!

Well, it certainly felt like £1,000 when I was half filling the tank. However, we were passing through the Straits of Glasgow where your speed is limited to 40mph for quite a few miles. We managed to avoid most of the potholes and all of the mines. The 40mph restriction kept the fuel usage fairly low, but I wouldn’t want to drive like that all the way every day.

Again, we weren’t the last folk to arrive at Brookfield, although we were among those who were given the evil eye by the Teachers.

The order of dance was:

House of Bamboo – A 1958 song by Andy Williams. Just a bit of fun.

Britannia Waltz – A waltz made up by the teachers that I haven’t mastered yet.

Tango Sereda – A tango, obviously, that we’ve both almost managed to get working for us.

Quickstep – A quickstep that I don’t think I’ll ever master. It seems to change every week!

Blue Angel Rumba – I’m getting there, but it requires pushes and shoves by Scamp to remind me of the steps.

Sally Ann Cha-Cha – A silly wee dance where the leaders get a chance to shout “O!” at the end of each sequence with the option to high-five anyone nearby.

An energetic morning for all concerned.

As usual there were new roadworks on the way home with neither workmen or vehicles to be seen. Talked a good game but no work being done. Time wasters, all.

I did take a walk in St Mo’s in the late afternoon after Wordle et al had been conquered.

Scamp made dinner tonight, a prawn risotto. Long time since I’ve had it and it was a nice surprise.

Something is still wrong with the SSL in Namecheap. I’ll need to find out what tomorrow. More time wasted.

Off to bed now. No real plans for tomorrow.

Posted on by Zogman

Dancin’

Today we drove to Brookfield after I’d spent about £1,000 on half a tank of petrol!

Well, it certainly felt like £1,000 when I was half filling the tank. However, we were passing through the Straits of Glasgow where your speed is limited to 40mph for quite a few miles. We managed to avoid most of the potholes and all of the mines. The 40mph restriction kept the fuel usage fairly low, but I wouldn’t want to drive like that all the way every day.

Again, we weren’t the last folk to arrive at Brookfield, although we were among those who were given the evil eye by the Teachers.

The order of dance was:

House of Bamboo – A 1958 song by Andy Williams. Just a bit of fun.

Britannia Waltz – A waltz made up by the teachers that I haven’t mastered yet.

Tango Sereda – A tango, obviously, that we’ve both almost managed to get working for us.

Quickstep – A quickstep that I don’t think I’ll ever master. It seems to change every week!

Blue Angel Rumba – I’m getting there, but it requires pushes and shoves by Scamp to remind me of the steps.

Sally Ann Cha-Cha – A silly wee dance where the leaders get a chance to shout “O!” at the end of each sequence with the option to high-five anyone nearby.

An energetic morning for all concerned.

As usual there were new roadworks on the way home with neither workmen or vehicles to be seen. Talked a good game but no work being done. Time wasters, all.

I did take a walk in St Mo’s in the late afternoon after Wordle et al had been conquered.

Scamp made dinner tonight, a prawn risotto. Long time since I’ve had it and it was a nice surprise.

Something is still wrong with the SSL in Namecheap. I’ll need to find out what tomorrow. More time wasted.

Off to bed now. No real plans for tomorrow.

Under the weather – 10 April 2026

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I wasn’t feeling great this morning.

I’d been feeling a bit sick last night and thought I was better today, but an upset stomach told me that I wasn’t all that good. Scamp was meeting Shona for lunch and a blether around midday, but I stayed home, not wanting to pass my dodgy tum on to someone else. The usual copious amounts of tea and toast wasn’t making things any easier, but at least the sick feeling had disappeared.

It seemed a waste to just sit there drinking tea, so I dug out my new potato pot and planted another three potatoes. Most of the work is done for you with these fancy planting pots, so I wrote a label for the pot and went back into the house. A bitter wind had appeared from nowhere and I didn’t want to linger outside, so I came in and read for a while.

I had a wander around the front garden after that and noticed a bee on one of the Snake’s Head Fritillaries that Scamp had planted last spring. This was the first bee I’d seen in the garden this year, so I grabbed my camera and got its photo. I’m still not sure what kind of bee but Mr Google insists it’s a Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) I’ll take his word for it. Itseemed quite interested in a few of the flowers in the front garden before buzzing off to tell all of its Carder Bee pals where the good flowers were. The place will be buzzing with them tomorrow. I must be feeling better tonight because the jokes are getting worse.

When Scamp returned she made a lovely dinner with Cod, mashed potatoes and cheese sauce. It was excellent.

In the evening we sat and watched Gardeners World. Not a program I often watch, but this one was particularly interesting with lots of good advice.

I’m off to bed now because Scamp thinks I need the rest. PoD did turn out to be the Carder Bee.

We may go dancing tomorrow if my stomach will take it!