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Slugs and Snails – 15 May 2016

Posted on by Zogman

combo bYet another fine day, almost as good as yesterday.  I’d said I would fix the fence between us and Scott to hopefully prevent his dog from bringing it down completely.  Of course, he’s said he’s going to get a new fence, but while we’re waiting for this momentous construction to occur, a little DIY was needed.  Got it sorted out in my head last night and today I put it into practise and, surprise, surprise it worked.  I didn’t write  it down with:

Problem
Specification
Investigation
Etc

I didn’t even do a drawing, I just cut up some wood, drilled it with approximately the correct drill and screwed the thing onto the existing fence.  It seems to work because the dog hasn’t pulled it down yet.  It won’t last forever, but I expect we’ll have our own fence / windbreak in place before the end of the summer DV.

After my Craft (without design) project, I cut the front grass and strimmed the back all as per Scamp’s instructions.  Then after dropping my lunch off the table (don’t ask – the plate was too hot to handle) we sat down to watch the ‘Live’ Spanish GP.  It was a very dull race after the gruesome twosome of Hamilton and Rosberg took each other out of the race.  You can tell how dull a race has been by the number of times the commentators tell you what an exciting race it has been.  “Er, we were watching it too mate.  It was boring.”  Well, as boring as it can be to watch twenty million pound cars travelling around a track at 200mph.  Relatively boring then, yes, relatively boring.  The ultimate disappointment was watching that gormless Max Verstappen winning.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so devoid of gorm in my life.  If you’re reading this Max, you drove a very exciting race!

After the low point of the day, I went out to take some foties of snails of all things.  I did startle a fox, but there was no way I was quick enough to get a photo of it.  Snails are much more accommodating and these were not just ordinary snails, but the famous St Mo’s Tree Climbing Snails.  One photo above shows just how high these snails will climb.  I reckon the highest one was over 20 feet above ground, that’s around 6.5m in new money.  I don’t know why they climb trees and neither does anyone I’ve spoken to.  The Internet has lots of possible reasons, but none that make sense.
“They climb to get away from the high temperatures at the forest floor.”
It’s Scotland.  We don’t get high temperatures … anywhere!
Whatever.  It happens every year and if anyone has an opinion (even you Max, exciting race, by the way) reply using the box at the bottom and I’ll lambast you for it.

Other than that, it’s blood test day tomorrow – fasting test.  I hate it.  It’s not as if I really go mad at night and stuff my face with a pizza and a cream bun.  It’s just the thought that once the big hand’s at twelve and the little hand’s at ten, I can’t have anything else to eat for twelve whole hours (at least eight of which I’ll be asleep).

Looking forward to food tomorrow.  No, don’t think about it.  It’s making me hungry already …… !

Party Time – 14 May 2016

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combo bWe were going to Moira’s party today, but Scamp suggested we go to Vecchia Bologna for lunch first.  After that, we still had some time to kill so we went to the David Stirling monument just outside Doune because there is such a good view of the Perthshire hills from there and I expected it to look good in the sun.  David Stirling was the founder of the SAS.  I took a few photos.  Usually with landscape the wide-angle lens is the best option, but for a change I used the zoom to frame the shot with some of the mid-ground trees and make more of that snow dusted peak in the background.  After comparing the two shots, I think the longer lens was the better shot of the two.  I did a bit of adjustment brush work to remove the blue cast from the hills, but left it on the distant peak to give a better impression of distance.

From there we drove to Ardgay to see if I could get a few shots of the Red Kites.  Unfortunately, we were just to late to see them feeding.  Next time we’ll go earlier and make sure we get the best view.  I did get a couple of shots, but the Panasonic lens isn’t quite up to this kind of photography.  Next time I’ll pack the Nikon and the Tamron.  For all its faults, it focuses faster and locks the VR solidly before you trip the shutter.  Next time!

Then it was off to Moira’s garden party.  It was indeed a garden party with all the trimmings.  Entertainment, food, drink.  Just good clean fun.  I hadn’t been looking forward to it, because I still don’t do parties – never have been a people person, but I did have a good time.  I was so pleased that the weather held up for her and Jim.

What a difference a day makes – 13 May 2016

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EPL30109- flickr--134Ooh!  The weather turned right cold overnight.  Cold wind and cloudy skies today.  We ventured in to “The Toon” for an hour or so in the afternoon.  While we were there, I spotted the six muses above the entrance of the Corinthian Club.  I’d never noticed them before.  Then, when I looked closer, I discovered that one of them was checking out her Facebook status on her iPhone.  Isn’t that amazing?

Skies cleared around 5pm, but there’s still a chill in the air compared with yesterday.

Scamp’s out tonight at the choir concert.  I’m sure I’ll hear a blow by blow critique of it when she gets home.

Perf

Posted on by Zogman

comboToday, unaccompanied, I rode with the grey hairs on the bus to Perf. It took longer than I would have taken in the car, but I didn’t mind, because for the second day in a row, I wasn’t driving. I had freedom to do what I wanted, get sloshed if I felt like it (I didn’t, feel like it, or get sloshed) and spend my time however I pleased just as long as I got back to the bus station for 2.10pm for the bus back. It was a pleasant enough journey both ways except for one two old dears on the way back who complained about the cold draft from the air conditioning. It was a bit cool, but today was an exceptionally hot day, so I didn’t mind, and if I don’t complain about cold, it wasn’t cold – ask Scamp!

I went for coffee and tea at my favourite coffee bean shop. The tea is better in my favourite tea shop in Embra, but maybe that’s a middle class problem 😉 Since I was on my Jack Jones, I could wander unhindered into shops that demand a bit of time. For instance, there’s a decent Oxfam bookshop in Perf where all sort of bargains are to be had if you have the time to winkle them out. I winkled for a while and came away with a bargain.

After loading up on coffee and tea (tea, just in case I don’t get a chance to go to Embra any time soon), I went for a walk in the park. Lots of fancy dresses flouncing about a real fashion parade of girls AND boys. Apparently it was Perf races today. The great and the good were certainly making a day of it, and what a day it was, twenty something degrees centigrade. Isn’t it great not to be working! One of the gainfully unemployed.

Back to Scottish weather tomorrow with temperatures in the ‘teens, the low ‘teens. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

Of Books and Bookshops – 11 May 2016

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comboA few years ago I bought a Kindle. Scamp thought I was mad. Then I bought her a Kindle and she realised the potential of this little slab of plastic and ‘tronics. Since then we’ve both had an on/off relationship with e-readers. Mostly on. I like the instant result from downloading a book. I like being able to carry a dozen books around with me on my slate. I like being able to read late at night by my illuminated screen without disturbing anyone. I like the novelty of having an on-board dictionary where I can discover, not only the meaning of a word, but also its derivation. We don’t have a bookshop in the town and I have to travel in to Glasgow or Stirling to peruse bookshelves. I could go to the library, but somehow that’s not as satisfying as handling and owning a new book, maybe it’s the owning part that’s the most important. If I didn’t have the money, I’d have to rely on our local library and maybe I should use it more, because if I don’t use it I could lose it, but mostly I’m sold on digital downloads.

Sometimes I deliberately buy a book, a physical book, just because I like the weight of it in my hand, or the tactile feel of turning a paper page, rather than the pretence of stroking a screen. Or sometimes, especially with a newly published book it’s actually cheaper to buy a book than a digital download. I have on occasion bought a non-fiction download, but I’ve never been totally satisfied with them even if I can search through them much more easily than with the printed article. There’s a place for books and equally there’s a place for Kindles.

I was thinking about this today when we were in Waterstones in Glasgow. I saw their Book of the Month and thought it looked interesting, then said to myself “I’ll add that to my Book LIst”. However, although I added it to the list I’ve got on my phone, I mentally added it to a paper book list, not an e-book list or just a must read list. Maybe some books are better read in printed form rather than electronically. For my birthday, Hazy gave me two paperback books and Scamp gave me a book token. Maybe that’s what’s reawakened my interest in printed media. I know I’ll probably take my Kindle on holiday with me, but I might just take a book too.

After we came back from Glasgow Scamp got settled in her chair at the front door. I took the shot of the disintegrating tulip. Tulips have no shame. They quite blatantly display their naughty parts for public gaze. With at least one decent photo in the bag, I got the bike rack out and took the bike down to Auchinstarry then cycled along the canal to Kirkintilloch. The only real reason anyone would go to Kirky is for the exercise of cycling along the canal tow path. Other than that, it has little to recommend it. On the way I saw the little pink blossom with its translucent green leaves beside the canal.  Also, saw my first damselfly of the year.  Not the best photo, but it was down in an overflow channel from the canal and I wasn’t going to go down to get a better shot. Turned at Kirky and came back, knowing that I’d be heading into that same east wind from yesterday and the day before. It was heavy going for a while, but quite exhilarating too. Got back and joined Scamp for a relaxing hour in the sun before dinner.

Another beautiful day. More of the same tomorrow? Yes please!

Pimms Time – 10 May 2016

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ComboScamp had an appointment with the osteopath this morning, so I took the opportunity to grab some shots of the foliage and flowers in the back garden.  As the sun was good and warm, I scouted round to find a sheltered spot for a seat in the sun because you have to make the most of these sunny days.  The back garden wasn’t an option as there was a strong wind blowing along all the gardens in the block, so I parked myself at the front door and got stuck into my latest book – The Bone Clocks.

When Scamp came back she announced that we should go to Dobbies to use up her birthday cream tea voucher.  There was a sting in the tail of course.  She wanted ‘somebody’ to haul a bag of potting compost into the boot of her car.  I didn’t mind, and the cream teas were lovely.

When we got back, I planted out some Tesco mint that was getting a bit pale and leggy on the kitchen windowsill and also sowed some basil seeds I’d got at Dobbies.

Basically that’s all the work I did today, apart from driving a staple into my thumb as I was fixing the lining to Scamp’s sweet pea box.  Later in the afternoon, Scamp declared that it was Pimms O’ Clock.  Me?  I had mint tea – a mix of peppermint and spearmint, fresh from the garden.

I got an email from Alex tonight reminding me that it was 16 years yesterday since Susan died and so today was my dad’s anniversary.  Where did all those years go?

Posted on by Zogman

combo bA better start to the day than yesterday. Wall to wall sunshine and blue skies with not a cloud to be seen at 8am.

I was torn between going to the gym and cycling for exercise today. Cycling won. You can go to the gym any day, hail, rain or shine, it doesn’t matter. Cycling is best done on the Shine days. Today was definitely a shine day. Unfortunately it was also a windy day with a strong east wind. East winds are usually cold, but today’s was an exception, being nicely warm. I got togged up with my short sleeved cycling top, shorts and walking boots. You see, cycling for me is not just about the joy of the open road, it’s also about getting me to places where I can take photos and walking boots are so much more practical than trainers or cycling boots. Having said that, my cycling boots are actually rock climbing boots, not that I’ve ever climbed rocks wearing them. They are very comfortable, but not practical for walking through bogs searching for damselflies or dragonflies. There were no dragonflies today – far too early, they don’t hatch up here until about August. There were no damselflies either, although it’s almost time for them. They usually appear May – June time, depending on the light and the heat. What I did see was a wee rabbit which sat watching me, deciding on its next move. That move was an extremely fast about turn and away across the field. I liked the yellow blobs – moss fruiting bodies. Usually the blobs are green and there were some of the green variety, but the yellow ones looked that bit different.

Salsa at night for one – Scamp’s shoulder is not fit for salsa yet. We did attempt a bit of bachata, but danced as a couple and didn’t change partners to protect her arm from some of the less careful dancers, of which there are quite a few sometimes.

More sun forecast for tomorrow, but not as hot as today. Maybe a walk tomorrow if the wind is as strong as today. A head wind coming home is not, to quote John Torode “A lovely, lovely thing.”

View from the other side – 8 May 2016

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combo2Well, today was supposed to be 18ºc and I think we met that temperature and probably exceeded it, but when we woke it didn’t look that likely. It was a slow burner.

Because the weather didn’t look as good as we had hoped, we waited before deciding that it really was going to improve. I’d intended going east, possibly to Cramond or if that was too busy, Portobello. However, our late start made a more local resort more practical. Scamp thought Glasgow Green fitted the bill, and I thought ok. Not what I’d choose, because how many other families would be thinking the exact same and there isn’t a lot of parking there. To add another factor to the mix, Celtic were playing some final or other at home at Parkhead which is on the route to The Green. After driving round the diversions to avoid the green and white crowds, I saw the last parking space at The Green disappear in front of me as the grey Astra in front of me nabbed it. Just managed to park on the roadside outside the West bar. Not perfect, but we were parked and I was beilin’. Whose idea was it to drive into Glasgow? I’ve been driving all weekend! Why do I have to do all the driving? Forgetting for the minute that Scamp had suggested The Green because I wouldn’t have to drive too far and after our walk I’d still have time to go cycling afterwards. No, the Red Mist obscures everything.

After I’d calmed down a bit, I had to admit I really enjoyed walking in the sunshine. We walked onto the suspension bridge and watched some rowers sculling with training wheels on the boat. Ok, really training floats, but that doesn’t sound so good. We had watched a white cabin cruiser heading up to the moveable weir at the Albert Bridge and when we walked down past the Western Boathouse the boat crossed the line of the weir and sailed merrily upstream. I was so taken back by this sight, my camera remained in the bag. I’ll remember it though because I’ve never seen any boat bigger than a eight man rowing scull on the river. To dispel the remainder of the red mist, I got us two Mr Whippy ice creams which were brilliant!

Just for a change, we walked across the Albert Bridge which is undergoing a fairly extensive refurbishment and not before time because this has been a rusting eyesore for a long time. That’s where the Glasgow coat of arms shot came from. I thought it was a good idea to get a photo of it before the graffiti artists got to work on it. Actually there’s more to this than meets the eye. Because I was shooting through the security barrier, I couldn’t get the whole thing in with the 20mm lens I had on, so I took two shots, one of the top and one of the bottom. Later I combined them in AutoPano. It’s not just for panoramas! After that we walked along the riverside walkway on the other side of the Clyde. Scamp and I have walked around Glasgow Green in all sorts of weather for years, probably about twenty years, we think. In all that time we have never walked along the path on the far side, the other side. It’s not as pretty a walk as the one on the green, but it gives a totally different view of the riverside. I’d never realised just how pretty the Western Boathouse was.

After the walk, it was time for lunch in the wintergarden of the People’s Palace. Roll ‘n’ Sausage for me, toast for Scamp. Then we drove back passing through the droves of ‘Sellic’ supporters.

When we got home I ‘dumped’ the photos I’d taken earlier at Glasgow Green and then got ready for cycling. Grabbed my cameras in their new sling bag and hadn’t realised that I’d left one of the SD cards on the table. Found out when I tried to take the mono shot. No card. Luckily I’d grabbed both cards, so I took the shot with the ‘5 which had the 9mm lens on and the shot from it was so much better than the one I missed with the ’10 and it’s 45mm lens. Just a short cycle today with a tail wind to start with – never a good scenario, fighting a headwind on the way back when you’re knackered. Got a photo of the ladybird in a group of aspen saplings. Actually there were two ladybirds, but when they saw one another, the both ran in opposite directions. Possibly two males or two females. The shot of the sprouting ‘baby corn’ was on the road home. I thought the perspective was interesting.

More sun forecast for tomorrow. Let’s see if it appears.

Noilly Prat – 7 May 2016

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comboNoilly Prat is a brand of vermouth from France. “White” Noilly Prat is the archetype of dry, straw-coloured French vermouth.  It’s also the words I woke up to today.  I don’t know why.  Maybe it was precognition or just a word that I saw somewhere and got trapped in my cerebral cortex.  It happens a lot to me.

Woke later than normal and felt as if I hadn’t rested at all.  Only myself to blame.  That’s what happens when you get home at 2am after a long day, coupled with a late night the day before.  Dragged myself out of bed, then a shower and a cup of strong coffee helped put the world back on its axis.

Today we were driving down to Kilmarnock to visit Dorothy B.  We spent a good hour there with her and Colin.  Enjoyed the company and I’m sure she did too.  Got her up to date with what’s been going on in our life and our prospective plans for the next few months.

It was a dull kind of day with very little direct sun, so although I took my cameras as usual, nothing inspired me enough to haul one of them out of the bag.  We drove back up the M77 and dropped in at Waitrose for ‘the messages’ and a light lunch.  While Scamp was deciding on a bottle of wine for tonight, I turned around and what caught my eye?  Why a bottle of Noilly Prat!  Just coincidence.

When we got home, and after finishing yesterday’s (extremely) Hard Sudoku with a little help from my tablet, I went for a walk to St Mo’s.  Again, nothing was tempting me to get my camera out, then I saw the moss fruiting bodies.  Difficult to see with the naked eye, but amazing detail shows up when you use a couple of extension tubes on the Oly with the Panasonic 45-200 zoom.  The green larch needles were taken contre-jour (against the light) and I just liked the little pink flower.  Three shots survived out of 37 taken.  Not bad really.

TV was crap as usual on a Saturday night so we watched a recorded episode of Rick Stein.  He was in Berlin, and what wine was he celebrating?  Why Noilly Prat!  Once is coincidence, twice gets scary, especially since if you’d asked me yesterday what Noilly Prat was, I couldn’t have told you.

Earlier in the week we were promised 24ºc for Sunday (tomorrow), but the weatherman’s revised estimate tonight is nearer 18ºc.  Oh dear, let’s hope it doesn’t go any lower.

Driving – 6 May 2016

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EM100065- flickr--128--127Not exactly driving all day, but it seemed like that to me.

Out at 12 to drive to Larky for my cousin Alex’s funeral. Don’t panic Hazy and JIC, not brother Alex, cousin Alex. We hadn’t spoken for years, about 20 years to be a bit more precise. However, my conscience demanded that I go to pay my respects. It’s what you do.

After the service we came home because Scamp was going out to one of The Witches’ 60th birthday bash in Milano. After a quick change, I drove her to Milano so she could enjoy a drink (or five) with the girls. I took the opportunity to wander St Mo’s with the heel of a home made loaf to see if any of the residents wanted a late lunch. Found Mr & Mrs Coot out with the red headed weans who where very receptive to a big bit of stale bread. I think there were about eight baby coots in the brood. Quite a handful I’d imagine. Checked the photos in Lightroom when I got home and they looked good, so PoD was sorted if nothing else.

I sat and read for a while after that, enjoying the peace and quiet before the next episode of the day. Scamp phoned asking for a lift home because the others were ensconced in the restaurant for the rest of the day. Picked her up and after another swift change went to pick up June to drive to Larky again for dinner with C&N. Great dinner and conversation with them and eventually left just before 1am and, because of roadworks on the M74, chose an alternative route through Bellshill. Only to find that I’d driven back on to the M74 again! We still can’t work out exactly what went wrong. Personally I think we went through a time slip and the roads lost alignment somewhere. We definitely took the Bellshill turnoff at the Raith Interchange, but the next sign we was was for Shettleston. Anyway, with my excellent navigational skills we found our way back home about 2am. Today, because I’m writing this on the 7th May, I’m still exhausted.

Scamp said that if anyone was watching our comings and goings on Friday they’d have wondered what was going on. She had had four changes of clothes on the day! Just showing off? Oh, surely not.

Off to Ayrshire today to visit Dorothy.