A day in the sun – 4 November 2026

Scamp was going out with her witchy friends and I was staying home because although the sun was warm in the house, the same couldn’t be said for the outside. It was quite cool!

Before she went out, Scamp was determined to plant out the Cyclemen and Violas she’s brought from Torwood. I think that’s them all in the soil now. They don’t seem to mind the cold weather, coincidentally neither does Scamp. Given half a chance she will be out in the garden in all weathers.

After Scamp left for meeting up with her friends, I dug out my recent book and decided I had to either find out what was going on with the Jinni and the Golem or give up the story. After about an hour I was beginning to see parts of the story coming together. It still wasn’t entirely clear, but we are talking about mythical beings here and as such they are unwilling to make anything clear. In other words, the story continues.

Later in the day I went for a walk over to St Mo’s to see if there was anything I could do with the warm light and I did find a use for it in a fallen leaf with lovely orange markings backlit by the low sun. The PoD was in the bag!

Scamp arrived a little later and we drove over to Shona’s house for dinner. Today’s menu was a square slice of pizza, a round of garlic flavoured flat bread and finally a quiche which was a delight! Thank you Shona for collecting all those disparate flavours and making them work.

Shona had a load of stories to tell about Ben’s adventures and the possibility of him getting a house soon. Still not sure where, or any other details, but there seems to be a move on the way. I just hope he’s not being moved too far away from Shona.

We drove home a bit later than we’d intended, but managed to get a slot in the almost full parking place.

Tomorrow I’m intending to meet Alex for a photowalk, probably in Glasgow or Paisley. I’ve missed the banter for the last month or so.

Dancin’ – 1 October 2026

Off to Glenburn to do some dancing!

The roads were busy heading out to Glenburn. A lot of roadworks on the way there didn’t help, but we managed to get there almost on time. It wasn’t only the roads that were busy, the community hall was quite well attended too. A lot of faces we hadn’t seen for a long time. Scamp reckons it’s because the children are back at school now and the grandparents are free to enjoy themselves without having to look after the little darlings

The format was just the usual. Starting with a couple of waltzes and then a few tangos and some cha-cha dancers took to the floor too. All this was interspersed with some sequence dances before the tea trolley appeared.

It’s a tried and tested routine that everyone knows and most folk seem to enjoy it. I for one really enjoyed today.

We drove home through Glasgow at a steady, if slightly slow pace that brought us back home again.

I went for a walk down to the shops when we got back and that’s where today’s PoD came from. A selection of colours shining through today’s leaves. Truly, Autumn is here.

Tomorrow I think I’m taking a collection of broken up chipboard pieces to the Council Tip. I thought I’d manage to take them this morning, but time was too tight.

I think Scamp is going out for lunch with Shona.

In the garden – 15 August 2026

After yesterday’s stramash, today was a little calmer.

We had intended to take the train to Glasgow, but I wasn’t feeling well with a bit of an upset stomach (too much good food) and we stayed at home. It was a good bit cooler today with a cold breeze. It’s difficult to decide what to wear in these days of fluctuating temperatures.

I couldn’t decide what to photograph too, but eventually settled on an old shot I’d taken a few weeks ago of a Rowan berry sitting on a group of Rhododendron leaves. For once I can honestly sat that this was not a set-up. The rowan berry was sitting comfortably in the centre of the rhododendron. I couldn’t pass it up, that would have been a sin, so there it is. The orange and green made a good colour contrast too.

Later in the day we got ready to go to Brookfield for what used to be a monthly dance, but which is now just a fairly regular event, especially in the summer when folk are off on holiday. For once I really enjoyed the night, although by the end of the evening I was getting tired. It was good to drive home through a much quieter Glasgow than is usual.

A wee glass of something when we got home put the seal on the day, and I climbed the wooden mountain to bed, wearily for the second day in a row.

Relaxation will probably the name of the game tomorrow.