Category: First Swallow

The Big Day – 25 December 2022

Posted on by Zogman

It’s a great day, but I’m glad it only happens once a year.

We were like a couple of kids opening our presents and leaving the detritus of that carefully folded and taped wrapping paper all over the floor. There were surprises for both of us and a lot of laughter.

We had a Zoom call booked by Hazy for 12 noon and got the iMac booted up and ready, then spent about half an hour talking to Hazel, Jamie, Neil and Simonne (listed alphabetically – the fairest way). Vixen was snoozing on the couch but I don’t know where The Fluffies were. Jamie looked a bit under the weather and Neil had to bow out early from their part of the meeting because his chest infection was causing him problems. It was still a good catch up with everyone taking their turns and only occasionally butting into the conversation (who? Me?) I’ve not quite got the hang of Zoom calls yet. All too soon the warning came on the screen that we only had ten minutes left. We used up most of that and said goodbye. Hazy said she’d try to arrange another one for New Year’s Day. That would be good.

After lunch which was our usual Sunday fry-up we watched a silly cartoon on TV and by about 2.45pm the lights came on to tell us it was early evening. Scamp took that opportunity to start the dinner prep. I must admit, I was just being lazy. I should have made Panna Cotta for tonight’s dessert, but we had ice cream instead because I’d forgotten to start the panna cotta in the morning – too busy opening prezzies.

I thought dinner was a great success. Prawn Cocktail – Roast Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts and Buttered Carrots with either Trout or Steak. Guess who got what. All washed down with half a bottle of Jip Jip Rocks. Lovely. Dessert as I said was ice cream, but not just any old ice cream, but Scottish Tablet ice cream. Superb. All in all, a great Christmas feast.

PoD was the fairy on the Christmas Tree. Like Fairy Nuff, it’s traditional and since it rained most of the day, there was little chance of getting a photo taken outside.

Tomorrow we may go out for a walk if the weather is dry which looks unlikely. Thank you Hazy for setting up the Zoom call today and thank everyone for making the effort to join in. We both appreciated it. Lastly, thank you Scamp for being chef again and doing all the hard work.  I made the coffee!

 

Out early and on the Dewdrop – 6 May 2020

Posted on by Zogman

I’d considered going out yesterday, but realistically it was too cold. Yes, it was warm, hot even in the sun, but the wind was cooling, too cooling. What I did say was that I would go today and I did. The wind had dropped and it was a really enjoyable run, but after only about twelve years, it looks like I need re-grease the front wheel bearings. I’d have thought the bearings would have lasted longer than 12 years 😉 I need to have a serious look at them tomorrow to find out if they can be cleaned and re-greased or if I need to buy a new cassette unit. Still, it was a good run on a warm day and contributed to my daily exercise. Got a PoD too. It turned out to be a Drinker Moth caterpillar (Euthrix potatoria).

Back home after lunch I’d half decided to go out for a walk to get some more photos, but a seat in the sun, joining Scamp at the front door was an even better option so I took that with both hands. Read a few more chapters from my latest book City of Windows. Enjoying it. Saw my first swallows while I was sitting there. It was the screaming sound they make that alerted me. Maybe they were house martins or swifts. I don’t know the difference. Must find out.

When Scamp decided that it was warm enough to take her lounger to the back garden, I finally gave in and took the Oly out for a walk in St Mo’s. It would probably have been better if I’d taken the SD card with me, but luckily there wasn’t much to photograph. Then when I was walking back across the BMX track a damselfly lifted off in front of me. No time to take a photo, even if I’d had an SD card!

By the time I came back empty handed, it was cooling down a bit and we ate our kedgeree inside, but took our tinned peaches in lime jelly outside with us. Coffee outside after that, then out of a clear blue sky a little cloud appeared and obliterated the sun. Then that same cloud grew bigger and didn’t seem to want to leave the sun. That’s when I decided it was getting too cool for comfort. Shades of what’s to come if the weather fairies are to be believed.

That was a good day. The first real run with the Dewdrop this year, my first swallow this year and my first damselfly this year. I’m happy with that.

Causing bother again – 10 May 2019

Posted on by Zogman

The day started well, and then it stalled at B&Q.

It was a lovely morning. Really too lovely to lie in bed, but that’s what we both did. That’s what happens when you’re stuck in a good book. You waste the best part of the day.

However we did eventually get going and of course Scamp was out sorting the garden again. Planning new layouts of plants, new colour schemes and sometimes, just new schemes. However, she did get a chance to use our new garden table as a potting table. So much more sensible than crouching down filling pots with compost. Better for the back. Then she was off to get her hair cut while I messed around on the computer looking at stuff, electric shavers and such.

After lunch she was stuck in the house because it was raining, really raining. I went off to The Fort to buy the electric shaver of my dreams. Not quite as posh as some people with their Series 9s with their cleaning modules. Mine would be a Series 5, but a big step up from the old blunt Series 4 I’ve had for about fifteen years, we think.

On the way back I spotted some beautiful light beginning to build, so I stopped and photographed it of course. Not on the motorway, but down a wee side road on the outskirts of Cumbersheugh. I didn’t have time to change lenses, because the light itself was changing rapidly, so instead I took three shots and intended to combine them into a panorama in ON1. I think it worked very well. I’m very impressed with that application.  Oh yes, and while I was there I saw the first swallow this year.  This is week 19.

Back home is where the bother started. The plug that came with the shaver didn’t fit our old shaver adaptor. No problem I managed to slide the contacts in until the shaver started charging. After dinner (Simple Fish Stew from yesterday) Scamp was going to the choir concert with Isobel and I’d volunteered to drive. After dropping her off, I went to B&Q to get an adaptor. Saw one for £1.50. Yes, that sounded right. No it wasn’t. Checkout girl said it was £2.65. Nope, I said, ticket says £1.50. Her supervisor said £2.65. Long story short. I went and checked, photographed said box of adaptors and the price ticket, but it made no difference. The supervisor wouldn’t believe the photo. The price was £2.65. The arrogance of that woman really got to me. Her mantra must be ‘The Customer Is Always Wrong’. I left without the adaptor. Have you ever tried writing a complaint to B&Q? There is nowhere on their website where such a thing is possible, believe me, I spent half an hour scrutinising the website, but they must be so perfect, nobody ever complains. Either that or they’ve hauled up the drawbridge, lowered the portcullis and are all running around with their fingers in their ears, saying “NOPE, NO COMPLAINTS HERE”. I did eventually get my complaint written and sent to somewhere in the system. We’ll see what happens next.

Today’s topic is A Door. My answer is the Bin Shed Door. It used to house the bins, but now we have four different types and different sizes of bins, there’s no room for all of them in the shed. Now it’s crammed full of gardening stuff, that’s why it’s firmly closed and the snib is down!  Not perfect, but I like the pot of Honeybells on the doorstep. That makes up for the rest of the painting.

Tomorrow we’re going to the funeral of Crawford’s brother. After that, the day will start.