Category: Food

Out looking for plants – 13 July 2026

Posted on by Zogman

Scamp had a few spaces in her front garden that ‘really’ needed some colour to brighten the day, so we headed off to Klondyke to see what they had to sell us.

It was a lovely day. In the morning the sun was having a late lie in, but by the time we were on the road, it had dragged itself out of bed and started to shine. Klondyke was busy. Lots of plants, but we had to be careful as a lot of the offerings were a bit long in the tooth and we wanted flowers with a fairly long life ahead of them. We did find some. Most with unpronounceable names. Some even sticking to their latin names, probably to make them sound more glamorous.

We settled on

A Berberis bush
A Monardo (don’t know what that is)
A Cosmos Plant
6 Antirrhinums (Map-Maps was what my mum called them)
A Doormat (not me!)
A Bag of Perlite.
A Bag of seed potatoes to grow for Christmas (all being well)

We bundled all of that into the wee blue car and then went back into Klondyke for a coffee and a scone. Then we headed back home, where we unloaded all the above into the back garden. Then, for the rest of the day, Scamp was silent. Just too busy planting all the new plants, apart from the seed potatoes.

I took a camera out for a walk in St Mo’s later in the afternoon when the light was better, and got today’s PoD which is a bunch of Wild Geraniums. I really like them, they just seem to keep flowering with no maintenance at all.

The bloodthirsty vampires liked my blood so much last week, they have asked me to give them some more. I couldn’t really refuse them, so tomorrow I may go to the health centre and donate some more blood so they can test it again. At least that’s the story they tell me. I’m not sure I believe them.

Another glorious warm day – 12 July 2026

Posted on by Zogman

Today started with some corrections to be made to my data.

It was just a couple of tweaks, but fairly important ones. With a great deal of help from Scamp I managed to get it done quite quickly in the morning. That left the remainder of the day for less serious stuff.

As usual on a Sunday morning, Scamp watched Laura Kuenssberg tearing into a couple of politicians. I often wonder if she is quite as aggressive at home, or if she’s really a ‘pussy cat’ when she’s at home. I don’t think I really want to know the answer. Sorry Laura if you’ve been reading this!

The main task today was to tidy up the garden. Scamp is always moving things around and occasionally chopping things too. I understand what she’s doing half the time, but sometimes I just don’t see the logic or the need in some of her plans. As long as she has it planned in her head, I’m happy to go along with it … most days. I’d noticed there was a long, empty trough had been emptied and replenished with fresh (ish) compost. Something was afoot. The plan was to refill the trough with some colourful annuals. How many, what type and when were not revealed, but I’m sure they will be soon.

I went for a walk in St Mo’s in the afternoon and got a few photos of insects doing their business. They were mostly Soldier Beetles happily producing more Soldier Beetles. Some of them were sitting on white tufted thistles. Google thought they might be Creeping Thistles. I’d never heard of them, but I was willing to believe Mr G. Soldier beetles were PoD today.

I had a Rump Steak for dinner with half a dozen Padron Peppers and some of our home grown potatoes, the second batch we’ve grown this year. Scamp had Sea Bass with fried onions and mushrooms. Dessert was ice cream and blackcurrant jelly. Very fitting for a summer’s day.

Spoke to Jamie in the evening, halfway through watering the garden and heard that they now have a hose pipe ban. Oh dear, and here was us saying that we were watering the garden! However, they are still allowed to use watering cans, although that would take a while with a big garden.

Tomorrow we may go shopping.

Bleeding – 10 July 2026

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Well, not exactly bleeding, but being bled by the vampires of Central Health Centre. All in a good cause I’m told.

Scamp was meeting Isobel for coffee and a blether and once my bloods had been drawn, I joined them for a blether and a coffee too. Isobel was showing off a few ancient photos of her family, one of which was quite familiar to Scamp and me. It was a photo of a large family group at a wedding many years ago and I think it was a scan I’d made of that same original and then I’d used Lightroom or Photoshop to add colour to it. The clue that it wasn’t my original was the lines that crossed the print. I’d never leave them if I was printing copies.

Despite the heat today, Scamp wanted to work in the garden. It was mainly weeding and I wanted nothing to do with it. Instead, I put on shorts and a shirt and walked over to St Mo’s to grab some photos, because it was lovely and warm. In addition to grabbing some photos, something grabbed me on the leg. It was a dirty big Cleg, also known as a Horsefly. I didn’t hesitate to give it a big slap, flattening it onto my leg. I don’t think it will be biting anyone again. It had managed to bite me and the swelling was there for everyone to see.

The Soldier Beetles were out in force. They don’t bite humans, but they do mate on flowers everywhere. A couple made PoD.

We sat in the garden later and watched the wee fountain in the back garden spurting water at random. After that it was time to go back to the house for dinner which was a Pizza Express pizza. Too sweet and not worth getting again if you ask me.

Tomorrow we’re due to go dancing at Brookfield.

 

Two go dancing – 9 July 2026

Posted on by Zogman

Today we drove to Glenburn for an hour or two’s dancing.

This was our first Tea Dance in about six weeks and we were rusty. Thankfully most other people were too or we may not have survived the comments. As it happened, we acquitted ourselves quite well. Not amazingly well, just enough.

I think we talked more than danced today, but most people were talking more than dancing. That’s what happens when you miss out on your dancing and struggle to remember what comes next in the sequence. At least, I felt that today. Of course, Scamp hardly put a foot wrong all afternoon.

We danced a few sequence dances and a few ballroom dances. No waltzes and certainly no quicksteps. We stayed for the entire class because the schools are on holiday for a month and the traffic is a lot lighter than usual, as a result. If nothing else, today was a good way of catching up with faces we knew.

I grabbed a few shots in the afternoon, mainly from the Schoolgirl rose in the front garden. It’s really past its best now, but it is still flowering. That made PoD. Scamp made a mixed salad for dinner with tuna chopped into it for some body. I was tested to see if I could spot the ingredients and I got them all with the exception of Oregano which was Scamp’s mystery addition. Of course, after she told me, all I could taste was the Oregano!

I have promised one of our neighbours that I’d keep her plants watered. The first couple of days were easy, because the constant rain did the job for me. Yesterday and today are different. The poor wee plants need all the liquid they can take, and that’s where I’m heading now, with a full watering can.

I need to see the vampires tomorrow to get bloods taken for my annual checkup. Oh what fun!

Portree and Buses – 3/4 July 2026

Posted on by Zogman

A mainly dry day with a few sprinkles of rain now and again.

I went for a walk “Round the Policies” as Colin C would say. I took some photos for a while. Later, in the afternoon, Jacki took us for a nice slow run around the top end of Skye and pointed out the changes that had been made in the two years since we’d been on Skye. It wasn’t just the slip that had been upgraded, the main port on Skye had been changed too.

After we reached the top of the island, Jacki drove us down to Portree on the much more drivable two lane road. She was going to meet a friend in the town and we were going for a coffee and a snack. We didn’t want too much because we knew we were going to The Gull later in the day. The coffee was a bit bitter for me and too strong for Scamp.

We were picked up by Jacki later in the afternoon and taken back up to Staffin. We got changed and met the family at The Gull and had a great night. To my delight The Gull sold Spidermonkey IPA. I’d had a couple of pints of it the last time we were on the island, but I limited myself to a pint and a half pint today. Mainly because my stomach was a bit upset. I blamed the bitter coffee for it. Certainly not the beer!

We watched the sun go down when we got back to The Cabin and started packing for the long drive tomorrow.

There wasn’t much to tell about the journey south. Except perhaps the fact that the driver looked very like one we’d met before, name of Popeye. I won’t say it was him bombing down to Fort William, but it did look like him.

The drivers changed at Fort William and I believe the new driver was Russian. Very aggressive stance, but with a soft side. He managed to squeeze a single girl on to the bus at Luss when it looked like she would be left behind and have to wait for an hour alone. Well done that man!

Got off the bus in Glasgow and walked round to the X3 stance and got that bus home, exhausted even if the hadn’t done anything but sit on our backsides for eight hours.

Would I do it again? I think I would. Scamp used my old ‘on ear’ headphones all the way down from Staffin and I was similarly wearing mine. I think we might get an offer of a stay-over some time in the winter, all being well. The Cabin is magical.

A room with a view – 2 July 2026

Posted on by Zogman

A much brighter day than yesterday. Still the occasional rain flurry, but just an all round better day.

We struggled with the fancy toaster cum baking oven cum roaster. A sort of jack of all trades orange box. Once we worked out where the bread went and how long we should toast it for, we managed three slices each of a wee loaf. I had blackcurrant jam on mine and it was delicious.

Later in the morning we walked round to Jackie and Murdo’s house and had lunch there and sat and talked for a while, enjoying the entertainment provided by Grian.

Murdo took me on a ‘spin’ to Staffin Slip. While he had a blether with one of his pals, I went for a walk and got some photos, mainly of sheep with their fleeces hanging off them. They didn’t seem to mind. Then I walked down the slip and got a few photos of the rusted cleats that could be used to tie up the boats. There were no boats hauled up today.

There were a lot of boats that had been hauled out and left in the boatyard for cleaning and repair. They were a good subject, but I didn’t want to linger. Murdo was waiting, patiently for me to finish and a lot of the workmen were getting ready to leave after a long day I’d guess.

I walked back to meet Murdo and found him, still talking with his pal. He suggested we should go for a longer drive, and I asked if he’d take me to Duntulm Castle, which he did. The castle is really a ruin on a promontory that sticks out into the sea. It’s a fair climb out to it and an easy one to slip from, so I was being careful. A cold wind was blowing in from the sea and I was glad to have it at my back when I walked back. After that we went back towards the house for dinner.

I got out early and went to photograph one of Murdo’s old rusted tractors, lying on the grass beside the path. They looked great and I was pleased with the photos.

After dinner, we were driven back to The Cabin and watched the sun go down. Just over 70 photos taken.

PoD went to a view from The Cabin.

No plans for tomorrow.

A bit of an argument – 29 June 2026

Posted on by Zogman

The computer and I had been having a bit of an argument in the past few days. I thought I was controlling things, but it (the computer) thought it knew best. We agreed to disagree late last night and eventually we came to an agreement of sorts.

Today I was heading to Glasgow to get my hair cut. Scamp had just dropped me off at the station when two of the guards appeared and told me none of the trains were running today. Something to do with checking the rail network to Edinburgh. I phoned her, then realised a text would be better and ten minutes later she picked me up. Nice of the Scot Rail to keep us up to date!

We were meeting Crawford and Nancy today for lunch at Gouldings. It was a great way to spend an afternoon. Lots of discussions and plenty of jokes too. I felt really relaxed after it and I’m sure Scamp did too. Mac ’n’ Cheese for Scamp. Fish ’n’ Chips or Crawford and Nancy and Chilli Con Carne for me. Then a selection from the cafe for us all. Just a good day out for us all. I could see that Crawford was in a lot of pain after wrenching his back muscles, but it didn’t stop him having a laugh at everyone. Good friends.

We drove home, but not until Scamp had picked up her Raspberry Sauce (great for adding to ice cream!). Just a gentle run home and a bit more work in the garden for Scamp.

Later in the afternoon, Scamp and I went for a walk in St Mo’s and I got some decent photos of some pink, Wild Orchids. They are fairly common, but still look pretty among the long grass. They made PoD. There were occasional sprinkles of rain, but nothing serious. I really enjoyed the walk, Scamp.

Hopefully Scot Rail will have everything fixed for tomorrow and I’ll get my hair cut. It really needs it.

 

A lazy start to a warm day – 28 June 2026

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Not nearly as warm as it was down south.

The weather fairies had warned us of gusty winds and they were right. I think Scamp did two lots of washing, something that wouldn’t be allowed on a Sunday in stricter times. We didn’t go far. One of those occasions when a walk in the park was made more pleasant with a bit of a breeze.

I went for a walk in St Mo’s in the afternoon not really expecting any insect life in the winds and wasn’t surprised. What I did see was a snail crossing my path. It seemed to lose the grip on the dusty soil and rolled over its shell, then just continued on its way, as if nothing had happened. There’s a moral for us all there somewhere.

At lunch we watched Victoria Derbyshire go full “Laura K” of a couple of unsuspecting politicians. That was a nice line in sarcasm, Ms D! Laura would be proud of you.

We had a single chicken thigh in the fridge, but with the addition of a handful of prawns, some chicken stock and and a handful of rice I managed to stumble through the making of a Paella that really did taste good. My best for a long time.

We watched the Austrian GP in the early evening and saw some crazy driving. Not the most riveting race we’d ever seen, but it had its moments.

Spoke to Jamie in the evening and heard about the ‘heat wave’ they had been having down south, and were glad we had that cool breeze keeping our temperatures down. Even poor Vixen was looking for somewhere to lie low and cool down.

I’m hoping to get a lift to Glasgow to get my hair cut, if Scamp will run me to the station. Other than that, no great plans.

Weather & Friends – 26 June 2026

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I said yesterday that were should expect ‘Thunderbolts and Lightning’. It arrived this morning.

I’d heard the rumbling in the morning and thought nothing of it because we often hear aircraft noise from Glasgow Airport which is quite nearby, but this morning the noise didn’t disappear, in fact it seemed to be getting louder. I didn’t actually see any Thunderbolts or Lightning, but the constant rumble of the the thunder coming and going wouldn’t let me get back to sleep. Then it appeared to go on its way and we heard no more … for a while. We had shopping to do and Scamp had lists to prepare, so we concentrated on that. We had guests today. John and Marion were coming to us for lunch which was the reason for the preparation.

It was a slightly cooler day than yesterday, but after we’d filled our shopping trolley, paid for it, driven back home and found places for it all to go, it didn’t feel all that cool. Scamp was in charge of the food today. I was doing the hoovering. Not so much skill involved, but a fair bit of work lifting rugs and moving the furniture as well as the hoovering.

By midday most of my work was done and although Scamp gave me an opportunity to have a half hour in St Mo’s if I wanted to cool down and get some photos, I didn’t really feel the need. I was sure I had a possible photo from yesterday that I could use, and that’s what I did. What I did want was a long cool shower and a chance to get out of my tee shirt which was sticking to me.

John and Marion arrived in the early afternoon and we had lots to talk about, especially our trip to the Queen Elizabeth hospital. There were children to talk about, young and old. There were photos to see. Where would we be now without mobile phones? Lunch came and went without any problems and we talked some more, although the thunder returned and brought buckets of torrential rain with it. Thankfully it didn’t last long. Then it was time for the visitors to leave and our time to start the cleaning up. The dishwasher did most of that work and we settled down to read for an hour or more.

PoD was yesterday’s photo I was re-using, of lunchtime outside the GoMA (Gallery of Modern Art) in Glasgow. We’ll let it be a secret between us. Nobody will know.

Tomorrow we return to dance classes and I know we’ll be jealous of the teachers’ tans after almost a month cruising the Mediterranean.

 

Out to meet a doctor – 25 June 2026

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Not just any old doctor, this was a consultant who worked in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

We had to be there for 10.00am this morning. To make sure we got there with some time to spare, we got a taxi from the house to the hospital. It made sense to us because we wouldn’t have to worry about connections and one less thing to worry about is a bonus.

He wanted to speak to Scamp, not me, although he was happy for me to be in the room. The last consultant we saw, in Dundee, was efficient, went through the tests and answered our questions.

Today’s consultant went into a lot more detail and explained everything we needed to know without talking in “Topsy and Tim” language but not using too much technical language. We had a chance at the end of his tests and note taking to ask questions and he answered everything well. We didn’t feel he was trying to bamboozle us which was a complaint we had about the Dundee doctor’s explanations. I think we both went away feeling much better about the whole thing.

A coffee in the visitors’ cafe helped us get things sorted out in our heads and also gave us time to discuss between ourselves what we thought of the morning.

The hospital is a beautiful building, but we were both amazed at how noisy it was. Maybe I should rephrase that to “The hospital will be a beautiful building once it’s finished” It made us wonder how staff could work in a hospital that felt as if it was still under construction. It’s 11 years old and still needs maintenance.

We got a bus from the the hospital to Glasgow Central Station which is looking a lot better than it did a couple of months ago. Than we wandered along to Paesano. Since I wasn’t driving, I could have the luxury of a glass of wine with my lunch, Scamp had Prosecco instead.

We walked up to Buchanan Street Bus Station and after a few minutes wait, our bus pulled in.

All together an interesting day. I think Scamp is feeling better about the whole thing and will be looking forward to see what is going to happen in the next month or so.

PoD is a view looking up to the ceiling of the hospital and hopefully will give you an idea of its complexity.

Tomorrow we are expecting John and Marion for lunch. According to the Weather Fairies, we should expect Thunder and Lightning (“Very, Very Frightening) too. Oh yes, and rain!