Category: Friends

A sad day – 5 June 2026

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Today was Val’s funeral. Scamp and I were intending to bring Colin with us, to the crematorium in Falkirk, but in the end he decided to get his daughter to take him. The only folk I knew were Colin and Fred, although Fred knew a few of the teachers from Abronhill High who knew Val.

I nearly burst into tears when we were walking in to the crematorium because the music started playing Pink Floyd’s “Wish you were here”. The title says it all.

We didn’t go to the tea or the meal, I think we just drove home in silence.

Again I will say it. I’m so glad I went to see him and have a blether for one last time at the hospice.

Lacewing – 4 June 2026

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A day of torrential showers then sunshine!

I was supposed to meet Alex for a photowalk in the morning, but he phoned to say he wasn’t feeling well and was calling off.

Scamp was out this morning for coffee with Shona. That left me all on my lonesome.

I used the time to weed out the losers in my May photos and to backup those that were left. Then I created a new folder for the new July photos. That left me half an hour to complete today’s puzzles.

Just as I was finishing, I got a call from Colin, an old friend to ask about timings for tomorrow’s trip to Falkirk for Val’s funeral. Once we were settled and just hanging up, Scamp returned and the rest of the morning was spent talking about how things were going in Darley Road.

After lunch I think I was getting under Scamp’s feet and she told me it would be a good idea for me to go for a walk. I agreed and did my usual circuit of the pond, then a walk across the football park. I got a few photos of bees of a variety of colours and sizes when a very light insect flew past. I immediately identified it as a Blue Lacewing. They used to be quite common, but I hadn’t seem one for a couple of years. They are good for keeping the aphids down on plants. They are such delicate insects, it looks like a gust of wind will blow them away. The Blue Lacewing got PoD.

We’re expecting Jamie and Simonne to arrive tomorrow, all being well. That must be why everything in the house is being polished tonight!!

The first day of May – 1 May 2026

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According to my mum, I should have been out washing my face in the May morning dew. Instead I was taking photos.

I dropped Scamp off at her friend’s house and drove home to have breakfast, but I’d already put a camera in the boot of the car and it was such a beautiful day …

It would have been a great shame to go home for breakfast and then find the beautiful morning light had turned to a damp, dreary drizzle. It was never in doubt. The photography had to come first. I’d a few shots in the bag when I noticed the fisherman on the other side of the pond. Finding the best approach, down the slippery banking to the pond is downright dangerous and I was toting a new lens that I didn’t want to drop in the pond, but half a dozen and a little more photos later I’d not only not fallen in, I’d also managed to climb back up and on to the path without any slips or slides. I took a few more photos, but I knew the best of the day in the camera bag. I took the long way home and had breakfast.

The rest of the morning was collecting meds and shopping. I even took the wee Blue car to the car wash, half expecting the operator to say that famous phrase “Hopeless cases not accepted”. Instead he put me through the car wash, possibly because nobody else was using it today.

I dropped in at an old friend and stayed blethering and catching up with him for about an hour. Then I made lunch and found a note from Scamp saying her meds were due today too, so not having anything else to do I drove over to the medical centre and it was RAINING!

I’ve started my first EDiM (Every Day in May) sketch, but now I can’t remember how to post them on Facebook. I’ll need to check with my old versions of EDiF. I also planted a final batch of Maris Piper potatoes.

That’s about it. Normality will probably reign tomorrow.

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.

 

An early start – 25 March 2026

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We had a lot to fit in today and we stared with Tesco.

Out shopping fairly early in the morning is a great way to start the day. There were few shoppers around and the queues at the tills were easily managed. Maybe it was because, from the outside, it looked as if Tesco was closed. Red barriers everywhere and a less than obvious entrance to the shop. That’s not the way to encourage folk to come to your shop. If you keep making it look as if it’s closed, it soon will be … for good!

Scamp wasn’t to be put off by a few red barriers, she just marched in, grabbed a trolley and started to fill it with today’s essentials. It took far less time than it usually does and soon we were back home again.

We had some things to do in the afternoon, so with no further ado, we got in the car and typed in the post code of the address we were heading for and then the sat nav produced a selection of possible places. Unfortunately none of them were in Scotland and in fact one was in America. I had filled the Blue Car’s tank just last week, but I didn’t think we’d have enough to drive to the US. Two tries later and we were on the right road to Hamilton in Scotland.

About three hours later we were on our way back home again, having found the three places we needed to visit.

Tonight we watched another episode of Masterchef. It’s beginning to wane for me now. I think I’m full of cheffy talk and don’t want to hear another jus, roux, confit, and sous-vide. I just want Mince ’n’ Tatties, pleeeese!

Today’s PoD was a bunch of red roses. Simple and clear.

Tomorrow I’m hoping to take a camera (or two) and meet Alex in Glasgow for a wander.

Old Friends – 18 February 2026

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Today we drove over to Condorrat to meet a couple of old friends.

I have exchanged Christmas Cards with Elizabeth for a long, long time, but this year I forgot, and I think she forgot too. It’s a growing old thing. Anyway, when this year’s card arrived she suggested in it that it would be good if Scamp and I could come and visit her and her daughter, Fiona. I was delighted, and offered them a few ‘clear’ days and Elizabeth chose today. As time went on, I wasn’t sure if I should cancel, because Scamp is just recovering from a heavy cold and I’m just starting one. However, we went, and had a great time. Remembering names from the past, both pupils and teachers. Not all were good and not all were bad, but we only made a point of remembering the former! We spent a good couple of hours there and agreed that we should do it again some time.

As we were leaving, Fiona presented us with two jars, one full of Apple Jelly and another full of Thick Orange Marmalade. I haven’t opened either of them yet, but I’m sure they will taste as lovely as they look. That is where the PoD came from today. It started off as a dull day, weatherise, but later, just as we were leaving, the sun shone for an hour or so. Another sign that Spring is on the way.

Other than that, there was little to say about today. But dinner was one of Scamp’s specialities, Chicken Milanese. Chicken battered flat with a rolling pin, dipped in egg yolk and fried in a frying pan. We had chips with ours and the whole thing just worked.

We watched Masterchef the Professionals tonight. It’s amazing how a couple of simple changes can make a considerable difference to a show. None of that ridiculous shouting that used to go on. Long may it continue, but it’s early days yet.

I had a phone consultation with the doc today and it appears that my Ferritin levels are a bit high, but nothing to worry about. I’ve to get another blood test in six months.

PoD is done and it’s getting near my new bedtime, so I’m going to take some Benylin and go to bed.

Maybe going dancing tomorrow. Depends on how we feel.

Still busy – 13 January 2026

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This time it was preparations for a dinner.

We were having Crawford and Nancy over for dinner tonight and that means we were cooking and baking almost all day. It certainly felt that way, anyway.

Scamp had the difficult job of preparing the starter, main and dessert. I had the fairly easy job of baking a loaf. Both Scamp and I were working in the kitchen at the same time. Sometimes that works out well, but at other times it’s a disaster with one of us (me) stomping off in a strunt. This was one of the better days. Scamp’s soup had been made the day before, so the starter was sorted, but the main which was Prawn and Pea Risotto was to be made when the visitors arrived to maintain the freshness this meal deserved. The pudding, like the starter, had been partly made the day before and been kept in the fridge overnight.

It was really a relaxed start, and we even had time for lunch and an attempt at the NY Times puzzles, before the real work would begin.

I started the bread early, because the last couple of loaves hadn’t been a great success, I was being ultra-careful this time. I measured out the flour, yeast, salt, butter and water carefully and kneaded the resulting dough for the required ten minutes until it was smooth and ready to be set aside for an hour to rise. That left me with very little to do, so with Scamp’s permission, I went for a walk in St Mo’s and although I found some possibilities, I couldn’t find anything worthwhile. I’d left St Mo’s almost empty-handed and walked down to the shops for some odds and ends and was coming back when a lovely sunset was starting to build. Three of four shots later I had my PoD.

Back home Scamp was putting the finishing touches to the trifle which would be tonight’s dessert. It did look nice … tempting too, but I restrained myself. She had also started the main course and was totally control as only Scamp can be. My bread was rising nicely and was ready for the second stage of Knocking Back where you punch all the air out of the dough, dust it with flour and put it into a special wicker basket to do its second prove.

I left the loaf for an hour before I baked it at about 35minutes at Gas Mark 7 (that’s just to remind me because otherwise I’d forget) and basically it came out perfectly.

An hour later the visitors arrived and Scamp completed her main course and we sat down to a late dinner.

Everything turned out as planned for once and after a lot of talking and laughter, Crawford and Nancy drove home and I realised I hadn’t offered Crawford a ‘wee dram’ since Nancy was driving. I hope he wasn’t too upset. I’ll make it up to him.

We basically shovelled everything into the dishwasher then and went to bed.

Tomorrow we’ll do the rest of the tidying up, because we’re driving over to Larkhall for Scamp to get her eyes tested, while I go for a drive.

I’m sure you know this was a catch-up blog post!

Still fighting Amy – 4 October 2025

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Storm Amy, the first named storm of the season was still clinging on to Scotland today. I don’t know who named her, but she wasn’t behaving in a ladylike manner. Gale force winds and heavy rain battered the west of the country. Although there were some respites, it wasn’t a great day to go out anywhere.

Scamp and I had a couple of exchanges to make in M&S, so we drove there. There were a few trees blown down on our route to The Fort in the east of Glasgow, but nothing we couldn’t handle. We debated whether to have lunch in Glasgow or to just head for home. A splashy rain shower settled that discussion and we drove home.

Lunch was tea and sandwiches as we watched the weather systems come and go across the Campsie Fells from the comfort of the house. No sense in going out in the squalls that were coming in the western winds. Later in the afternoon I did give in and took the A7c out for a walk to St Mo’s with the intention of getting a fish supper for two at the local chip shop. I wasn’t long out when I wished I’d taken a warmer jacket. The wind was icy cold.

I did manage to get a couple of decent photos of reflections in a pool that had been a path a couple of days ago. The water in the big pond was a lot deeper too. The swans and cygnets were drinking clean water for the first time in a long while. The flooded path became PoD.

I walked over to the chip shop and was heading home with two fish suppers in a bag when I turned a corner and found the path blocked by a couple of big trees. At first I thought I could walk round them, bus soon realise that wasn’t going to work so I headed back the way I’d come and found a path that would take me by a slightly longer road to miss the trees. It only took a few minutes, but saved me a long walk round the park. The fish and chips were still hot when I got home.

We got some sad news this morning. Anju, a long time salsa dancer from our classes in Glasgow when they were run by Jamie Gallagher had died last night. Anju was a lovely Indian lady with a wicked sense of humour, and great fun to dance with. We’ll both miss her, even although we haven’t seen her for a while. We’re hoping we’ll be able to say goodbye to her properly this month.

Tomorrow we intend to tie up loose ends and check everything twice.

 

Out to the East – 21 August 2025

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We were driving to South Queensferry today to meet up with Canute and Delia on the last day of their summer holiday

Earlier, I filled the tank of the Blue car and took it through the carwash just to make it look a bit more presentable when we got to Queensferry.

We arrived with almost an hour to spare and walked through the town with its quirky narrow cobbled streets and alley ways showing views of the Forth Rail bridge. The town had changed quite a lot since we had previously been there, a couple of years ago.

It was Scamp who was the first to spot Canute and Delia walking along the promenade, so we crossed the road to meet them. We took our time walking to the restaurant we’d chosen for lunch and were quickly seated.

The menu was basic restaurant fare and we ordered and found out about their ‘Glamping’ and the Michael Buble concert. The photos they showed us of the Glamping tents made them look more glamorous than we’d imagined. That doesn’t mean I’m thinking of booking one!

The food in the restaurant was mixed. The Sriracha & Honey Cauliflower starter was excellent, but my Steak and Pale Ale pie was really disappointing. Far too hot and salty. I did complain and got its cost removed from the bill. Nobody else had a problem with the food. Scamp’s Sea Bass, Delia’s Sriracha Cauliflower and Canute’s Fish Goujons were all fine. Maybe it’s just me, then!
Only Delia and Scamp had desserts. Passion Fruit & White Chocolate Pavlova for Delia and Salted Caramel Tablet Sundae for Scamp.

After that feast, we all sat and talked for a couple of hours before it was time for the other couple to go back to their hotel and start packing for tomorrow and for us to go home. We drove through the horrific Edinburgh traffic and after an hour of that, I followed Scamp’s directions to avoid being caught up in a tailback after an accident near Easterhouse, we finally arrived back home.

It had been a beautiful day with blue skies in the east coast. Not so good with black clouds and the threat of rain as we neared Cumbersheugh.

PoD was a photo of a couple sitting looking across the Firth of Forth with the Forth Bridge in the background.

It really was a great day. I think we all enjoyed the chat and the stories that were told.

Tomorrow Scamp is intending to go to FitSteps in the morning, but we have no other plans.

A lazy start to Saturday, but … – 16 August 2025

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… then it got busier and busier.

This was the first evening dance for months. At least the first one we had a chance to go to. We didn’t do very much, but we did both remember to send Jamie a Birthday Message, just because it was a special one.

We spoke to Hazy in the morning and heard about the goings on down south. She and I talked books for a while and I told her of the problems I was finding with the iMac. I realise this isn’t your forte now Hazy, but thanks for trying.

As you will have gathered, this is a catch-up, so I’ll cut to the chase:

  • We both sent birthday wishes to Jamie.
  • Spoke to Hazy in the morning.
  • Scamp noticed that Karlyn and John, our next door neighbours, were dressed for a wedding.
  • I offered to take their photos and got half a dozen decent images.
  • Later in the afternoon Scamp watered the garden, both back and front.
  • Then Scamp was getting ready to go to the August Dance
  • That meant I had to too.
  • Actually enjoyed the dance, but the room in Brookfield was really warm, even with the doors open.
  • It was a lovely drive home after the Last Waltz. Very few cars on the road. It was like Glasgow had become a deserted city!

No PoD’s worth posting. Sorry!

Tomorrow I’m hoping it will be a more relaxed day.