Category: St Mo’s

Windy night and a windy morning – 6 December 2024

Posted on by Zogman

We didn’t fancy going anywhere today which was lucky because I still had a fair amount of tidying up to do on the computer. It’s working, but things keep changing inside its silver box. I don’t know what’s going on, but it feels as if things are settling down. I hope that’s not Famous Last Words.

Leaving the computer aside, there were a few tasks in the garden needing seen to. Not a lot, but the sunflower that turned its back on us needed to be chopped down and the assorted miniature sunflowers around the edge of the raised bed had to go too. Not much else, but the place just looked a bit better after that. I passed my secateurs over to Scamp and she chopped down the dead stems of the geums.

After lunch which for Scamp was turkey sandwich and for me it was a sandwich with pastrami and mustard. It’s a long time since I’ve had pastrami. Anyway, after lunch I went for a walk in St Mo’s. It was only about 2.40pm when I went out, but you’d have believed it was about 5.40. I don’t think the sun shone at all to day.

There were thin pickings out around St Mo’s, but my favourite by far was a shot I took on the way there. It’s a bush called the Snowberry and you can see from the photo that it’s well named. It produces the white berries in the autumn but they don’t last long and seem to degrade quickly.

When I got home I worked on the photos for a while before starting to get ready to go out to Bombay Dreams for dinner with June and Ian. I was looking forward to one of their famous curries. We had noticed that the quality of their take-away meals had slipped a fair bit the last time we’d ordered one, but tonight the service was really slow and my pakora was only part cooked. Portions were smaller than they used to be, but many restaurants are doing that now to avoid bigger hikes in their prices. However, the restaurant was about a quarter full which is not what you expect to see on a Friday night. Waiters constantly asking if we wanted more drinks became annoying too. This was not the Bombay Dreams we used to visit fairly regularly a few years ago.

Worse was yet to come. We’d been told there would be a special karaoke event. It was awful. One bloke attempting to encourage the participants to come up and sing, by singing off-key himself, there was no attempt to segue into the next track, just stopping in mid track and changing the music. I could go on, but I won’t. A totally wasted night. I don’t think we’ll ever be back. What a shame.

Tomorrow we’re hoping to go dancing at night. The last Evening Dance of the year. Wind and rain forecast! No karaoke!

Oops I did it again – 3 December 2024

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I blew up the computer again today. This time, knowingly.

First things first. Hazy got her belated birthday box today, delivered by Royal Mail a day late. That may be the last time we use this overprices but untrustworthy delivery company. Some poor bloke is intending to buy the Royal Mail. Good luck with that mate. Anyway, Hazy enjoyed her extended birthday! We had a good talk to her in the late afternoon.

It was a bright day for a change, but it looked cold outside in the morning so we just stayed inside looking out at it until lunch time when we were entertained by the local grey squirrel who was checking out all the local gardens, looking of anything it could eat.

After lunch I took the A7 out for a walk in St Mo’s and deliberately walked the long way round the house first to chase away the rat with the fluffy tail. I think also frightened the man at the corner of our block who was measuring up a neighbour’s garden for a new fence.

The good light had gone by the time I got to St Mo’s, but I did a walk round the pond to keep my step count up and took a few photos. I really need to get up and out early(ish) if I’m going to get any good light at all.

Scamp made a really delicious Fish Pie for dinner. Unlike Jackie’s fish pie with mashed potatoes on top, this one had sliced potatoes on top and a lighter sauce.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The PoD was intended to be Mr or Mrs Squirrel, but I blew up the computer again and it’s still struggling to get everything back into the big silver box, so the photos might not arrive until tomorrow. A bit like the Royal Mail.

I had decided to have one last try at installing the Paragon software, but for some reason the iMac wouldn’t restart after the installation. I’m guessing it’s because I’m running the show on an SSD and the software was designed to run on a ‘real’ computer. But because the internal hard drive of the iMac is junk, the SSD is a better choice.

The long term solution is a new iMac and although the prices can be eye watering, it’s my hobby, and I’m willing to pay for it. What I don’t want it to be is the constant struggle I’m having just now. At this moment the iMac is reinstalling the data from (yet) another SSD and will hopefully be finished in about an hour. Then I will let the whole thing cool down until we start the battle again tomorrow.

Hopefully we’ll get out tomorrow to get some potting compost and some pots for Scamp to take winter cuttings.

Happy Birthday Hazy (and the solution)

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Scamp often complains about the amount of SSDs (Solid State Drives) that congregate round the iMac. Today the would prove a life saver.

<Tecnnospeak>
My solution was to format the drive that wouldn’t start yesterday and install a new clean operating system in it after downloading the OS from somewhere in California. Then I could copy a backup (Scamp complains about the number of backups I do too, but this is why I do it) into the once dead, but now cleaned out drive. The computer would then do all the surgical cutting and sewing together of the backup to the operating system.
</Tecnnospeak>

Long story short, it worked again. This is either the fourth or fifth time I’ve had to use this method. It took about four hours in total to fix things, but it worked. Thank you Andrew Tsai who was the first person who could explain in simple English who to do this incredibly difficult task.

As I said, the operation takes about four hours to complete, and since, once you’ve started, there is very little you can do except watch a white line crossing a black screen, I thought I’d make myself useful, since Scamp was off shopping in Tesco, and tidy up some of my room. It’s a work in progress, but I know I have to start somewhere. I can now find the carpet!

After Scamp returned and we’d had lunch we spoke to Hazy whose parcel hadn’t arrived in time for her birthday, today (Happy Birthday Hazy). We got to hear all the gory tales of picking bits of tooth out of her gums and the useful, but disgusting tasting salt water mouth washes she’s had to endure.

With just enough daylight left, I took my camera and a long lens and went for a walk in St Mo’s to concentrate on photography for a while. Today’’s PoD is a view across St Mo’s pond. I’ve taken that photo umpteen times, all for different reasons. Today’s reason was the colour in the sky and the reflections on the pond.
Yesterday’s PoD was a dried up weed looking as if it was struggling against the driving rain. One of those occasional showers we get driven along by a north wind, also taken in St Mo’s.

Tomorrow I’m looking forward to a less stressful day, if that’s possible.

An early rise – 30 November 2024

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We had to drive to Brookfield half an hour earlier than usual, so we had to be up earlier than usual.

Brookfield were having an early Xmas fair and needed to use the hall from midday, so the proles had to be out by then.

At least the heating was on when we arrived. A quick sequence dance to start the day, then we were into the Hoabie Quickstep, named for the inventor’s dog, apparently. I think I danced like that dog today. My mind was a total blank. Even with Scamp talking me through the parts that made up the quickstep, I couldn’t remember them. Finally after about half an hour of shuffling round the floor like a complete beginner, things began to click into place and the Hoabie Quickstep was in my head. Now all I need is for my feet to learn it!!

Next was the Blue Angel Rumba, which I ‘sort of knew’, ie not very well. One of the tracks Stewart played was Silent Night sung(?) by Stevie Nicks. It was the worst rendition of that song I’ve ever heard. I often slag off street singers by saying: “One of the most important things a singer must learn is how to **sing***”* Even the worst street singers are better than this. Really, it put my teeth on edge. Listen to it if you dare and see if you agree with me.

The next dance was Jane’s version of a Rumba we’ve been learning forever. Every time we get it clear in our head, she changes bits of it. Today it was a move / unit called “Round the World” which was ok, but nothing special. I wasn’t impressed, but it was probably Ms Nicks’ earworm that was gnawing away at my ear canals.

Drove home across the Kingston Bridge and for once it wasn’t horrible. We made good time and I think we were both happy to be home for different reasons.

After a quick lunch of half a Ginsters Cornish Pasty for me and a Ginsters Chicken Pasty for Scamp, I went for a walk in St Mo’s where I got today’s PoD of a collection of Canada Geese getting ready to fly south after stopping off at St Mo’s for a break. I walked down to the shops to get some peas and chicken thighs to make tonight’s dinner Chicken and Pea Traybake. One of the easiest meals to make because it’s all done in a tray in the oven.

Later we watched Strictly and weren’t impressed with many of the dances tonight. We could do better. We can always do better, just as long as it isn’t the Hoabie Quickstep with music by Stevie Nicks

So today was the last day in November with its snow, frost, unseasonal temperatures and floods. It was also the end of meteorological Autumn. Winter will begin tomorrow. There’s a thought!

No plans for tomorrow.

Dull! – 29 November 2024

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Scamp was out to the last FitSteps of the year. Stayed home and read more of The Black Loch.

When she returned from her exertions we filled a box with some of those plasticky things that look like white Cheesy Wotsits then put some bits of wood in and also some bolts and nuts to make the box look like it had something interesting inside before wrapping it up, taking it up to Tesco and posting it to someone as a little surprise. Probably not the surprise they were expecting. Just a little bit of fun!

In two weeks we’re hoping to last tea dance of the year and while we were in Tesco, Scamp tried to find me a Xmas jersey to wear at it. Most of them were awful, but I did find one I might pay money for. Only maybe though. I’ll see if the price will come down in the next few weeks.

With just enough light to see my way round St Mo’s, I took the A6500 and one lens for a walk. There wasn’t much of interest, except for a strange yellow glow in the sky from a very low sun. I clambered down a banking that led me down to the pond and got some shots from there of what looked like a bonfire being built in the pond. Surely not. After climbing back up, I was taking some photos of the reflections at the outfall from the pond when a gang of rowdy Mallards flew in and the shattered the peace. So I went home.

We watched another episode of Shetland and just when everything was looking a bit clearer, there was another twist in the story. I know we should have expected it, but there’s always a cliff hanger in these stories.

That was about it for today. Not a lot to report, really.

We might need an earlier rise tomorrow because the politburo at Brookfield need time to set up a Xmas Fayre.

 

At The Fort – 26 November 2024

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We drove to The Fort today. Our main aim can’t be divulged yet, but it was partly successful.

Scamp messaged Hazy in the morning to see how here mouth was. The reply was that she “slept ok. Her face was a bit swollen, but not too sore.” We were both glad to hear that.

We drove home via Tesco to get some veg for dinner and a carton of milk. Such an exciting day. Then it was home for lunch. First I was reminded that we need the boiler serviced, so I phoned the local heating engineers and got an appointment for the middle of December. Another thing  to tick off the ToDo list.

After lunch Scamp was intending to phone Jackie, so I put my boots on and went over to St Mo’s on a cold but sunny day to get some photos with the 16-35mm lens on the A7iii. One of them became PoD. I liked the colour of the light and the low viewpoint that had me crawling along the boardwalk. I thought the council plan to cut channels into the reedbeds and the marshy areas was going to be a disaster, but after a couple of years they have become a haven for ducks and the occasional swan. Also they are sheltered from the wind and create great reflections. For once I say “well done” to the council.

By the time I got back, the telephone conversation had finished and it was time to chop up the veg to make Butternut Squash Soup which would be the main course of tonight’s dinner. Scamp made custard that went so well with the apple tart of a couple of days ago.

We watched the final of The Great British Bakeoff. I got the winner totally wrong, but I think Scamp backed the right horse.

A quick practise of the new Quickstep that we’re hoping to unveil on Thursday at a tea dance. Still a few rough edges to remove, but effectively it’s there.

We may go shopping tomorrow and hopefully there will be enough for a quorum at the British Legion for the last waltz of the year!

No Snow – 24 November 2024

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When I woke around 6am yesterday’s snow had disappeared. All of it, just gone!

The rain during the night must have been torrential because there was no sign of the snow that was still lying when I went to bed last night. The temperature had risen during the night, but not significantly, so it must have been the rain. It’s a strange climate we live in these days. I blame Global Warming … and Kier Starmer.

It was a usual Sunday. Solved Wordle in four and found the Pangram. Struggled a bit with Angry Birds, but completed the day’s test. What Now? Well, there was the Las Vegas F1 GP to watch and we did watch Verstappen collect his fourth championship in a row.

Scamp decided that there was too much sitting around going on and we needed to get out and go for a walk. If that walk also mean shopping, then so much the better. So that’s what we did. We walked down to The Shops. Not a soul had moved their cars, but I shouldn’t complain, because we hadn’t moved ours either.
We picked some veg and fruit and a bag of Jam Donuts, then we headed back up the hill. Scamp offered to take the message bag home if I wanted to go for a walk in St Mo’s. I took up her offer.

Almost immediately I found my PoD. It’s just a man-made hill that creates the start for the BMX track. I used a low angle and a wide angle lens to make it look even higher. I knew you’d like to know that!
Not a lot of interest to see today and the wind from Storm Bert was beginning to ramp up. Plus there were jam donuts waiting for me!

Back home it was lunch time and today dumpling was the star. Scamp had Egg and Dumpling, I did too, but I added a slice of bacon to it. It’s the saltiness of the bacon with the sweetness of the dumpling I like. The jam donut was lovely too with a cup of coffee.

Both Scamp and I were baking today. She was making an Apple Tart and I was making Bread. It’s a long time since I’ve made bread and it showed with the strange football shaped loaf that came out of the oven. Too much butter and a dough that was too wet. Scamp’s apple tart was delicious with the crisp shortcrust pastry.

We spoke to Jamie later had heard that he is safety officer for his office at work and they are being inspected this week. I know how you feel, Jamie. I’ve been there and done that and came out of it alive. You will too.

Storm Bert is blundering around outside the window and will be doing so until about midday tomorrow, all being well. I don’t like wild wind, so I think I’ll just go to bed and read for a while before I go to sleep.

Another fairly early rise – 21 November 2024

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Well, it was before midday. That’s early for us.

Scamp had managed to get an appointment to see the doctor about the tremor in her right hand. After examining her and checking her arm movement he told her to make an appointment to get some blood tests done, to rule out the possibility that it was her meds that were causing the tremor. Luckily we managed to get an appointment in the afternoon to get the blood letting done.

I also spoke to one of the receptionists about the results of the ECG I had done last month and found out it was normal, which is good. It must be the first time I’ve been described as ‘normal’. I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or a slur! You’ll be happy, Neil. You were the one who convinced Scamp to set a date to get some awkward things done we both used “Neil’s Rule” today

Back home it was coffee time and also time for a slice of dumpling. A dumpling Scamp had made yesterday. Partly cooked in the slow cooker and partly nuked in the microwave. The smell yesterday was a powerful reminder of ‘clootie’ dumplings my mum used to make by tying the mixture up in a cotton tea towel and then boiling the dumpling in the pressure cooker, the biggest pot she had. I never liked the thick skin on the dumplings, but I do now. Isn’t it funny how your tastes change as you get older.

Scamp had a piece ’n’ egg for lunch and I had a smoked fillet of mackerel. It was lovely at the time, but it does repeat quite a lot and comes back on you, tasting more and more oily every time. I’ll maybe give it a miss the next time I’m looking for something ‘different’ for lunch.

I went for a walk in St Mo’s but couldn’t find anything interesting to photograph, then as I was about to walk home I saw today’s PoD through the trees. Someone managed to push a shopping trolley about half way across St Mo’s pond. The ice on the pond isn’t really very thick, but the water underneath is at least waist deep and very cold. Maybe the contents of the empty bottle gave them Dutch courage to try this dangerous game.
Don’t try this at home kiddies!

No snow yet here, but we are getting worrying weather warnings for Friday and Saturday. Maybe someone should tell the weather fairies that it’s still Autumn and not Winter for more than a week.

No FitSteps this week because the teacher has a bad cold. I think Scamp may be intending to meet Isobel for coffee at Costa.

 

 

Foggy – 12 November 2024

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A grey morning with mist and fog

I was off through the fog to the dentist in the morning. Just for a check-up, but I knew that I needed a filling and some work done on one of my front teeth. Too much to do in check-up time I have to go back … in January. That’s next year! At least the work was going to be done under NHS otherwise I’d be moaning about the cost as well as the wait. Thankfully the loose filling isn’t giving me any pain (touch wood) and it’s been loose since about January 2024, so no need for hurry! Drove home and the fog seemed to be lifting a bit.

We drove to M&S to get the makings of tonight’s dinner which was to be stir-fry. Then we went to Tesco for bread and milk and all the other stuff we couldn’t get in M&S.

After lunch I went for a walk in St Mo’s in the fog that was now descending again. PoD went to a photo of a bank of rushes with a tree almost fading into the background. I quite liked it. Lots of shots of desiccated cow parsley heads, bejewelled with strings of spiderwebs holding little raindrops. Very pretty and pretty cold too. Thank goodness for a down jacket.

Dinner tonight was Prawn Stir-Fry and even if I say so myself, it turned out really well.

We watched Bake Off and mourned the loss of another good baker and a great contestant. And now there were four! Next week is semi-finals week.

Tomorrow is to be foggy again and I’m sure I heard the weather man say it might be snowy next week. I’m not surprised!

It’s not every day … 10 November 2024

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It’s not every day you see a gorilla strutting his stuff to Danza Kuduro in Buchanan Street, but we saw one today. Definitely worth a couple of quid for the entertainment value alone. Of course it wasn’t a real gorilla, it was just a bloke in a monkey suit. Real gorillas dance Salsa. I know, because I’ve seen them in The Garage on Sausageroll Street.

We were in Glasgow today to look for a what I would have called a “puffer jacket”, but Jamie corrected me and told me it was a “Down jacket”. Presumably because it’s filled with duck down. You live and learn. Scamp has one and was keen to extoll its virtues for keeping warm, too warm she said. I’d seen some advertised online in Blacks and thought I’d try some out.

First I looked in Tiso as it was almost on our road to Glasgow, Scamp preferred to stay in the car, but the prices were a lot higher than those in Blacks. Tiso in Glasgow city centre was the next stopping point. They had very little as usual in their tiny wee shop.
Then we tried Blacks, but I couldn’t see anything I’d want to pay money for and that just muddied the water. Eventually I gave up, disappointed, and on Scamp’s suggestion we went for a coffee at Nero in St Enoch’s square.

When we came out I went looking for a photo in House of Fraser in Buchanan Street. Their Christmas light display is wonderful to behold. Part of that wonder is asking myself how much it adds to their electricity bill? They didn’t disappoint this year! The House of Fraser display was PoD.

One of Scamp’s reasons for coming to Glasgow was to get some clothes and toys for the new baby in Skye. That and a few other things too.

On the way home I had another look in the original Tiso shop again, the big one with the best selection. This time I took my fashion expert, Scamp, to keep me on the right track. I showed her the first one I’d tried on earlier in the day and she agreed it fitted the bill (and me) almost perfectly. I took her at her word and bought it. It was more expensive than the ones in Blacks, but it fitted me and had everything I wanted in a jacket. Sometimes you just have to pay the price.

Back home and after I’d removed the labels carefully incase I felt the need to return it. (I suffer from “Buyers Remorse”) Then I left the house without a jersey, just a shirt and jeans and a bright red (Scamp says Orange) Rab jacket. Walked round St Mo’s collecting photos on the way and didn’t feel the cold. I think it’s a keeper. Even better, Scamp presented me with a new Buff, a blue one because I’ve misplaced my yellow one.

Dinner tonight was an M&S Chicken and Ham Pie with potatoes. Dessert was the family favourite, Eve’s Pudding.

Spoke to Jamie later and heard about the “Killer Cat” and how it has not only terrorised the neighbourhood, but also caused its owner to be ostracised by the neighbours. I suggested that a visit from Vixen would settle its hash!

No plans for tomorrow apart from going out with my new Down Jacket. Did I mention that I had a new jacket?