Category: weather

Today it rained – 27 June 2025

Posted on by Zogman

I could almost finish the blog there with that statement, but that would be no fun.

We had intended to go in to Glasgow today to get a pair of trainers. I know the trainers I want, but the idea of wandering around Glasgow in the rain didn’t appeal much, so instead we waited to see if the rain would go off. It didn’t. Scamp did some tidying up and I went for a walk in St Mo’s.

While I was walking round St Mo’s looking for inspiration, this wee snail crossed my path. Both of us were very wet and both of us were on a mission. My mission was to get back home and dry again. I don’t know what mission the snail was on, but it knew where it was going.

Scamp and I had each chosen a different meal for dinner. Scamp was having Fish Fingers and Tomatoes, and I chose a Rib Eye Steak with Padron Peppers and Tomatoes. (Thanks for the tomatoes Jamie, we’re working our way through them!) That meant I had to extend my walk and source the steak. I walked on to the butchers and got the steak and a couple of slices of spiced beef ham, which is really a thin cut steak with copious amounts of mixed spice dusted over it. Sounds odd, but it’s a traditional Sunday breakfast item where I come from.

It might be raining, but as one of the weather fairies said, “At least it was warm rain.” That was definitely true. I was fairly wet when I got home, but my, allegedly, breathable jacket had been choked to death and the condensation meant I had to do a complete change when I got home.

My dinner was ok, just ok. Scamp said her’s was fine. Dessert was rhubarb (thanks for the rhubarb, too Jamie) with some custard and some cream left over from yesterday. That was the highlight of my meal.

Tomorrow we’re hoping for some dry weather to get out somewhere for a walk and maybe a new pair of trainers.

Overnight rain – 26 June 2025

Posted on by Zogman

Not that it mattered to us because we’d be inside for most of the day.

Spoke to Hazel in the morning and heard of the depredations of the foxes in the new rockery and their strange habit of dragging some of their ‘toys’ into the garden too. Apart from dynamite, I don’t think there is very much you can do to scare off foxes, and apparently the use of dynamite for control of animals is now frowned upon. It wasn’t like that in my day, I’ll tell you!

We were attending a funeral for the mother of one of my best friends in the afternoon. It was a long route from the church to the crematorium and then back to Airdrie for the meal. It’s like a wake is in Ireland. Lots of folk telling stories, drinking and exchanging memories of the deceased. I always feel out of place at events like these, but it’s a tradition and traditions have to be upheld.

Back home we found that the dog from next door had ‘done its needs’ in the back garden. I wasn’t happy about it, but I think I’ve managed to repair the hole in the fence where it got in with some bits of rope and a bag of cable ties. It should keep the rascal out of our garden until my friend, the joiner, and I can get a proper fence made.

While we were working in the garden, I turned over a compost bag and found, uninjured, a large night flying moth that may or may not be a A bit of research with Mr Google leads me to believe it may be a Large Yellow Underwing Moth. If it’s not, I’ve wasted my time typing its long name out. Quite a large moth and with a dark colouration.

I managed to coax an Astilbe plant with its fluffy white flowers into a pot while Scamp watered if for me. The garden is looking neat and tidy now which is a great bonus.

We got a message from the mountaineers showing the lovely weather in Arran. Pity we didn’t get a chance to enjoy it!

I may be getting encouraged to purchase a new pair of trainers tomorrow. More spending.

 

A bit cooler – 24 June 2025

Posted on by Zogman

It had been raining during the night and that might be what lowered the temperature today. It was definitely a fair bit cooler.

Rain appeared in the late morning. In one of the dry spells I went for a walk to the shops for bread. We had bought some sourdough bread yesterday in Waitrose. Today it was dumped in the bin. It was definitely sour, but it was also heavy and chewy. It gave the appearance of not having been risen properly. “Bertinet Bakery”. Steer clear. Today’s ordinary M&S loaf was much better.

I felt that I was running ahead of the next shower, all the way home. It never came, but the clouds kept coming, so instead of a walk in the park, I took a few shots of the Primula vialii I’d bought in Torwood. It looks as if it has a bit of a Red Hot Poker in its ancestry, but I couldn’t find a link for the two plants online. Still a good contrast with the red flowers and the greenery in the background. PoD found.

Tonight’s dinner was a Charlie Bigham’s Vegetarian Lasagne. The quality of this range never seems to change. Long may it stay so!

Hoping Jamie and Simonne have a good trip up the road, tomorrow.

Shopping – 23 June 2025

Posted on by Zogman

Today we were going shopping.

It was a day of hit and miss showers. Also, it was much cooler than it has been of late which was great for sleeping in. Those hot muggy days of last week were not the best for trying to get some rest.

Instead of doing the usual Tesco run we went to Waitrose in Stirling for a change. Wow, did we have a big shop today! I was beginning to think the boot wouldn’t be big enough and we’d need to buy a trailer. It’s not often we’re tempted by the variety of goods on sale there, but we were today. I’m sure I heard the wee Blue car groan when we shut the boot.

We had just unpacked when there was a knock at the door and there was a delivery man with what obviously was a box of flowers addressed to Scamp. The card inside was from Alex and Carol. We found out later it was because I’d been saying that Scamp seemed a bit down lately and Alex must have picked up on that. Such a kind thing to do. Thank you Alex and Carol.

After lunch I wanted to go out and get some photos and left Scamp reading at home. I got a few shots, most of which were of insects or wildflowers. Insects always seem to have their own agenda and either stay put for a while, or are off ‘doing things’ immediately you point a camera at them. I must have found the lazy ones today. One was a strange looking red eyed fly and the other was a little pure black insect that I’d have called a ‘Buzzer’ if I was fishing. Both flies were hiding under leaves or sitting on leaves. Either way they were sheltering form those hit and miss showers I was talking about. Of the two, I chose the Black ‘Buzzer’ as PoD.

As usual I’d been carried away with photographing insects and plants and forgot the time. Scamp was going to a dance display arranged by one of the Witches. By the time I got back she was almost ready for Jeanette Witch to pick her up.

I’d had mince for dinner yesterday and today I was converting it into Spag Bol. Not a difficult task and I soon had the feeling that the plate I was using wasn’t really going to be big enough, so I ate as much as I wanted from an excellent Spaghetti Bolognese then put the remainder, regretfully, in the bin. Dessert was the last squat peach. Just as lovely as the first one had been, two or three days ago.

Scamp staggered in just before 11pm and raved for a while about the dancing those girls and one boy could do. I’m glad she enjoyed it, but I’m not so sure I would like it.

Tomorrow I may be going to get a new pair of trainers. The ones I got from Go Outdoors are ok, just ok. I’m sure there are better ones out there.

The day that the rains came – 22 June 2025

Posted on by Zogman

We asked for it yesterday and today it arrived.

It actually arrived overnight, the rain, that is. Varying from light showers to heavy thumping down torrents. All of it very welcome. Every time the rain halted for a few minutes, Scamp was out moving pots and making sure everything got its share. Me? I was doing Wordle, although I did go out once in my bare feet, and in the rain, to right a pot that had fallen on its side. Quite breezy today too.

I think the worst of the rain (or the best, it depends on your point of view) is now past and we have a bit of sun shining on us for a while, but the temperature is a much more sensible 17ºc, warm enough without going crazy.

I couldn’t be bothered with going out for a walk today, so instead I worked inside clearing out some stuff (very little) and reorganising others. In the end I still had the same amount of stuff, but felt better because I’d done something constructive. If questioned about it, I’d argue that it was all down to the rain.

Dinner was potatoes and ratatouille for Scamp and potatoes with mince for me. A sensible and enjoyable dinner, especially when I knew there was a coffee cake that Scamp had made for dessert.

We spoke to Jamie and Sim in the evening and discussed the final details for an upcoming visit. It will be good to see them both again. It’s about six months since we last saw them.

PoD was a view of the Campanula that dangles from a hanging basket all year round. Such pretty wildflowers.

Tomorrow I think we may be going shopping.

Another hot day – 21 June 2025

Posted on by Zogman

But with signs that a change is coming.

We drove over to Larky in the afternoon. We were going to see Crawford and Nancy. Crawford’s mum died last Tuesday and we just wanted to drop in to see how they were getting on. Jean was over 90, but had always been fairly active. A great gardener.

We sat and talked to C&N and the afternoon just disappeared. It had been a long time since we’d seen them and there was a fair bit of catching up to do.

We were meant to have lunch on the patio, but we had a couple of heavy showers while we were there, so it was an inside lunch.

When we left to come home the weather stayed dry all the way back, in fact it stayed that way for most of the day. It was still very warm and overcast with the threat of rain that never arrived.

In the early evening I went for a walk over to St Mo’s without really having any thought of what to photograph. I ended up taking some shots of six cygnets on the pond at St Mo’s with their mum and dad making sure they didn’t get into any trouble. That made PoD.

That was about it for today.

Hoping for some rain overnight for Scamp to get a chance to start some grass seed.

Soaking up the heat – 20 June 2025

Posted on by Zogman

25º+ today and we’re promised more tomorrow.

How much more can this old planet take before we all just melt in the sunshine. I must say that I enjoyed most of it, but towards the middle of the day I was beginning to fade a little. Too much heat, not enough water and definitely not nearly enough alcohol!

Scamp was out in the morning to Fit Steps. I don’t know where she gets all the energy from. I stayed home and read for most of the hour she was sweating (Perspiring – Ladies don’t sweat, they perspire). When she got home and after a coffee, we went out looking for some bright shining plants to add to our garden. I say ‘our garden’ but you know Scamp does most of the work in the front and back gardens. I’d like to say that I’m the brains of the operation, but you know me too well to let me away with that! This time we went to Torwood for the plants and we were more restrained than we usually are. I picked two that I liked – don’t ask me what their names were. Scamp chose three. Five is a favourite number in the house.

We had lunch in Torwood. Usually a cosy, comfortable cafe, but today the Toasties were over toasted. Red Hot some would say. Almost got blisters on our lips – that’s how hot it was.

While Scamp was planting out two or three of the new plants, I was preparing for a walk over to St Mo’s. I’d sunscreen on and a coating of insect repellant on top, just to be sure. I also had a pair of shorts, a tee shirt, and a skipped cap. The cap was to keep the sun out of my eyes, but in retrospect, a sun hat would have been better and more sensible.

While I was out, Scamp had dragged out her seat and was reading in the garden. When I got home I realised just how dehydrated I was, but two glasses of water later I was back on an even keel. The next time I’m out in the sun, I’ll wear my sunhat DV and carry some water. We Scots are not built for the high 20ºs centigrade. Roll on the end of June when we return to cold rain.

Later in the evening we eventually dragged our seats back in to the house, ready for another hot day tomorrow if the weather fairies are to be believed.

PoD today went to a field of Eryngium Planum in Torwood, which Scamp managed to avoid bringing home. I’d definitely have had the lot in the car if I could!

We’re intending going over to Larky to see Crawford & Nanacy for tea.

Another day at the horses – 19 June 2025

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Only nine days ago Scamp and I went to see the Kelpies. Today Alex and I went visiting. Scamp was meeting Isobel for coffee.

I didn’t want to go on a photo walk in Glasgow. I’m just Glasgow’d out for now. Too many days trailing around our second city. I gave Alex some suggestions for destinations and he asked if we could go to the Kelpies. Not his fault, he didn’t know I’d been to see them just over a week ago, so I agreed. It’s not a long drive from Cumbersheugh to Helix Park where the Kelpies live and my other suggestions would have taken a lot longer, besides, there is always a new angle on these magnificent steel masterpieces.

I picked Alex up at the station an we drove over. I wanted to take a shot looking through the cleats where the boats tie up with the Kelpies in the background. Also, I’d offered Alex a loan of my 10-18mm f2.8 ultra wide angle lens as he was considering buying one. We did both manage to get some good views with Helix Park producing some lovely skies as a background. Lunch was a sandwich and a bottle of juice halfway through the day. Then we split up and found some different subjects. I walked under the canal bridge and took some photos looking back, but the pylons behind the structures rather spoilt the view.

We met up later as I was just finishing my attempt at the view through a cleat to the Kelpies behind. Alex seemed happy enough with his collection too. However, he needed to be back home earlier than normal because he was looking after the kids back home to allow their mother to go out to a concert. It was a tight run back to the station, but we made it with a few minutes to spare. Dropped him off and agreed to have a think about our next destination.

Dinner was a salad with a trout fillet each. A lovely bit of fish and the salad was so much better than I could make. Afterwards we sat and read in the garden, making the most of another beautiful warm day.

It was later in the evening I found that there was a green cast at all the shots taken with the A6500/10-18mm combination. I’d not seen this occurrence before and will have to look out for it. I doubt if there is an easy solution, other to shoot in mono.

Tomorrow Scamp is hoping to go to the FitSteps class in the morning, the last one for a few weeks and I’m maybe going to relax in the sun again.

Keeping your head down – 18 June 2025

Posted on by Zogman

It’s amazing the things you see if you keep your head down.

Today I was out for a walk in the afternoon, heading to the shops to get a variety of veg to make dinner. If I hadn’t had my head to the ground I would never have noticed the burned off rusted pipe on the pavement. Inside the pipe, dirt and stones had collected over time. Some seeds had landed in the old pipe too and some of them had germinated. Add a little sunlight and a plentiful amount of rain and there you have the beginnings of a miniature garden. If I’d just been striding out, or if I’d been thinking about that dinner I was going to make, I’d have missed this little garden in the street. If you don’t look, you’ll never see what’s in front of you. But be careful, watch out for busses as well as little round gardens.

You can find my garden on Flickr. The round garden didn’t quite make PoD. That award went to a White Tailed Bee feeding on a Marsh Cinquefoil flower. Much prettier, but I still like that round garden. It’s the second one I’ve found. Must go back through Flickr to find it.

Scamp was out in the afternoon to meet up with the rest of the Witches, while I was shopping. I’d half intended to drive up to Fannyside to get some landscape photos. Unfortunately the sun didn’t want to play ball today and so instead I searched out a recipe I could use for dinner tonight. I’d seen one on the BBC page and it looked simple enough for me. Actually it was fairly simple and that’s what we had tonight. It was listed as Mediterranean Vegetable Pasta, but in reality it was “What have we got in the fridge”. It served the purpose and it tasted reasonable. May make it again.

The dull weather that prevented me from going to Fannyside lasted for the remainder of the day. Dull and with the threat of rain sort of summed it up. Hoping for a better day tomorrow.

Scamp is intending to meet Isobel tomorrow and I’m hoping to meet Alex for a photowalk.

My turn to cook – 17 June 2025

Posted on by Zogman

It was my turn to cook today and I thought I’d made a mess of it, but surprisingly it all worked out well.

It was a dull, grey day. I don’t think either of us really wanted to do much of anything. I had finished my book and started another. I don’t know where it came from on the Kindle, but it didn’t last long there. It’s now in the Kindle Bin. An hour or so’s research and a couple of quid brought me another book, much more interesting, at least that’s what I’m hoping it will be. By the way Hazy, did you know that Stone and Sky, the new Rivers of London book, set in SCOTLAND! comes out in a couple of weeks? You probably knew that and you probably told me and I probably forgot about it. Too many wee ‘nories’ in my head, that’s what my mum would have said.

Scamp was in a redesigning mood today. Plants in their pots were needing moved and I could see where she was going with this rebuild. Too many pots containing greenery and not enough with some brighter colours. Admittedly she has some beautiful roses growing in the front garden, in pots, of course, but she needs some spots of colour too. Today was a test to see what she could create from what she already had in the garden. I was the pot lifter for the day and I agreed with her changes.

However, I did want to get a bit of photography done and once I was sure she wouldn’t strain her back humphing the pots around, I took the chance of a walk over to St Mo’s where I found a Common Blue Damselfly that was willing to be a model for me. Also a pretty pink wildflower growing beside the boardwalk. It took me a bit of research to find out that it was Valerian. I remembered the name from last year. Last, but not least was was a side view of a white wild rose, fully open and welcoming any passing bees. All are to be seen on Flickr, but the PoD was the Valerian.

Like I said at the start, it was my turn to cook today. It was Mushroom Risotto and I still think I got some of my quantities wrong, but the result worked well. It’s 20 minutes of standing by the cooker feeding the mushroom, onion, garlic, butter and rice mixture with ladles full of rehydrated mushroom flavoured liquid, meanwhile stirring almost constantly for those 20 minutes. Scamp had poached a chicken breast earlier and I added it to the mixture. I’m glad it all worked. I would have hated to have gone to all that effort for it to be a failure.

Tomorrow Scamp is hoping to meet the Witches for a blether and I may go looking for dragonflies, out in the country.