First Day At School.

              

  Thank you Chris for the lovely Graphic.    

Good Morning, feeling guilty have not done and entry all week. Don't know where the week has gone Monday St Andrews, Tuesday Ellen, Wednesday Perth so have not had much time and even less to say. Today is Ellen's first day a School and am just wondering how she is getting on. The new regime should not be too bad for her as she has been there for two years now in the nursery part of the school and they have been taking them into the school since
Easter getting them ready for the change. She has even tried out School Dinners. I wonder if she will remember in sixty years time here first day as well as I remember mine.  It was not certain I would get to start as was last on the list because my birthday was not until December.  I remember being told this but on that morning we set off as if I was going to go to school.  We were in the Gym Hall at Blackness Primary and they called out all the names when your name was called you walked across the hall to the other side.  Last but not least my name was called. I can remember my Mum saying 'Oh Joannie you are away' and at that she burst into tears. When we were finished for the day both Mum and Dad were there to meet me and we then went for my schoolbag. I still had that bag in Secondary School. Thing were made to last then. My Dad was not long home from the war as I remember so Mum and I were very close and always were. I think with it just being the two of us she really was going to miss me. Incase you don't know I am in my sixties and this all took place in 1947. 
Its another lovely day here after some overnight rain. We have had a great summer here there has hardly been a day when the weather has kept us in.  My Dahlias are out now in the garden that I planted from seeds they were just the annual ones but they are very pretty now as most of the perennial plants are past their best. I just planted enough seeds to fill the gaps being a Scot and very thrifty I will have enough for next year as they will still be in code. I always find if I plant I have far too many seedlings and not enough room for them and nobody to give them to so I have to throw them away and that is not a nice thing to do. That's me for today will better go and do some work.     Love                      

                                         

A Visit to the Capital.

             Good Afternoon, I think I have just about recovered from our big adventure yesterday.  We were up with lark and caught the bus as 8-28am it was on time so that made a great start to the day.  We had a very pleasant journey to Edinburgh and were there by 9-30am.thought I would add the a.m. in case you thought  we got caught up in traffic till evening. I think we must have missed the morning rush as we drove through what traffic there was not bother at all.  We alighted from the bus at the west end of Princes Street and headed of course for the nearest coffee shop. After a coffee and a natter we started along Princes Street. We crossed the road and entered Princes Street Gardens. These gardens run almost the whole length of Princes Street so its may seem strange to a visitor that all the shops are on one side of the road and the gardens and the National Art Gallery Scotland on the other.  The Gallery is where we were headed. I think I said in my last entry that this was not a shopping trip we were going to be doing touristy things.  We spent a long time wandering around all the beautiful paintings and sculptures. There is an exhibition on just now of Rembrandt  drawings, 400 years old many of biblical. After our wander round half of the gallery we had a look in the shop and I bought some Christmas cards. By this time we were in need of lunch, there is a lovely patio cafe attached to the gallery so we had our lunch there.  We then walked the rest of the gardens along past the Scott Monument built in remembrance of Sir Walter Scott it really dominates the skyline. You can walk right to the top but I can honestly say I have been there and done that and have the certificate to prove it and I know I would never make it up there now. We walked up the Mound up towards the castle. Now we did not go up to the castle yesterday as we are planning more visits in the future. We then crossed over onto the shopping side of Princess street for another coffee and went into Jenners that's a famous Edinburgh shop and sat and recuperated for a while with a pot of coffee until it was time to make our way to the bus station and our homeward journey.  The bus was late in arriving and by the time we got home we were running 1 hour late. I have been to Edinburgh many times but I have never seen it so busy it was absolutely jumping with tourist and local people finishing work for the week. There is and another exhibition on till the end of September of paintings by Vincent Van Gogh its largest show of his work in Britain for forty years and tells the fascinating story of how his pictures ended up on British soil, we are looking forward to going to see all of the paintings. I am now going to download some pictures we took yesterday which should make more sense of this entry. Had a great day out with our bus pass and will do it again soon? Have a good Bank Holiday Weekend,  Love 

 

 

Butterflies Bees and Plans for Tomorrow.

                                        

                     

          Good Morning, have not had the best start today my hairdryer blew up in hand as I was drying my hair. It must have been loud as Stu heard it in the shower. My hand is not to bad now but it did char it and leave a blister. I did not get any warning that this might happen as the dryer was still in good condition. Never mind no real harm done other than the blister is on the pad of my hand that sits on the gel pad on the mouse mat.  My Buddlia is out in full bloom just now and covered in butterflies bees hover flies and not forgetting wasps.  We have had Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock, Small Tortishell and Small White. A good selection for a small garden. Well, tomorrow Stuart and I are going to take the plunge and use our bus passes for the first time and have a day in our capital city Edinburgh.  We are planning to get the 8-40 am from the end of the road so we will have to be up with the lark. We had planned to go in July but the weather was so hot we did not want to go trailing about in the heat of a big city. Will take my camera and try to get some good shots. The Festival is on just now so don't know what we will see.  I am embarrassed to say I have never been to Edinburgh during the Festival.  When Stuart was working and travelling back and forward every day the last thing he wanted to do was to go back at the weekend. It will be great for him tomorrow as I don't think he has ever been driven over the Forth Bridge he has always been driving so he will get to see all the sights over the water we may even be lucky and see a big cruise linen as they dock often in the Forth. Was feeling very pleased with myself last night as I managed to get a level of game done that I have been stuck on for weeks and weeks so at last I will be able to move forward. I actually sat here and cheered myself silly old me.  Will say bye bye for now and go and see about some lunch.  Have agood day sun is out and the sky is blue up here hope it is for you too.  Love,

                                             
                               

Remember remember

Good Evening, I know I'm very late tonight but we have had Ellen today since 8-30 till 6 so by the time we wave bye bye and have our tea its after 7. Ironing to do then Holby to watch so here I am at last.  When Ellen and I were playing in the garden this afternoon I got to thinking about what we played at when I was little.  We did not have any expensive PCs or Playstations electric scooters etc. we could pass away a day with a ball or a skipping rope (which was a piece of old washing line) Do you remember ladies well the more mature ones how a game with a ball against a wall could last all day taking it in turn or playing jumps don't know what you called them down south but one person on each end of a big rope and everybody else jumping in and out, great fun the cost nothing.  We passed our local swimming pool on Saturday when we were out walking and I know I'm a bit behind the time but do you know that it is £3-20 for a half hour swim. Nothing fancy just a swim. I could not quite believe it. At the moment I just can't comprehend today's prices its as if I have been asleep for about 20 years or so.  Well, I think that's about it for today my eyes are going together so time for supper and bed.  goodnight and may your God be with you.   Love

 

Controversial Graphic

                     

Good Morning, just came in from our walk, no sooner had we started when the rain came on and we did not have a brolly with us, silly when there are umpteen in the stand in the vestibule. Popped in en route collected rolls and eggs and the Sunday papers so that should keep us busy for the rest of the day, along with the quiz and emails.  We have started walking again in an attempt to get some of the surplus pounds off.  During the hot weather it was just too hot for a brisk walk found we strolled more and that does not getting the heart rate up at all.  Found a great site on the net yesterday that measures walking/jogging distances and is very easy to use. If anyone wants it I will email it to you. What we thought was about 2 miles is only 1 and 1/2 miles so this way we can build up our walking more accurately. Had a great chat this morning in 'our "chat room it was very busy. Now about the graphic I used yesterday I thought it was very different and it was pertinent to what my item was about 'just a mix of things' did not mean to hurt anybody's eyes.  Not much planned for the rest of the day will go down now and make egg rolls and coffee watch Moto GP and relax.  Bye and take care,                        

                                

This and that and Art Work

I have sat down here to write this entry and I have no idea what I am going to write about.  Have just returned for a good long walk and am very hot as it very warm and humid today here in Perthshire.  We did had very heavy rain last night follow by thick fog this morning but by 10am the sun was out and it has been a lovely day.
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Stuart was busy up here on the PC last night so I was a fool and watched the Big Brother final. What can I say, I usually enjoy the show but this year I just could not? Any time I put the live broadcasts on all I ever heard was birds singing and planes taking off so after about 15 minutes I would switch over to something else, not that's there is very much on just now. I am one of the few that does not like the X factor so that and Maria and that's my saturday evening up the spout for the foreseeable future.  One thing I am enjoying just now is Blizzard Race to the Pole on BBC2 have found that quite interesting. Bring back The West Wing such a pity that finished but all good thing must come to an end (Being repeated from the start on E4more 8 o'clock on Sunday for anybody that missed it and the regretted it) & Desperate Housewives but I suppose that will not be till after the New Year. My family are away this weekend to Aviemore but the weather is not great for a weekend mountain biking according to the forecast. R has a tow a long for Ellen and L has here own bike so they have a great time on the tracks up there. The art work was what Stuart did at His art workshop yesterday it is the first time he has used pen and ink so its not a bad effort for a first attempt. Well, I think i have waffled of long enough about absolutely nothing so I had better go and make the tea.  Have a good evening. Love

 

                   

A Tale of two Bedcovers.

                 

Good Afternoon, do you remember a few week ago we bought new twin bed and I was to get free duvet covers etc with them well here is the sorry tale.  When we bought the beds the bedding I choose was out of stock and would not be back in for two and a half weeks so we decided to have the beds delivered minus the bedding. We went out and bought two single duvet covers to give us something to change with.  The due date 12th August came and went (last Saturday) and I was very good and waited till Monday to phone.  'The bedding you ordered has been delisted could you please come in and choose another pattern.'  On Tuesday we set of 14miles to the store and selected another pattern.  We will post them out to you by the end of this week to save you coming back in again drove 14 miles back home. Today phone rings your bedding is now in if you would like to collect it, did not want to take the chance of it never appearing so we said we would be through in about an hour or so.  Drove 14 miles to store went in explained what we were there for  assistant did things on his PC and set off for the store room. Back he came looking blank did more things to PC still could not find the items.  I remembered that I had spoken to Andy and asked if he was about and was told he was outside I and then said maybe we should speak to him.  I went out and got him and he speed off to the  storeroom, back he came with one cover he reckoned the other had been sent back in error.  By this time I was about a bursting point and with my BP anything is possible.  He then said I will let you choose any pair we have in store.  To cut a very long story shorter I eventually got two duvet cover matching a bit darker than I would have chosen but I did not want to have to traipse back and forward anymore. Seemingly I have received better value than I should have had in the cover I got.  drove the 14 miles home again.  we are not talking about a small store here we are Talking  about 'The Bed Shed Europe's' biggest bed superstore. Not having the best of day anyway today as something seriously has gone wrong with Stuarts tax and not to our benefit.  Have to go as I have a few errand still to run today.  It was nice to chat this morning hope to do it again tomorrow.   Love    

                                                      

       

                                             

The East Coast 2nd version.

I thought I had my entry for today all planned out in my head then I read Specimans Days  entry and thought what am I going to write now.  My Stuart and I had a lovely day out yesterday we did our usual Monday shopping in St Andrews but as it was just after two o'clock when we got back to the car we thought we would have a run to Fife Ness the farthest east point in Scotland. It is a great migration point for the birds and we do visit it in the Autumn a lot but today it was just to sit by the water and watch the waves lash in.  It was the most beautiful day with the blue sky  the blue sea and the white waves breaking over the rocks.  There is no beach at 'The Ness' just the rocks and load of seabirds.  As it is not far from The Bass Rock there are Gannets flying up and down all the time and at this time of year the young ones are flying in the middle of the adult birds. I know the east coast if not as rugged or as beautiful  as the west coast but it does have it good points we are not so wet for a start but I will not open up the east west devide here.   Will  have to go now we did have a great day even if it was on the East Coast.  Love

Yet another Grand Day Out

                        

Good Afternoon, Yesterday being a windy day and not very good for sitting in the garden as it was a pit parky we set off for one of our famous runs in the car. they are only famous to us as we start of just going for a short run of maybe forty miles or so and end up going about one hundred miles but that us we love our beautiful countryside. First we visited Pitlochry where we had a wander and a bacon roll and a coffee of course.  The town was very busy with many tourist visiting from far and near, it is a very popular place with bus tour and hikers along with folk like ourselves out for the day.  It all seems so peaceful up here we are so lucky. While I was in Pitlochry I bought a new outdoor weatherproof coat in a lovely dusky pink I have outgrown my old one unfortunatly but this one is great I have room for a fleece inside if I need it so I will be Windproof Waterproof and breathable for the winter or so it says on the ticket.  BacK in the car and off we go again.  We decided to take a run to Shiehallion one of our high mountains and one which is quite accessable.  I have put up pictures for you but they are not great as the sun just would not shine for me it was a blinky sort of day. On the pictures of Schiellion you can just see where they have felled half of the forest and as we looked at it we were reminded of days gone by when the trees were young and the Black Grouse used to sit on the tops of the trees. One evening when we were there there must have been about fifty of these bird sitting up the trees we have never seen such a site again I just wish we could but Black Grouse are rare now and nobody seems to know why.  The area we were in is very special to us as we spent a lot of our courting days up here and later my parents had a caravan at Aberfeldy just a few miles from Shiehallion.  When we passed the field they used to have the caravan in it made me sad as they are no longer with us but we do have some great memories of the holiday we had with them.  The last pictures were taken on Loch Na Craig on the way home overlooking the hills but my camera just does not take good long shots will have to see if Santa will bring me a better one.  All in all we had a great day nothing special bird wise but the weather was fine and not too warm for in the car. Where to next .......we are thinking    Love

                                                               

Swallows.

All my own work.

Hi not having the best of weeks feeling very tense so that's why I have been so quiet but hopefully it will be better soon.  Monday we were up in Perth  not our normal day but as we wanted to go to the Tay estuary on Wednesday we had to change it because of the tide. If you don't get there at the right time it is a waste. Yesterday we had Ellen for the day.  I had booked a telephone appointment with the doctor to discuss new pills she had given me, my appointment was for 11-30 am sat and waited till 12-30 and I phoned surgery to be told I had missed my appointment at 11-30.  the receptionist had booked me for an ordinary appointment not a phone one so that was the morning gone and we did not get out.  We had lunch and then went to Vane Farm the local RSPB reserve and had a walk, ice cream for Ellen and coffee for us.  While we were walking there is a tunnel under the main road and at last I have taken a good picture of birds instead of having to borrow.  In the tunnel a shelf has been erected and the swallows are nesting on it I think you will be able to see all the heads sticking out of the nest. There is also three nest at the entrance to the toilets all under cover so they will have been nice and cosy and dry.  Today after an early appointment at the dentist for me just of a clean and polish, we headed for the Tay Estuary and had a grand day even although the wind was about blowing us over.  So now its time for tea and a lazy evening. Bye for now  Love

                                                 

 

Swallows.

All my own work.

Hi not having the best of weeks feeling very tense so that's why I have been so quiet but hopefully it will be better soon.  Monday we were up in Perth  not our normal day but as we wanted to go to the Tay estuary on Wednesday we had to change it because of the tide. If you don't get there at the right time it is a waste. Yesterday we had Ellen for the day.  I had booked a telephone appointment with the doctor to discuss new pills she had given me, my appointment was for 11-30 am sat and waited till 12-30 and I phoned surgery to be told I had missed my appointment at 11-30.  the receptionist had booked me for an ordinary appointment not a phone one so that was the morning gone and we did not get out.  We had lunch and then went to Vane Farm the local RSPB reserve and had a walk, ice cream for Ellen and coffee for us.  While we were walking there is a tunnel under the main road and at last I have taken a good picture of birds instead of having to borrow.  In the tunnel a shelf has been erected and the swallows are nesting on it I think you will be able to see all the heads sticking out of the nest. There is also three nest at the entrance to the toilets all under cover so they will have been nice and cosy and dry.  Today after an early appointment at the dentist for me just of a clean and polish, we headed for the Tay Estuary and had a grand day even although the wind was about blowing us over.  So now its time for tea and a lazy evening. Bye for now  Love

                                                 

 

Sunday Part 2 (Well done Jenson.)

                                   

 

Congratulations to Jenson Button on winning the Hungarian Grand Prix. It has been a long time coming for Jenson he has driven well over 100 races without a win so this one will be very sweet.  It was one of the best races I have seen for a long long time in fact it was like old times. I even dug out the original music from Fleetwood Mac to celebrate the occasion (the music the BBC used to play at the start of a Grand Prix).  Seemingly it is three years since we have had win so we can only hope it is the start of a feast.  This must be a good track for the British drivers as Damon Hill and Nigel Mansell both won here.  So that's it for today hope you enjoy the rest of your Sunday and again well done Jenson.      Love

                                     

Sunday

                 Thank you D'sDesigns.

Not a lot going on this weekend. Spent yesterday pottering in the garden planting up the round planters with violas that should flower till the winter and then come again in the spring. Spent a while in the quiz site Stuart has introduced us to as there are lots of other quizzes in there you can spend hours browsing around.  This morning we have been clearing lots of old photo files out of the PC and sorting others out so we are now more organised.  Weather wise not very nice a bit of drizzle on and off.  I have also planted some dwarf Delphinium seeds I 'acquired' so I hope I get results with those. Am off now to watch the grand Prix and hope it not a procession today.  Speak to you later. Love Joan.

Take a Look.

Just to let you know that I have updated my Bird Watching diary today here is the link.........http://journals.aol.co.uk/jaymact1/JoansBirdwatchingDiary/

See you there.    Joan.

Perth inBloom.

Good Afternoon, been back up to Perth today as Stuart had an appointment with his Cardiac Consultant.  He has decided that Stu needs to have his medication finely tuned as he put it and will make an appointment for him to have another heart scan just to check everything is OK. We were very quick at the hospital so we went for coffee and a look round a very large Dobbies garden centre in Perth. On our way I got Stuart to park the car so I could take these pictures at the Swimming pool in Perth. You will maybe remember me telling you last year Perth won a Gold medal for Britain in Bloom well I think these pictures are of part of this years entry. I saw this last week when I took the pictures out of the car but we could not get stopped so I planned it better today so I could show you what they have made out of flowers. It is a pity about the shadow over the large Sunflower but I could not get around it at all.  Have been busy in the garden this afternoon trying to freshen it up a bit as it was looking a bit tired.  Well that's the kitchen calling me down to make some food. Have a good evening. Love

                                         

Wednesday in Perth.

               

Thank you Donna  for this graphic very summery

Afternoon, just back from our usual shopping trip to Perth so thats the food cupboard stock up yet again, you would think I was feeding a family of about six the amount of shopping we get through in a week.  My back has been very sore all day so that spoiled things a bit but have cheered up since we got back, I taken another two of my pain killers and they seemed to have worked better than the ones I took this morning.  Did not buy very much non food today but managed to get a copy of the one Dan Brown I did not have, 'Digital Fortress' so will look forward to reading that after I have finished the one I am on.  We were passing HMV shop and they have a great deal on just now special prices on 1001 CD's you should buy before you die looking in the window we spotted Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells our son had that record when he was a lad and we all used to listed to it he probably still has it knowing him but nothing to play it on.  I could not resist the bargain £5 for the CD. Am sitting here just now and its just reaching its climax, its like a pair of comfy slippers so good to hear it again.  Time to go and make the tea its been a long day.  Bye for now. Love

                                                  

Musings of a tired Grandma

Thank you to donna for this design it fits so well tonight.

Good Evening, this will be a short entry tonight as I am a very tired Grandma, we have been baby  sitting  Ellen today since 8-30am till 6pm and we are both shattered. I had forgotten just how tiring a 5 year old can be. Don't get me wrong she is of no bother at all. Its me I forget I should not do some of the things I try to do to amuse her but you know me the last time it was a handstand today I or  should I  say we were trying to teach her  skipping with a rope. Now my back is telling me no you should not have done that but we had a great time.  We also walked to the playpark and the supermarket this morning and she had great fun, she can pile up herself so you don't have to push her on the swings. So a great day was had by young and old and I think an early night will be in order.  We were lucky with the weather it has been a lovely day and just after our son picked Ellen up the rain came on and the wind got up quite strong so it is not very nice outside at all tonight. Off now to get a hot water bottle for my back and will sit and enjoy Holby I hope.   Love