tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233793282024-03-18T13:31:46.235+00:00In this lifePam http://www.blogger.com/profile/12641269043817163165noreply@blogger.comBlogger2051125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-24312960806053327982024-03-13T15:13:00.008+00:002024-03-13T16:51:42.390+00:00The young and the old<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Talking of dementia - the day after my last post about my choir friend who's been diagnosed, I sat down in the dentist's chair, swung my feet up and noticed that I was wearing odd shoes - both black and flat, but from two different pairs. Then I went home again and Mr Life pointed out that I'd buttoned my shirt up wrongly - one too many buttons at the top, one too few at the bottom. Hmm!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_aHXXcCI1FvDJgSzp9WLEP7xx6PH3oeQLP7HaU5F2Z0Ay3qPyMU-V2OpfqqcRWGKRCOSvWEGEm4XX-iOJNR5A9Gm5DCmwGnyuMFE6_yplgBhocs8Tzz3xINz-2ZEtSlT9_A2eQQm-e4SAaOXkrsUKOk9Ytr08CqZrVABZt40m6yJowJd3spE/s1853/IMG-20240307-WA0007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="1853" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_aHXXcCI1FvDJgSzp9WLEP7xx6PH3oeQLP7HaU5F2Z0Ay3qPyMU-V2OpfqqcRWGKRCOSvWEGEm4XX-iOJNR5A9Gm5DCmwGnyuMFE6_yplgBhocs8Tzz3xINz-2ZEtSlT9_A2eQQm-e4SAaOXkrsUKOk9Ytr08CqZrVABZt40m6yJowJd3spE/w640-h187/IMG-20240307-WA0007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I remember this stage so well with our own children: when they know things and can do things that we didn't and couldn't. And it's so interesting and heart-warming. These are cereal packets that Big Grandson designed in some class (Craft, Design and Technology?) at school. I couldn't do this on the computer if my life depended on it. The flavours, by the way, are: Classic Oat & Wheat, Chocolate Chunks, Lemon and Lime, Canadian Maple Syrup and Blueberry. I like his wording as well as his pictures (though I </span><i style="text-align: left;">am</i><span style="text-align: left;"> his granny). </span></div><p>Of course, the next stage is that they become so competent that they grow up and move away... .</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRgbxQqQZ3r81RACs6PoxRdiQgqm2H3sgJhUGRBWSkYNl3u0QaxjUimmdqRtk8hHEvTAj9kFukt2JJ7cjd7EXa0DyKAj0vtr_3rqBhVVzHiCazcNnuRfno4oQOZ7i3ij-KFWfXFN6aM-EjKFSsQlWfnQnr-5IGW_h1KIO3lDvb1kyvaObo9YB/s4032/20240309_173416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRgbxQqQZ3r81RACs6PoxRdiQgqm2H3sgJhUGRBWSkYNl3u0QaxjUimmdqRtk8hHEvTAj9kFukt2JJ7cjd7EXa0DyKAj0vtr_3rqBhVVzHiCazcNnuRfno4oQOZ7i3ij-KFWfXFN6aM-EjKFSsQlWfnQnr-5IGW_h1KIO3lDvb1kyvaObo9YB/s320/20240309_173416.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><p>Biggest Granddaughter is now 11. She's at that grown-up-in-some-ways stage. For her birthday cake, she requested that Daughter 1 make a sophisticated unicorn. Sophisticated, she decided, meant in this case black. She and her friend went ice-skating at the rink near us "and then we're coming here for pizza and ice cream, Granny". What, <i>my</i> house? Oh, ok. So they did and it was lovely! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_uDf5E2i88wIMDJ6-WsZ_X1ltGZj9Vc0q4Iv9r-dOPorNqcIJ-BpZyy_Zv6C4rr9dcCOKgZ4POATXiSVCHH38VNfu6t5RtrgDXyc8gDkDYf15IylKMdHwRAA6U5x3GUGYUUbvaLzMOngGKu-OdRCuT2P4xEmDW9YPz0wRvYV6hX7gZNspvav/s1334/IMG-20240312-WA0033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_uDf5E2i88wIMDJ6-WsZ_X1ltGZj9Vc0q4Iv9r-dOPorNqcIJ-BpZyy_Zv6C4rr9dcCOKgZ4POATXiSVCHH38VNfu6t5RtrgDXyc8gDkDYf15IylKMdHwRAA6U5x3GUGYUUbvaLzMOngGKu-OdRCuT2P4xEmDW9YPz0wRvYV6hX7gZNspvav/s320/IMG-20240312-WA0033.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>Littlest Granddaughter took pictures of her gap and her very wobbly tooth with her mum's phone. </p><p>I'm sitting here listening to Rheinberger's Mass in D, opus 194, which we're singing at one of my choirs. I'd never heard of Rheinberger until a couple of years ago, when we did something else of his (can't now remember what...) but he's wonderful and should be better known. </p><p>So yes, nothing's really happened, though I'm nearly at the end of Biggest Granddaughter's second quilt. I made the mistake of including a few bits of Peter Rabbit fabric in the one I made for her when she was 5 and wanted "bunnies and hedgehogs" and now it's too babyish. Ooops. She requested a dragon quilt like the one I made Middle Granddaughter, though I'm dubious that she's going to want that when she's older. Ah well, I can make a third... if I'm spared... .</p><p><br /></p> <p></p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-87889648506053794542024-03-07T20:32:00.002+00:002024-03-07T20:32:52.089+00:00Fine<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdi3nP4RV0zb5nC46ollHQzVb_HmaCRACVczqylkcQ1SDLmulPFEHH2t3CR-4157AQbzofFZ-X45deD5zYBAZTfuLgBsvxgOO-xJW0ZgIQ5h_weGeSyTswzuA9SO5lcTTZH6FgvXeY9eG5Wa2z7sbW0R5dOtbEkA4FVT7yH3CEu2RpR_f33Mq/s4032/20240302_150456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdi3nP4RV0zb5nC46ollHQzVb_HmaCRACVczqylkcQ1SDLmulPFEHH2t3CR-4157AQbzofFZ-X45deD5zYBAZTfuLgBsvxgOO-xJW0ZgIQ5h_weGeSyTswzuA9SO5lcTTZH6FgvXeY9eG5Wa2z7sbW0R5dOtbEkA4FVT7yH3CEu2RpR_f33Mq/w640-h312/20240302_150456.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>We went up to Son's at the weekend and saw him and the UnBloggables, who're now 7 and 4 and delightful. This is the view from his garden. Ideally, I would live somewhere like this too, though it wouldn't be practical as an old person if one couldn't drive. In town, we can walk or get the bus. There, they drive everywhere. Anyway, with one child north and one south, we have to stay in Edinburgh, which is gettatable from both directions. But at heart, I'm not a city person. I would prefer to live in a small town in East Lothian, with views of the sea, and just visit the city from time to time. </p><p>Hey ho. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzU8TurZVnU4LcMbqMJ3AFrgmJm1FJ7VdohbgZTrXx99U1I7-hB-UaS3HD72vpL3hOezogU-rfnN5vxQeL1vo84JmmCr9xHsqYHHrubgUN3bqrZAbqnyNEn7mF6LbbhLgyPPA3SoIb4FGXa1U2_7VdFjRHEmhrBqzwlxcQutuVEqISzKHqxVU8/s4032/20240304_145209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzU8TurZVnU4LcMbqMJ3AFrgmJm1FJ7VdohbgZTrXx99U1I7-hB-UaS3HD72vpL3hOezogU-rfnN5vxQeL1vo84JmmCr9xHsqYHHrubgUN3bqrZAbqnyNEn7mF6LbbhLgyPPA3SoIb4FGXa1U2_7VdFjRHEmhrBqzwlxcQutuVEqISzKHqxVU8/s320/20240304_145209.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><p>It's fully spring now, and we've had some very pleasant weather. This gorse by the riverside smells wonderfully coconutty. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-DWutaXikNPKX2UNJBja33DCm1ydc5BgmpuqdruKKRGssej1GBLaJxKfCQpGA3FaHKA06c4iesUuLXY92MTl5cUdJ8vuAQuIIhzlE6jG38YQBZZU0yuIF8llkJ_WjFkDFFS1UAWQIt4vdYbF6AS5bEqr2dlw2wikQEDxUovas_aOhaAQDI8u/s4032/20240305_112544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-DWutaXikNPKX2UNJBja33DCm1ydc5BgmpuqdruKKRGssej1GBLaJxKfCQpGA3FaHKA06c4iesUuLXY92MTl5cUdJ8vuAQuIIhzlE6jG38YQBZZU0yuIF8llkJ_WjFkDFFS1UAWQIt4vdYbF6AS5bEqr2dlw2wikQEDxUovas_aOhaAQDI8u/w640-h312/20240305_112544.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>And of course we went to the Botanics the other day, which always lifts the spirits. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwK4JuO8djTykEO2IYEVUdsWzDZ-3XqPUx9yeltc0u4BGSY_cQMCUwgjgL5iE8cfWaB2noAFfWekW1m91eFSsZYKu7yzxqUalkOl83qoHF1bwz3E8y3QQYA9T-471CY9n9zBMRFHqkqKVLBHA-z8QzUmiam9zKSLGrp_GqLBQxtt06B0FWeW75/s4032/20240306_144436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwK4JuO8djTykEO2IYEVUdsWzDZ-3XqPUx9yeltc0u4BGSY_cQMCUwgjgL5iE8cfWaB2noAFfWekW1m91eFSsZYKu7yzxqUalkOl83qoHF1bwz3E8y3QQYA9T-471CY9n9zBMRFHqkqKVLBHA-z8QzUmiam9zKSLGrp_GqLBQxtt06B0FWeW75/w640-h312/20240306_144436.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Yesterday we visited friends in the west of Scotland. We walked along Loch Winnoch in the sunshine. it was lovely: good company, fresh air, sunshine, swans, delicious food. </p><p></p><p>So: nothing's happened. But this is all right. </p><p>I sat down beside another soprano in choir yesterday evening and said, "How are you?" </p><p>"Fine," she said, in an obviously not-fine way. </p><p>"Oh dear," I said, "what's the matter?"</p><p>"I've been told I've got dementia," she said. </p><p>It's what everyone our age dreads, isn't it? Hard to think of words of consolation - well, there aren't really any. </p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-13670473276683316622024-02-28T15:06:00.004+00:002024-02-28T15:06:41.999+00:00Bright!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZVqOooV556u6CQAkyukUbPlNKB0ZjF5izqmu46AdOTNUTEZiIV2j-hQE6b_fgrcwUa7zgfP6OJhw9RrNSCxe5m-p6gvDTUlFBi38PtP9TADIk8sTMn3kDtJkU7QyIZq3fDy1P_QP5WdsVmXeDAkh1m7MpUHi3kJgrly42rQAz4axhjNHO3Xu/s4032/20240224_105542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZVqOooV556u6CQAkyukUbPlNKB0ZjF5izqmu46AdOTNUTEZiIV2j-hQE6b_fgrcwUa7zgfP6OJhw9RrNSCxe5m-p6gvDTUlFBi38PtP9TADIk8sTMn3kDtJkU7QyIZq3fDy1P_QP5WdsVmXeDAkh1m7MpUHi3kJgrly42rQAz4axhjNHO3Xu/s320/20240224_105542.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>In my fairly unproductive life these days, nothing very much happens - which is on the whole good, but doesn't leave a lot to blog about. I see quite a lot of friends, which is lovely: two separate groups of school friends, friends from the one school and from the two colleges that I taught at, other friends from my youth and some from more recent years. I feel very lucky to have all these people in my life and am very aware that we're all getting older and must treasure these friendships while we're all still able to get about. </p><p>For example, I had coffee today with four women with whom I started teaching at a high school in 1973 - over 50 years ago. One by one we all left that school to have children or teach elsewhere, but we've kept seeing one another ever since. We've been married (and, apart from one who's widowed, are all still married), four of us have had children and grandchildren and we've all had ups and downs and house moves and mainly minor ailments and some of them have had major troubles and one's had a stroke but - we chatter on, and it's lovely.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjunk_DEqjSCap-1XyW_bEjrbvz3juw8Fg2mLgzeozDKUtBlJckoeMoO20QYEL9JlrJvQjmeRqRyvHsm9GADFXyycIELZXZTSn-clwMuhWTb5fUGihhSJFWx4l8S50aaALXehUqQ-muEEvhPHqekcDFflBm7qtAhmBqDrcL1XwrW1n4XGXOYM3/s4032/20240224_105731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjunk_DEqjSCap-1XyW_bEjrbvz3juw8Fg2mLgzeozDKUtBlJckoeMoO20QYEL9JlrJvQjmeRqRyvHsm9GADFXyycIELZXZTSn-clwMuhWTb5fUGihhSJFWx4l8S50aaALXehUqQ-muEEvhPHqekcDFflBm7qtAhmBqDrcL1XwrW1n4XGXOYM3/w400-h195/20240224_105731.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I know I often blog about flowers, but here are more. I went to the Botanics the other day and some of the rhododendrons are in full flower - mainly the pink ones. Filling one's gaze with colour is very therapeutic. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTJlcPLb4aT7lDxXANoWz-HpdSUCN4tJptfPzxdS7_qg5OytRirVxYW2EzaHZwy_-a_i0D5nA1jIm41gW4WetLEoJ8rA7X8fixUcr4mZfc8v9UZWs-rV0M3_CVKRfoxtlhddX-utgIaZo5R7hVbznl_cJ1HnPcCAolBQ51Rb3niWjZI2Pod3i/s4032/20240224_110919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTJlcPLb4aT7lDxXANoWz-HpdSUCN4tJptfPzxdS7_qg5OytRirVxYW2EzaHZwy_-a_i0D5nA1jIm41gW4WetLEoJ8rA7X8fixUcr4mZfc8v9UZWs-rV0M3_CVKRfoxtlhddX-utgIaZo5R7hVbznl_cJ1HnPcCAolBQ51Rb3niWjZI2Pod3i/w400-h195/20240224_110919.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDyv3Eh4e4QYmOt5cxyN2y9G6VP3OYZFNf_y-dTAw86e5HRaNmi6mvhkNTKebc2WdKZOg_nuWmlkYUQQipufI5Wj3S0L7dZBZEox91-5k2fPNB0I0JLFxQnGlunfZhEEpP_oT6Jkmzoie7YcfG6nLXu3zB9ogViGa3CEpYJpQ3ZazpQ0-TMO7/s4032/20240224_104750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDyv3Eh4e4QYmOt5cxyN2y9G6VP3OYZFNf_y-dTAw86e5HRaNmi6mvhkNTKebc2WdKZOg_nuWmlkYUQQipufI5Wj3S0L7dZBZEox91-5k2fPNB0I0JLFxQnGlunfZhEEpP_oT6Jkmzoie7YcfG6nLXu3zB9ogViGa3CEpYJpQ3ZazpQ0-TMO7/w400-h195/20240224_104750.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiMsbwVD_IMtoL9S3Zdp5WaqjX-pJxRbQsdjFT4uajOZfne2EonNDB0-YDp8mir1OCA5QznM7JlUdR2YQ8PBaurE3iPfy2osMBxA0UlpbdVLdEY3-yfIHS_nPAZxelGAD-RaZEQFavCEXfejCvHc22bQ84ItNW-MX_CtWNBC4udw_o-EykLKw/s4032/20240224_104848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiMsbwVD_IMtoL9S3Zdp5WaqjX-pJxRbQsdjFT4uajOZfne2EonNDB0-YDp8mir1OCA5QznM7JlUdR2YQ8PBaurE3iPfy2osMBxA0UlpbdVLdEY3-yfIHS_nPAZxelGAD-RaZEQFavCEXfejCvHc22bQ84ItNW-MX_CtWNBC4udw_o-EykLKw/w400-h195/20240224_104848.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuMi7ZGiy3Zb3TfH7rvrr8uGhqUfkVGZH1EEtoPQbTpwp97vRl1ZPTa4t1t5iPp_yxTSM99iu3rKELx2HIp7yxlH0Ex9AFaq9Qpt9MLTkwZctOe7wCH2KcdpKjWn-CEdzhxmgrrmkwu4rkKiIIYFu-N4MgE-Et2Z01dKvEGMmZ6cocyNaCIvq/s4032/20240224_105527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuMi7ZGiy3Zb3TfH7rvrr8uGhqUfkVGZH1EEtoPQbTpwp97vRl1ZPTa4t1t5iPp_yxTSM99iu3rKELx2HIp7yxlH0Ex9AFaq9Qpt9MLTkwZctOe7wCH2KcdpKjWn-CEdzhxmgrrmkwu4rkKiIIYFu-N4MgE-Et2Z01dKvEGMmZ6cocyNaCIvq/w400-h195/20240224_105527.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiAUQ_WGIgDcLib4t7uDn02ohxUNwBURGDmrNCvp_khreRgc88NslyeFJVX9odBoLYiOzqN1xlcP8sudZI6DkUXZjBFnRVemkl2LBH1a1G2yYdH6NfcRpn0jEU4v3ro3BOX-vzVYrNOX6tXiVLXAYTFT2sGU9coK4BvN4wC1k4mfYp1l2xWjd/s4032/20240224_105410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiAUQ_WGIgDcLib4t7uDn02ohxUNwBURGDmrNCvp_khreRgc88NslyeFJVX9odBoLYiOzqN1xlcP8sudZI6DkUXZjBFnRVemkl2LBH1a1G2yYdH6NfcRpn0jEU4v3ro3BOX-vzVYrNOX6tXiVLXAYTFT2sGU9coK4BvN4wC1k4mfYp1l2xWjd/w640-h312/20240224_105410.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Yesterday, Mr L and I visited Shepherd House in Inveresk, which is really joined on to the eastern side of the city now, though it used to be a separate village. We've walked past this house before, but never when the gardens were open. The house was built in 1650ish but has been owned since 1957 (yes!) by very keen gardeners, who have over the years made it really beautiful. Now in their nineties, they still open the gardens sometimes for charity. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_N8yCBa2lHkdkL5kDksjZtra9AjTbSYjDHWfjAbbF_jBZZfbb8BIf4WdjYCCAvWfpHb229s7h6N_W5yTXiHjvjFMJGk9BcdIPd0tzhrb3hhd_V5X31apn1h1tSuryym5xpG6jYyqH-r72sudhHhLVxq-PYzC6NTqMwcGdeK-2OStBTQwGIfi/s4032/20240227_142035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_N8yCBa2lHkdkL5kDksjZtra9AjTbSYjDHWfjAbbF_jBZZfbb8BIf4WdjYCCAvWfpHb229s7h6N_W5yTXiHjvjFMJGk9BcdIPd0tzhrb3hhd_V5X31apn1h1tSuryym5xpG6jYyqH-r72sudhHhLVxq-PYzC6NTqMwcGdeK-2OStBTQwGIfi/w640-h312/20240227_142035.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIvBdkvEAisjePAlPmJ-u-654cTv6S8AxAK9a4xxQpje_brVnDocdL4KnfLNyvsYQX5_nTCsC9OwWUkkSH5OiVFHcTmDx7nM7TBwgdsGq1SZymiPLxM0XNpLo-HOi2qKgenWptlWYG-oa2OqiA-zVAeKkiK0bg2f2IENtaecKK3IhzkM0LSUB/s4032/20240227_142026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIvBdkvEAisjePAlPmJ-u-654cTv6S8AxAK9a4xxQpje_brVnDocdL4KnfLNyvsYQX5_nTCsC9OwWUkkSH5OiVFHcTmDx7nM7TBwgdsGq1SZymiPLxM0XNpLo-HOi2qKgenWptlWYG-oa2OqiA-zVAeKkiK0bg2f2IENtaecKK3IhzkM0LSUB/w400-h195/20240227_142026.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>There are various jolly touches. This is a yew sheep.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QdsW5K4QdFijxppvg5EptP1VxXdSF8mAiWLQkM9TgozBooVPPB1DXEM_CLEVMDD4GSDz1uBVI8vPJIQNhZTBVorrPJOo09q9p4F53BaIY6EB9QvmCO29Wl1bkTvtoOyXAfpIt224hq6khiaIznHkCp5b7c3_d8gPt497upQyhxfF_H0oXDtS/s4032/20240227_141804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QdsW5K4QdFijxppvg5EptP1VxXdSF8mAiWLQkM9TgozBooVPPB1DXEM_CLEVMDD4GSDz1uBVI8vPJIQNhZTBVorrPJOo09q9p4F53BaIY6EB9QvmCO29Wl1bkTvtoOyXAfpIt224hq6khiaIznHkCp5b7c3_d8gPt497upQyhxfF_H0oXDtS/w195-h400/20240227_141804.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>A bunch of tulips in pebbles.<p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Tr-uvM6ktzJ3Js18Bs8_srU6i0pIGOsfdJp5LCOWBQtTsfKO7lTB4jcfPi9Ks3hHGIlaeA6bYmZPe2ahIgYiHG4fmQg2jmjfUE8m7u7OINaWiUww9Xbun1uOpgpCc8iwItmeLf2-_RaDaQgYcyWrZquN4yHSy7hD1o5OtQlPEc_rZV3TM8QH/s4032/20240227_142853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Tr-uvM6ktzJ3Js18Bs8_srU6i0pIGOsfdJp5LCOWBQtTsfKO7lTB4jcfPi9Ks3hHGIlaeA6bYmZPe2ahIgYiHG4fmQg2jmjfUE8m7u7OINaWiUww9Xbun1uOpgpCc8iwItmeLf2-_RaDaQgYcyWrZquN4yHSy7hD1o5OtQlPEc_rZV3TM8QH/w400-h195/20240227_142853.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I <i>really </i>want some of these yellow-headed snowdrops, but alas, none of the stockists I can find have any actually in stock. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHy4vFbplawVXac8Dkxq8r7PaxYMajL3hG4ICkoMFl2fHIcTLI1FNHIjGd3ADu58Wzcav_06nVDyKlADutgHywa1L5DSrWKgpu8CIMWhMsDQJ-puuBCfLxd-o1jQUrVxTURk6W-P2ybYSY2bSTy8KLhlvcsmJAI0KtdoTlUpfX4mxKLoVhVlye/s4032/20240227_143004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHy4vFbplawVXac8Dkxq8r7PaxYMajL3hG4ICkoMFl2fHIcTLI1FNHIjGd3ADu58Wzcav_06nVDyKlADutgHywa1L5DSrWKgpu8CIMWhMsDQJ-puuBCfLxd-o1jQUrVxTURk6W-P2ybYSY2bSTy8KLhlvcsmJAI0KtdoTlUpfX4mxKLoVhVlye/w400-h195/20240227_143004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The hellebores were stunning. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIEnCT2f11x4XjLPrsDkOr8Ut3lfUzDZoy7jeNWgBmdl4GIe_NzHOueqzxizzPVO1HidVFk2g7SDjlzhwKt-SKiLhZ94PnqxLLbkO3hPcASZwdT3GWsmsp8GLv-hHMbPGItx33JxRPgxZ3fh-7e1GPZoZkNO8n2ZS9NgzvtwjXYYPEMijuSD2/s4032/20240227_143013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIEnCT2f11x4XjLPrsDkOr8Ut3lfUzDZoy7jeNWgBmdl4GIe_NzHOueqzxizzPVO1HidVFk2g7SDjlzhwKt-SKiLhZ94PnqxLLbkO3hPcASZwdT3GWsmsp8GLv-hHMbPGItx33JxRPgxZ3fh-7e1GPZoZkNO8n2ZS9NgzvtwjXYYPEMijuSD2/w400-h195/20240227_143013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfYcZ4Hwca6dceIV2FW5c4eZpPozyjFaBdPCRawZyON6B4frkxM_l_zTntv7pNUu39Zk132VXeheHqeTbJmX8MF-GjW7n5WUwifoxytZoOWpT2mAgYeE2kzxprm2WSZuKb51jUrWi3YDxbKqnGB5ak5IYc8BrMVqhAgdF3MDn-5eD6jVubxUa/s4032/20240227_143150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfYcZ4Hwca6dceIV2FW5c4eZpPozyjFaBdPCRawZyON6B4frkxM_l_zTntv7pNUu39Zk132VXeheHqeTbJmX8MF-GjW7n5WUwifoxytZoOWpT2mAgYeE2kzxprm2WSZuKb51jUrWi3YDxbKqnGB5ak5IYc8BrMVqhAgdF3MDn-5eD6jVubxUa/s320/20240227_143150.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhynzjeRbzsxPpb29RptCBTAUOnOFprYK-1q5qAC3U4NOEmJmBuoMjk4H9TLvQDyQm5msVmVwy4aH68b-02teFnKaOkYKDY4-h2-RdeKokW6yjuSFCl6QqXDiNpBOy1fF9lJe6dis_ZFhHMUoR20NOHhoSrPkipqidAnm8Fa_UxhBB_uvKWKI/s4032/20240227_143249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhynzjeRbzsxPpb29RptCBTAUOnOFprYK-1q5qAC3U4NOEmJmBuoMjk4H9TLvQDyQm5msVmVwy4aH68b-02teFnKaOkYKDY4-h2-RdeKokW6yjuSFCl6QqXDiNpBOy1fF9lJe6dis_ZFhHMUoR20NOHhoSrPkipqidAnm8Fa_UxhBB_uvKWKI/s320/20240227_143249.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexmTNFFhJ0o5fYbRIiXXlN4aYtHoanxxG7_jkZFzd8ldq7iu2v8rm-0wtXCIBFphmbdGiFcF6yzIztt6DtsA9sPG7HGFL-S_3okWBcpJCXPweFladU2XMQztomsa-RuKAWbpfKTgEBpRgRzqTjWlEIeXvwt39n7SaYTlQ8dzWOhHBiRak23ss/s4032/20240227_143301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexmTNFFhJ0o5fYbRIiXXlN4aYtHoanxxG7_jkZFzd8ldq7iu2v8rm-0wtXCIBFphmbdGiFcF6yzIztt6DtsA9sPG7HGFL-S_3okWBcpJCXPweFladU2XMQztomsa-RuKAWbpfKTgEBpRgRzqTjWlEIeXvwt39n7SaYTlQ8dzWOhHBiRak23ss/s320/20240227_143301.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLK9zDf9JLdcuJsqnrb2m2eya0fPueVwBxjkFLhdMM0lirUQi0kd4jrsRwdGhLCMKYdrL6W6J7ucE0RniNPuDuh9nAF4hDzsrSVQaE_MqQx4smCuk8jGkDrbDuCTziHc0Y6cwN9nfqkwhwD2aH6_jOk6fpOTRAnkFQL0Lv_X91yQgLmAdeibkR/s4032/20240227_144857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLK9zDf9JLdcuJsqnrb2m2eya0fPueVwBxjkFLhdMM0lirUQi0kd4jrsRwdGhLCMKYdrL6W6J7ucE0RniNPuDuh9nAF4hDzsrSVQaE_MqQx4smCuk8jGkDrbDuCTziHc0Y6cwN9nfqkwhwD2aH6_jOk6fpOTRAnkFQL0Lv_X91yQgLmAdeibkR/w640-h312/20240227_144857.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGjPZfFVJB1nrG5LzXg8rgQF9AEAz-2cKakNsR3Uusn6t0M5s4v32JdGiot_mgZFha_sKBn4e6HRBVQgTrGUc5Z7Au4GPjSn1mUbnci-DwJVzqGfu3NXhvERRx3W0LjeeR84bc3NsBe7-ep1NJ1t3G_F7M_aA3ulcgTinp9YX8hRxiKFHxfUw/s4032/20240227_144931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGjPZfFVJB1nrG5LzXg8rgQF9AEAz-2cKakNsR3Uusn6t0M5s4v32JdGiot_mgZFha_sKBn4e6HRBVQgTrGUc5Z7Au4GPjSn1mUbnci-DwJVzqGfu3NXhvERRx3W0LjeeR84bc3NsBe7-ep1NJ1t3G_F7M_aA3ulcgTinp9YX8hRxiKFHxfUw/w640-h312/20240227_144931.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p>I know what he means! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwY8m3EgZwjPu-RkW35QEPGqiuu2WA5-Qo4rnq8EskZd-WU39LtQvfax40lFv8vG52wtmyJ1huPmZuGE2vDHgh1uFlEnuxtbyIE79PKbOE-mkLEq-lG2S0pdvc2SdpRgfjsXeQN9op07YegDwvZx_wHyvy_EdfrNSxkdTHvytntGQQFRTKPyz/s4032/20240227_151151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwY8m3EgZwjPu-RkW35QEPGqiuu2WA5-Qo4rnq8EskZd-WU39LtQvfax40lFv8vG52wtmyJ1huPmZuGE2vDHgh1uFlEnuxtbyIE79PKbOE-mkLEq-lG2S0pdvc2SdpRgfjsXeQN9op07YegDwvZx_wHyvy_EdfrNSxkdTHvytntGQQFRTKPyz/w640-h312/20240227_151151.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> This is Inveresk village - it's picturesque, despite the orange - which is a traditional colour for old Scottish harled (pebble-dashed) buildings. A mistake, I feel, but at least one hallowed by centuries. <p></p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-67092901363103362202024-02-24T09:47:00.003+00:002024-02-24T09:48:24.739+00:00Flowers, flowers, flowers<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iB02kyQ18SPK781BO9K7lnPINGsuPEHDVyLXGLlGSOxmDJp1A138JXZRNS9EPgyvVPnJ88lokFVVxQOEcp-NF5WLomOxlZW1V4NPJ-hVEgkuuZyyje4poaP_5MELcydUzm2szlc_tn0KBDKPb2vH-I_SPniKZSWdtQkDpZSdb-pdspXOlu8g/s4032/20240218_115611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iB02kyQ18SPK781BO9K7lnPINGsuPEHDVyLXGLlGSOxmDJp1A138JXZRNS9EPgyvVPnJ88lokFVVxQOEcp-NF5WLomOxlZW1V4NPJ-hVEgkuuZyyje4poaP_5MELcydUzm2szlc_tn0KBDKPb2vH-I_SPniKZSWdtQkDpZSdb-pdspXOlu8g/w640-h312/20240218_115611.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">It's definitely spring in the garden, which is full of crocuses. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4oK_uRWZL0XUHX-lDf7ZF2YzkXdSGfK09EJhlaqg26Q5WUclHRlOGVdhd16o2CTn1q_bGEwY0XZIh-p6ORZwSwzNlLUdDoegmBaWgkSNNWDQDAzCQ2dkjOwxNaj9B3MIQxXoaeSOLMNrhQx87PQws4NMcxJcNkhySYqaqzqLtarqkzP1nVFw/s4032/20240218_115636.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4oK_uRWZL0XUHX-lDf7ZF2YzkXdSGfK09EJhlaqg26Q5WUclHRlOGVdhd16o2CTn1q_bGEwY0XZIh-p6ORZwSwzNlLUdDoegmBaWgkSNNWDQDAzCQ2dkjOwxNaj9B3MIQxXoaeSOLMNrhQx87PQws4NMcxJcNkhySYqaqzqLtarqkzP1nVFw/w400-h195/20240218_115636.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I think I like these pale yellow ones best, </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbN9dihC0fPBs-aJKbUWMN9uu7QOWH-iJ948qZtcGjjYT3lRCSaMNmgpQyDKIXhbgY83XcLLNHZ3hcj-_jfdkK1xZo9fyxYPeAx63tjgHHBt5_PyxlAoXFzIPjFE52V7bDBGUyvoclIjP4x1-qnxKPYB7IapJyDs_6JBdv41NNUSjMbIgb3yk/s4032/20240218_115639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbN9dihC0fPBs-aJKbUWMN9uu7QOWH-iJ948qZtcGjjYT3lRCSaMNmgpQyDKIXhbgY83XcLLNHZ3hcj-_jfdkK1xZo9fyxYPeAx63tjgHHBt5_PyxlAoXFzIPjFE52V7bDBGUyvoclIjP4x1-qnxKPYB7IapJyDs_6JBdv41NNUSjMbIgb3yk/w400-h195/20240218_115639.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>but really,<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUxMFr1lKA38ULOJI6ud7Jyf1aqLu8W_kaeJ6CX60pPPEjyofzBsbJUbRbKhdsWQQY57XgeGgByqUqNWTtZtzCr3D485RfRk3r2MXu20UpTeVse2Hq6TZlOrqh8uIBw4-2PBkJ8cG6pWm8sQxBJFGmYcnpjwy321JlxR0DRo1gvVNaV7OY9Hw/s4032/20240218_115707.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUxMFr1lKA38ULOJI6ud7Jyf1aqLu8W_kaeJ6CX60pPPEjyofzBsbJUbRbKhdsWQQY57XgeGgByqUqNWTtZtzCr3D485RfRk3r2MXu20UpTeVse2Hq6TZlOrqh8uIBw4-2PBkJ8cG6pWm8sQxBJFGmYcnpjwy321JlxR0DRo1gvVNaV7OY9Hw/w400-h195/20240218_115707.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>after the winter, any colour is welcome. Well, apart from orange - though the crocus stamens are acceptable. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8Savc3AQdw-aieGQutxu88fV6aDNlNiUp9r-CCMi4ScyBuC7WXsXQaEB1HppsejX_4-ORMsA4J0mrRRarwSP6puQCfegkGmIpgmDy17W7wSUrMhRJZzranN7nxtUmjLSOC8V3K76q84mPUX539OtPgUmQu_RLmCY6Y73gOpAyklyhTvoJvOv/s4032/20240222_112847.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8Savc3AQdw-aieGQutxu88fV6aDNlNiUp9r-CCMi4ScyBuC7WXsXQaEB1HppsejX_4-ORMsA4J0mrRRarwSP6puQCfegkGmIpgmDy17W7wSUrMhRJZzranN7nxtUmjLSOC8V3K76q84mPUX539OtPgUmQu_RLmCY6Y73gOpAyklyhTvoJvOv/w400-h195/20240222_112847.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Compared to my life as a teacher, which was a whirlwind all day and a frantic round of marking and preparation all evening, our current lives are - I hesitate to say dull, because it's on the whole lovely to be able to potter around, drink coffee with friends and so on - but certainly much less eventful. However, the joy is that we can do things such as, the other day, going to Dawyck Botanic Gardens in the Borders to see their snowdrops. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6rHHVn8FowBJ3oAdQWrkYtRTi1fawdyQEMqGMtYk-Rs33ofYSAtlwyfUhMuS9jXL1h6e9dluO9YbzbwlSOvZ-nTjOW_ocVz5h901GVTR9UiQQc5VJ-BWRvJBKiEe1VFzKfmg6UVmTI_TEdvd0XHbLv2WoX7fxqVymS07s4dQ2aWruYElzIMy/s4032/20240222_114502.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6rHHVn8FowBJ3oAdQWrkYtRTi1fawdyQEMqGMtYk-Rs33ofYSAtlwyfUhMuS9jXL1h6e9dluO9YbzbwlSOvZ-nTjOW_ocVz5h901GVTR9UiQQc5VJ-BWRvJBKiEe1VFzKfmg6UVmTI_TEdvd0XHbLv2WoX7fxqVymS07s4dQ2aWruYElzIMy/w400-h195/20240222_114502.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>They have lots of different varieties, though really it's the huge numbers that are, to me, more impressive. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWY2UTDuRtvTTCL6s9-lWjmwWpeSYvg_bdDDA-qAxvwumL2lDjt_Wh4MNdIY6oJ760zYavgDArNhzRQ4eJeYHfNIDnrlYxySr9Gv22vKtIwyWhlRW9Gt2qgtEjFO8dHdKe75okZUihC2PyBHa9_e33ateooBy_yUycfWA3UMvSHHrf0iFSu8S/s4032/20240222_114436.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWY2UTDuRtvTTCL6s9-lWjmwWpeSYvg_bdDDA-qAxvwumL2lDjt_Wh4MNdIY6oJ760zYavgDArNhzRQ4eJeYHfNIDnrlYxySr9Gv22vKtIwyWhlRW9Gt2qgtEjFO8dHdKe75okZUihC2PyBHa9_e33ateooBy_yUycfWA3UMvSHHrf0iFSu8S/w400-h195/20240222_114436.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They're beautiful individually, especially if you upturn their little faces, </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaGm7tPqMVy1U8PiEDDeRB76b9sX9gB9FgkqifnsHOUPtzMntn0CFVh2IAX7k9ACFloXxUyNQE95vFffgxwWY_-Ak_eG5kvQMiBaG0CEzRI3bjaN1ecAaCykJODwHfLJqmPT0e3lhOEcMKevoWBwebDuF6zMgLNzOvmJ4DL61v-UHpKrawezp/s4032/20240222_115640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaGm7tPqMVy1U8PiEDDeRB76b9sX9gB9FgkqifnsHOUPtzMntn0CFVh2IAX7k9ACFloXxUyNQE95vFffgxwWY_-Ak_eG5kvQMiBaG0CEzRI3bjaN1ecAaCykJODwHfLJqmPT0e3lhOEcMKevoWBwebDuF6zMgLNzOvmJ4DL61v-UHpKrawezp/w640-h312/20240222_115640.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>but in huge swathes,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXtpo40fyZbz2d5-HPcd3W_gssm3MYX8aeNoWaSgJYXrV6I3RGv90Gr26EUxN8v1vDjuBQaipNrNtwZgQW2MYNL68-LwsxvBjAY82L0R3k-wEYxeiuXeeWRX1tB8ZIkbfW_SkTVXWz4E5r62RqAdX4Wue_y-X1ri4Ewp-O_IO5THufp3x8QJ5/s4032/20240222_115624.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXtpo40fyZbz2d5-HPcd3W_gssm3MYX8aeNoWaSgJYXrV6I3RGv90Gr26EUxN8v1vDjuBQaipNrNtwZgQW2MYNL68-LwsxvBjAY82L0R3k-wEYxeiuXeeWRX1tB8ZIkbfW_SkTVXWz4E5r62RqAdX4Wue_y-X1ri4Ewp-O_IO5THufp3x8QJ5/w640-h312/20240222_115624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>which frankly don't come out particularly well in photographs,</p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNaCTEcMIvujw7pTIoDGKKCtk_ucwH2qZ_f1mcWrsA75_8lAbat1L2viQB6RJG5brXdODqPaCW3CLLhiMQ3JQ7TiqdVOKBFdC17nLDX-CE0SWHEzOoLr77qnpUk0uhQo8hUTwnCJgkTe-GNCzAIypEA4XZMN6TwcU-iTpgRhAuUDBqRnjc0x6/s4032/20240222_115553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNaCTEcMIvujw7pTIoDGKKCtk_ucwH2qZ_f1mcWrsA75_8lAbat1L2viQB6RJG5brXdODqPaCW3CLLhiMQ3JQ7TiqdVOKBFdC17nLDX-CE0SWHEzOoLr77qnpUk0uhQo8hUTwnCJgkTe-GNCzAIypEA4XZMN6TwcU-iTpgRhAuUDBqRnjc0x6/w640-h312/20240222_115553.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfrq9n2D61dcc8MBlwLpb0qNdrRV3mOEGeUsac7ry5943ldnJsi9qGDDt3r9UYJsl6JlUuASmPx55BwKaZH15IcA7zwzxEYi1CQrhHF5nrXommjmZZl7JX04GTh_erz1psFrq3M_PD3D1uqISz_LniVXGbXwDAKYj-ylGM3pJdo0aEGwK_GDm/s4032/20240222_115001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfrq9n2D61dcc8MBlwLpb0qNdrRV3mOEGeUsac7ry5943ldnJsi9qGDDt3r9UYJsl6JlUuASmPx55BwKaZH15IcA7zwzxEYi1CQrhHF5nrXommjmZZl7JX04GTh_erz1psFrq3M_PD3D1uqISz_LniVXGbXwDAKYj-ylGM3pJdo0aEGwK_GDm/w640-h312/20240222_115001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>they're stunning to stand and look at.<div><br /></div><div>Wise of them to bloom in early spring, when there's not much competition and we're starving for flowers and beauty and hope. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mr L is off to Glasgow with Big Grandson to see the model railway exhibition, so I'm going to take myself off to our Botanic Gardens for a walk in the sunshine. </div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-54934713676565124552024-02-16T22:54:00.004+00:002024-02-18T21:53:45.149+00:00Mistakes<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_X59VuNttlyF2RB_ZbS1Zj6nAkRhdGCKl0V_MTeBeMU3Cfy-gPpsEpTBroos_nDVVFbZO5P6Pvv4QBKAbYKZR8cui8tQa2mk-WhC3oAKMd_hf24RMtZWooZDL1zNyxIydTBLvEt5xZnR_9WYBOrSR2DAD03GdtQZ2xC7mLcQlBu3Yli6Ci7kc/s4032/20240212_111511.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_X59VuNttlyF2RB_ZbS1Zj6nAkRhdGCKl0V_MTeBeMU3Cfy-gPpsEpTBroos_nDVVFbZO5P6Pvv4QBKAbYKZR8cui8tQa2mk-WhC3oAKMd_hf24RMtZWooZDL1zNyxIydTBLvEt5xZnR_9WYBOrSR2DAD03GdtQZ2xC7mLcQlBu3Yli6Ci7kc/s320/20240212_111511.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><p>We've been in London visiting Daughter 2 and family, taking with us Big Grandson so that he could ride around on London's transport. No accounting for tastes... . Anyway, he and Mr Life did this on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. On Sunday, we all went to the Post Office Museum (which includes a post-train ride), and on Monday and Tuesday I looked after Littlest Granddaughter while her parents worked. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVjK1vNjprsccXIyeg2AGC-bKU5rHwNCxtsZaIbxxIkAOsfVR2xRoYzzNRKf4TxAcFO0TVgf5erBi8vfdCxJl1Sy9Xmfd5FQRhEAsTtIqC-wmBPRmU6LlbAXq-JA6RA3IRAPnzzBQMGxAKIrw7hO4nwOgkoFG6yAK4jpwgSYzlBHxZNnF1Hor/s4032/20240213_093115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVjK1vNjprsccXIyeg2AGC-bKU5rHwNCxtsZaIbxxIkAOsfVR2xRoYzzNRKf4TxAcFO0TVgf5erBi8vfdCxJl1Sy9Xmfd5FQRhEAsTtIqC-wmBPRmU6LlbAXq-JA6RA3IRAPnzzBQMGxAKIrw7hO4nwOgkoFG6yAK4jpwgSYzlBHxZNnF1Hor/s320/20240213_093115.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><p>We had a busy time. She tried five times to teach me how to assemble her toy aeroplane. I got better at it, but never entirely succeeded without help - there must be about fifteen bits. She's 6 and I'm 73. I'm not mechanically minded. I confess I wasn't really trying at the beginning, but started to concentrate once I realised that I was probably going to have to keep doing it till I succeeded. It turned out that even my full concentration wasn't enough. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeYBLPFLq7H7RLJg6i1NBqUcFxrIgO65hE0X8hj17BlFF9CM7Lfyc-0YqpZ24eKvUIxp7hEZurMpyNNdjXdWAv-Ioaq-6tpshgwJz1T6wt8ftegtdaqnzDe9N4mWxi1rwrBF3Dxg4T2c9w0NaOD3VtwwDZr3g6E6Z-X8CV0pd7vRx1W6i4fbk/s4032/20240214_161226.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeYBLPFLq7H7RLJg6i1NBqUcFxrIgO65hE0X8hj17BlFF9CM7Lfyc-0YqpZ24eKvUIxp7hEZurMpyNNdjXdWAv-Ioaq-6tpshgwJz1T6wt8ftegtdaqnzDe9N4mWxi1rwrBF3Dxg4T2c9w0NaOD3VtwwDZr3g6E6Z-X8CV0pd7vRx1W6i4fbk/s320/20240214_161226.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>And now we're home and it's amaryllis time again, and today was beautiful and I got some gardening done, hurray. </p><p>I'm learning things I didn't know about American English through Duolingo, which requires one to translate from the French and German which I'm brushing up. It marks one wrong when one doesn't guess what it wants one to say. For example, when I translated from its French, "I didn't wash before work because I got up late", it wanted me to say, "I didn't wash <i>up </i>before work because I woke up late." Do you really say this, Americans? Here, washing up refers to doing the dishes. And it doesn't allow you to say "football" when it wants "soccer" (I mean, "fussball", Duolingo!), and objects to your saying "in my break" when it wants "on my break". It's interesting, though, if a bit frustrating. </p><p>I'd try some Scottish English on it (we say, for example, "amn't" as in "I'm right, amn't I?") but you only get five mistakes ("mistakes") and then you have to buy more credit, so I don't think I will... . English people would say "aren't I?", which sounds odd to me. We don't say, "I are", after all. How about Americans? Australians? New Zealanders? Are you of the "aren't I?" persuasion. </p><p></p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-84534239638671844992024-02-08T22:02:00.003+00:002024-02-08T22:02:46.554+00:00Spending<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3tJGCbkog7_8gfvsnxifMEBdU8v9KIl0VDvL-8c6Vrl5f4C_y00kfIDbuuyonc9vQ4z0TPa46pogYFZ87_s7d8pkbD0s128kn-hpsGuQITxK3Y1lwZZSYamB8SYF_UVaHx4QzhsmsoOzDcNB9UhrC9_7EUExBNVqToQ1t_5fwnMzyPrTPs8q/s4032/20240207_104206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3tJGCbkog7_8gfvsnxifMEBdU8v9KIl0VDvL-8c6Vrl5f4C_y00kfIDbuuyonc9vQ4z0TPa46pogYFZ87_s7d8pkbD0s128kn-hpsGuQITxK3Y1lwZZSYamB8SYF_UVaHx4QzhsmsoOzDcNB9UhrC9_7EUExBNVqToQ1t_5fwnMzyPrTPs8q/w640-h312/20240207_104206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />It was such a beautiful day yesterday, and one thought: Spring! But today was very chilly. Winter!<p></p><p>I was walking along the other day, mind idling, and suddenly thought about the verb "to spend". I suppose it's obvious, but I had never really realised how significant it is that we use this verb about both money and time. We spend our money and it's gone. We spend our time and it's even more gone - no possibility of earning more. </p><p>We talk about spending time wisely - but when you're my age (73, with the time-purse getting rather empty), what <i>is</i> the wisest way of spending it? </p><p>Answers on a postcard, please... </p><p>(Maybe it's better just not to think about it.)</p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-52718240785138173882024-02-03T20:13:00.003+00:002024-02-03T20:13:50.055+00:00Sunshine<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjge8O3eL7Ij_q_Xnre8cJ7U6nx44VdJyfTy8fgeIu0bMen4jZnY8JbR2kCRk99cqSLhZ6KppFw8IvE2unTykvimCNg4eNPRQbWqZeyFrykqK2Hn3ih5_4Ua1U-KHh48q7-x8hZ2XRlOoBd1i6Fw0vyUSShIxFawfxWwIm2YC8YYdb66PwSi5Cl/s4032/20240203_102622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjge8O3eL7Ij_q_Xnre8cJ7U6nx44VdJyfTy8fgeIu0bMen4jZnY8JbR2kCRk99cqSLhZ6KppFw8IvE2unTykvimCNg4eNPRQbWqZeyFrykqK2Hn3ih5_4Ua1U-KHh48q7-x8hZ2XRlOoBd1i6Fw0vyUSShIxFawfxWwIm2YC8YYdb66PwSi5Cl/w640-h312/20240203_102622.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The weather was beautiful, if somewhat chilly, today and we went up to visit the UnBloggables in their home territory, an hour and a quarter's drive away. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpELUiKW41FUHFvP-y6xVtJZmPSZkjfiBnW4UOHQsWgw9UtN_gQqAbUK21DKJ3FJ0qWYuvMgKJklduoxicQnj9o9-ha6PuvZ__rEtcUS4cgYOw3Q9Q5K_IceiZhrmvPwxX9ySqVC5zCuRlnw3OY5HzwDN69w0ifKpFktyfIciQK5cjkkNXyiAu/s4032/20240203_102639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpELUiKW41FUHFvP-y6xVtJZmPSZkjfiBnW4UOHQsWgw9UtN_gQqAbUK21DKJ3FJ0qWYuvMgKJklduoxicQnj9o9-ha6PuvZ__rEtcUS4cgYOw3Q9Q5K_IceiZhrmvPwxX9ySqVC5zCuRlnw3OY5HzwDN69w0ifKpFktyfIciQK5cjkkNXyiAu/w400-h195/20240203_102639.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We had a detour via a friend's house, and then cut through somewhat alarmingly narrow roads, up and down and round corners, to the park where we were meeting the UnBloggables. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDIqASAI2-ojentPsI-YMlYXmofeRt5VskV-iy2s4M1qRdPKZt7OOJRf_LlEeAEnK46-uIix7iVa_De-htIsKZvUzK_YEcHXVmuM875E-TkgPZG54piglbGFLxaeEcNmLK92ze3mL8fE1zma6hAxvcsFtaaVlc_bp_Q3DEIiLzQr86SecJJqP/s4032/20240203_102726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDIqASAI2-ojentPsI-YMlYXmofeRt5VskV-iy2s4M1qRdPKZt7OOJRf_LlEeAEnK46-uIix7iVa_De-htIsKZvUzK_YEcHXVmuM875E-TkgPZG54piglbGFLxaeEcNmLK92ze3mL8fE1zma6hAxvcsFtaaVlc_bp_Q3DEIiLzQr86SecJJqP/w640-h312/20240203_102726.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Would you like to live in this house? I would, in daylight and in summer. But in the dark, or in winter, I prefer to be nearer other people - being of a somewhat nervous disposition. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSmhY-HttPTAk7Ztr1zwHtC90bxKEhCmTw13XZiokfigMOp12A9kZv69peR5MtMKtH3z7bq9ih7poXXd0h2SGVtM3wzLQt-1SuUR64G2Hbeg32EeWNs0Ej0_Luw-2wFqi9rwAEQOHeh-M1jHlOEObfSxhN73ErKKnPXm9wJJtS89aCTws-C7d/s4032/20240203_113145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSmhY-HttPTAk7Ztr1zwHtC90bxKEhCmTw13XZiokfigMOp12A9kZv69peR5MtMKtH3z7bq9ih7poXXd0h2SGVtM3wzLQt-1SuUR64G2Hbeg32EeWNs0Ej0_Luw-2wFqi9rwAEQOHeh-M1jHlOEObfSxhN73ErKKnPXm9wJJtS89aCTws-C7d/w400-h195/20240203_113145.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>This is the park where we spent the morning. It was lovely to see Son and the little ones - the first time this year. Medium Granddaughter is so chatty and affectionate. I wish we could see more of her and her (also lovely) little brother. But hey ho. </p><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduQoSSRnXQzLo9F5fLl5syeZJ2PIo-KkEmcwmVU-C6-VRKZlNVoR9_rC9OCz9IYF3KBzV1eNrECoSAcC6EKVmIOu41LOzouH1sIVNDllcRq7KKzB1cSQgPnFL4-16h9HQCjSRLVrfLJ6EBK5O-Vyxsm8vf4w9ar8fxryVt5Aww2iW8PUiEigP/s4032/20240202_100424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="4032" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduQoSSRnXQzLo9F5fLl5syeZJ2PIo-KkEmcwmVU-C6-VRKZlNVoR9_rC9OCz9IYF3KBzV1eNrECoSAcC6EKVmIOu41LOzouH1sIVNDllcRq7KKzB1cSQgPnFL4-16h9HQCjSRLVrfLJ6EBK5O-Vyxsm8vf4w9ar8fxryVt5Aww2iW8PUiEigP/w640-h102/20240202_100424.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>This death announcement was in The Scotsman (newspaper) this morning. Hmm. There's a story there, one feels. </p><p>The light is returning and the spring flowers are coming out. But it's only February and winter could have a few things in store yet. I hope it hasn't!</p> <p></p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-78106038117160230102024-01-24T21:05:00.004+00:002024-01-24T23:18:00.524+00:00The retired life<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8ju8k1hhX-7wcrR-0h4swHTLcz5CihwcRTZiXt13O4q_0swIx-910UL8t9ZJlOJHAahA7eVqn9tySYsv7yNqCenrfP9-apjmvDnS7sRy5L8cAWoSz5rdUDmo8g5P3_fvk2lPWCmKT4hVWqWdlF0Vnl-4jmMIImZ0fwFZe52Se8QyLZv4iQoI/s4032/20240117_112157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8ju8k1hhX-7wcrR-0h4swHTLcz5CihwcRTZiXt13O4q_0swIx-910UL8t9ZJlOJHAahA7eVqn9tySYsv7yNqCenrfP9-apjmvDnS7sRy5L8cAWoSz5rdUDmo8g5P3_fvk2lPWCmKT4hVWqWdlF0Vnl-4jmMIImZ0fwFZe52Se8QyLZv4iQoI/w640-h312/20240117_112157.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The weather has been somewhat revolting for the last couple of weeks - rainy and sometimes very windy - so we've sought indoor activities. For example, we went to an exhibition featuring the art of the printer over the centuries. I would very much have this Elizabeth Blackadder on my walls, thank you. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSclrsWeYsfoR1HYfhm8CALUZ_KR1-k0h4GYDDGn4qF65rePuMYlgTxBJOeWLY7pSi2qoX2AKnMXRskiU6esE-VgSuG5FJSTpJ5VgD1yr_3pTnnP2StlfQM4i3R5I-qSsHhaK8ak2qf8Zha0hFMQUV1GjpylJcJToInjvhiwi1soOUfP8LjoFy/s4032/20240117_112203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSclrsWeYsfoR1HYfhm8CALUZ_KR1-k0h4GYDDGn4qF65rePuMYlgTxBJOeWLY7pSi2qoX2AKnMXRskiU6esE-VgSuG5FJSTpJ5VgD1yr_3pTnnP2StlfQM4i3R5I-qSsHhaK8ak2qf8Zha0hFMQUV1GjpylJcJToInjvhiwi1soOUfP8LjoFy/s320/20240117_112203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I love the cat's fed-up expression, all in the eyes. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYmBZcMLcuTYOedj3pt0NjCrAM_No2d9ZeyyQe1SMCDagQdGIn6nUM-tbAd9dOduRahpLzSviNfaozlZAesV3TCVAKHPOOckVG3NHI9rvkmgwkQgiyuP122-CIOG_miFbYOyd97IS0jZ-Fx3uGxuByLSwFgxaJwy4pERtcN2LJp1UAgUsDDRG/s4032/20240117_115045.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYmBZcMLcuTYOedj3pt0NjCrAM_No2d9ZeyyQe1SMCDagQdGIn6nUM-tbAd9dOduRahpLzSviNfaozlZAesV3TCVAKHPOOckVG3NHI9rvkmgwkQgiyuP122-CIOG_miFbYOyd97IS0jZ-Fx3uGxuByLSwFgxaJwy4pERtcN2LJp1UAgUsDDRG/w195-h400/20240117_115045.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><p>In complete contrast is this, by Claude Mellan (1598-1688). The entire picture is one line, starting on the tip of the nose and moving outwards, the darker areas being made when the line(s) get closer together.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpnvBvc9l1UrQXhXSCpTJ3eKQ4j2qIaPJsdNk6mlYl2TjOGetP0MdGVu0W-IDgEAx-4bS-BMyGLyR76WjuZxfYa2w_H7pzFGNN8QkZDDIpGd3xUvXXnPX_H47LmkqdOzyLoPsjIgo7qHCD2szPw-VAR3A15WXNbcAXOKmqkZgTI8yFb1vajOR/s4032/20240117_115051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpnvBvc9l1UrQXhXSCpTJ3eKQ4j2qIaPJsdNk6mlYl2TjOGetP0MdGVu0W-IDgEAx-4bS-BMyGLyR76WjuZxfYa2w_H7pzFGNN8QkZDDIpGd3xUvXXnPX_H47LmkqdOzyLoPsjIgo7qHCD2szPw-VAR3A15WXNbcAXOKmqkZgTI8yFb1vajOR/w312-h640/20240117_115051.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The line is an estimated 150 metres long. I hope that M. Mellan would be pleased that, four-ish centuries after he slaved away on it, people are still finding it amazing. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgml8365ghypnKQqgs7zam7kDzkTbyCuJQ7xW3mP2UVS80Z9-sGAZbm681nVAIPJkM2FRDQJZNWYQP0zNaXU-CmJ2nIe0t5J3jLyXbjcykWXmlZ7MvWVFgTWI6er_A3emTv3aK_exDjZJwsqvUo0OX37Lw8ptPTPhsjc2AMGgadGF1z-dkAtVUg/s1024/IMG-20240120-WA0007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgml8365ghypnKQqgs7zam7kDzkTbyCuJQ7xW3mP2UVS80Z9-sGAZbm681nVAIPJkM2FRDQJZNWYQP0zNaXU-CmJ2nIe0t5J3jLyXbjcykWXmlZ7MvWVFgTWI6er_A3emTv3aK_exDjZJwsqvUo0OX37Lw8ptPTPhsjc2AMGgadGF1z-dkAtVUg/w400-h300/IMG-20240120-WA0007.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On Saturday, hooray, the sun shone for our walking group, so we took advantage of this. (I'm in the middle, with a black coat.) It was lovely to be outside, stretching the old legs. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRmmxBoJ6itWLZzw6-HZKIOMeImCkBRGD7R2i3MIGy-SChkGbgf9ikHKrwef2iyfI2TOhRibV8MqsZXX6HVTJOv67Xd1GE3r9MFBZk7_wo2hyfqNoVG7Am1wjZRHoZgS-01aA_NajIWpJyyZlTA4E_0qheyk4vQWIGJhUCfYbnoPy5mkq8d_9/s4032/20240121_121348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRmmxBoJ6itWLZzw6-HZKIOMeImCkBRGD7R2i3MIGy-SChkGbgf9ikHKrwef2iyfI2TOhRibV8MqsZXX6HVTJOv67Xd1GE3r9MFBZk7_wo2hyfqNoVG7Am1wjZRHoZgS-01aA_NajIWpJyyZlTA4E_0qheyk4vQWIGJhUCfYbnoPy5mkq8d_9/w400-h195/20240121_121348.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I'm getting on with quilting Big Granddaughter's dragon quilt (dragons not pictured). She's given me detailed instructions on how to quilt it. I might have chosen less labour-intensive ways, but she was firm. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAIrKHElF2pNHsF7i-C0gGHCXkfVGJvAgHwRWQUjk1qP7rb13kOObHwVUx1-Omeu9fLtrJahWXIzyBbqlHd_IkAEPgNKwloPi_u0WGS3PhPE_0ScWCYIKi9zU4MvqE1nS-g7PWBF6SFlKqS_YxTJX-FVe3nOM_Y5lHu-GyHT27qm7olQEnJlK/s4032/20240123_111456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAIrKHElF2pNHsF7i-C0gGHCXkfVGJvAgHwRWQUjk1qP7rb13kOObHwVUx1-Omeu9fLtrJahWXIzyBbqlHd_IkAEPgNKwloPi_u0WGS3PhPE_0ScWCYIKi9zU4MvqE1nS-g7PWBF6SFlKqS_YxTJX-FVe3nOM_Y5lHu-GyHT27qm7olQEnJlK/w400-h195/20240123_111456.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Another wet day we went to the museum, where there was an exhibition of wildlife photography. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAi3foP0nI-xgWDPCZre2o3xxQ5m4K8jpX019UQnaRwKViprbRCKLtR-jvZNZL61er9Oj5hr9GCua8mgSSKbormMSrTXB7dveyAL4BaQ-LFxT4XWHyyqa9AeHxfwFuQSyp-3H0wWBwfD81x2mvgkFEWABZaW6zXFEn4c92g2atwfKU6-pMb5uL/s4032/20240123_114531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAi3foP0nI-xgWDPCZre2o3xxQ5m4K8jpX019UQnaRwKViprbRCKLtR-jvZNZL61er9Oj5hr9GCua8mgSSKbormMSrTXB7dveyAL4BaQ-LFxT4XWHyyqa9AeHxfwFuQSyp-3H0wWBwfD81x2mvgkFEWABZaW6zXFEn4c92g2atwfKU6-pMb5uL/w400-h195/20240123_114531.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A mum and baby hippo by Mike Korostolev. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXtkQYhF7Sd5TPPm18GFKUQJToRv90EPsvtcwse2nxYzQtchfzuEkNhztqFKfLJOAaMgq8HZWju4umCphe0GqAyAe-aHPzN_4cSBa6xTvdtFifjSFfBe-bb-h_XRPj2X9PUlRO_N1UR3OyGRshtugNLQMgHWRC-Fx6ByvMvpuRn4gtTFhXkIf/s4032/20240123_121114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXtkQYhF7Sd5TPPm18GFKUQJToRv90EPsvtcwse2nxYzQtchfzuEkNhztqFKfLJOAaMgq8HZWju4umCphe0GqAyAe-aHPzN_4cSBa6xTvdtFifjSFfBe-bb-h_XRPj2X9PUlRO_N1UR3OyGRshtugNLQMgHWRC-Fx6ByvMvpuRn4gtTFhXkIf/w640-h312/20240123_121114.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A horseshoe crab, which is seemingly not a crab at all, with some fish which are hovering about, hoping that the horseshoe non-crab will disturb something that they can then eat. This was taken by Laurent Ballesta and won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolrPl1sys1vYpOCJpyN0mkHlNnTXnT_KFJozvnHdPV1BDAvTUWmVIG0DHbANRSXox9EnHx8dSJiQ5euCHQrfNjjoQCnOeNMZ0TSd4AVcrB0N8HcFHJU_MyZbGXCK4y0mPoInRC2nGe_kq7pUvcmkPMh0_8awuqPMDoKz1A56QeG_0P5qRawGR/s4032/20240123_121434.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolrPl1sys1vYpOCJpyN0mkHlNnTXnT_KFJozvnHdPV1BDAvTUWmVIG0DHbANRSXox9EnHx8dSJiQ5euCHQrfNjjoQCnOeNMZ0TSd4AVcrB0N8HcFHJU_MyZbGXCK4y0mPoInRC2nGe_kq7pUvcmkPMh0_8awuqPMDoKz1A56QeG_0P5qRawGR/w640-h312/20240123_121434.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is very impressive too, by Amit Eshel: two Nubian ibex having a fight. Kind of symbolises what's going on in the world, led by idiot males. At least the ibex are only endangering themselves. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkPysdoKP2Hg1z5vEyE48t5X93UqeZW_2SjyhKpREEC40odSxwCvZGSvQUR2afv2LlfYgHFJMTkC3gRReHl2CJlk4bn6SFUIhA-KiPmc7rRrYXLoH6LoVgm6Vy4JVjnjXvou2khQpm8lVC35M8y19BUa_puFTq1z7Xfke0mbHf1FSsRSOA0Lo/s4032/20240124_113841.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkPysdoKP2Hg1z5vEyE48t5X93UqeZW_2SjyhKpREEC40odSxwCvZGSvQUR2afv2LlfYgHFJMTkC3gRReHl2CJlk4bn6SFUIhA-KiPmc7rRrYXLoH6LoVgm6Vy4JVjnjXvou2khQpm8lVC35M8y19BUa_puFTq1z7Xfke0mbHf1FSsRSOA0Lo/w400-h195/20240124_113841.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And today it <i>wasn't raining</i> so we walked along the river through Stockbridge. Look how wide the river is at the moment, after all that rain. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTfbT7BsFHyFP6o4B_fxJZgllgkv8P5yUaD1okRdH1UJKMhpdTprzSAgNJUcXHZUSbrkkxqefBs3oDZ-gzLH69OY4sRwfM0iNMtO2O46u1nBhkUfuBUu67GKl7yERr9S5DWwguCyVGO5StxKjd7Dtgw7hI49LHNb61pRmN_DS7jFPwUOzEN4L/s4032/20240124_114131.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTfbT7BsFHyFP6o4B_fxJZgllgkv8P5yUaD1okRdH1UJKMhpdTprzSAgNJUcXHZUSbrkkxqefBs3oDZ-gzLH69OY4sRwfM0iNMtO2O46u1nBhkUfuBUu67GKl7yERr9S5DWwguCyVGO5StxKjd7Dtgw7hI49LHNb61pRmN_DS7jFPwUOzEN4L/w400-h195/20240124_114131.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It was peaceful, though. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWc-srbcpb02pt8Edo8EeSxvkGoVn0yOPAGVCLs6s5Q0fCJIQMJG9tQ1WszNLM4t9MhtGYJOZ2uqVN8dJGqjkWA18U6161QSfJ2WECYiYdE73jeU-ZcWlK6z48L4TANjFW63sTvrXPe43WtjPNWUxA_aajWhfChb-VbbIduz7-uiYDv9xgpyC/s4032/20240124_114350.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWc-srbcpb02pt8Edo8EeSxvkGoVn0yOPAGVCLs6s5Q0fCJIQMJG9tQ1WszNLM4t9MhtGYJOZ2uqVN8dJGqjkWA18U6161QSfJ2WECYiYdE73jeU-ZcWlK6z48L4TANjFW63sTvrXPe43WtjPNWUxA_aajWhfChb-VbbIduz7-uiYDv9xgpyC/s320/20240124_114350.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We took some stuff to charity shops - we do this so often that I can't understand why we still have so much stuff left - must try harder -</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb1gom1aenr3Qmmqg2FxrojkZGZI3CO9sni95M8sJ0cxtJZoFg00xwPstC7izW4_e9J5SR0EhG2g814eglyESr8pz_3-DlYfG8Y94QVWYfHxEU5FedUkQwQj_BEnSNdnCBwT8LmC_oPHK2yCs0Y_W6ZP766Og7s0ucRGNrg23yS2VZ69QN1CP/s4032/20240124_115208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb1gom1aenr3Qmmqg2FxrojkZGZI3CO9sni95M8sJ0cxtJZoFg00xwPstC7izW4_e9J5SR0EhG2g814eglyESr8pz_3-DlYfG8Y94QVWYfHxEU5FedUkQwQj_BEnSNdnCBwT8LmC_oPHK2yCs0Y_W6ZP766Og7s0ucRGNrg23yS2VZ69QN1CP/w400-h195/20240124_115208.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>and enjoyed the sunshine and exercise. <br /> <p></p></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-72827938069473995752024-01-15T15:38:00.002+00:002024-01-15T15:40:50.885+00:00Photos of weather and things<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip84bhjNwjOVNHTwSJ3e96kCfmPYXu8a9rd1bRJMtftR53_BqjpxURAF5lchd3gr3IsuSPsgikXXuEkaGgFFlp8ORSyTmFJFloMEp8QecJF8Z_UjZQ0AApzdHvdt_ES5Wmk2dKUsbVokti9BJDNrAXu6wUZVElCnHdjk4_K4VuJiik3CTzfKPL/s4032/20240111_114712.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip84bhjNwjOVNHTwSJ3e96kCfmPYXu8a9rd1bRJMtftR53_BqjpxURAF5lchd3gr3IsuSPsgikXXuEkaGgFFlp8ORSyTmFJFloMEp8QecJF8Z_UjZQ0AApzdHvdt_ES5Wmk2dKUsbVokti9BJDNrAXu6wUZVElCnHdjk4_K4VuJiik3CTzfKPL/s320/20240111_114712.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We have nothing exciting to report - socialising and grandparenting, but nothing of note. We're upping our walking again, trying to get fitter after not walking so much post-hip-op. My hip is... fine. No pain to speak of, slight discomfort from the wound. I can't say, though, that the flexibility has improved much. I still can't put on my right sock or cut my right toenails! I'm hoping this may come. Ah, old age. <div><br /></div><div>Anyway, we went along the river to the gallery (where we naturally had coffee) and back. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjys6F-nzqibkXyjacYaZVmD6q6tRw28PRkCL2NOonQffpTbfUnxwpEfr2Djgw_fg39Qpi6JM2n3zgg8ssCmum1rDiiwzX6sC5VYXOt0_9RmhdJv3KxcukZJYQ2kVvfX3uxICacQ4VruXPc1q2tYhWJn49M0yoSRlPu46Crvn01MS-LC6TJ3PQZ/s4032/20240111_115702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjys6F-nzqibkXyjacYaZVmD6q6tRw28PRkCL2NOonQffpTbfUnxwpEfr2Djgw_fg39Qpi6JM2n3zgg8ssCmum1rDiiwzX6sC5VYXOt0_9RmhdJv3KxcukZJYQ2kVvfX3uxICacQ4VruXPc1q2tYhWJn49M0yoSRlPu46Crvn01MS-LC6TJ3PQZ/w640-h312/20240111_115702.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>3 and a half miles or so, and everything was fine. So that was good. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IOndSgta8qdXJQHTURgeB6RHS1QPMNnvHI6ZZwgCpbOMJkYrJRX5qBIHsIcyD94-JRJQlGCYe9EPszCy7URc9PNnEgrmmi90wcbfosn__pQgn3dPKIgZeR-UuUkgHFXbYV44ge6tL_23piPTULUK13IIZroAc1F9Ljk8aRbR4sKBAx4Dm044/s4032/20240113_112930.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IOndSgta8qdXJQHTURgeB6RHS1QPMNnvHI6ZZwgCpbOMJkYrJRX5qBIHsIcyD94-JRJQlGCYe9EPszCy7URc9PNnEgrmmi90wcbfosn__pQgn3dPKIgZeR-UuUkgHFXbYV44ge6tL_23piPTULUK13IIZroAc1F9Ljk8aRbR4sKBAx4Dm044/w640-h312/20240113_112930.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We've had a few nice sunny days for local walks</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6h0CmT2rZeo4xVCsnYhw_CwAHSavv3h45ERyzSP0Wq8vrEZfQQN-2PMC6Bvk33FU_rBG5_H2nEM9vodlI3LUjnYXZeKZ3x6S1RfJdedAEecjv5gcNSMlqlFwSlBX1Wf7tfHcbnOH4OyZMDj_K309ms_m5zR27XUG3RivgxdlGWlaKCpvUwv98/s4032/20240113_112422.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6h0CmT2rZeo4xVCsnYhw_CwAHSavv3h45ERyzSP0Wq8vrEZfQQN-2PMC6Bvk33FU_rBG5_H2nEM9vodlI3LUjnYXZeKZ3x6S1RfJdedAEecjv5gcNSMlqlFwSlBX1Wf7tfHcbnOH4OyZMDj_K309ms_m5zR27XUG3RivgxdlGWlaKCpvUwv98/s320/20240113_112422.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><div><br /></div>and it's sunny today too, but COLD! (by our standards). The Met Office says it's currently 0 degrees C and will drop to -2 tonight, which is 28.4F. Cold enough! I've just had coffee with friends and we're split between those who say they prefer it to be cold and sunny and those who don't mind a bit of murk and rain as long as it's mild. I think I'm the latter, but on the other hand, out of my study window the sky is a beautiful, cloudless blue so ... maybe. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have the Instagram app on my phone, mainly to see Daughter 2's occasional posts, and am astonished by the sad videos put up by people about their ill children or dead husbands. I can see absolutely why they're sad. But people - mainly young women - put up films of themselves (for example) weeping on a sad anniversary. Is it cathartic for them, I wonder? Do they not want the person forgotten? - but then, most of those who see the video never knew the deceased. It's an odd thing, social media (she writes, putting up photos of her walks and drivelling on about her toenails). <br /> <p></p></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-11199440484842489142024-01-11T16:45:00.001+00:002024-01-11T16:45:03.534+00:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokyLOhDmAAPlT6CrpgtoDW5MAfh074kE4-ruLjupSP-1x0n8zwuh54G3iKd-UVN6-mKi9Gja6ke6Av9lHXW_q2ABNq51IaQq-QQszXKQ4cBpX4Do9Ol10LiyYBwmCSe84xFUN2Q8XLTzZym0mcYf8GluWHmFIIvhi3_kQV-Y-2palzkfAfOoN/s4032/20240106_114313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokyLOhDmAAPlT6CrpgtoDW5MAfh074kE4-ruLjupSP-1x0n8zwuh54G3iKd-UVN6-mKi9Gja6ke6Av9lHXW_q2ABNq51IaQq-QQszXKQ4cBpX4Do9Ol10LiyYBwmCSe84xFUN2Q8XLTzZym0mcYf8GluWHmFIIvhi3_kQV-Y-2palzkfAfOoN/w640-h312/20240106_114313.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>It's January - no one (in Britain)'s favourite month, I expect - but the days are getting longer. We went for our first walk in the Botanics since I had my hip operation and it went fine. What would life be without walking in the Botanics? In the first weeks after the op, my operated leg felt quite tired - a strange sensation, one leg being tired when the other wasn't. However, we've gradually been lengthening our walks and I feel fairly back to normal now, if not particularly fit because of not having walked enough over the Christmas/New Year/Golden Wedding shindig time. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8AdTkEdO3fFtH_TbP_8Gyfjee-SAanfVfJf6mcwVED5NIBkcYEUL92geiyuIYemiOPTK7TrCvllRJ_V9y75tfCmVaHRhLs3zA5vJdMycm09xi0RU2LLiedw26VapJk3G7mk4kD81tU5RlziHAv4nMw9B2J8GCFvBz1yeRLzAFNFizR04f5Z7/s4032/20240106_114552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8AdTkEdO3fFtH_TbP_8Gyfjee-SAanfVfJf6mcwVED5NIBkcYEUL92geiyuIYemiOPTK7TrCvllRJ_V9y75tfCmVaHRhLs3zA5vJdMycm09xi0RU2LLiedw26VapJk3G7mk4kD81tU5RlziHAv4nMw9B2J8GCFvBz1yeRLzAFNFizR04f5Z7/w400-h195/20240106_114552.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The sunshine did the heart good. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZw67BeVKwKW3pr8hxexzPiH_PrV6b4V2JttJvVJxcf6RwhIUAeiLCCCn9_OmrODlX-KWte8RW5lvgdul90ZQBAp14l9-GMTm3xedkw4ZX0PFQpthcsn4LAtFh5u8RTZuwDEmetd_yiJ5yys4t39CLfXbRz8IlyZBiwy082ALEujX_ioruUewy/s4032/20240106_115749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZw67BeVKwKW3pr8hxexzPiH_PrV6b4V2JttJvVJxcf6RwhIUAeiLCCCn9_OmrODlX-KWte8RW5lvgdul90ZQBAp14l9-GMTm3xedkw4ZX0PFQpthcsn4LAtFh5u8RTZuwDEmetd_yiJ5yys4t39CLfXbRz8IlyZBiwy082ALEujX_ioruUewy/w400-h195/20240106_115749.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And look - flowers.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CbfExHFaRkiGIHB1lWFYiG9-3ZNzz9sX7cE1zpb_lJ7BPdv5NDeCMExhhVqugxGzfxp-n9T2ih9v34r22vECmHSIhIFA4xbZgjij2QGwiPWve6xcHFmrM98l7scmdkBP3I2qTZ4X9D6T1hMzFF7f_s-kxOMVLsEBB7Jm8ianAQgjK0tP1Bd9/s4032/20240106_115829.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CbfExHFaRkiGIHB1lWFYiG9-3ZNzz9sX7cE1zpb_lJ7BPdv5NDeCMExhhVqugxGzfxp-n9T2ih9v34r22vECmHSIhIFA4xbZgjij2QGwiPWve6xcHFmrM98l7scmdkBP3I2qTZ4X9D6T1hMzFF7f_s-kxOMVLsEBB7Jm8ianAQgjK0tP1Bd9/w400-h195/20240106_115829.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On Sunday, Grandson and I went on another bus trip. It's his idea of a good way to spend an afternoon, and he's not going anywhere much by himself yet so it's a fine excuse to spend time with him. He's nearly 12 and a half, and who knows how much longer his Granny will be a desired companion? I'm making the most of it, anyway. We got a bus to the airport, another (Stagecoach 747, new to him and thus interesting) to near South Queensferry. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNViGud8pDBOB8ZXH8dgKyPLt1kY_OVcS2GgpMKjp6I52yzsfzyL-aMQG8HmDYpm8ysf2FmSUQ9UBunpvWgYThc5pHsQbQw1JbMwG_ANWZ3KjizNvf758x-Eie5O1aaT_e1p6OcAL_JFOvnhUz7X7t1RyGOWZXVFwiGjGbsxset4u01uGT52Bw/s4032/20240107_142120.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNViGud8pDBOB8ZXH8dgKyPLt1kY_OVcS2GgpMKjp6I52yzsfzyL-aMQG8HmDYpm8ysf2FmSUQ9UBunpvWgYThc5pHsQbQw1JbMwG_ANWZ3KjizNvf758x-Eie5O1aaT_e1p6OcAL_JFOvnhUz7X7t1RyGOWZXVFwiGjGbsxset4u01uGT52Bw/w640-h312/20240107_142120.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We walked down to the village past an intriguing traffic light (not on, so what was it for on a very quiet, nay completely empty, road?) and had a fortifying snack (well, he did. I've eaten too much recently...). Look at him with his hand on his chin, looking mystified for my photo. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15hNA6M-R-Bj5bY_i6dLbhm8Wcfxr6rQLJ4P_cTNmIl-y3iDYlK9HFSS5tNRmxn1VAjkAaSaOsVKQWlgIm-fw_d8fx532ifDJKd2uZjrq2uYJFM3yrZ0RMxHERpf3MlhPXtiTzSnMKnfyGSCObUmX79uM7KCa8kPq1DD6QD-NsXjK23dkR1va/s4032/20240107_151320.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15hNA6M-R-Bj5bY_i6dLbhm8Wcfxr6rQLJ4P_cTNmIl-y3iDYlK9HFSS5tNRmxn1VAjkAaSaOsVKQWlgIm-fw_d8fx532ifDJKd2uZjrq2uYJFM3yrZ0RMxHERpf3MlhPXtiTzSnMKnfyGSCObUmX79uM7KCa8kPq1DD6QD-NsXjK23dkR1va/s320/20240107_151320.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFq2JRchXq7Tqdwk0yUY3mu8EZxdAPhJ0euEC5mn_Jo-SXl8OZUReLvnC5mEJsmmeGXbimn4ken4Rbn6oYIv2Fplw06euxE7a0lP9YAumtuAJ0928u7aolY3wTf0KeC1FT-i2o3NVAZG3ulTzVEmzv8zwqHO9vsAjZVh5vBS82upKCT2LtW84C/s2048/IMG-20240107-WA0022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFq2JRchXq7Tqdwk0yUY3mu8EZxdAPhJ0euEC5mn_Jo-SXl8OZUReLvnC5mEJsmmeGXbimn4ken4Rbn6oYIv2Fplw06euxE7a0lP9YAumtuAJ0928u7aolY3wTf0KeC1FT-i2o3NVAZG3ulTzVEmzv8zwqHO9vsAjZVh5vBS82upKCT2LtW84C/s320/IMG-20240107-WA0022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Then we got another bus to Dalmeny Station, took the train back to Edinburgh and a bus to our house. Such a nice afternoon with a lovely boy! I shall remember these days when I'm decrepit and he doesn't need me any more. Meanwhile - I look forward to further such outings. It's SO nice to be a granny. <br /> <p></p></div></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-84517897714964735102024-01-04T11:25:00.005+00:002024-01-04T11:25:44.174+00:00Happy 2024!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zbhEt57QRXNj7YmjZLPpWoB0yBZGIi0u8if-BhOuhXsgkIYdpIXK4ZrvUV7M2vSTrbJY4yTH9ErWZKssci7i7ch-18nBG1s1gnq98QDmvFblcOh4UUIIomd9LgqcN7u-Ck5eTA-Qxegst3Bl3WZBUMxHLbF19nBf7Rvm5HmmWkbvKRGH7wuu/s4032/20231227_120704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zbhEt57QRXNj7YmjZLPpWoB0yBZGIi0u8if-BhOuhXsgkIYdpIXK4ZrvUV7M2vSTrbJY4yTH9ErWZKssci7i7ch-18nBG1s1gnq98QDmvFblcOh4UUIIomd9LgqcN7u-Ck5eTA-Qxegst3Bl3WZBUMxHLbF19nBf7Rvm5HmmWkbvKRGH7wuu/w400-h195/20231227_120704.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Well, we made it. By December 27 2023, we'd been married for 50 years. This has passed alarmingly fast. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiyhPOTahZigwcJ0ItDmuPDI_HfdJMSqfiLRtgrv7Ng4KcRchP_G7EEeYEgutN-QAhxhIoE9NfC0EZnbN77s4DTesYjNYuzmuHUaC1mrJ5D7diB-3PLkNqn6LywD0k_SmNgkf4FMDOGtd_GPLDsc6sqmFk_lcW47HHGZsMPFXeTgqq6wGZ2_u/s4032/20231227_183602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiyhPOTahZigwcJ0ItDmuPDI_HfdJMSqfiLRtgrv7Ng4KcRchP_G7EEeYEgutN-QAhxhIoE9NfC0EZnbN77s4DTesYjNYuzmuHUaC1mrJ5D7diB-3PLkNqn6LywD0k_SmNgkf4FMDOGtd_GPLDsc6sqmFk_lcW47HHGZsMPFXeTgqq6wGZ2_u/w640-h312/20231227_183602.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>When the actual day dawned, none of our family could be with us, having Christmassed with their in-laws (but sent flowers and chocolates), so we'd decided to have a Jane-Austenish "At Home", inviting friends and neighbours to pop in for a drink and a piece of cake between 2 and 6. We didn't put RSVP on the invitations because we didn't want to make it like a formal party; also we didn't want people to feel committed in advance, the time of year being what it is. Some did reply but on the whole we had little idea how many would come. Obviously we did provide a bit more than cake. However, <i>lots </i>of people did come, and didn't just "pop", as we'd expected, but came and sat around and chatted. It was lovely, and also quite crowded! But fortunately we have lot of chairs. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8FZK9rSDhtPFbfmfu1ShTLm8fxd6lc2xIr7nrRefw53pGyrCGUxnuCr9lKVSUoCwQ05DuY4ExEOEc3IZgot8S-H4LZ8jr8qV0T68HTblAX8tgGWgnxeg2ue8bFh-QvjcL5W1QdbFedgHY7eZhYNpVSnWOrkVHsuDP3zBrWl7O6gWcF2RKekg/s4032/20231227_184610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8FZK9rSDhtPFbfmfu1ShTLm8fxd6lc2xIr7nrRefw53pGyrCGUxnuCr9lKVSUoCwQ05DuY4ExEOEc3IZgot8S-H4LZ8jr8qV0T68HTblAX8tgGWgnxeg2ue8bFh-QvjcL5W1QdbFedgHY7eZhYNpVSnWOrkVHsuDP3zBrWl7O6gWcF2RKekg/w400-h195/20231227_184610.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Then shortly after the last of those people left, my brother, sister-in-law and niece arrived, and shortly after them our second daughter with her husband and Littlest Granddaughter. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the 30th, by which time Daughter 1 and family had returned from down south and Son and family could also join us, we had a family lunch in a private room in a hotel - which was also very nice. The offspring had organised their children into matching clothes - a starry dress for the girls (10, 7 and 6) and matching jumpers (sweaters) for the boys (12 and 4). I have very cute photos! But they're unbloggable, because the photos contain The UnBloggables. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivf8YaBN1VRIkIAZfKhuf7j1qzq2-OYEUbkiIIYrzOF-_aT7uGG6UTVK7hbFgfkOIbiCSF9kyVvnAvoVUvGKvUXrkYgAiOVTawKJIT_OW7Ml_jwyLeXMjM10Soh3iUEN_9F7NglOtqug7edkdh1c_9qAYqnmIEAuGxVHsBSuU8Qes1vRn9vDZP/s4032/20231230_154110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivf8YaBN1VRIkIAZfKhuf7j1qzq2-OYEUbkiIIYrzOF-_aT7uGG6UTVK7hbFgfkOIbiCSF9kyVvnAvoVUvGKvUXrkYgAiOVTawKJIT_OW7Ml_jwyLeXMjM10Soh3iUEN_9F7NglOtqug7edkdh1c_9qAYqnmIEAuGxVHsBSuU8Qes1vRn9vDZP/s320/20231230_154110.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And then we all came back here (except Niece and SIL 2, who had to return down south) and had a second Christmas for those who hadn't been here. </div><div><br /></div><div>We've thus had 10 people (plus Mr L and me) staying in the house, though no more than 8 (plus us) at one time. It was busy, but lovely. But the last four left on Tuesday, the bedding and towels are now washed, though the beds have not yet been remade, and the house is gradually returning to normal - or at least it will once we've deChristmassed it, which would happen today if I had time, which I don't. This weekend, however, everything will be away and we'll be tidy for a while.</div><div><br /></div><div>My golden wedding present from Mr L? (We have enough stuff.) He shaved off his lockdown beard! He knew that I prefer his face beardless. (I do like his face in whatever form, so he's allowed to grow it again if he <i>really </i>wants.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy 2024!<br /> <p></p></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-32842477798223377012023-12-23T20:48:00.004+00:002023-12-24T17:49:54.756+00:00Busy. And then not. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAVMsrihfNnLdNIja3CJASjQac_a8aZMZ-eB1LKu5MZZMn82ZyD6LvAYxsFR2tfKViFwdUsllc1uvDLRfE3rOmWx4AnwOfNPwAnrdQJoRqrj-IokrTdRYmIBKGWDVSL1l8vwlCZVi39OjheCVsq3vTHmhnGkrRvStcoQKEu4cFr3kUZc4B2Uo/s4032/20231221_153913.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAVMsrihfNnLdNIja3CJASjQac_a8aZMZ-eB1LKu5MZZMn82ZyD6LvAYxsFR2tfKViFwdUsllc1uvDLRfE3rOmWx4AnwOfNPwAnrdQJoRqrj-IokrTdRYmIBKGWDVSL1l8vwlCZVi39OjheCVsq3vTHmhnGkrRvStcoQKEu4cFr3kUZc4B2Uo/s320/20231221_153913.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It's spring! We have a snowdrop in bloom - only the one, right enough, and beside it you can see various holes made by squirrels either digging up other bulbs or burying nuts. However, one snowdrop is better than none. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9qp8_JXUxPqBYtV3UslFshQPg0x0iW1NEAxQnjsURmLTVwVpWjIdHGYqK0sEeetN0nwfeli5RmB5swI3i8RReUFPIejRs8LeJvHPjkLMOmJi4rdMneKQFMwzRo3ux9ss_mSfhWBs-DPH5ZONkivdQeVr6opFXLvFIeNTCEAWqOi404oaf6ix/s2048/IMG-20231221-WA0006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9qp8_JXUxPqBYtV3UslFshQPg0x0iW1NEAxQnjsURmLTVwVpWjIdHGYqK0sEeetN0nwfeli5RmB5swI3i8RReUFPIejRs8LeJvHPjkLMOmJi4rdMneKQFMwzRo3ux9ss_mSfhWBs-DPH5ZONkivdQeVr6opFXLvFIeNTCEAWqOi404oaf6ix/s320/IMG-20231221-WA0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Daughter 2 has been up from London to go to her office night out (the main office is near Edinburgh) and we went to the Botanics light show with Littlest Granddaughter, Daughter 2 and the Edinburgh Two, This is a terrible photo but you get the idea. <p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Gmzm5KRbici6BJxrfrHlO9J8TfSeFYgtbGY0vM9EPT3RXtVhqx40Z321T7LSGJN4C5lp8iOfPnl0L8GUBpcT7ieV-fGv0xZjPqaRUxIjLTJlh2a1ed-dP3d265QM-kCQ78ZlC4NLgJ9N3ju4pGh1Yb8LPz7mgQtOU2yEmP18FyxhjwdCtOYh/s4032/20231222_181528.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Gmzm5KRbici6BJxrfrHlO9J8TfSeFYgtbGY0vM9EPT3RXtVhqx40Z321T7LSGJN4C5lp8iOfPnl0L8GUBpcT7ieV-fGv0xZjPqaRUxIjLTJlh2a1ed-dP3d265QM-kCQ78ZlC4NLgJ9N3ju4pGh1Yb8LPz7mgQtOU2yEmP18FyxhjwdCtOYh/s320/20231222_181528.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><p>We looked after Littlest for a couple of days while Daughter 2 worked. We did lots of things such as playing badminton over a piece of string between a chair and the cooker (neither of us is very good), making ice creams out of Playdoh, reading books, playing Ludo without cheating... It was lovely.</p><p></p><p>Now they're down south with Son-in-Law 2's family, the Edinburgh lot are down south with Son-in-Law 1's family and the Angus lot are still up there. Mr Life and I will be on our own for Christmas Day - but things will become busier after Boxing Day, so we'll just enjoy the peace meantime. </p><p>Happy Christmas to all commenters and lurkers!</p><p> </p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-47032629762499065962023-12-19T17:10:00.006+00:002023-12-20T00:17:52.448+00:00Good times<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0oEFVfoOTVZDKSMQJY9LvWuVyJKTzAgNn_VE0r2bGR1jKLmnHy-n26VDdAlmtR6V4sAzk3lgyDRINh6n_1UG8Zh9o8aGi1MwTqemMw6k3T_9CUcFlqxST0fY7pQt3ceMhfTfhe1kqW2qejulZvIN5rTaJ0aRbJA3-NmfbxlVGTnDlTrw78C3/s2048/IMG-20231216-WA0010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0oEFVfoOTVZDKSMQJY9LvWuVyJKTzAgNn_VE0r2bGR1jKLmnHy-n26VDdAlmtR6V4sAzk3lgyDRINh6n_1UG8Zh9o8aGi1MwTqemMw6k3T_9CUcFlqxST0fY7pQt3ceMhfTfhe1kqW2qejulZvIN5rTaJ0aRbJA3-NmfbxlVGTnDlTrw78C3/w640-h480/IMG-20231216-WA0010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Littlest Granddaughter went to the Hackney Empire with Daughter 2, to see "Aladdin", with Nephew playing percussion, including comedy bangs and crashes. Here she is, pointing to him. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFxPFR-qFx8IlSupFhHA0sgkawXmrij4ilcEr-TBQtuN_-wGkV8iEbRcvJcPDAW51CPDaaqSMSN8Nt_SFLywyeAZec0650p31X3AM3-jj7SlqjFhl5r__3SDcfuGTfsPkudm1DmNjDk5ZGa65B-tg70aSXqjDwhyh1wRrJpCYV16cNWwxldIs/s2048/IMG-20231216-WA0016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFxPFR-qFx8IlSupFhHA0sgkawXmrij4ilcEr-TBQtuN_-wGkV8iEbRcvJcPDAW51CPDaaqSMSN8Nt_SFLywyeAZec0650p31X3AM3-jj7SlqjFhl5r__3SDcfuGTfsPkudm1DmNjDk5ZGa65B-tg70aSXqjDwhyh1wRrJpCYV16cNWwxldIs/w400-h300/IMG-20231216-WA0016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Here he is.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieq8nWZ208hZmKGqPnKjX97OkGFfMdgzjEkcrr_kGSfOutxSszTCFTVw8aAgnw4F0a-1wmPVzCt2VYykigJQphMG06tIeH8Eysf1aJKdHghyFyZ8XFdpT4_PX2tIHImx7ILUsBF3i8kRiGb1u2LxdrnnL9XjDsDv76nya_x6fYaKLUZoPPw_M1/s2040/IMG-20231216-WA0015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2040" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieq8nWZ208hZmKGqPnKjX97OkGFfMdgzjEkcrr_kGSfOutxSszTCFTVw8aAgnw4F0a-1wmPVzCt2VYykigJQphMG06tIeH8Eysf1aJKdHghyFyZ8XFdpT4_PX2tIHImx7ILUsBF3i8kRiGb1u2LxdrnnL9XjDsDv76nya_x6fYaKLUZoPPw_M1/w400-h301/IMG-20231216-WA0015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>And this is his photo of them - before the performance began, you understand. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDBj8H0RYZ21BFrhzFOuBn4jGE0Y5VT3aWktJrdJiZK68IZoS0pAIF3LTzfYZ1CfB_U6K6owFRXqTDmFvmVfyD5crkCpU_CGfpXoys6peQni6IEbRuZ1Ej9Ti7aZwuAq_if8S5jfJdgju96cUOa6NHcmWTyj43V_obk-fE-R0Lx36fFUmpOyx/s2048/IMG-20231216-WA0018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDBj8H0RYZ21BFrhzFOuBn4jGE0Y5VT3aWktJrdJiZK68IZoS0pAIF3LTzfYZ1CfB_U6K6owFRXqTDmFvmVfyD5crkCpU_CGfpXoys6peQni6IEbRuZ1Ej9Ti7aZwuAq_if8S5jfJdgju96cUOa6NHcmWTyj43V_obk-fE-R0Lx36fFUmpOyx/w400-h300/IMG-20231216-WA0018.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The interval. She is his greatest fan. He's been coming to perform in the Fringe in August, and staying with us, and she - also staying with us - thinks he's great. I mean, so do the rest of us. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiFjqDe1EhRHO4UsXmiJrC5Lanvc3HP-nSGucs2uNcp4J9pU9UzPjKqnQpMl4A42thE3XK5YVLMFeIekS2AyavH2vVbpnoEKlNHnukaFYgB645glKnaJJwe2WLqTDNJvD1_xp9aGK6CCR8wWmpFJA9i73u7f55B-X-Pzl4DIVBL0IqvYBVUsi/s2048/IMG-20231217-WA0004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiFjqDe1EhRHO4UsXmiJrC5Lanvc3HP-nSGucs2uNcp4J9pU9UzPjKqnQpMl4A42thE3XK5YVLMFeIekS2AyavH2vVbpnoEKlNHnukaFYgB645glKnaJJwe2WLqTDNJvD1_xp9aGK6CCR8wWmpFJA9i73u7f55B-X-Pzl4DIVBL0IqvYBVUsi/w400-h300/IMG-20231217-WA0004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Meanwhile, Big Grandson and I spent a wet Sunday afternoon on the buses, which is BG's idea of a good time. And I like spending time with him so I have a good time too. We got a 43 to South Queensferry. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqkx1il32vUSMBgHuwZ0wWML0w8a6ZRF4WMHilY1Vn-xOoSsSYGZasqJRslsZwc7KVIW090DvHCU9OyFrQm3xBMNt5eJk8SFYPKIGzxFQlrlb8rF9N6iWKGi1dmZ5mrGf30jlxPdv1Ax1euF-Zb2ribA-4ox4s5Qu-zQ52AhwUDm0nc4cN5XG/s4032/20231217_145604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqkx1il32vUSMBgHuwZ0wWML0w8a6ZRF4WMHilY1Vn-xOoSsSYGZasqJRslsZwc7KVIW090DvHCU9OyFrQm3xBMNt5eJk8SFYPKIGzxFQlrlb8rF9N6iWKGi1dmZ5mrGf30jlxPdv1Ax1euF-Zb2ribA-4ox4s5Qu-zQ52AhwUDm0nc4cN5XG/w400-h195/20231217_145604.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We stayed on to the terminus, which was surprisingly far from the centre of the town, and when we got off the bus, it developed a fault. So we got a ... 62 or something? ... to the Gyle shopping centre and then a 12 back here for tea. It's quite fun getting on a bus and saying, "Where do you go?" and then saying, "Oh, ok, we'll go there."</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3W21eo7mbg-NssMOFJtM6l7BpG2WOW57pLsAO5OzEb01aqYju4-TKnAgIsD56S16voV5etl1bP6We81Gl14Y256ZkUBgErFJ48Ox0akdBlbk8QTbH60qrSjtMlI6sLdWPHIB4KkFF4AxeboHr2mOWVFxle8YrHK1DdPRiXpKyyLQAccJNmBt4/s306/IMG-20231218-WA0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="306" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3W21eo7mbg-NssMOFJtM6l7BpG2WOW57pLsAO5OzEb01aqYju4-TKnAgIsD56S16voV5etl1bP6We81Gl14Y256ZkUBgErFJ48Ox0akdBlbk8QTbH60qrSjtMlI6sLdWPHIB4KkFF4AxeboHr2mOWVFxle8YrHK1DdPRiXpKyyLQAccJNmBt4/w200-h155/IMG-20231218-WA0000.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Littlest Granddaughter was Mary in her school nativity play. Awww. </span></div> <p></p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-59414475595887082632023-12-14T00:04:00.005+00:002023-12-14T00:07:25.840+00:00Past and present<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebzqTUZSChAsOaYsDdQixH9p3AH_WbLqoaSeJFHeHwBib-EPnZgy91pDkmg6JxhxyiPLiE23RGGV1M2Cld7Qn00jT5c7ocwfxWbyFapme0NpnPyoaL04RvKt3kk4ZEB5gSA52Z38aA6SAJ7rEnzqYVylV3eua8BLUivcYwdc3v_Lc0DgTiqye/s2048/IMG-20231208-WA0008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebzqTUZSChAsOaYsDdQixH9p3AH_WbLqoaSeJFHeHwBib-EPnZgy91pDkmg6JxhxyiPLiE23RGGV1M2Cld7Qn00jT5c7ocwfxWbyFapme0NpnPyoaL04RvKt3kk4ZEB5gSA52Z38aA6SAJ7rEnzqYVylV3eua8BLUivcYwdc3v_Lc0DgTiqye/s320/IMG-20231208-WA0008.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Daughter 2 sent me this photo the other day, which made me reflect about memory and the way it retains and discards things. As you can see, this is a small plastic skeleton, and I got it in a cracker at the Royal Scots Club when I was probably about ten, so about 63 years ago. I remembered this, but not giving it to Daughter 2 (not really sure why this happened). My grandfather fought with the Royal Scots during World War 1, and used to go up to the club to play snooker with friends; and for a few years he used to take us there for Christmas dinner. All that, I remembered. But I'd forgotten until the daughters reminded me that before opening the cracker I'd said something along the lines of wondering what was in it - maybe a skeleton? And then... ta da... there it was. I have no idea why I said this - it's hardly a typical cracker gift - and also have no idea why I forgot this part of the story. It would be more interesting if I could claim psychic powers from then on, but sadly, no. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdwC12QUWKvXA8Fs_QydhLHkHWYI6vqR6bNAVuhGd2dPmTBnzkkW5MMvKEGNHnWDkBS3Eh8Cb63W5TZITYr2wda-YcYP6Od5deer7EtxwJ09rZwNIgvQiVCwqZGrd8CrhYtjcBwYgEs3nnVysLweyKkuk8UDsjTgP2EISRcDzM5n4e4sAI7tH/s4032/20231209_134829.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdwC12QUWKvXA8Fs_QydhLHkHWYI6vqR6bNAVuhGd2dPmTBnzkkW5MMvKEGNHnWDkBS3Eh8Cb63W5TZITYr2wda-YcYP6Od5deer7EtxwJ09rZwNIgvQiVCwqZGrd8CrhYtjcBwYgEs3nnVysLweyKkuk8UDsjTgP2EISRcDzM5n4e4sAI7tH/s320/20231209_134829.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><p>This is not a skeleton. It's a needle, and the best thing that happened this week is that I came to the end of daily injecting myself in the stomach with blood-thinners. Hooray. Not my favourite part of getting a hip replacement. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJoe7q4fsrO1-XpmTXxmGPPvjM-At7b_QxsQnpaH61zC-MeISmc5jBgTBusduvqy_WH2Xp1Orx8MZaw7qmHA7woqcBJyj-dMYrDZ0quWkQDY41pGCRHOWVxrDrWyv-0KFfNfOesNXXAZTwGaCVFor60W9ndhIzLKLdjgYQ-TzGh2EKl5aSJKU/s4032/20231209_184032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJoe7q4fsrO1-XpmTXxmGPPvjM-At7b_QxsQnpaH61zC-MeISmc5jBgTBusduvqy_WH2Xp1Orx8MZaw7qmHA7woqcBJyj-dMYrDZ0quWkQDY41pGCRHOWVxrDrWyv-0KFfNfOesNXXAZTwGaCVFor60W9ndhIzLKLdjgYQ-TzGh2EKl5aSJKU/s320/20231209_184032.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The house is now looking fairly festive. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJJ3AKSqbYwbSrnSM52YnK0NC4zeFM-Y8hQSlJDDsTrDko1rneU3OkBPc6l3AZX-462qqP-W9p8zIjKrFyzbC-GDAtUh26wVn7gUGg2u0sJk62aoDdogMmLcVH4WdaEGZpbYJaIPKv5UC2jIKuUL1CJR-CQfYzoCmjw2tbZnXFvvbQnxw2LGP/s4032/20231212_191957.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJJ3AKSqbYwbSrnSM52YnK0NC4zeFM-Y8hQSlJDDsTrDko1rneU3OkBPc6l3AZX-462qqP-W9p8zIjKrFyzbC-GDAtUh26wVn7gUGg2u0sJk62aoDdogMmLcVH4WdaEGZpbYJaIPKv5UC2jIKuUL1CJR-CQfYzoCmjw2tbZnXFvvbQnxw2LGP/s320/20231212_191957.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeo972MXtGGtovoplezZB0s1Vtbo6RSfP1YwLdl0FOW3zmXpN1VXFSeETWE1U_2HDSEeOwSq_r0o4zTQWhNBiBWF3Z-N7eZjh38mzoAXu716N9zXdPox4gBFfVuVpbsZL7gdVf2s1NgDeyVDkIYXhgiL8VprO-xJbvGG3Q9z4wsTLrnDNv_f_/s4032/20231212_192642.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeo972MXtGGtovoplezZB0s1Vtbo6RSfP1YwLdl0FOW3zmXpN1VXFSeETWE1U_2HDSEeOwSq_r0o4zTQWhNBiBWF3Z-N7eZjh38mzoAXu716N9zXdPox4gBFfVuVpbsZL7gdVf2s1NgDeyVDkIYXhgiL8VprO-xJbvGG3Q9z4wsTLrnDNv_f_/w312-h640/20231212_192642.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><br /></div>Ho ho.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B0HvkuCUztRpYBtLPsJ-fsV1gNI4h13tiHqKqenVjyYDVQcdTC2YS7g6HeMpPxYMh1rpv4cvvClWv6A8rPazTne3EWA2PpTYYE0V4nTzKYnbYo2gLgZH9fP2cYe5XR1LsKDV-3fIcOgS9e_3GCqxIHY2Q7GHPFzEVuzzfGCopPdeaNcq4MVO/s4032/20231212_192554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B0HvkuCUztRpYBtLPsJ-fsV1gNI4h13tiHqKqenVjyYDVQcdTC2YS7g6HeMpPxYMh1rpv4cvvClWv6A8rPazTne3EWA2PpTYYE0V4nTzKYnbYo2gLgZH9fP2cYe5XR1LsKDV-3fIcOgS9e_3GCqxIHY2Q7GHPFzEVuzzfGCopPdeaNcq4MVO/w195-h400/20231212_192554.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><p>I would not claim to be completely ready for Christmas, however. </p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUGfYSEHPHDJbVb2IVptyv3TXOBbP33AK8pzbapmLwPyQTncmCzGSEFSpjzgyJEixnG4prfqxsPW8LEV6nb7ShDOrlPP8jlDNLv5KsCJQ_c10dZaDnKNzCdMx4B87g6v2Fcm1A3yPMBbv4YlNgEiQPHsgaN-1D9t-eGSGSNqPWIwqTgh0csqd/s4032/20231213_124448.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUGfYSEHPHDJbVb2IVptyv3TXOBbP33AK8pzbapmLwPyQTncmCzGSEFSpjzgyJEixnG4prfqxsPW8LEV6nb7ShDOrlPP8jlDNLv5KsCJQ_c10dZaDnKNzCdMx4B87g6v2Fcm1A3yPMBbv4YlNgEiQPHsgaN-1D9t-eGSGSNqPWIwqTgh0csqd/w640-h312/20231213_124448.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The weather in Edinburgh has been very wet recently, so it was lovely to drive to the south-west today and find sunshine. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lQwDgdxw978uPXoR9F_R2U6bPr6oeD0vVgHQ7s785X1uH-NDndyZVgvfDHzHj6T7FbIxoerqzoF95PRJwVcaJbKLDtf2ySbnHVuqQ8bp7CjkDrIXvqz3k2upv9ywM3PN6dDQiws5bnjKEudpHYj3l9jFnQ86-FenxoEwYI6LNylcGoM8uPBy/s4032/20231213_110802.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lQwDgdxw978uPXoR9F_R2U6bPr6oeD0vVgHQ7s785X1uH-NDndyZVgvfDHzHj6T7FbIxoerqzoF95PRJwVcaJbKLDtf2ySbnHVuqQ8bp7CjkDrIXvqz3k2upv9ywM3PN6dDQiws5bnjKEudpHYj3l9jFnQ86-FenxoEwYI6LNylcGoM8uPBy/w400-h195/20231213_110802.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Sadly, we were on the way to the funeral of one Mr L's cousins, but as often happens at funerals, we had a nice time chatting to various family members at the lunch afterwards. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwJr7rJ4SqSn-OmZE7AQuPswMWbw-W0cSQB5axNH8WPzI1yYu02cKEn_OTVuyOxYqgJVUgHwiAkgKSgT4ORgJfM0ntyqtBvxPai4r6K2yo50nPjapqESEs5GnAyEr3ZiguiomsWskAFPEjcNMFaWv0ypsf9PgOJ9rjLWvIWNVFShfB-IIICfA/s4032/20231213_151616.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwJr7rJ4SqSn-OmZE7AQuPswMWbw-W0cSQB5axNH8WPzI1yYu02cKEn_OTVuyOxYqgJVUgHwiAkgKSgT4ORgJfM0ntyqtBvxPai4r6K2yo50nPjapqESEs5GnAyEr3ZiguiomsWskAFPEjcNMFaWv0ypsf9PgOJ9rjLWvIWNVFShfB-IIICfA/w400-h195/20231213_151616.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Some of them were cousins on the other side - the deceased cousin was the son of Mr L's uncle, while these cousins are related to the uncle's wife. They were very pleasant and it was quite a jolly event. But one always feels slightly guilty that the main player in the occasion isn't there to enjoy it. </p><p></p><p>Having no cousins myself, I'm always happy to meet up with other people's. Mr L had eight of them, though sadly he now has only five. But we're in contact with them all, which I like. My family was very small - parents, one brother, a granny and grandpa who lived nearby, two childless aunts who lived far away and one widowed granny who also lived far away. I would have liked (so I tell myself) to have had more siblings and a gang of congenial cousins round the corner. Not going to happen now, though. </p><p> </p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-10679462837751417042023-12-06T22:22:00.003+00:002023-12-06T22:22:22.588+00:00Not being quite organised for Christmas yet<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Z7NUo8ocWDGO5muP8hGh8oW-AkNfjv2FdvD6xdFcCJeACAWmt4J8BxMbSJiBovU0vuv93HqELg_YIT_zbIC5dHruhz6MdykrLanMCQyP2f2ftJ3GAn0EIRKQMHlBX6RoPO3xIEvuQSShfwm8m2G-iJGDHtIJaFKnbDCGuYfHMhJUks5JFPDN/s4032/20231125_123142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Z7NUo8ocWDGO5muP8hGh8oW-AkNfjv2FdvD6xdFcCJeACAWmt4J8BxMbSJiBovU0vuv93HqELg_YIT_zbIC5dHruhz6MdykrLanMCQyP2f2ftJ3GAn0EIRKQMHlBX6RoPO3xIEvuQSShfwm8m2G-iJGDHtIJaFKnbDCGuYfHMhJUks5JFPDN/w640-h312/20231125_123142.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>We've been gradually getting ready for Christmas, partly by ordering a whole lot of things on Amazon, which one knows one shouldn't - but it's so much more convenient, isn't it, than trailing around the shops and finding nothing suitable? We did, however, go to the Christmas fair at Hopetoun House, which I always like doing. Hopetoun House is a 1750s grand edifice lived in by the Marquess of Linlithgow. Like most aristocrats these days, he has to keep the roof on by allowing people to visit, and, at Christmas, there's a very upmarket fair with lots of stalls full of lovely things, often made by the stallholders, none of which one actually needs. Still, it puts one in a Christmassy mood, as does queuing for coffee in the restaurant, which was once the stables for very lucky horses, but is now a lovely place to eat. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAJqNYPRYKL-jbLtlB6lyxitPMk5W51llcWBDttqio-GFr6iWM49NTcO168EQxHRr3a0nDuRCUZysjzU5oT5T0uAF0fXqQSy4uojkNM9N5TknjwIMWqxxImKmxMxBI9iZFqeKoszTKlOGUdow1s4prhn0iaEGcFZhtqIgip6T3ACa_hblzIy3/s4032/20231125_122331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAJqNYPRYKL-jbLtlB6lyxitPMk5W51llcWBDttqio-GFr6iWM49NTcO168EQxHRr3a0nDuRCUZysjzU5oT5T0uAF0fXqQSy4uojkNM9N5TknjwIMWqxxImKmxMxBI9iZFqeKoszTKlOGUdow1s4prhn0iaEGcFZhtqIgip6T3ACa_hblzIy3/w400-h195/20231125_122331.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>You get to go round the house while visiting the stalls, and admire things like this pietra dura table top, </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrU8RbfsOL0-aEfK13fYqkpM7_3d1xUzfhXSZNzCf-6AK6qreivJ27vTI5XUpjKT19u_mMeAZc6dw9ZGJ3p2mh0igFlZhtA2OHc5c0TucFrWFg3jK7Ifiq_AQqr99A6nqyDTZDxCb3OiSCP1btvzXopYbZGA_cfY5e4IvWd8xvyU1FhNoaUgx/s4032/20231125_122456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrU8RbfsOL0-aEfK13fYqkpM7_3d1xUzfhXSZNzCf-6AK6qreivJ27vTI5XUpjKT19u_mMeAZc6dw9ZGJ3p2mh0igFlZhtA2OHc5c0TucFrWFg3jK7Ifiq_AQqr99A6nqyDTZDxCb3OiSCP1btvzXopYbZGA_cfY5e4IvWd8xvyU1FhNoaUgx/w195-h400/20231125_122456.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><p>and one of the Marquess's ancestors, </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HPSZLmrJvyG4j7zc18IcoR6lkBw0mDJHruojfVPqbeDLIF0UTCq2UR56NUgF35EDf-FzBKgU8GWFBJ4B-UtRMwUdM5-R8fuSs90UnK0PIJMtd6DrAMGqVIcL0TnuNmQyM8qDhSf3F67LVCRVVGFwbVHGd0M8MVPLOckIHOfUQzByKfMbqN9s/s4032/20231125_122509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HPSZLmrJvyG4j7zc18IcoR6lkBw0mDJHruojfVPqbeDLIF0UTCq2UR56NUgF35EDf-FzBKgU8GWFBJ4B-UtRMwUdM5-R8fuSs90UnK0PIJMtd6DrAMGqVIcL0TnuNmQyM8qDhSf3F67LVCRVVGFwbVHGd0M8MVPLOckIHOfUQzByKfMbqN9s/s320/20231125_122509.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><p>who I think was sitting at this very window. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCzbBvzpgJFHS2ItDDwvA1XhiVVHsumtzQuRDqq-aXcyi-Cg0raq5zFVfXjhC61PysFKnKgqJUJPyXJkG_WMPgUBB0TVnHTNwy92ZVqYfdEtTAggyJdBVhoepW40E-gM7fhCTXpobywLh6s9udaO_BO1ZGRX54zOsT3c8DKFtMfl-TEgkQP3U/s4032/20231125_121819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCzbBvzpgJFHS2ItDDwvA1XhiVVHsumtzQuRDqq-aXcyi-Cg0raq5zFVfXjhC61PysFKnKgqJUJPyXJkG_WMPgUBB0TVnHTNwy92ZVqYfdEtTAggyJdBVhoepW40E-gM7fhCTXpobywLh6s9udaO_BO1ZGRX54zOsT3c8DKFtMfl-TEgkQP3U/w400-h195/20231125_121819.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>And one can admire the extensive grounds</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ixArB4tQ7Tv3R4HUPwLfyKJiZdGB33nfZES7gOmrpzmePvmdRSSbYOcV7FtE_YjAyPyOJT5o2uOkR9zgqWdxO93yUdHv-df1-U6MeSuFYzWMdH_dulmNS3vWAftn7Q-1Z_I4M7JVOneNS3_4ahNuGm5hnQpy0BqitLGPZ0VLJg19HCCQGLwF/s4032/20231125_122144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ixArB4tQ7Tv3R4HUPwLfyKJiZdGB33nfZES7gOmrpzmePvmdRSSbYOcV7FtE_YjAyPyOJT5o2uOkR9zgqWdxO93yUdHv-df1-U6MeSuFYzWMdH_dulmNS3vWAftn7Q-1Z_I4M7JVOneNS3_4ahNuGm5hnQpy0BqitLGPZ0VLJg19HCCQGLwF/w640-h312/20231125_122144.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>and the fancy ceilings and the silk-lined walls. We visited Hopetoun when I was a little girl, and I developed a fixed ambition to have two sitting rooms, one with crimson walls and the other (as in another Hopetoun room) with deep yellow. Hasn't happened yet, though I suppose it's still achievable. We probably wouldn't use silk, however, and we're a bit short of portraits of our ancestors. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcTFrtfxyYCQQJyR4fmb4xl2PVLIegJuMYygHnpWaUcGJ_DamkWThlahtDnww-h-ccwtEI5q3d-hp5Q6vuVfieqLK-IYHwy4OL1DPQuSMv51Ec2opEqolVVwFJoIiWee1mdAFNLdpENvS-e5kfCjAadzbP0bSLl84l2M7Vm3zg4zbnktvFjq8/s4032/20231127_121044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcTFrtfxyYCQQJyR4fmb4xl2PVLIegJuMYygHnpWaUcGJ_DamkWThlahtDnww-h-ccwtEI5q3d-hp5Q6vuVfieqLK-IYHwy4OL1DPQuSMv51Ec2opEqolVVwFJoIiWee1mdAFNLdpENvS-e5kfCjAadzbP0bSLl84l2M7Vm3zg4zbnktvFjq8/w400-h195/20231127_121044.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The weather here has been distinctly chilly, with quite a bit of frost. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQ0x7tI6Ts72-4y5stk9LzOU5mKRjMcGMv8PBvhC35ZN8gJw6VOPJAoRwtqlBTDs_vT7X8CHngpVA8V6JDPY3AzUu9ibSZVfB0G2irpmrAvvsDlODbda78_aAGILqNAJEqmvL79naOBXpDMhFfJopAfjf97CtEYpbpV8iqKAkornjJK0EAMT8/s4032/20231202_093550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQ0x7tI6Ts72-4y5stk9LzOU5mKRjMcGMv8PBvhC35ZN8gJw6VOPJAoRwtqlBTDs_vT7X8CHngpVA8V6JDPY3AzUu9ibSZVfB0G2irpmrAvvsDlODbda78_aAGILqNAJEqmvL79naOBXpDMhFfJopAfjf97CtEYpbpV8iqKAkornjJK0EAMT8/s320/20231202_093550.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Last Saturday we went up north to visit a friend, and this was the view on the way. Brrr. </p><p></p><p>We haven't had any snow here yet, and long may this last. Roll on, spring. <br /> </p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-91585763026957755552023-11-29T16:26:00.001+00:002023-11-29T16:26:22.507+00:00Patches<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9pad6ITJt7DW3FcAW7TmF6jPjWk1cUtEHxojeaMhPJVDC2gv0mqOZzdc22lwxQB-KtviwtfvVOHok2Ldpnr7XQQ-S7OsfuamRze47QX4SnAQOBfbnUbsMJ64QBx5phzZW7hxFpWy6UyTRHVfi9LLl6sPvZpaE1uJISxb3kk0GEBUKCC_gpQQ/s4032/20231007_115917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9pad6ITJt7DW3FcAW7TmF6jPjWk1cUtEHxojeaMhPJVDC2gv0mqOZzdc22lwxQB-KtviwtfvVOHok2Ldpnr7XQQ-S7OsfuamRze47QX4SnAQOBfbnUbsMJ64QBx5phzZW7hxFpWy6UyTRHVfi9LLl6sPvZpaE1uJISxb3kk0GEBUKCC_gpQQ/s320/20231007_115917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I do find it fun to take some fabrics</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnwWpnZIPazP4yndnZLxjgsEsEi8vkfWAU8sQevkXaXNXPe_6VJhMGAw6aHI-5606Naz_qmDEhZuVaMGFPDmhyM4zjdHPk4Oxab9ez8VeVdrsqz1Teag5qoOkcUaVg7AuMxgbG_BFsx8jiAeXaZLP0HteuGxIoQE4BoxZM6u5TqlwPY29yonl/s4032/20231007_115913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnwWpnZIPazP4yndnZLxjgsEsEi8vkfWAU8sQevkXaXNXPe_6VJhMGAw6aHI-5606Naz_qmDEhZuVaMGFPDmhyM4zjdHPk4Oxab9ez8VeVdrsqz1Teag5qoOkcUaVg7AuMxgbG_BFsx8jiAeXaZLP0HteuGxIoQE4BoxZM6u5TqlwPY29yonl/s320/20231007_115913.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>and make something different with them. Of course, it's only <i>marginally</i> creative - someone else designed the fabrics and indeed the ways of putting them together. I just pick and choose the materials and mix up the different patchworky things I've seen on blogs. But it's interesting to see the effects you can get. </p><p></p><p>The brief was for a baby boy's quilt in yellows and ochres with not too many patterned fabrics. I found myself slightly unsure what ochres are - sort of dull browny-yellows, I felt. So I looked at what I had and nothing shouted "ochre!" at me; and anyway, it didn't sound very interesting for a baby. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSYc2R2cmXye6Mtx2YjGa9kV0TOqjaymx06zJNkcyul65Xfsk614MYPM6XRQ4UCNdPHhohJJS2SMmsGhxLNmxBPGnALUM1zIT-96Yi_vCROHAxofKxNjAJ6tbeFCJGUH2elqG5kU5TzApc-wsy05JN1nbJmTSN9SZXGjqxfHEoD2dw8de-pI0/s4032/20231128_135148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSYc2R2cmXye6Mtx2YjGa9kV0TOqjaymx06zJNkcyul65Xfsk614MYPM6XRQ4UCNdPHhohJJS2SMmsGhxLNmxBPGnALUM1zIT-96Yi_vCROHAxofKxNjAJ6tbeFCJGUH2elqG5kU5TzApc-wsy05JN1nbJmTSN9SZXGjqxfHEoD2dw8de-pI0/w312-h640/20231128_135148.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><p>So this is what I came up with. The bright yellow stars aren't really that bright - photos do sometimes lie. And I incorporated a bit of orange <i>entirely against my better judgement</i> because Thimbleanna had kindly given me some pretty fabrics with orange to make a future rainbowy quilt, and I had to admit they actually went quite well. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZ4hgw7TR08flBshABsB2XYjrEbbRXaMp_X8KqgICfL0rJjqtR0jUj0c8MbChVsrAtUI3LFH-l6oF54Kvj4Ab-BAe8Br0eRGewgafYWQvE7sxUmDZgQxLaUhFhfUzq-m1Wnm21EExOsRwUa-IYNf1tyRqjX_3gu3Wv2-EBHT_0E2ktErrHklM/s4032/20231128_135234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZ4hgw7TR08flBshABsB2XYjrEbbRXaMp_X8KqgICfL0rJjqtR0jUj0c8MbChVsrAtUI3LFH-l6oF54Kvj4Ab-BAe8Br0eRGewgafYWQvE7sxUmDZgQxLaUhFhfUzq-m1Wnm21EExOsRwUa-IYNf1tyRqjX_3gu3Wv2-EBHT_0E2ktErrHklM/w312-h640/20231128_135234.jpg" width="312" /></a></p><p></p>And I made the back more interesting for a baby.<div><br /></div><div>I put boy-friendly patterns on the back for the baby's big brother too, and he insists that the back is actually the front, because it's got better pictures. For <i>that</i> quilt, the brief was all solid blues, which I found hard. (I did sneak in tiny corners of patterned fabric even on the front. I mean, how many different blues are there?)</div><div><br /></div><div>Ah, the happy ways of whiling one's life away and feeling a sense of kind-of-achievement. </div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-28368185059166494282023-11-22T21:33:00.003+00:002023-11-22T21:33:46.110+00:00Nonsense<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaJdFJkkYLPCpNJCPaDZAowmBZYNrVJjbFAclFg9ZX1ZVvS90KvB-WrelLEzuKlf6C3dDPKaVIbjALWrpMIMfBhMKcUHpQJSq8OdH9ky_PgBd_S0rxi1KLwBKOwVHoy1suTAMsMqe7VTbihcTkxyUpB2irarO311s-BT1_6djm00t2POZ-V0K/s4032/20231118_130536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaJdFJkkYLPCpNJCPaDZAowmBZYNrVJjbFAclFg9ZX1ZVvS90KvB-WrelLEzuKlf6C3dDPKaVIbjALWrpMIMfBhMKcUHpQJSq8OdH9ky_PgBd_S0rxi1KLwBKOwVHoy1suTAMsMqe7VTbihcTkxyUpB2irarO311s-BT1_6djm00t2POZ-V0K/w400-h195/20231118_130536.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This has been a very unnewsworthy week because I haven't done much. Unlike my usual self, I've been feeling tired, whether as an after-effect of the operation or because I've had a cough and am a bit post-viral. Or possibly a combination. Son and family came down on Saturday and the Edinburgh gang came over too, so that was lovely. We got the Brio out for the Unbloggables, and Big Grandson had a happy time playing with it too. <p></p><p>Since then there's been a bit of socialising, some organising to do with one of my choirs and the church magazine, of which I'm the editor, and a tiny amount of quilting, but also more slumping in front of the television than I usually do. I've been for shortish walks but am slightly nervous of walking far in case I damage the new hip, or just make it sore. This must change. Come back, oomph!</p><p>In connection with lack of oomph, I found myself urging myself on with one of my mum's sayings: "This and better <i>might</i> do, but this and worse will <i>never</i> do." I've just Googled it, but all I was offered were quotes from <i>Much Ado About Nothing. </i>Is this fine saying familiar to anyone else? In a similar vein, "This won't buy the baby a new bonnet". Other family saws include "Sausages for the boys" (no, no idea) and "Splash into the lake fell Margaret and stwuggled out, extwemely wet" (anyone?). These spring to my mind any time anyone mentions "sausages" or "splash".</p><p>My granny's Coop number was 4541 and her phone number was POR 5071. All this is in my brain and I've only just got the hang of my own mobile phone number. What year is it? Who's the Prime Minister? </p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-90024448155600080762023-11-15T17:12:00.004+00:002023-11-15T17:12:26.711+00:00Getting back to things<p>It's been an fairly static week with no major projects. I'm progressing, though, and have been out and about a little bit. At the weekend, lovely Daughter 2 came up from London without her little one to visit the (not actually very) sick, which was wonderful. Delightful as Littlest Granddaughter is, she's a bit interrupty. As it was, we had some great chats. Then on Saturday, the Edinburgh Two plus their parents plus the other granny (Nanny), who was visiting them, came over for lunch, and Big Grandson, now several inches taller than me, did some nostalgic Brioing with Daughter 2. Big Grandson enjoyed having his auntie to himself, as in the pre-Littlest days. So that was all very nice. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38JuYTY-pRmxeVQT5wkOT9qGIH0oOS46A3QpMxbQFd_WEBTreveorVqDbaLby-cLAq6Fh6SjxPARzha7Hg0bNt2cCmaS3sqUZd26Eql3C5RsHUq1oQ_7Itk-cW9S69o_UgT1m6AKgV2TcwluyUP6LgZ-RDUPwJfqq2WGfiop2VGlFlLHZS80w/s4032/20231111_134926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38JuYTY-pRmxeVQT5wkOT9qGIH0oOS46A3QpMxbQFd_WEBTreveorVqDbaLby-cLAq6Fh6SjxPARzha7Hg0bNt2cCmaS3sqUZd26Eql3C5RsHUq1oQ_7Itk-cW9S69o_UgT1m6AKgV2TcwluyUP6LgZ-RDUPwJfqq2WGfiop2VGlFlLHZS80w/w400-h195/20231111_134926.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>On Sunday we drove along to one of the galleries and had coffee, which made a nice change of scene. Normally we would walk there along the river but... not for a while, alas. I went to choir on Sunday night and have been walking round to the nearby shop for the paper the last few mornings, and today I went up on the bus to have lunch with old schoolfriends. So life is slowly returning to normal, though I still feel as if someone has cut a large hole in my right side, and being in bed isn't very comfortable yet. Tomorrow I go to the practice nurse to get my dressing removed. I had it changed last week and that was surprisingly painful - the dressing is VERY sticky and ... well, I won't go into details. I'm just glad I'm not a man with a hairy body. </p><p>My American second cousin heard the story about the needle in my leg and said, "You're a real needlewoman now!" How true.</p><p>It's been very wet here so even if I were able to garden, I wouldn't have actually been able to do so. The Great Autumn Cut Down will have to wait till spring, which is a bit frustrating but there we are. Our problems are nothing compared to the awful things going on in the world. It's all so sad and depressing. How can we still be doing these things to one another in this so-called civilised world? </p><p>Meanwhile, onwards and upwards. I'm getting back to the quilting this evening after a period of laziness. </p><p></p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-42132157006396346872023-11-08T15:29:00.004+00:002023-11-08T15:29:53.069+00:00Needles and stitches and so on<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVg1j7P28UHKx0hvLlyEO4pJz-wx8xebIVGJxYiyUWUL174KVQbYiWspIYvxGCjgMQUR6-x_mqTr73IVcS_DYkX12WslOVYZJjtuyshuoZ8on9Zsp4GDeiaYkufO8PVsuXGNtxAIU58KgAAJtOc5VQD7fSMbMfc0qaIHRoMe_epfLbOAUoONKM/s4032/20231108_092415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVg1j7P28UHKx0hvLlyEO4pJz-wx8xebIVGJxYiyUWUL174KVQbYiWspIYvxGCjgMQUR6-x_mqTr73IVcS_DYkX12WslOVYZJjtuyshuoZ8on9Zsp4GDeiaYkufO8PVsuXGNtxAIU58KgAAJtOc5VQD7fSMbMfc0qaIHRoMe_epfLbOAUoONKM/w640-h312/20231108_092415.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Well, I've had the hip replacement and am back home and doing ok, though I wouldn't describe the experience as the most <i>tremendous</i> fun... Many thanks to those who wished me well. Denice, who commented very encouragingly, must be made of stronger stuff than I am. It was, and is, just what you'd expect from having the top of your thigh sawn off and replaced by a bit of metal. It hurts somewhat and you feel a bit wobbly afterwards. But it's fine, and I look forward to the point at which it hurts less than it did before the op - which is not the case right now. And our children sent me lovely flowers. <p></p><p>The surgeon phoned up last night, which I thought was impressively caring for a chap who does several of these things every day (I assume). He's a really nice chap and he asked how I was doing and I said that I was fine. And then he paused and said, "There was something a bit odd with your post-operative x-ray." And I thought - oh dear. He went on, "There seems to be a sewing needle embedded in your thigh. Does that sound possible?"</p><p>Since my mother died in 2012, I've made 25 quilts, hand-quilting them while sitting on the sofa watching tv. Every now and then, I drop a needle, and we search the sofa cushions for them and usually find them. Occasionally, I think, we've not found one and thought - oh well, it'll turn up.</p><p>It has now turned up.</p><p>He suggested that I should just leave it if it's not causing me any trouble. I'm hoping that the pain in my leg was caused by my needing a new hip, not just by my having a needle in my thigh... . </p><p>He was polite enough not to laugh while on the phone, but I suspect that I've now become one of his funny stories. He's sent me the x-ray and... yup. Completely inside, at right-angles to the side of my leg. </p><p>A few years ago, I was emptying the dishwasher and felt something sharp in my index finger. I couldn't see anything and there was nothing obviously broken in the dishwasher, but I thought it must be a sliver of glass. I went to the doctor and he said that it would probably come out by itself. A year passed and I still had a sore finger. Then one day I felt a sharp pain and there was a tiny bit of glass sticking out, so I pulled it out - problem solved. I don't really fancy the idea of finding just the tip of a needle protruding from my thigh. Hmm. Just stay there, needle. </p><p>Life's never dull...</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-44994341582738205162023-11-02T21:14:00.007+00:002023-11-02T21:16:32.776+00:00Getting on with things while I have two working legs<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gwuY5q2OEbXYTIHznqWVsNc7xanmVWq2LobOzp_cnbRcgcw8mIB4Z999omhDU0LxVtOIY3UimXbAExhwKfFCylbEhv5W_wIKWSwRtV_8YmHBTqaKEJ3LozUdPoqg_mMn9X5IvjzgvlwrU_EHTnol5qee4D1n_vk-VJZOW2YuVv7Iyxzh5XRX/s4032/20231031_114857.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gwuY5q2OEbXYTIHznqWVsNc7xanmVWq2LobOzp_cnbRcgcw8mIB4Z999omhDU0LxVtOIY3UimXbAExhwKfFCylbEhv5W_wIKWSwRtV_8YmHBTqaKEJ3LozUdPoqg_mMn9X5IvjzgvlwrU_EHTnol5qee4D1n_vk-VJZOW2YuVv7Iyxzh5XRX/w640-h312/20231031_114857.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>It's been one of those let's-get-on-with-things weeks, during which various (if not enough) useful tasks have been done. Some of these have involved giving stuff to charity shops and having walks in their vicinities. The leaves are beginning to fall, but the colours are still pretty. </p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHX82Qm05vxjUHeLVF9u4BNFLtd-oQTDGXl-n4_8Rua6eWjKX8RqycI4Dz1vg8Oit95p0qFhT0mxHuUA4BmX8jvYuU-u23MEsvi9tvyNEjCgegdX0C3QuArTp_pzu8JTFcW_DMQjzcJkOhjizJNMAp8lZ3G0TfHVX-XEFVFmvedtJbunpj9xw/s4032/20231031_115753.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHX82Qm05vxjUHeLVF9u4BNFLtd-oQTDGXl-n4_8Rua6eWjKX8RqycI4Dz1vg8Oit95p0qFhT0mxHuUA4BmX8jvYuU-u23MEsvi9tvyNEjCgegdX0C3QuArTp_pzu8JTFcW_DMQjzcJkOhjizJNMAp8lZ3G0TfHVX-XEFVFmvedtJbunpj9xw/w400-h195/20231031_115753.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>It's been quite wet, but with bursts of sunshine. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8cyLnFFe8QANkEXlt37PqqBjKPMUxvI47IJiRZUWkhBMmW3DRypunyuy9GhnjfkX9pomLq5_lb_gOjR6ZnQcd2dEimX1hh0RfuGTkBk2pkuAMf2LgkqViKZSE7zLQuc_fWburmF9oN46gG14OhLU9gPV3PL1qgP4HU4eZoEMICJHNEXv148w/s4032/20231031_112117.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8cyLnFFe8QANkEXlt37PqqBjKPMUxvI47IJiRZUWkhBMmW3DRypunyuy9GhnjfkX9pomLq5_lb_gOjR6ZnQcd2dEimX1hh0RfuGTkBk2pkuAMf2LgkqViKZSE7zLQuc_fWburmF9oN46gG14OhLU9gPV3PL1qgP4HU4eZoEMICJHNEXv148w/w400-h195/20231031_112117.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Don't swans grow amazingly quickly from little balls of fluff to these, still slightly brown, large birds? </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AlIK9MRE9PHuUxsJTdX13iD8-ZmM6W9o4hRQ7zaIs6HCF705BtA_Fz_GkJ_hOxiQxlQ5_7RkJI6cRhik520Vf-GKtaaFMsBUjGn4SM-25pvxc1QdhJ5eFbaT0Mcm4L-4eQs0SUxfACDrxtCX1Ima0yYKDoMBBNE2ymW2jXBplAHSkmPpoZzr/s4032/20231031_120112.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AlIK9MRE9PHuUxsJTdX13iD8-ZmM6W9o4hRQ7zaIs6HCF705BtA_Fz_GkJ_hOxiQxlQ5_7RkJI6cRhik520Vf-GKtaaFMsBUjGn4SM-25pvxc1QdhJ5eFbaT0Mcm4L-4eQs0SUxfACDrxtCX1Ima0yYKDoMBBNE2ymW2jXBplAHSkmPpoZzr/w640-h312/20231031_120112.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OWfmf3sxTnFEND1pvwYjMqDGlRYiSbowpbbIIdKua2yuvPAUhP_DTFyGk7DZuJYgV2trtrXWA6fBGDKReEggDeLjgXlOipnqLzbllcYqn5Z7hDKFV_AYzeDAgUbePqHRyeVowXBOXZxH8D_4mvbt3MckyJL0cTryXrg6Eslnqeu5qVzuc3vD/s4032/20231031_122557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OWfmf3sxTnFEND1pvwYjMqDGlRYiSbowpbbIIdKua2yuvPAUhP_DTFyGk7DZuJYgV2trtrXWA6fBGDKReEggDeLjgXlOipnqLzbllcYqn5Z7hDKFV_AYzeDAgUbePqHRyeVowXBOXZxH8D_4mvbt3MckyJL0cTryXrg6Eslnqeu5qVzuc3vD/w400-h195/20231031_122557.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5j_MwpjG25l5vVhOR9ThtOcIaNRU-QrUCcTBHMsL2L5dRVIxG_0nCPK9LsbgjWVXdILp0HGn0PAKuLPrgmoUQLAYHBCvndKsM5_MWp1-GYiZntknavd8xDnoPZjJm9q2tez-mwm8F_Tugs-5l6jLpNd45e8CDveFgzRiAawKKaPhqvJthq8hH/s4032/20231101_143552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5j_MwpjG25l5vVhOR9ThtOcIaNRU-QrUCcTBHMsL2L5dRVIxG_0nCPK9LsbgjWVXdILp0HGn0PAKuLPrgmoUQLAYHBCvndKsM5_MWp1-GYiZntknavd8xDnoPZjJm9q2tez-mwm8F_Tugs-5l6jLpNd45e8CDveFgzRiAawKKaPhqvJthq8hH/w400-h195/20231101_143552.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Y4ln8Y1sJXR5NaOWyAZnHxA9yHgJpofiDzrTg7RXOPzyXvE6W0nCAQbwL0VCNGdcKq8jg9vkX6Xd7X8YP1mNrfrasUh126BTGNXVoCIrq4RneULrlyOGFTGa0fLajsm9cZAI8wZBfDDUDStEspEXnZVjKfyb7Qu1cj5mCPwLhN02PvJpUgua/s4032/20231101_143851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Y4ln8Y1sJXR5NaOWyAZnHxA9yHgJpofiDzrTg7RXOPzyXvE6W0nCAQbwL0VCNGdcKq8jg9vkX6Xd7X8YP1mNrfrasUh126BTGNXVoCIrq4RneULrlyOGFTGa0fLajsm9cZAI8wZBfDDUDStEspEXnZVjKfyb7Qu1cj5mCPwLhN02PvJpUgua/w400-h195/20231101_143851.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I don't like orange but do make an exception for autumn. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtBJvUFWDIG0qlGOv-5pJ0D3qNpYXWRov9Ff-8RYXAwDLNk20qC1vJjeAOe7lc5lHQoXQLDLqu_zmmRrbpCgdY35YJpBXvP8T-NrT1yE5SSW3LVL1IvoZte59nSddeG3ZQaxx3dbF-v640gOmsA0UTruzx_S_Ymk2LLwSWJYYIu9W0ArwD-DG/s2048/IMG-20231101-WA0015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtBJvUFWDIG0qlGOv-5pJ0D3qNpYXWRov9Ff-8RYXAwDLNk20qC1vJjeAOe7lc5lHQoXQLDLqu_zmmRrbpCgdY35YJpBXvP8T-NrT1yE5SSW3LVL1IvoZte59nSddeG3ZQaxx3dbF-v640gOmsA0UTruzx_S_Ymk2LLwSWJYYIu9W0ArwD-DG/w640-h480/IMG-20231101-WA0015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>In London, Daughter 2 decorated her windows with Daughter 1's tasteful hand-knitted ghosts,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-v-W1I0OCeEcCRd_uD7TGIvfAxayDyQjhGtnICxOGEPeIl14N5anRFBXAw5CCtSnkUGId4d5Zi_sTpXzVfsPlpJ7fmFE4LWOlYghummQgMVwssI6knwuKLlRQRr7aj9yEFvpu1uJyrkEX9j-4pbu4P8uPtegHiQQ0cFBG_mr3k-6flgX1vFT/s2048/IMG-20231101-WA0011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-v-W1I0OCeEcCRd_uD7TGIvfAxayDyQjhGtnICxOGEPeIl14N5anRFBXAw5CCtSnkUGId4d5Zi_sTpXzVfsPlpJ7fmFE4LWOlYghummQgMVwssI6knwuKLlRQRr7aj9yEFvpu1uJyrkEX9j-4pbu4P8uPtegHiQQ0cFBG_mr3k-6flgX1vFT/w480-h640/IMG-20231101-WA0011.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>and took Littlest Granddaughter, aka Very Scary Witch, out guising with some friends. </p><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc2y-N57f34wFdzfqwNuClWPhXXBvTuKrJSnFiMttv0yAF-XfQPjZ7sa51REME4av1kokSH7OdhElLNqdlU1wIhs20R8779flsIaXUKAxv9S2eopUB6A-HSgtBR6FzL-fpBMOQbB8LMAXQNxRU0f34s028RI_HChJQ6x5heBIaxoJuCXdi2zA/s4032/20231102_181951.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc2y-N57f34wFdzfqwNuClWPhXXBvTuKrJSnFiMttv0yAF-XfQPjZ7sa51REME4av1kokSH7OdhElLNqdlU1wIhs20R8779flsIaXUKAxv9S2eopUB6A-HSgtBR6FzL-fpBMOQbB8LMAXQNxRU0f34s028RI_HChJQ6x5heBIaxoJuCXdi2zA/w400-h195/20231102_181951.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Today I went to the station to buy a ticket to Dalmuir, the small town in the west of Scotland where - theoretically at least - I'm getting my hip replacement operation on Saturday. The routine is that you go to the hotel attached to the big hospital the night before so that you can report for surgery at 7.30 the next morning. Argh. When I asked for a single (ie one-way) to Dalmuir, the ticket chap clearly guessed why I was going and said, "A single? Have you not got much faith in the NHS, then?" <p></p><p>Mr L is collecting me in the car on Sunday. At least, let's hope. <br /> </p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-19980181460472877202023-10-27T22:34:00.003+01:002023-10-28T11:14:34.292+01:00Activities for the young<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FipTtJI03eN0kMihjc3cBD_GjNizrI1aiSPcXLYWnfhPnh_hLZ_qWlbKR7rSC1oJc6HQkqE9_qOvC9Vzz8OMX7sIcUOFFsBEZy9h70_AKvR0bUWB3wODY3OouBwkx0WIlLsvuIjZ2x5MXTiOy98Lr-MLEgODCZMpqtjfg9g01gYwqkRBPe65/s4032/20231024_140209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FipTtJI03eN0kMihjc3cBD_GjNizrI1aiSPcXLYWnfhPnh_hLZ_qWlbKR7rSC1oJc6HQkqE9_qOvC9Vzz8OMX7sIcUOFFsBEZy9h70_AKvR0bUWB3wODY3OouBwkx0WIlLsvuIjZ2x5MXTiOy98Lr-MLEgODCZMpqtjfg9g01gYwqkRBPe65/w400-h195/20231024_140209.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This week, Daughter 2 and Littlest Granddaughter have been visiting from London. It's LG's October week's holiday from school and so Granny's (and sometimes Grandpa's) holiday club has been in action, while Daughter 2 works from (our) home. On the first day, we went to one of the art galleries near here, which has various art installations in the garden, including this sort of bus shelter affair. <p></p><p>It has various mirrored surfaces, like this one, in which she's examining the new gap in her teeth. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWDaVWGXYBWtlICv06_mFFZBSldBfm1Omz2mpZYp1a0bvjtaEWXHeuRPIHJTM9jiffFLzad8AR_TcETZ2DDyJufCcl4o8gLkNOpoCUUK4hCYTmJhKnUuQ0v3NJv_0OQ_OM9Tx9F0FxzahL8d8eUGP5xaiBizz-e7fL1r3q5uL_piLTpg5jUDM/s4032/20231024_140240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWDaVWGXYBWtlICv06_mFFZBSldBfm1Omz2mpZYp1a0bvjtaEWXHeuRPIHJTM9jiffFLzad8AR_TcETZ2DDyJufCcl4o8gLkNOpoCUUK4hCYTmJhKnUuQ0v3NJv_0OQ_OM9Tx9F0FxzahL8d8eUGP5xaiBizz-e7fL1r3q5uL_piLTpg5jUDM/w400-h195/20231024_140240.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyUBobkC7Uv8sk9xY-sfSBpelCpK1JgWHaBQTUdQdd1A3xLW5UN2UoBPreGhKTQWtOimKQjMTqDR7l2lVDP2XYq-w_bGxd0LKwwlg2aHWvaZAgOkmDeMOb8IzEWx5tsLUTQmFt8WGGPtSlrLIyz6SrCceebdMNidRSZdVsnkX2I0tZ4gn6aP4/s4032/20231025_125753.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyUBobkC7Uv8sk9xY-sfSBpelCpK1JgWHaBQTUdQdd1A3xLW5UN2UoBPreGhKTQWtOimKQjMTqDR7l2lVDP2XYq-w_bGxd0LKwwlg2aHWvaZAgOkmDeMOb8IzEWx5tsLUTQmFt8WGGPtSlrLIyz6SrCceebdMNidRSZdVsnkX2I0tZ4gn6aP4/w195-h400/20231025_125753.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><p>On the second day, we went to the museum, always a rich source of interest. Also (it was a wet day), "Edinburgh's umbrella", as a fellow granny called it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPy611a_KUT309MykM6oJ3bcR-ANeLNYJZOc6jLvgFlAZ6wNZvs4Z5XwKYbZIDSASO-8EBzDIGujF7VA8Bx9Hld368H21LybimopwVUHk6yXaeaHfE4ibwYoVp3KBq462nv2wtSFx4jDiTuarBC4Y3p1Xz17dWPmTIqm2ACZv7WPBlDwUJ7GtH/s4032/20231025_122223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPy611a_KUT309MykM6oJ3bcR-ANeLNYJZOc6jLvgFlAZ6wNZvs4Z5XwKYbZIDSASO-8EBzDIGujF7VA8Bx9Hld368H21LybimopwVUHk6yXaeaHfE4ibwYoVp3KBq462nv2wtSFx4jDiTuarBC4Y3p1Xz17dWPmTIqm2ACZv7WPBlDwUJ7GtH/s320/20231025_122223.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-siqy_6pxyS6PJu_P4S5uG8UeLIfGVDQahjyTiG7wTbTZpyfPK_18rrPMenxrtXF4tYE8z5vKQ8XWtrGZpdFQq92Qivejtw4cLhwizQJMHQoN2R5IdiLTce_KLfn1OK33bUyHL-pYOtmkWMxTSoquQcxvd4BhM0owxCg2OINI4ZgQ67bP6WR/s4032/20231025_120606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-siqy_6pxyS6PJu_P4S5uG8UeLIfGVDQahjyTiG7wTbTZpyfPK_18rrPMenxrtXF4tYE8z5vKQ8XWtrGZpdFQq92Qivejtw4cLhwizQJMHQoN2R5IdiLTce_KLfn1OK33bUyHL-pYOtmkWMxTSoquQcxvd4BhM0owxCg2OINI4ZgQ67bP6WR/s320/20231025_120606.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VqnBwkQkM08dxLksHbCEaW79y5bVmPVyYwwJULaGO5kLaBAxs-HxMHc8q4nKzXw-oj1QlmHOc9MGEez6nDeJM08k2plEw-j7aXeqwlaVUT_W3GDXO0_kbwDZRYf-LvoLTP3UGeqgOBJ274wwvC6X75MiX8_8zSNIbhU0nsM9aDZHgkL1rhKq/s4032/20231026_113321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VqnBwkQkM08dxLksHbCEaW79y5bVmPVyYwwJULaGO5kLaBAxs-HxMHc8q4nKzXw-oj1QlmHOc9MGEez6nDeJM08k2plEw-j7aXeqwlaVUT_W3GDXO0_kbwDZRYf-LvoLTP3UGeqgOBJ274wwvC6X75MiX8_8zSNIbhU0nsM9aDZHgkL1rhKq/w640-h312/20231026_113321.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Yesterday we went to admire the autumn colours at Lauriston Castle, and to go to and fro and to and fro and to and fro (etc) over the stepping stones to the little island. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilU-OwdeSTNsZp4tWOzqjHe1c04khNBXRQCyVoSaZ6uCDX3HT7Cnx57AK4I7Xa_Ppfi4nf7vHZwijavjouZDUpzt7Yaqr0HBgV7Str5yDM4gINpfWvQYaSpVL-64XVknvGUCWE-owbRHMUDMSGHY59Af2nMv1egMCMl0j-0PCL57Q06T1gVSDX/s4032/20231026_113249.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilU-OwdeSTNsZp4tWOzqjHe1c04khNBXRQCyVoSaZ6uCDX3HT7Cnx57AK4I7Xa_Ppfi4nf7vHZwijavjouZDUpzt7Yaqr0HBgV7Str5yDM4gINpfWvQYaSpVL-64XVknvGUCWE-owbRHMUDMSGHY59Af2nMv1egMCMl0j-0PCL57Q06T1gVSDX/w400-h195/20231026_113249.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRcB5lrClY09W6o1NGaz0OBEzmRRAlcq3oYt2FumfFP9PKe26YDoQSnPQviYJBc6W3WyLpuO70PWZxnIzN0XeyuinUUs8LMeX3I7qy-fTMFSl55xqkyi4TGkNY_kr7NNVkaxnnqXvHs1KATtEB_sP0jzHT9-Mox97RpZV4Za1H0V_F-1C0syT/s4032/20231026_113524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRcB5lrClY09W6o1NGaz0OBEzmRRAlcq3oYt2FumfFP9PKe26YDoQSnPQviYJBc6W3WyLpuO70PWZxnIzN0XeyuinUUs8LMeX3I7qy-fTMFSl55xqkyi4TGkNY_kr7NNVkaxnnqXvHs1KATtEB_sP0jzHT9-Mox97RpZV4Za1H0V_F-1C0syT/w400-h195/20231026_113524.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjk2SVlzJF6_iMLRQzNdWy-NK9aSMpr2nFS34ctHW_gPfGZpQ1klAWcxmYihQZU0tSwvRLpd_M9LmZjljtqTjqV1Ds8kx_d39WQO16OIpk39NrVUSGspxJrBLBwJssqzE1C42s6hNPQ0_TcnQzBZNFP1u8OkglixYhTmswMqS4FEckXP9jzr6u/s4032/20231026_114000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjk2SVlzJF6_iMLRQzNdWy-NK9aSMpr2nFS34ctHW_gPfGZpQ1klAWcxmYihQZU0tSwvRLpd_M9LmZjljtqTjqV1Ds8kx_d39WQO16OIpk39NrVUSGspxJrBLBwJssqzE1C42s6hNPQ0_TcnQzBZNFP1u8OkglixYhTmswMqS4FEckXP9jzr6u/w640-h312/20231026_114000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDdVGY0QWBi-t-NsIMtpt4ZA8M2PJSji_5yKQA8MfQauT-IV3RgsKdZ9lephu_k5sZIHDu5Ukb3RWFFCaKS7NtfXdZ2hGPfh9IzLN72DQeeb3osh3XLuCCcdR7gOs6W1Q3wiaqDVZyNVeYMNQ9Jcx-1kB0bws4U9DjCghCexJtsSG8nlAVJsT/s4032/20231027_150221.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDdVGY0QWBi-t-NsIMtpt4ZA8M2PJSji_5yKQA8MfQauT-IV3RgsKdZ9lephu_k5sZIHDu5Ukb3RWFFCaKS7NtfXdZ2hGPfh9IzLN72DQeeb3osh3XLuCCcdR7gOs6W1Q3wiaqDVZyNVeYMNQ9Jcx-1kB0bws4U9DjCghCexJtsSG8nlAVJsT/w195-h400/20231027_150221.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><p>And today we tried the climbing wall and the trampoline at the nearest bouncy place. We didn't think that Littlest would want to try the wall, but she surprised us. We had Big Granddaughter with us, who was a great help and encouragement. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3j7CJ5rUZOr1qbXA5-HcAr1aK98JvNyndBZE97s2kRhqtB7jsNlGkVJwhzdXt59rLL_4F35nnZE1rkIo6mGBrGVO7Me0raZ3JvEBHTm0EOwkz59e4TxNbyfmW0Ep1ncpLTcaLk0z7LqmHyCtv3W3wgOIUHlnxlEu8F6CXSJ2gmYrU5jZkfUlu/s2048/IMG-20231027-WA0024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3j7CJ5rUZOr1qbXA5-HcAr1aK98JvNyndBZE97s2kRhqtB7jsNlGkVJwhzdXt59rLL_4F35nnZE1rkIo6mGBrGVO7Me0raZ3JvEBHTm0EOwkz59e4TxNbyfmW0Ep1ncpLTcaLk0z7LqmHyCtv3W3wgOIUHlnxlEu8F6CXSJ2gmYrU5jZkfUlu/w400-h400/IMG-20231027-WA0024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I hung up my Hallowe'en banner today and Daughter 2 found a photo showing that we've had the same one for at least 30 years. We Scots are a frugal people. Hallowe'en costumes were simpler then - you just bunged on some of your mother's old clothes and (apparently) some Christmas garlands, as Daughters 1 and 2 have done here, and off you went, guising. Guising (from "disguising"- nothing to do with Guy Fawkes, quite another occasion) is what Scots traditionally do, or at least did - not trick or treating. You (children) dress up and ring neighbours' doorbells, whereupon you sing a song or tell a joke, and they give you sweets or apples or maybe some money. I'm not sure that today's children would be so pleased with an apple... </p><p></p><p> </p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-91554711628436735452023-10-21T21:42:00.007+01:002023-10-21T21:45:03.333+01:00Agley<p>Thank you to the kind commentators who wished us well in our medical procedures. </p><p>So here's the thing. We were just leaving the house on Monday to take Mr Life to his hospital on the east side of Edinburgh for his angiogram and possible stent, when the phone rang and it was my hospital, through in the west of Scotland, cancelling my hip replacement operation because of "problems in the operating theatres". </p><p>I had been going to drop Mr L off and then drive home and get the train through to Dalmuir to stay in the hotel attached to the hospital for the night before reporting to the hospital at 7.30 am on the Tuesday. And, because Mr L wasn't going to be able to drive for the next week, we had complicated arrangements involving our son's very kindly coming to collect me on the Wednesday from his home, quite far away, and then, if I wasn't let out on the Wednesday, a helpful friend's doing the needful. </p><p><i>Anyway...</i> it didn't happen. Which was, as it turned out, just as well, because it turns out that an angiogram is a bigger and nastier thing than we'd expected (Mr L thinks they got it slightly wrong when inserting... I'm very phobic about arteries and things, so let's draw a veil) and he's had a very bruised and sore arm all week, which he isn't allowed to do much with. So if I'd been hobbling about on two sticks, uttering low moans, we'd have been a pretty pair. Also, I wasn't exactly looking forward to having the top of my leg sawn off and now I can pretend once more that it's not happening. Win win. </p><p>The further win is that Mr L didn't need a stent and his heart seems to be more or less ok. Which is good. </p><p>So we didn't do much all week. I'd had to cancel two friends who were coming for coffee on the Tuesday - this was before I knew the date (ha!) of my op - so I uncancelled them and they came and made sympathetic noises. </p><p>And I've been getting on with my cot quilt because Daughter 2's friends' baby's is due in December. So that's been quite fun. </p><p>Edinburgh Son-in-Law has been away down in Worcester with the Edinburgh Two, visiting his parents, so Daughter 1, who sadly hadn't enough holidays left to go with them, has been on her own. So today we went out for lunch with her and had a nice wander through Dr Neil's Garden by Duddingston Loch. It's still beautiful even at this time of year. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyBA4-wajCuHq_RGFeEktSieBIodCbKI5OME-eqoD1WzreJqcOsVHJrTBW5DjWigxSdXKxUbgmA-CchqNKIIl9cxwtR4XKQWFPnH4fm2Sv7a896DSdSL8nTc9yJ3XcurW2d7Qs_StUN3R0nAu_cKhnGgf_cr_GGMUinaKY3iZcF1fmGhtIDlv/s4032/20231021_142702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyBA4-wajCuHq_RGFeEktSieBIodCbKI5OME-eqoD1WzreJqcOsVHJrTBW5DjWigxSdXKxUbgmA-CchqNKIIl9cxwtR4XKQWFPnH4fm2Sv7a896DSdSL8nTc9yJ3XcurW2d7Qs_StUN3R0nAu_cKhnGgf_cr_GGMUinaKY3iZcF1fmGhtIDlv/w640-h312/20231021_142702.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>You wouldn't really think, would you, that this was in the middle (well the eastern middle) of a city? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqIRhslGB5R7jrYvx2e9ff7haT4-0FMDmoPMCYidmviEXVuA1_80LSjMe-2rUqLfoMgcFkrwDp6xkM-7l5jz_rbN94rLhO4Hm7b03uvnpqHZYGFGX3Z4-SAgEhn1WGbMJQQCwynx2agL5BNUPVR9sBqUqbsQAhEGJhIJD16TNDM4izKVsBhn2/s4032/20231021_142327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqIRhslGB5R7jrYvx2e9ff7haT4-0FMDmoPMCYidmviEXVuA1_80LSjMe-2rUqLfoMgcFkrwDp6xkM-7l5jz_rbN94rLhO4Hm7b03uvnpqHZYGFGX3Z4-SAgEhn1WGbMJQQCwynx2agL5BNUPVR9sBqUqbsQAhEGJhIJD16TNDM4izKVsBhn2/w400-h195/20231021_142327.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The garden was made about fifty years ago by two doctors in the grounds of Duddingston Kirk. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjg8WDG-tdpjxwXcUWFujYXRvlviG5O108NmQbflcZfilI3fHGDU-iTYdrSM1OBEMsURyFBPWI-kfYeMq4MpuQ-MY2BIjAgA-KngtnlPtMGhpx5Y58YP26wvz8X7tf1lmvieBZhiFkKQGtS4cD9CMAW1-WVIr6GRWsJA849FJK3FICZB8nm_mA/s4032/20231021_142046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjg8WDG-tdpjxwXcUWFujYXRvlviG5O108NmQbflcZfilI3fHGDU-iTYdrSM1OBEMsURyFBPWI-kfYeMq4MpuQ-MY2BIjAgA-KngtnlPtMGhpx5Y58YP26wvz8X7tf1lmvieBZhiFkKQGtS4cD9CMAW1-WVIr6GRWsJA849FJK3FICZB8nm_mA/w400-h195/20231021_142046.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>When I first visited it as a girl, there wasn't much: mainly heathers and small conifers. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6D5sm-fNmk-CWGJVvZJmD9vyfLM0gB8AFyQYPP6ELDfAvmiMZ0ESC_yUPIxGYRwPWHFUGJW33RAPata4xDx2QDqmQgwkhSx-SOpLP9C_qhjBO8b_lriFKA9-wjF2Ya6Pjs4A4Lyez5bfmbBQ7_6usMKn2RzYHISPY2fPp4QWmI1WZ8r0b88E/s4032/20231021_141912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6D5sm-fNmk-CWGJVvZJmD9vyfLM0gB8AFyQYPP6ELDfAvmiMZ0ESC_yUPIxGYRwPWHFUGJW33RAPata4xDx2QDqmQgwkhSx-SOpLP9C_qhjBO8b_lriFKA9-wjF2Ya6Pjs4A4Lyez5bfmbBQ7_6usMKn2RzYHISPY2fPp4QWmI1WZ8r0b88E/w400-h195/20231021_141912.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>But sadly, it's a while since I was a girl. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRzE5P1pTG2FacbNCV_AGiqiIVmYaaQDYU2mUjmIQBxFO7jH8JmPJES2BFhApZEyDKtDCFXASd6FOeWwGgT7VR_Bgr7vQUKqM-_GlvHmITAorwQiQheusdVtNyGox_07O9-8_cRopasMN1Tqg5wRUWlu4e9z1fzaE7wivEBqkpONScUpPQPFK/s4032/20231021_141900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRzE5P1pTG2FacbNCV_AGiqiIVmYaaQDYU2mUjmIQBxFO7jH8JmPJES2BFhApZEyDKtDCFXASd6FOeWwGgT7VR_Bgr7vQUKqM-_GlvHmITAorwQiQheusdVtNyGox_07O9-8_cRopasMN1Tqg5wRUWlu4e9z1fzaE7wivEBqkpONScUpPQPFK/w640-h312/20231021_141900.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>While the years have given me wrinkles and arthritis, they've only added to the beauty of the garden - which is open to the public, though is never busy. And when I've been carried off by those years, the garden will still be here and still be beautiful. Which is a comforting thought. Will I have had the op by that point? Watch this space. </p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-70519671356107084212023-10-15T19:46:00.001+01:002023-10-15T19:46:10.122+01:00Cutting<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHrUVwkhkDQDaa2qmkL0u-DKDEkMHfDDDrLAmUEIK3J4l3vs1v7nW_rMYvR89IbcRc592ERM8j03z97iA2-pIYaQcyuqNMmMX7uuJoZVFXq8eHfYHnD9k5i1DnG2_t2IL_iEnzdqiqU73DaO7zN-m621kUpNZzDythMEbN_lYo8VuIc7zNA61/s2048/IMG-20231014-WA0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHrUVwkhkDQDaa2qmkL0u-DKDEkMHfDDDrLAmUEIK3J4l3vs1v7nW_rMYvR89IbcRc592ERM8j03z97iA2-pIYaQcyuqNMmMX7uuJoZVFXq8eHfYHnD9k5i1DnG2_t2IL_iEnzdqiqU73DaO7zN-m621kUpNZzDythMEbN_lYo8VuIc7zNA61/w480-h640/IMG-20231014-WA0000.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Littlest Granddaughter is now 6 - which is a bit alarming. She had an under-the-sea-themed party - largely so that she and her friends could, if they wished, dress up as mermaids or whatever. Her mum, Daughter 2, is an architect so obviously made a fancy cake and decorated the house appropriately. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LqR84MXnKa8jZesoAVhDHifW94fdTl_Dv98Q3EvJVxudBKyqdnzR7wD4DAHoo9FEQ_IcdVjqDszlE3o5is4fr3VFfLXNYIqkqGnvJ2KWWfjPRulPrqAI7nk9_mZM-4MBhqqyWARwuRutQn8USASpxWmgLQt4bIZW9Zk_ny-IqNqiUfGHWWlR/s2048/IMG-20231014-WA0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LqR84MXnKa8jZesoAVhDHifW94fdTl_Dv98Q3EvJVxudBKyqdnzR7wD4DAHoo9FEQ_IcdVjqDszlE3o5is4fr3VFfLXNYIqkqGnvJ2KWWfjPRulPrqAI7nk9_mZM-4MBhqqyWARwuRutQn8USASpxWmgLQt4bIZW9Zk_ny-IqNqiUfGHWWlR/w400-h300/IMG-20231014-WA0004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I did use to make fancyish cakes for my children's parties. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1bMYIff8i2-BqF56lYpOzZSrLXolcNyXjHLjum6YgTgLLqQIxKT5GVPazAWOItiSNOkHHVZfc8OV0vxgoknXb5ZwyOO-SIC0enBifmUpLg3DhQTXJ2Ip0j9RKvFwFGHMsyDXyyjShdE5YUvUWYUHpu4DSOY46-uW4oRRVPIhoLWrASS1p3Hy/s2048/IMG-20231014-WA0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1bMYIff8i2-BqF56lYpOzZSrLXolcNyXjHLjum6YgTgLLqQIxKT5GVPazAWOItiSNOkHHVZfc8OV0vxgoknXb5ZwyOO-SIC0enBifmUpLg3DhQTXJ2Ip0j9RKvFwFGHMsyDXyyjShdE5YUvUWYUHpu4DSOY46-uW4oRRVPIhoLWrASS1p3Hy/w400-h300/IMG-20231014-WA0005.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>But I didn't go so far as to decorate the house.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6FSHpuAthk_0G7jNZHrM3YmezDaZuj_xJ_7e3pPaJl0aEtAzAIj3q5KSUVBuyOZzDP_ezEaZRr9knV3n8xcMJ77OnNfsuOhW_KmHYuWyAiSsYsCyTlHshHEPCkoydtUB0bgakbWtr2lSNj4jYnwXPPH3v3yL_0qAgg1tU8fLHFMjgKYXn2MX/s2048/IMG-20231014-WA0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6FSHpuAthk_0G7jNZHrM3YmezDaZuj_xJ_7e3pPaJl0aEtAzAIj3q5KSUVBuyOZzDP_ezEaZRr9knV3n8xcMJ77OnNfsuOhW_KmHYuWyAiSsYsCyTlHshHEPCkoydtUB0bgakbWtr2lSNj4jYnwXPPH3v3yL_0qAgg1tU8fLHFMjgKYXn2MX/w300-h400/IMG-20231014-WA0006.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>Anyway, we weren't there (she's in London) but a good time was had, apparently.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwuxF-huoKfQiee5YbY9YCkqNJmvaM0UAQh811N02RWL_sI5nOcxOAsOvDcgdCPj2j9d6lgQBmjtYVQleuthvMm1USSdfFUijDuxti4URe-O_wAdM86IKi-Vjth7EJGm34vitJncfJueXr7IfHr9iKcpbXSBx7yD8iPgJ9p7HcElxSUxNJsBH/s4032/20231015_161037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwuxF-huoKfQiee5YbY9YCkqNJmvaM0UAQh811N02RWL_sI5nOcxOAsOvDcgdCPj2j9d6lgQBmjtYVQleuthvMm1USSdfFUijDuxti4URe-O_wAdM86IKi-Vjth7EJGm34vitJncfJueXr7IfHr9iKcpbXSBx7yD8iPgJ9p7HcElxSUxNJsBH/w195-h400/20231015_161037.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><p>I've been getting on with the cot quilt. I think it needs sashing. It's just lying on a sheet here to test out white for this purpose. I don't know how soon I'll be able to get back to it: cutting out is quite physical. I mean, not like mountaineering; but you need to stand and lean over and so on. </p><p></p><p>Talking of cutting, I've been reading the booklet the hospital gives you about the operation. It sounds extremely gruesome. I'm glad I'm not a surgeon, though equally glad that other people are. I hope they don't tell me about it as they go along (one gets an epidural, another thing I've never had, rather than a general anaesthetic). Other times I've been in hospital for unpleasant experiences, I've been given a nice baby at the end of it all. Sadly, I don't think this is going to happen this time.</p><p>I'm now going to go and read something more soothing, possibly about gardens. Much more my thing. <br /> </p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-31945856999001441412023-10-12T20:09:00.002+01:002023-10-12T20:10:21.118+01:00Sorting out<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Goodness gracious, how is the world, or at least selected parts of the world, still at war in this day and age? It's scarcely believable: with all our so-called civilisation, some people are still behaving as if they were in Tudor times - kidnapping and killing one another in their quest for power. The minority, I'm sure, but their actions are so devastating.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's all too sad and unfathomable. A <i>lot</i> of sorting out is needed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ELDQymkW9q2xaZn0HOfBisgVaS8tg0Wp5N7P3wRlnFSibljvpuWnOP94ppkfOExtSR8XrvAirMdZTY-7Mh1i50UPYPEMzjyb7Fq7mEWppkP9RzHHNvFJB6LtXjG11tFbbbtSA4802kFdymx9Ow1k6QnkGE2Q2kylNwL-SQV0jJ-JspLzh0zB/s4032/20231007_115913.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ELDQymkW9q2xaZn0HOfBisgVaS8tg0Wp5N7P3wRlnFSibljvpuWnOP94ppkfOExtSR8XrvAirMdZTY-7Mh1i50UPYPEMzjyb7Fq7mEWppkP9RzHHNvFJB6LtXjG11tFbbbtSA4802kFdymx9Ow1k6QnkGE2Q2kylNwL-SQV0jJ-JspLzh0zB/w400-h195/20231007_115913.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I'm making a cot quilt for one of Daughter 2's friends. She wants yellows and ochres, and not too much in the way of patterned fabric. Can't say ochre is my thing, or at least not the browny side of ochre, so I'm interpreting this as yellow with a bit of (reluctant) orange, and a few sneaked-in patterns. There are going to be quite a lot of solidish colours too. It's such fun, playing with fabric.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEMIuB-6cbCQ91XTzC8iOa3oXU1BbgMwuhvOWgfMsiMIcoHVq2xiYQ2FDDbHqiGPFaVXBCozgH6SBQiFezzJOqhoMuIWpmRP8ID6N72QMhbKXg86EFZwXA8g2tZldcHmKOD-OKZaDliVzafOCyI8z7ZxSsWq2j-IVf_oJLpL2Y60TGvcH4LiA/s4032/20231007_115917.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEMIuB-6cbCQ91XTzC8iOa3oXU1BbgMwuhvOWgfMsiMIcoHVq2xiYQ2FDDbHqiGPFaVXBCozgH6SBQiFezzJOqhoMuIWpmRP8ID6N72QMhbKXg86EFZwXA8g2tZldcHmKOD-OKZaDliVzafOCyI8z7ZxSsWq2j-IVf_oJLpL2Y60TGvcH4LiA/w400-h195/20231007_115917.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmvKTr6w5RwvgL_wwgXCI1nALSIy8hHl7YWkD74ZrIOZ2zUbQMwq5GOnxPWcHDaKETwi0PyeuiGiHzR9AAJX8YYU3Ca6jNGV42_5-ukyhuwMhBEZHFf_AGo3ETkN8ciNeM1R5LMLVmfD-stR4Devnkyc6I0AdF96cBDxLkgnnLiXMPlA9iO70/s4032/20231010_110622.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmvKTr6w5RwvgL_wwgXCI1nALSIy8hHl7YWkD74ZrIOZ2zUbQMwq5GOnxPWcHDaKETwi0PyeuiGiHzR9AAJX8YYU3Ca6jNGV42_5-ukyhuwMhBEZHFf_AGo3ETkN8ciNeM1R5LMLVmfD-stR4Devnkyc6I0AdF96cBDxLkgnnLiXMPlA9iO70/w195-h400/20231010_110622.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><p>We went up on Saturday to visit Son and his little ones and had a lovely time. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyRJxv-kjzEPDr8jhkiU9-qcBjl9RqCmdXNb9cnlq5nQtuZWZlZoEv92ZIfwEDQzoofzbu8z_VE11-8yr37Tr0Lqf8mADJj6TWa4d8pIlzZ2dfAOD_e6FzK4LluC1H2NHAn3llsdIgskL62UdDUfRbDJ-s0A_90irRcSJ3CBsPi3BzvV-UG81/s4032/20231010_203651.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyRJxv-kjzEPDr8jhkiU9-qcBjl9RqCmdXNb9cnlq5nQtuZWZlZoEv92ZIfwEDQzoofzbu8z_VE11-8yr37Tr0Lqf8mADJj6TWa4d8pIlzZ2dfAOD_e6FzK4LluC1H2NHAn3llsdIgskL62UdDUfRbDJ-s0A_90irRcSJ3CBsPi3BzvV-UG81/w195-h400/20231010_203651.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><p>Back at the quilt assembly, I did this <i>again! </i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOuwYv2fuXzZ9omPUSYSzd_fD9jWnsr4LY1S1sjWadgQzjYViYRnYymRj4hZTV1MayIFrucmllYz4DRUJwBv2CSb52qIxkd2BWEqvawYEcK757ISAEM_9B-Yw_ET0rpth7mxmdq6YFvsSysnBEMwzDAosyu8bM4Q5_DVd2UfgjZRb1wtiR5Ol/s4032/20231010_205157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOuwYv2fuXzZ9omPUSYSzd_fD9jWnsr4LY1S1sjWadgQzjYViYRnYymRj4hZTV1MayIFrucmllYz4DRUJwBv2CSb52qIxkd2BWEqvawYEcK757ISAEM_9B-Yw_ET0rpth7mxmdq6YFvsSysnBEMwzDAosyu8bM4Q5_DVd2UfgjZRb1wtiR5Ol/w312-h640/20231010_205157.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><p>Talk about a slow learner... Even that attempt wasn't quite right because I then noticed that the top left hand square was a different way round from the other similar ones. It's now sorted! </p><p></p><p>It's been quite wet here, which has shown us that the new skylights we've had put in the kitchen are not entirely satisfactory. One is fine. The other leaks. They were put in three weeks ago and since then, the chaps have been back <i>five times</i> to try to find where the water is getting in. The last time - at least, we're hoping it's the last time - was yesterday. It hasn't rained since, so it's impossible to tell whether it's worked at last. "I'm 95% certain that's it now," said the chap. So far, we've had Lee, Lee's three laddies who actually did the initial work, Lee's dad and then yesterday Lee's brother trying to sort it out. Sigh.</p><p>The garden has been neglected because we were away and then it rained, but I did a bit of autumn cutting-down today. I'm going to get a hip replacement operation on Tuesday (argh), after which I'm not allowed to garden for 12 weeks, so... it's just as well that it's going to be winter. Mr L is having an angiogram and possible stent on Monday - it's all go from the NHS for us. I suppose we must be getting old. Funny how soon that happens. We were young and vigorous the other month... or at least year. Still, let the NHS sort <i>us</i> out and then we'll be leaping around again. Let's hope.<br /> </p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23379328.post-8150881766781155502023-10-05T21:46:00.004+01:002023-10-05T21:50:05.302+01:00Going away and coming back again<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9fD4fHpndBRbM8SA3Kclr_pqXZRxFMHbwrHcHCprSm6o3H64Ia8dAuFcyDXXhvsjR7VfvQH_1Ex-c7hm_GkY2YK5PrVbjTRmY2Cggpmj1MU3_VffCWKgMGUWIlC-Sq2LgW01e8XUy6tJ7vcNjnwMLRc332cEVRFmm4ejnBHXsLCN79NZoCe4/s4032/20230926_120929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9fD4fHpndBRbM8SA3Kclr_pqXZRxFMHbwrHcHCprSm6o3H64Ia8dAuFcyDXXhvsjR7VfvQH_1Ex-c7hm_GkY2YK5PrVbjTRmY2Cggpmj1MU3_VffCWKgMGUWIlC-Sq2LgW01e8XUy6tJ7vcNjnwMLRc332cEVRFmm4ejnBHXsLCN79NZoCe4/w400-h195/20230926_120929.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We've been away for a little holiday. First we went to Norwich, in the south(ish) east of England, where we visited, among other places, Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery. In the art gallery, some of the paintings were hung upside down. This has been done because it's a ... what? ... an installation, maybe, by an artist whose name we didn't know and have now forgotten. He has recently chosen some paintings to be hung upside down so as to ... the attendant I spoke to didn't really know, but thought that it was to make us look at them differently. Yes... . </p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZKqMEazq_GOc1ztLA239VQwVkSrvechdqcSE2Z25os5AlZeixsixwINiLqUzH4_lxnxkq0ydkx-_jVw3PtRVLtsx4YkqpuqQsag44PG1uL06WssgW3kMBm6kSFQSSI-EGZ45Wz52uqxdKw73vpDKUPdB9jfCe-0-_cNU0MjslWZofrx1QpVu/s4032/20230927_101914.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZKqMEazq_GOc1ztLA239VQwVkSrvechdqcSE2Z25os5AlZeixsixwINiLqUzH4_lxnxkq0ydkx-_jVw3PtRVLtsx4YkqpuqQsag44PG1uL06WssgW3kMBm6kSFQSSI-EGZ45Wz52uqxdKw73vpDKUPdB9jfCe-0-_cNU0MjslWZofrx1QpVu/w640-h312/20230927_101914.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Anyway, we had various nice walks along the river, </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfK9unT5KY0vzAtOkRJYbrkgpUqwrssqsrsk3qMWlEgKrYp2QSqLwsRorWCkNdafU4eRtOUFQX6xHZe9QRHJiWLJXRzj-UjZd-zxdU2yTJ3IYLsrq1JRnetIiiNkF9zHvBWty1fjA7FNXBEp0xXk6B6LEr2z5h5d5Cs4yGRmjyU5QaQnvgql-m/s4032/20230928_124702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfK9unT5KY0vzAtOkRJYbrkgpUqwrssqsrsk3qMWlEgKrYp2QSqLwsRorWCkNdafU4eRtOUFQX6xHZe9QRHJiWLJXRzj-UjZd-zxdU2yTJ3IYLsrq1JRnetIiiNkF9zHvBWty1fjA7FNXBEp0xXk6B6LEr2z5h5d5Cs4yGRmjyU5QaQnvgql-m/w195-h400/20230928_124702.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><p>and visited the very impressive Norwich Cathedral, built 900 years ago.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5S7VtnUKMOSK3uY02yoiD9yOB59qEcJyBG-nGnj4PVsrsnQwLb7YfGNBXuz-Q8sj6ZYW_-ZDucIdNHF1xSOoTcy1vK3nh0m0T52O6Xjl2V4DOr-8-xIqHGEPCgQS-wZF7c-mgp4R2oFzp1QmDjm61CvpE617cRCEHGiq4D6Kbp7G7tDZKu1Bo/s4032/20230929_122301.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5S7VtnUKMOSK3uY02yoiD9yOB59qEcJyBG-nGnj4PVsrsnQwLb7YfGNBXuz-Q8sj6ZYW_-ZDucIdNHF1xSOoTcy1vK3nh0m0T52O6Xjl2V4DOr-8-xIqHGEPCgQS-wZF7c-mgp4R2oFzp1QmDjm61CvpE617cRCEHGiq4D6Kbp7G7tDZKu1Bo/w400-h195/20230929_122301.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Then we went to Cambridge to visit my brother and sister-in-law, who moved there last year to be near their daughter. This day, we visited Bury St Edmunds, and walked among the ruins of Bury St Edmunds Abbey, which was built around 1020 but destroyed by Henry VIII after 1539 in the dissolution of the monasteries. There are various lumps left of it, and interesting diagrams and models to show you what it was once like. HUGE, is what it was like. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvotYcHu-SKClD7gYF-d5f0EEj0Jo9cgZtfFmV2p8Sqzk09SFBeTaGUX4SDekqnw804HlziYLKzXEK54hWn_6Sb7VKt7s-FCfKPwna6c6O_LWCWAYDoYieP04nbzUOKkhmA9edfm7dWzyvtjdp8x9-IXWs2haYghb9kIWp0cV2KsTJptAJeNF/s4032/20230929_124227.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvotYcHu-SKClD7gYF-d5f0EEj0Jo9cgZtfFmV2p8Sqzk09SFBeTaGUX4SDekqnw804HlziYLKzXEK54hWn_6Sb7VKt7s-FCfKPwna6c6O_LWCWAYDoYieP04nbzUOKkhmA9edfm7dWzyvtjdp8x9-IXWs2haYghb9kIWp0cV2KsTJptAJeNF/w640-h312/20230929_124227.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>See the mustard-coloured bit on the drawing of the abbey as it was? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjYmWmMnPUsvyqbOgHzIiv7tdD3uX1500jYPWzKdvytwMWgGVEOJRYS75y4mcbJlA2768cIbn0UOTM6nd7rjQyHoxfDTtCxOc9T-cVDABlvmfc8qnS6gmyancUXw6pvlj12wbr8h8QVDC_jFF35pDeORxoBNtuOBagm0K42QelI1MfDzgQHMe/s4032/20230929_124240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjYmWmMnPUsvyqbOgHzIiv7tdD3uX1500jYPWzKdvytwMWgGVEOJRYS75y4mcbJlA2768cIbn0UOTM6nd7rjQyHoxfDTtCxOc9T-cVDABlvmfc8qnS6gmyancUXw6pvlj12wbr8h8QVDC_jFF35pDeORxoBNtuOBagm0K42QelI1MfDzgQHMe/w640-h312/20230929_124240.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>This is it here. It's a fair size, so the rest of the abbey must have been enormous.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxG5vDlYxAbQ3A75QLYyLWOTlheSR4JOXEIH_s22QqVfKdcZfzo5KSfuBVS7Gc0GeMaDB-01JBqL434-nhTTTT1f7ejzj-bvykloGjTCtts6Xg3dBcG1GPR6K2as6PE3QQfI5gEDeM-EboUHCEK4ozzKJBwxAFuwHrCc3hsSsdKn9vDyIXpLd/s4032/20231001_130805.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxG5vDlYxAbQ3A75QLYyLWOTlheSR4JOXEIH_s22QqVfKdcZfzo5KSfuBVS7Gc0GeMaDB-01JBqL434-nhTTTT1f7ejzj-bvykloGjTCtts6Xg3dBcG1GPR6K2as6PE3QQfI5gEDeM-EboUHCEK4ozzKJBwxAFuwHrCc3hsSsdKn9vDyIXpLd/w400-h195/20231001_130805.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We also took a trip to Anglesey Abbey, which is neither in Anglesey nor an abbey, but a stately home. Mr L and I visited this in 1972, while staying with my aunt, who lived in Cambridge at the time. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK_oRmaX0BhiNTiYwcnXyqrmWZalNWTjop-24vkV6p62G07SpiePXD5MqIy3NSCfKX__CjIzYT-8HyoHiQufnjIKuB9BT1IngNWKwgY0gbrkMiCPgtbTh7AqqWfnv0rx36BD7BoWPB2nwO0UjSTz83XRwvEw_5hfCgVsOCtNVgwLl4Ps4Lscs/s2048/IMG-20231004-WA0016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK_oRmaX0BhiNTiYwcnXyqrmWZalNWTjop-24vkV6p62G07SpiePXD5MqIy3NSCfKX__CjIzYT-8HyoHiQufnjIKuB9BT1IngNWKwgY0gbrkMiCPgtbTh7AqqWfnv0rx36BD7BoWPB2nwO0UjSTz83XRwvEw_5hfCgVsOCtNVgwLl4Ps4Lscs/s320/IMG-20231004-WA0016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I remembered that I'd taken a photo of Mr L lying on the grass, so we recreated it in roughly the same place, 51 years later. He would look more like his youthful self if he didn't have the beard. He still looks much the same to me, anyway. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhyphenhyphenHwUXAcLgQVxRI6Qed51mOiUocJbVtfuY_W0u-E4wqhOKj_FhGh3amFsHVGFfHcQSABNX6lF5jXOyU-APIOxgbZpT_h0pwrJap3jDeAV14EIu68YBUaoNlTO2vM1cWh6XfUqb4E_HAH292sdvGnArpqyVR-CKHwa-KyNO_2ng0gyb7_wE4R/s4032/20231001_132852.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhyphenhyphenHwUXAcLgQVxRI6Qed51mOiUocJbVtfuY_W0u-E4wqhOKj_FhGh3amFsHVGFfHcQSABNX6lF5jXOyU-APIOxgbZpT_h0pwrJap3jDeAV14EIu68YBUaoNlTO2vM1cWh6XfUqb4E_HAH292sdvGnArpqyVR-CKHwa-KyNO_2ng0gyb7_wE4R/w400-h195/20231001_132852.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There's a dahlia bed with flowers shading from red, to pink, orange, yellow and white. Dahlias can be a bit garish but this was a nice way to display them. I'm not really into clashy colours.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPVYO5Y2dOG7MUYK71cWutFFVBAeLCkKbOdjkkL_esRdyK9cltkIIQ0ZlG2lkolHYsCEpBJTTJCIITA3oXW2CZtZwpWLbV4M8-2_firUn-_-cQmOv21IyDlvFyEDr6FeH7MbV5Rnom-2suawZYpO43De6JpI3jW2BNslTwIr9lUkvndmq_Tqf/s4032/20231001_162426.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPVYO5Y2dOG7MUYK71cWutFFVBAeLCkKbOdjkkL_esRdyK9cltkIIQ0ZlG2lkolHYsCEpBJTTJCIITA3oXW2CZtZwpWLbV4M8-2_firUn-_-cQmOv21IyDlvFyEDr6FeH7MbV5Rnom-2suawZYpO43De6JpI3jW2BNslTwIr9lUkvndmq_Tqf/w400-h195/20231001_162426.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And this is a photo of my niece at her allotment. "Is this for the blog?" she asked. Turns out, it was. </div><div><br /></div><div>So we had a lovely time and now we're back and catching up with stuff. <br /><br /> <p></p></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111018963013085070noreply@blogger.com5