Grass! and weather change

 Back into town for banking and some salad shopping. It is s disadvantage not having a car, so no big shop. On the other hand if I forget something. it is no big deal!!

Unfortunately I rarely shop in the village shop...but...if it doesn't sell what I'd buy.....

As the bus home made its way back, the weather was changing and the heat easing.

A quick clothes wash on the line, and finish the grass strimming..not a perfect job. I'm learning how to use the strimmer. A new one!! We always borrowed one when we were doing lawns together and it was a bit of a beast..so Pirate did that part of the job.

It is definitely clouding up and cooling down, with the clouds racing along in the wind...from 27⁰ it is forecast to be 17⁰ !!

Still, some rain will help in the garden. I'm looking at garden photos of previous years and all salad crops, beetroot, beans are way behind. However what is there is doing ok.

shortish back and sides! Not as short as the fields cut for silage around here that almost look scalped!

the setting sun catching the clouds...which are hiding the moon. 

The sun setting behind clouds over the Clyde..and it looks like it could be raining over the Beinns in the far distance.

Gallery Day

 No car, so on the bus...with no choice. I'd have probably chosen the bus anyway!

Although once you add in waiting for buses and the 15 minute walk between the gallery and the bus stop...total journey time 2 ¼ to 2¾ hours, depending on bus timing and missed connection on the return journey...

It is a tough call sometimes..but the bus is free!!

For the first time this year I didn't need to cosy up to the heaters!! Outside it was 24⁰ and probably higher in sheltered spots.

In the Smiddy it was cool and comfortable.

No-one ever built a blacksmith's workshop to be warm!!

Gardening was planned...but I didn't do much. It was good to see progress on the seeds and seedlings front though...

beetroot!...leek seedlings

and germinating beans

Gardening

 I'm feeling out of kilter. 

Just seeing other places and possibilities?

Who knows. 

With a bunch of birthdays coming up I went to Ayr (again!) and bought cards in the closing down sale of the company that bought most of WH Smith. I know ..I should be making them myself....

Next, bottled water. I don't like buying this But if it shows that the tap water here, even if filtered, is upsetting my inner workings it is worth it.

It was hot (24) and hazy today. That meant staying in the cool until 5...then weeding!!!

The compost heap is looking healthier thanks to that. .then after dinner, I weeded the alpine strawberry bed. The tatties were standing tall in the evening...I must earth them up again tomorrow evening.p

The sunset was a warm apricot colour...and I can see the moon now from my bedroom window..

Hotter

 Today the temperature reached 23⁰. 

In the morning I finished the path at the front...by which time the shade had gone from the side of the house. 

A sheets wash and a towels and jeans wash dried on the  line in no time....and the sky was clear blue.

Salad for lunch , a rest then out again, working where there was shade. I've weeded one side of a raised bed with fruit bushes, the leeks (must use them before they run to seed) and cleared the central slab path..that latter was fortunately a quick job. I may do a little more in an hour or so, when the sun is away from the alpine strawberry bed..so long as the little breeze keeps up, or I will be midged!!

So much to do...the breadmaker has looked after itself...I miss baking properly, but baking for one isn't so enjoyable.

I need to keep up my drawing...and think of new prints..and I've ideas for pots....and get out on my bike...and loads of other things!!!!

weekend warming

 We are just on the edge of the heat dome here....mornings this weekend started a little chilly, but warmed up nicely.

I've done some work in the garden this weekend...it has got rather scruffy between Not Gardening Weather and being away!!

I went into Ayr on Saturday morning for the few things that I'd forgotten on Friday....plus first  going to Prestwick to see the travel agents to thank them for the work they do..they are a great help and reassurance...worth every penny extra!

They like to hear how peoples' trips have been ...it helps them do their job and they enjoy hearing about them. 

Plus , with future travels in mind, how things are going.

strimmed...better than nothing!

carrot...the flowers will be good for bees

beetroot. lovely shapes!!

The half near the road took a couple of hours before lunch....always a bit of a slog as the slabs were laid too close. the second half up the ramp was only an hour, which was fortunate as it was getting warm!

Then at 8pm I got inspired and did the section on the left...a very pleasant evening and midge free until the breeze dropped!

This shouldn't take long tomorrow

and then there is more!!

but that is enough for tonight!

 

More usual...

 Another load of washing this morning...catching up on things I ran out of time to do before going away!! I checked the forecast first...despite a damp morning, it looked dry from lunchtime on. 

I hung it out just before heading for town on the bus.. Dashed down to the stop...and it was nearly 15 minutes late!!

First stop post office...getting a proof of posting for my driving licence renewal form.

Then a good blether with the owner of the Dancing Thistle.  She has one small section if the shop that noone knows what it is....it needs someone with a long and large masonry drill so that they can then pass a camera through and see what is there!!

I'm going to see what archive material I can access online to find more about its history.

Then French Conversation...although more conversation about French today ! It all helps.

Then back home for a salad supper.

I'm trying to eat as I do in France. Somehow my insides are much healthier there, even though I eat no differently, usually.

Perhaps it is the water? France certainly agrees with my health anyway. My hayfever was far better and I only needed my antihistamine eye drops and tablets for the first few days there.

Gradually getting everything back on track.

There is SO much to do !! 

Just checking the weather forecast..about 17⁰ today...it will be high 20s in South Wales...and mid 30s at least in Limousin....

I've just missed a few interesting happenings around Limoges this week too....must plan better for next time!!

Back to the usual

 Cold....wet....I went by car to yesterday's gallery duty....not many people about , unsurprisingly!

My car did a stutter on the way back....and then as I reversed onto my runway it stalled...luckily it is on there and not on the pavement.  It has done this before occasionally...but you think oh, silly me fir stalling it, restart and carry on...except that the only thing to work was the starter motor....

At least it didn't conk out when it stuttered...

Garage man had last week off, so is up to his ears...next week is holiday monday..and he doesn't work fridays....(since getting the scare of his life contracting covid19 he works to live...not lives to work...)

He has the key and hopes to look at it Tuesday or Wednesday...

So with the time in France done...and I didn't want to return...and now the car...MEH!!!!!

Still, not all the seedlings that were parked out in the garden died...they are now back in the greenhouse...Most of the tatties are growing ok and I earthed them up last night.

The washing has dried and just the ironing to do.

I've found an idea for using prints that aren't quite as I'd like...making small notebooks with spare paper that I already have. 

They should sell...and it would reduce the amount of Stuff here....

But still...meh....and hmff!!

Grumble and rant over...lets get on with it...

The Rowan in the front garden is blooming nicely anyway!