There is no current significance to this picture but I have put it here as it is two years, more or less to the day, since I started this blog and this was the first picture that appeared. I note, somewhat sadly considering my present state of health, that I cycled a hundred miles, including a 2000ft summit, on the that day. It was good to be young then.
As some readers may know, I started the blog when I realised that in the nine years since I was given a book at the millennium by my daughter to record interesting things that happened to me in the 21 st century, I had only managed to make one entry. The blog has changed that and I have pretty well manged a post every day for the past two years. Whether they have contained anything interesting is up to you to judge but I have enjoyed writing them. An added bonus is the many interesting people that I have met virtually through the blogosphere and who provide me with a daily diet of varied reading and wonderful pictures.
Writing the blog has accidentally got me interested in photography and wild life and I think that both of these will turn out to be abiding interests.
The photography interest was to the fore this morning, as I arranged for a photographer from our local paper to come and mark the opening of our photographic exhibition in the Town Hall Gallery.
The exhibition is in the same place as one of our tourist information points and when the volunteer for that didn’t turn up, I took his place and spent a quiet morning waiting for tourists. I didn’t get many tourists but Dropscone dropped in to admire his daughter’s pictures. I did break off for twenty minutes to go and get my blood tested. I’ve still got some which is good.
When I got home, the garden beckoned in the sunny weather which has followed after my sister’s return to London. I mowed the middle lawn and then took the camera out.
There was a selection of birds about.
I wanted to take advantage of the good weather so I left Mrs Tootlepedal painting the shredder…
… and I set off on the slow bike to go to the moorland feeders to see if I could see a woodpecker or two.
I noticed a reed bunting first…
..but I didn’t have to wait long for a woodpecker to arrive.
It spent a lot of time flitting between the feeders..
…with a beak full of seeds from here.
…to put in the cracks of the wooden feeder. It gave me a lot of entertainment and I have put an album of pictures on Facebook for those with time to waste. When the woodpecker flew off, other birds were available.
And even smaller flying objects.
Then another woodpecker turned up and headed for the nuts in a more conventional fashion.
Though it did have a go at being a perching bird.
The powers that be (she knows who she is) have not provided bird watching seats for the elderly so in spite of the bird action and the beautiful surroundings…
…my legs called a halt to the enjoyment and I cycled off down to the Kilngreen where I saw a welcome sight on a hot day.
I had enough money in my pocket for a nougat wafer and I sat on a bench by the river to enjoy it. Then I cycled round the pheasant hatchery…
..and enjoyed another sit down, this time on a rock by the River Esk.
When I got home, I scarified the front lawn to remove more of the dead moss and then mowed it. Then for good measure, I mowed the drying green as well. You can tell the weather is good when you get to mow three lawns in the same day.
Not surprisingly, I felt that I had done enough for the day by then so I retired indoors for a thorough sit down.
Today’s flying bird was a black headed gull which cruised past while I was eating my ice cream.
Visit Sandy’s blog to see the pictures he has put in our exhibition.
Tootlepedal's Blog 
Congratulations on your two years of blogging.
Your photography has come on leaps and bounds.
Your encouragement has been always welcome. Thank you.
The topic of blood: I’ve still got some which is good. (restrictive clause) Or. . . I’ve still got some, which is good (non-restrictive clause). Just seeking clarity as to your blood!
Great pics as always. The river spot is very inviting. I got to go to the mountains today to a mountain lake which is equally inviting. Pics to follow, of course.
The urge to teach never leaves one, does it? In this case, although I meant the non-restrictive clause, both clauses seem to apply, which is good.
Urge to teach and the urge to be sarcastic–sometimes one in the same! 🙂
Congratulations on the blog birthday. As a relative newcomer it was interesting to learn a bit of your blog’s background. I wouldn’t have guessed that photography and wildlife were new interests.
They are the consolations of relative old age.
Your blog is my very favourite (but don’t tell anyone – hehe!)
Your secret is safe with me.
Congratulations on your two year anniversary!
Your photography has been a wonderful part of your blog! It has introduced me and others to a part of the world that we might never have shared otherwise!
Sorry about the change of pace you’ve been forced into. Seems like you have much to offer so keep the blogs postings coming!
Mrs. Tootleoedal
Mrs Tootlepedal has really done s fabulous job on prepping the unit for sale!
She is a painstaking sort of person.
The picture of the pink is stunning! Congratulations on your two years of providing us with great entertainment and information. It was very hot here too and a “slider” from Pelosi’s would have been very welcome.
There are few moments in life when a Pelosi’s ice cream wouldn’t make that moment better.
It’s been fun watching you tootle and pedal (well, till recently) these past many months.
It’s been fun to ride up big hills without having actually to pedal. Thank you for providing the medium to do this.
Congratulations on two successful years of blogging. Your posts are “must reads” for me. I am struck by the wide variety in your audience, which speaks very well of your ability to inform and entertain on a number of subjects.
You are most polite. Reading your and other US posts is one of the reasons that made me glad that I started blogging.as I am getting a wider view of the USA than I had before and being entertained at the same time.
Many congratulations on your two year anniversary and excellent pictures, which seem to get better and better, if that were possible!
Congrats on the blogging anniversary! I feel like I’m touring Merry Old England when I read your blog.
That would be fine if I lived in England. Although it is only eight miles away, I actually live in Scotland but your kind sentiments are appreciated.
This is awesome. I can’t help but follow you.
Congrats Tom two years of daily posting, that is really awesome! I do enjoy following your blog and experiencing Scotland’s birds and landscapes through your lens. It is always a treat!