Today’s guest picture comes from ex work colleague Marjorie. She was surprised to find a common murre or guillemot in the field behind her house last week far from its usual habitat. Presumably it was blown there by the strong winds of storm Ali.
Long time readers may remember New Zealand’s baby of the century, Maisie who in her youth figured in guest pictures on this blog.
This was one of my favourites scenes showing Maisie reading to her new little sister in 2104. Both pictures were sent by her mother Jenny
The reason I mention this is because we were honoured by a visit from Maisie in person today, along with her sister Fran, her parents, Jenny and David and her grand parents. Alison and Mike.
David, Jenny and the girls are on a flying visit to the UK to meet his family and their old friends.
They are surviving serious hospitality very well…
…and we had a most enjoyable lunch with them and Mike and Alison today. (Note that Maisie is still reading).
They are heading home soon so our loss will be New Zealand’s gain.
It had been a very dreich morning with persistent drizzle so quite apart from getting things ready for the visit, it was not a good day for bird…
…or flower pictures. It was warm though at 15°C so I popped out to take a picture or two before they came.
Ever more nerines are coming out…
…and the dead heading among the dahlias is paying dividedns as there are still plenty to admire….
..both in the front bed and among the slightly less than Sunny Reggaes today.
The garden is full of nicotianas and if we get a calm and fine evening, their scent should be delightful.
Lilian Austin has three flowers on the go…
…but since there were two grandmothers in the house today, I will give pride of place to Special Grandma.
When our visitors had left after lunch to do some more socialising and the lunch table had been cleared, it turned out that the drizzle had stopped for a while so I got the new bike out and did some skulking in the bottom of the valley to keep out of the brisk wind.
It was warm enough to make stretching my legs a pleasure and I had time for 17 miles which was an unexpected bonus.
After a very light evening meal, I went out to sing with our local community choir and had a good time singing some of the notes in the right place and at the right pitch.
After the choir, I walked along to the Social Club where Scott our minister was having a farewell do before leaving us on Friday to go to a parish in Glasgow. He is working out how to get a scone radar that will work over 90 miles. I hope he manages because it would be good to see him from time to time and find out how he is getting on in the big city.
The flying bird of the day is a rather gloomy chaffinch.
Tootlepedal's Blog 
How fast they grow. Kids and plants.
I like the nerines and I’m wondering why I never grew them.
I haven’t seen a rose in a while but they must still be blooming. I’ll have to go looking this weekend.
There are still quite a lot showing in other people’s gardens as I walk round the town.
I’m only a medium-term reader so hadn’t seen the pictures of Maisie before. The first immediately reminded me of the painting (‘Bubbles’ I think), which made the Pears soap adverts all those years ago, aeons before Maisie was born.
She was the world’s greatest baby until Matilda arrived.
I guess that all I have to say today is that I loved seeing the flowers again, and keep them coming for as long as they’re around. Flowers are getting hard to find around here.
You can expect more of the same until the frosts come.
The chaffinch might look gloomy, but I expect everyone else was jolly after such a visit.
It went off well.
Glad you fitted in a cycle ride as well as entertaining your visitors. The nerine you photographed was very pretty, nearly as good as a fuchsia.
Lovely picture of your visitors.
Hope all goes very well for Scott in his new parish.
nice to read as I have time due to being unwell – glad you are cycling. The weather hear is lovely and I need to stay wrapped up
That is bad luck. I hope you are back on the bike soon.
A reunion seems like a splendid way to spend a dreich day.
It was.
A good way to spend the day. As for right notes at the right time – be careful about setting the bar too high, they may expect the same again.
Not from me!
🙂
The 2014 guest photo is special and I expect a treasured memory for all. Looked like a happy reunion with tasty lunch included. Fitting in a cycle ride, a sing song and a goodbye after everything else – sound like another full and happy day in the Borders!
It was a good day all round. I hope the youngsters have a good journey home to NZ.
I’m glad Maisie still likes to read.
Oh how I wish I could get the rose Special Grandma here. I’ve found it for sale online but only in the U.K. I had a special grandma, you see.
The garden still looks so beautiful. Hats off to Mrs. Tootlepedal!