Today’s very appropriate guest picture comes from my brother Andrew. He not only photographed this Halloween lantern but also carved it himself and grew the plant too. A man of many talents.
We had another in our run of frosty mornings but dry days today and after coffee, I went out for a walk with my bird watching camera to see if there were any obliging gulls at the Kilngreen.
Before I left, I had a quick round up of some surviving flowers in the garden. The phlox is very amazing.
I also checked the birds and found a dunnock considering the seed feeder and a blackbird nibbling on an apple.
When I got to the Kilngreen, the first black headed gull that I met was standing on a rock.
And then I noticed that a lot more were standing around nearby.
Some gulls kindly took to the air and flew slowly past me…
They were joined by a black backed gull.
While I was walking up the river bank, I came to this brand new bench. It has been put in place to remember a local farrier who was a great supporter of the Common Riding where his skills were often in demand.
Below the bench, two mallards cruised past…
…and further upstream, a dog did what a dog does when it has been chasing a ball into the cold waters of the Ewes.
Having spent some time, hanging with the gulls, I moved onto the Castleholm…
…and walked round the new path, looking up at the pine trees as I passed under them.
I crossed the Jubilee Bridge and thought that I ought to try to take a picture of it. I scrambled down the banking and took this view from the water’s edge.
And I looked across the Esk while I was down there.
On my way round the Scholars’ Field path, I once again stopped to admire the staying power of the corydalis which is growing out of a crack in the wall.
Some gardeners go to great lengths to prepare soil and nurture their plants. The Scholars’ Field wall makes you wonder if all that work is needed.
It doesn’t just have corydalis, there is a small world of plant life in and on it.
When I got home, I was welcomed by a smiling viola.
As it was Thursday, we were set to go to Edinburgh to visit Matilda after lunch but we wisely checked on the trains before we set off for Lockerbie. Our train was thirty minutes late when it left Manchester so we waited until we were sure that it was well on its way before we set off.
Even so we were too early as it was even later by the time that it got to Lockerbie. It had also changed from the usual four coach electric train to a three coach diesel set. We were naturally worried about whether there would be enough seats for everyone.
When I left the waiting room to go on to the platform. I thought at first sight that one of the planes passing over the town had pulled a hand brake turn…
…until a second glance showed me that it was two planes going in opposite directions.
There were seats on the train when it eventually arrived and the diesel chugged away and got us safely to Edinburgh where we had an enjoyable visit. I won’t say who won the three games of Carcassonne that we played but regular readers may well be able to guess who lost them all.
After our evening meal, Matilda went out guising…
…and her mother and father and I escorted her round some very friendly neighbours who had marked their willingness to dispense sweets and nuts to passing witches by placing a Halloween lantern outside their front doors. I thought that this was a very good idea and as they all laughed heartily at Matilda’s joke of the day*, it was a very satisfactory outing.
Our train home was a little late too, and it was raining by the time we came to drive home which was a disappointment after our recent good spell of weather.
I was spoiled for choice for a flying bird of the day today, but in the end I settled on this black headed gull from my morning walk.
* Knock Knock….Who’s there?…..Boo…..Boo who?…..Don’t be sad.
“Guising” – another new word! Fabulous photo of the wet dog, and the wall is very pretty – both with and without the growth.
We old fogeys are very unhappy about the import of ‘trick or treat’ from you know where. Guising was always accompanied by a performance (usually a song or a poem) to earn the reward in the good old days…hence Matilda’s little joke.
I love Matilda’s witchy outfit …and that joke is both enduring and endearing
She has quite a collection of knock knock jokes!
Enjoyed your photographic encounter with the gulls.
Matilda makes a very lovely little witch.
What a stunning costume Matilda is wearing.
Your shot across the river could have been taken here. I know a spot that looks identical.
I wish I could find a wall identical to that one.
Matilda is growing up fast. That’s quite a costume!
As you know, we have a great many walls around here but I don’t know another one with corydalis growing out of it.
The dog picture is intriguing. The Halloween welcome signs are a good idea.
I liked the welcome signs a lot, any amount of time wasting and embarrassment spared.
Love that little witch picture and, of course, the dog shaking water. Matilda’s joke made me laugh. What a lovely way to start the day.
The dog looked as though it might whirl so much that it would actually levitate.
Now that would be something to see!!!!
Plant life is amazing how it will grow in cracks in stone, often secreting acids to dissolve rock and help gain a toehold.
The dog shaking off the water is a good catch!
Matilda’s costume is lovely. She is growing tall! The time passes all too quickly.
I entirely concur with your last remark.
Great photos of flying gulls, shaking dogs and spooky but charming witches. Love the joke…my sort of level!
The old jokes are the best. 🙂
What was Guy Fawkes favourite meal? Bangers and mash!
Ho, ho, ho!
I agree with everyone else in admiring the photos of your little witch and the the shaking dog. I enjoyed seeing all the plants growing on the wall very much.
It is a very productive wall.
I love Matilda’s Halloween costume!
I like that idea…although, as you know, we get hundreds of trick or treaters so it would take hours to hear all the performances. Her little joke is sweet.
Oh, loved the capture of the dog shake too.