Today’s guest picture comes from my brother Andrew who met this alien in a shop in Derby. For some reason, possibly connected to the label on its shoulder, he didn’t buy it.
It’s not often that a day completely defeats me when it comes to taking photographs or finding something interesting to write about, but today was one of those occasions so I apologise to anyone who has logged in hoping for entertainment.
It was grey when we got up and it got greyer and windier and wetter as the day went on.
I did go out for a cycle ride after breakfast but when I found myself battling to pedal at 7mph into the wind on a flat piece of road, I gave up the unequal struggle and went home and sulked. Fourteen miles was not what I had hoped for and the camera never came out of my back pocket.
At least I got home before it rained. Mrs Tootlepedal was out on an errand when it started and got soaked very quickly.
The birds must have been sulking too because this was the most common view of the feeder today by far.
I almost saw a bird at one point but thereby hangs a tail.
And when one or two did turn up, the light was too dreadful to get a proper picture.
I gave up and devoted the day to writing a little seasonal piece to read at our Langholm choir concert on Friday and doing a lot of practising of songs for both my choirs. I have got three concerts in three days coming up this weekend.
The day ended in a better way though, as the rain had stopped and the wind had dropped by the time that I walked to the Langholm Choir practice. At the practice, I sat between two very competent singers and had a most enjoyable time as a result. I sing a whole lot better when two other people are singing the right notes close beside me!
On my way to the choir practice, I passed a cycle chained to a lamppost. There are quite a lot of these in Langholm. In the summer they tend to be festooned with flowers but in winter, the flowers disappear and some of the bikes get suitably decorated for the season.
I don’t really approve of this as a cyclist because it pains me to see perfectly good bicycles used as flower beds or baubles, but there is no denying that they brighten up the town and lots of people like them.
The example I saw tonight is the flying bird of the day.
PS: The weather looks as though it may be even gloomier tomorrow.
Tootlepedal's Blog 
Even your dull days brighten mine. Thank you,
I am glad to have been of help even if it was only a little on this occasion. 🙂
All right. Seeing that bike would spiff up any grey day.
Days like yours are only good for pulling the curtains, brewing many cups of tea/coffee, and ignoring the world with a good book. That said – I did chuckle at the picture of you cycling madly into the wind and basically getting nowhere!
I am an expert in going nowhere. 🙂
I saw the weather forecast earlier and thought of you as they described heavy rain and strong winds.
I am glad the choir practice went well.
The rain and the wind are not abating.
Not good.
We all have days like yours but I doubt we’ve all seen a bike like that one.
I hope you’ll see more sunshine soon.
We had sunshine and it was too cold to cycle and now we have warmth but it is too windy to cycle. A happy medium would be good.
We all have days like that.
I hope you will see your sunshine.
We do too.
Sorry about the wind and the rain but on the plus side glad the choir practice was such fun and thanks for the picture of the bike, very cheery.
Glad you.had an enjoyable sing to brighten up a grey day.
I feel a bit sorry for the bike, pretty and festive though it is. Somehow I’m sure it would be happier being pedalled somewhere…even furiously into a howling gale😂
🙂
Even the bird feeders were quiet! Some winter days are like that, good for hibernating in a warm place.
Glad to hear choir practice was a nice end to the day. All the best to the choir on their upcoming concerts.
Thank you. We will try our best.
Some days are just like that. I usually read a book or delve into my archives then.
Good scheme.
Love your comment about bird’s tail! I like the bicycles all dressed up- very cheery on such a dismal day. Aliens seem to be getting more expensive by the day!
That one certainly was pretty pricey.
You are very determined to even try to go out.