Today’s guest picture goes to show that you should never judge by appearances. My brother Andrew was offered a choice between a vegan sausage roll and this good looking scone. He naturally chose the scone but found when he became more closely acquainted with it, that it was very old and dry. The vegan sausage roll acquired some retrospective charm, but alas, too late.

It was a very consistent sort of day here today as it was raining when we got up and it rained steadily all day. I did go out into the garden at a moment when the rain was lighter rather than heavier and had a quick look round. I was very happy to see that the raspberries are beginning to ripen…

…and that some judicious pruning of the Goldfinch rose has given a clematis a bit of breathing space.

A new rose, planted last year and still quite small, is doing well….

…and most of the delphiniums are managing to survive in spite of wind and rain.

Poppies comes and go but we still had a good show today.

But it wasn’t a good day to be out with a camera so I soon went back inside again.
The weather was not the only gloomy thing about the day. In the late morning, we went out to join many others from the town who were lining the streets to pay their respects to a good friend and a stalwart of the church and the local operatic and dramatic society. Funerals are very modest affairs in the lockdown but I hope that Bob’s family were able to take some comfort from the warmth of feeling for him that was evident as the small cortege passed through the town.
When the cortege had gone, there was nothing to do but go home again, feeling that we had not really done justice to the memory of a really good man.
When we got back, I filled the feeder and watched the birds in a somewhat sombre state of mind. the weather and the birds matched my mood.


There was a good deal of coming and going…

…and some very bad behaviour….

…particularly at the top right hand perch for some reason.

I let some time pass while I tootled idly on my flute and tried to remember how to sing. It will be a shock when communal music making and singing are back on the menu.
Then I found that I had got so gloomy myself, that even a walk in the rain seemed to be a better idea than hanging round the house in full mooching mode.
I put on a waterproof jacket and trousers, picked up a brolly and went out.
It was quite windy as well as being wet so I chose a low level and sheltered route, taking me past the caul at Pool Corner…

…and the Auld Stane Brig.

I checked on the little lichen garden on the top of the fence post at the bridge and found that it was thriving.

It was too dark as I walked through the woods along Gaskell’s Walk to take usable photographs and even when I came out into the open, the light was not much better with the hills wreathed in low cloud.

I walked thought the tunnel to the Stubholm…

…and continued down the hill and along the Murtholm track to Skippers Bridge. It was gloomy there too.

I came back along the other side of the river, where the clematis in the hedge that hides the town’s sewage works was the brightest thing that I saw on my walk.

On the river bank, a splash of colour was provided by clumps of ragwort.

Thanks to my good waterproofs, I got home without getting soaked by the rain, but again thanks to my good waterproofs and the extremely humid conditions, I was just about as wet under my outer clothing as I would have been if I hadn’t been wearing it. Still, as ever, a bit of exercise made me feel more cheerful.
The rain has stopped as I write this post and although it will probably return tomorrow, it shouldn’t be quite so persistent. Then we are promised heavy winds and more rain of Sunday. Memories of the wonderful lockdown sunny days are fading fast.
The flying bird of the day is a greenfinch.

Well done for getting out snd about in such gloomy weather. Despite the weather you still found colour in your garden and I enjoyed the antics of the birds in your excellent photographs.
It was a rather dreich day here as well,but I was kept busy fitting some new tubeless tyres,the ones with the sealant inside.
It’s a job I haven’t done before so I was a bit apprehensive,but with careful preparation and attention to cleanliness it went quite well and the tyres have held their pressure.
It was a learning curve so next time will be easier.
My condolences to your friend Bobs family and friends.
Whenever I lose as close friend,and there’s been a few recently George Harrison’s ‘All things must pass’ always seems to pop into my head.
Nice shot of the tunnel into Stubholm 👍
Tomorrow’s another day.😊
I hope that the tubeless tyres turn out to be satisfactory in the long run.
I’m sorry that you and the town have lost a good friend. It’s never an easy thing.
There are times when I love walking in the rain but I don’t do it enough. I did a little today but it was more drizzle than rain.
I’m glad the rain didn’t destroy those beautiful delphiniums.
The delphiniums are well supported. Mrs T has learned from experience.
Very sorry to read about Bob’s death. How hard it is when a friend died.
We feel for his family.
Sorry the scone was old and dry. The photo looked good, but looks can be deceiving. :-).
I am sorry to hear you lost a good friend, and a good man. The pandemic has made it difficult for those left behind to achieve proper closure.
Rainy days can be good walking days for the peace, quietude and reflection. It is good lichen weather, too.
That was particularly bad bird behavior today. Perhaps the rain and world events are getting to them, too.
There are young to feed which may explain it. 🙂
Sorry to hear about Bob’s passing. I think seeing so many folk doing their utmost to pay their respects would be a huge help to them .
We hope so.
Sorry about the sad day.
Your delphiniums are a fine sight.
The weather was in tune with Bob’s cortege
True.
A sad day all round, Tom, except for your lovely pictures that are always a welcome sight.
The garden and the countryside are great consolations at any time.
From this very dry part of the world, your very wet photographs are all beautiful!
I read that sadly the virus is far from under control in your country. We have had a minor outbreak near us but we are hopeful that it won’t spread.
The weather suited your feelings and finding the sparks of brightness on your walk will I’m sure have cheered you up.
Yes, a gloomy day but with good memories of Bob.
But so lucky to have a lichen garden to observe and photograph. It can’t be all bad!
I agree on that.
I am sorry that Langholme lost a much loved citizen.