A reason to be grumpy

Today’s guest picture comes from our son Tony, who spotted an audacious attempt by a ship to make off with the Bass Rock, an internationally important nesting site for gannets. Luckily it was seen in time and they made them put the rock back. We had another sunny morning here today, but it was even

Treading carefully

Today’s guest picture comes from my brother Andrew. Because of the current restrictions, he has to walk very locally as we do, but he found both a fine tree and a fine day today. We had a fine day here too, but as it was back to being below freezing (-3°C) when we got up,

Lucky thirteen

Today’s guest picture comes from our son Tony. He saw these daring window cleaners dangling by a thread today. (Talking of guest pictures, our friend Bruce sent me a message to say that if the sign in yesterday’s guest picture that Ken saw on a gate caught your fancy, you can buy one on eBay

Some disapointments

Today’s guest picture comes from my brother Andrew.  His walking group took him on an eight mile  hilly and windy walk near Ashbourne.  As an additional hazard, he had to cross this very narrow bridge. After a night when my sleep was often interrupted by the theatrical sighing and moaning of the wind round the

Festive fare shoogling

Today’s guest picture comes from my Somerset correspondent Venetia.  I have seen many murmurations of starlings before but I have never seen one where the starlings murmured in the actual shape of a starling.   She was on the Somerset levels when she took this amazing picture. We had another morning of family fun with Matilda

A drop of golden sun

Today’s guest picture comes from our son Tony who felt that he could prove that East Wemyss has fine trees as well as seemingly eternal sunshine. For a change, we had some sunshine here too today, but as it came hand in hand with a very gusty and nippy east wind and a drop in

Dogged determination

Today’s guest picture comes from our friend Bruce.  Not long ago he was in Glasgow where he was very impressed by the Doulton Fountain, the largest ceramic fountain ever built.  It was one of the most popular attractions at the 1888 International Exhibition in Kelvingrove Park. It was raining heavily when we woke up, but

With a song and a smile

Today’s guest picture comes from our friend Bruce who was exploring the back ways of our neighbouring town of Annan when he came upon this attractive bridge. Perceptive readers may have noticed that I was feeling a little gloomy when I sat down to write last night’s post (thank you for the kind wishes expressed

Through a glass darkly

Today’s guest picture comes from our younger son Alistair.  He came across these Christmas baubles in the Botanical gardens in Edinburgh.  As they were the size of footballs, he was quite impressed by them. We didn’t have much sparkle here as it was another grey and chilly day.  Any brightness was provided by the arrival

Another ferntastic walk

Today’s guest picture was sent to me by Venetia.  It was taken by a friend who saw her kindly trying to cheer an old fellow up at RHS Rosemoor. We woke to a sunny morning and I might have gone cycling but I received a better offer.  Mike Tinker had suggested a walk to look