... (BTW - there's a Tree in Kirkwall, isn't there?)
There is indeed; it won Scotland's Favourite Tree a few years ago.
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In other news, AccuWeather is offering Linlithgow "variable clouds, showers this morning followed by a thundershower this afternoon, and there may be an isolated tornado".
Perhaps I'll not bother going to Tessie's for the things I didn't get at Sainsbury's yesterday after all.
It rather deprives me of the excuse not to do Clean Ing, Iron Ing and hooverage though ...
In our church choir we have been talking about arrangements post 19 July, pending further communications from Government and Diocese. At the moment we have said we will continue as we are, with social distancing, restricted to 6, masks when not singing.
Mind you, if the congregation are not wearing masks, I guess we won’t either. It is a right faff taking them on and off between hymns etc.
We have Plans this afternoon with friends and there will be eight of us in total so Mr Nen is, even as we speak, unearthing a gazebo that we'll be taking to erect in the friends' garden as Wet Weather Contingency. Mr Nen reports that it's much colder outside as well, so woolly hats and coats and rainproof coats and big umbrellas will also clearly be needed.
Our Place is live-streaming the Sunday services so we listened in. I'm still not feeling the inclination to go back in person, although Mr Nen is on the projection desk next Sunday. I guess there's an argument for doing things this week while restrictions are still in place, before all hell is let loose the following week...
Thunderstorm here wouldn't surprise me. Spent a sticky hour or so in the garden, attempting to locate various plants, trees and shrubs in the wild patch, and thin the competing vegetation. Found most things apart from a clump of heavenly bamboo which I think's been eaten by the rosebay willowherb..
David used to reckon sitting on the village green - preferably under a tree* - watching an amateur cricket match with a nice real ale was one of life's little pleasures, even if you hadn't a clue what was going on.
* as I come from Orkney, he had to explain to me what a "tree" was ...
As I recall Orkney had quite a number of trees when I visited. My island home, on the other hand, has precisely one, in a courtyard at school enclosed on three and a half sides.
Orkney does indeed have more trees than you might think; there's the Willows down beside my old primary school; Binscarth Wood halfway between Kirkwall and Stromness and Happy Valley, a beautiful garden that's open to the public.
I think it's just that the usual pictures you see of the Orkney landscape don't tend to feature much forestation.
It has got very dark here: it looks as if the heavens might open at any minute.
Some Clean Ing has happened, and I'm about to go and shape the dough for a batch of breadsticks, which should provide the basis of lunch for the next week.
David used to reckon sitting on the village green - preferably under a tree* - watching an amateur cricket match with a nice real ale was one of life's little pleasures, even if you hadn't a clue what was going on.
David was a man after my own heart. Cricket makes a fine background to a nice pint at the village pub.
I remember some time ago seeing a tree somewhere in the Western Isles that had grown entirely flat.
I see play has been suspended at the Scottish Open. You don't want to be waving metal sticks in the air in a thunderstorm. Here, about 25 miles to the west, the weather is fine, sunny even.
Today was forecast to be dry so we decided to get out for a better walk - over to the next town via some different footpaths, skirting various villages. It was a really pretty walk and warm enough for shorts, although I'm scratched to bits from trying to find a couple of geocaches, and covered in mud as the paths are pretty mucky. We just made it there as my daughter's boot decided to part sole from upper for the second time (it was reglued by the cobbler after the first time). Fortunately we were planning to catch the bus back as a 10+ mile walk is enough, so she made it home.
Tomorrow is supposed to be horrible, but she's teaching herself tailoring on a jacket, a trial using some free (swap) fabric in a fine bottle green and white striped canvas, practising before she makes the next one in linen, so pad stitching and other tailoring beckons. This one she's making a skort to match. I might even get on with some of my own sewing too.
The rain that was threatening when I wrote my last post came to pass shortly afterwards, and while it was reasonably impressive, it had started to evaporate an hour later.
There may have been some distant rumblage, but nothing spectacular.
Mushroom pâté has been manufactured to complement the breadsticks, so all I need to do now is remember to wrap them up and out some of them in the freezer before I go to bed.
A blind friend came round to lunch today, much to the excitement of Captain Pyjamas. It wasn't so much the person herself he was pleased to see, it must be admitted. Oh joy! Oh happiness! She brought her dog (or more precisely, the dog brought her ).
The humans lunched off some very delicious slow cooked beef. The dog got the bones and has consequently sworn her undying devotion to husband en rouge.
We had a cold wet afternoon under the gazebo eating scones and jam and cream and drinking tea, followed by what was clearly a very expensive champagne (one couple in the group had something big to celebrate). I've never been a great fan of champagne so it was, sadly, rather wasted on me.
On arrival home I was colder, in a damp sort of way, than I've been in a long time and changed into comfies plus thermal socks. We have friends round to watch The Game and I've escaped for a few minutes. Like @Bishops Finger I'll be glad when all this ball-kicky stuff is behind us.
We had a cold wet afternoon under the gazebo eating scones and jam and cream and drinking tea, followed by what was clearly a very expensive champagne (one couple in the group had something big to celebrate). I've never been a great fan of champagne so it was, sadly, rather wasted on me.
On arrival home I was colder, in a damp sort of way, than I've been in a long time and changed into comfies plus thermal socks. We have friends round to watch The Game and I've escaped for a few minutes. Like @Bishops Finger I'll be glad when all this ball-kicky stuff is behind us.
Dear Lord - are they still kicking a ball around? It's pitch dark! And cold! And raining!
Well, I really enjoyed watching the Vienna Philharmonic's summer Concert from the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace this evening. Unfortunately it finished at 9pm, and I couldn't find anything else worth watching, so have hied myself to the bedroom to browse the internet. I hear the TV is still on, so Mr RoS must still be watching a ball being kicked about somewhere in London.
I understand there was very bad behaviour by so-called fans beforehand, shaming the country once again.
We enjoyed the concert too - the Rachmaninov was amazing! The only item we didn't enjoy was the Debussy - it seemed a bit pedestrian. The sections from "Karelia" and "The Planets" left one desperate to have heard the whole thing!
I rolled into church to play for the service more or less on auto-pilot, before heading home to lunch (cooked by son and his girlfriend) and crashing out to watch the tennis. An evening dealing with post, PCC paperwork and watching The Duchess.
I quite like the ball kicky thing, but I'm not that upset that they lost. "My" team is France really, and at least Boris doesn't get to take the credit. I was rather hoping that Marcus Rashford would hit the winning strike (would have achieved a similar Boris-deflating effect), but it wasn't to be.
Unfortunately the only way to prevent our current prime minister, who is only first class at taking credit for the achievements of others, from being unnecessarily bombastic, celebratory, and using it to his advantage in every way possible, was the team losing. Hence, I'm really grateful they lost, for the sake of the country. I'm also glad that Johnson grew enough of a spine to condemn the racist abuse on social media in the wake of the match. I was hoping Denmark would win the semi-final.
I was doing my best to avoid the ball-kicky thing because although it's an exhibition of skilled athletes, it's not that important, really it's not. And it certainly doesn't justify the appalling behaviour that stupid idiots think is allowable. The sooner we start playing it down to reduce the unnecessary accretions the better, and politicians getting on the bandwagon is bad news as it just builds a ball game up into something far more than it really is or should be.
The latest deluge started last night, some time after we made it home, so we did get a decent walk in the gaps.
Meanwhile in Scotland... The National (pro-independence paper) had a cover with Mancini as Braveheart and the strap line 'We can't take another 55 years of them banging on about this'. Plus, you know, Nicola Benedetti, Peter Capaldi, Amando Iannucci, Jack Vetriano, Eduardo Palozzi, Tom Conti - to name but a few. The corner shops are Margiotta, the ice cream Mr Boni, the haggis pizza Cosmo's - you get the idea.
Busy week over, I decided to start this one right by going to Mass. Who should be sitting in the next pew but someone I was volunteering with at the book festival this weekend. It's obviously a small town. I also got to meet the priest, who now has my details, so I'm rather expecting a pastoral visit if such things are still allowed.
Husband is back in a couple of hours from a weekend away. I ought to get cracking with a bit of housework before he appears.
We watched the game with Scottish relatives (who were also rooting for England) and enjoyed it.
A busy weekend as we had family visiting nearby so lots of walking and talking - I’m quite tired today. Not much going on work wise so I’ll be pottering around.
It all seems very quiet in Arkland and environs today. Even Tess Coe's was half-deserted - mind you, it was getting on for midday when I was there, so a fair few folk might have still been in mourning bed after yesterday's National Cataclysm...
More ra*n is forecast. Please, Weather Peeps, can we have summer back again? Pretty please?
Weighty Rose because their prices are a tad, shall we say, hefty?
It's another beautiful day in Embra: the sun it shineth, and the rain it falleth not.
Poached salmon (poached by someone else) and sundry salads for supper.
Weighty Rose because their prices are a tad, shall we say, hefty?
Locally I have small branches of W***rose (300 yards walk) and S****bury (400 yards walk), both in the same direction. I use both. For some items S****bury has better quality. For some items W***rose is cheaper (particularly their special offers).
A day of intermittent weeding (no matter that I went out intending to paint - you spot a tendril of bindweed and that's it for the next several hours).
As a result, I don't feel like cooking - so it's round to the Indian takeaway presently.
Weighty Rose because their prices are a tad, shall we say, hefty?
Locally I have small branches of W***rose (300 yards walk) and S****bury (400 yards walk), both in the same direction. I use both. For some items S****bury has better quality. For some items W***rose is cheaper (particularly their special offers).
That's interesting; my (so far) only forage to W***rose led me to believe that their prices were really quite scary. Having said that, it followed hot on the heels of a forage to Morrison's, so it may well have been the contrast that was particularly striking.
I'm finding occasional bargains at M&S since I got a Sparks card (things like free packets of biscuits or 15%-off offers), but the "£5 off if you spend £40" is a bit of a pain, as I'd find it hard to carry £40-worth of groceries home, and I'm not going to trawl the Trusty Trolley to work just so that I can save £5.
I was also marginally pissed-off that the only bag of frozen peas they had today* was too big (a) to carry home; and (b) to fit in my freezer.
* my own silly fault - I forgot to buy them at Sainz Breeze on Saturday.
Today was much drier and warmer than expected so new grandson and I spent a lot of time outside. He explored our garden several times and was delighted by a red kite circling up above. He also said spoon for the first time, in a very cute manner.
My current sweets of choice are violet creams courtesy of a proper sweet shop.
There are dark chocolate tunnocks?! How does one obtain them?
Wait*ose is not cheap, but is good for specialist ingredients.
There were some trains missing this morning, necessitating a slight detour on my trip to London today. As a result I initially got one of the trains that stops at the local parliamentary station (although it has more than one train a day so is pushing the definition slightly). Met the Big Boss though this afternoon.
Lunch today was sushi from a place close to the office. It was very nice, but expensive enough that it would have to be an occasional treat if I was commuting .
Mostly missed the rain, although it was tipping it down as my train home left London.
I have been following the sports with a smaller ball over the last few weeks, although we did watch last night. I have been very glad to be able to listen to the ladies' cricket on TMS this year.
That's interesting; my (so far) only forage to W***rose led me to believe that their prices were really quite scary.
Meh. I think you get the quality, plus, as has been said, stuff you don't see elsewhere. I am seriously addicted to their apricot and fennel sourdough.
Also, reduced items, particularly in meat, poultry and prepped meals. I do a trawl of those sections first thing and often solve half the week's catering just from that. Beef in particular repays attention: they do cuts like bavette and flatiron which I find good value.
If there was one nearby I might give it a look, but there really isn't; I think the nearest one is in Livingston.
The Comely Bank one isn't that far from the 37 bus route, but once I'm on the bus I generally just want to get home and M&S doesn't take me out of my way.
Comments
There is indeed; it won Scotland's Favourite Tree a few years ago.
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In other news, AccuWeather is offering Linlithgow "variable clouds, showers this morning followed by a thundershower this afternoon, and there may be an isolated tornado".
Perhaps I'll not bother going to Tessie's for the things I didn't get at Sainsbury's yesterday after all.
It rather deprives me of the excuse not to do Clean Ing, Iron Ing and hooverage though ...
In person Church was as good as it can be with distancing and masks. It was really good to see everyone and have a chat on the car park afterwards. 🙂
Mind you, if the congregation are not wearing masks, I guess we won’t either. It is a right faff taking them on and off between hymns etc.
There used to be The Tree in Argyle Street in Glasgow. (Now there are quite a few more!)
Our Place is live-streaming the Sunday services so we listened in. I'm still not feeling the inclination to go back in person, although Mr Nen is on the projection desk next Sunday. I guess there's an argument for doing things this week while restrictions are still in place, before all hell is let loose the following week...
Just started raining like it means it.
As I recall Orkney had quite a number of trees when I visited. My island home, on the other hand, has precisely one, in a courtyard at school enclosed on three and a half sides.
I think it's just that the usual pictures you see of the Orkney landscape don't tend to feature much forestation.
It has got very dark here: it looks as if the heavens might open at any minute.
Some Clean Ing has happened, and I'm about to go and shape the dough for a batch of breadsticks, which should provide the basis of lunch for the next week.
David was a man after my own heart. Cricket makes a fine background to a nice pint at the village pub.
I remember some time ago seeing a tree somewhere in the Western Isles that had grown entirely flat.
Tomorrow is supposed to be horrible, but she's teaching herself tailoring on a jacket, a trial using some free (swap) fabric in a fine bottle green and white striped canvas, practising before she makes the next one in linen, so pad stitching and other tailoring beckons. This one she's making a skort to match. I might even get on with some of my own sewing too.
How are you watching the episodes?
A large group of teenagers with erections would probably have spoilt the effect somewhat...
Pass the brain-bleach, please...
There may have been some distant rumblage, but nothing spectacular.
Mushroom pâté has been manufactured to complement the breadsticks, so all I need to do now is remember to wrap them up and out some of them in the freezer before I go to bed.
The humans lunched off some very delicious slow cooked beef. The dog got the bones and has consequently sworn her undying devotion to husband en rouge.
We have the complete DVDs which we can play through our TV, it having clever box which allows you to do stuff like that.
On arrival home I was colder, in a damp sort of way, than I've been in a long time and changed into comfies plus thermal socks. We have friends round to watch The Game and I've escaped for a few minutes. Like @Bishops Finger I'll be glad when all this ball-kicky stuff is behind us.
Dear Lord - are they still kicking a ball around? It's pitch dark! And cold! And raining!
They must all be Bonkers.
I understand there was very bad behaviour by so-called fans beforehand, shaming the country once again.
Waterproof top to tail for dog walking. 🙂
Shame on them.
At least we don't have Boris grinning manically all over the papers etc. today.
I was doing my best to avoid the ball-kicky thing because although it's an exhibition of skilled athletes, it's not that important, really it's not. And it certainly doesn't justify the appalling behaviour that stupid idiots think is allowable. The sooner we start playing it down to reduce the unnecessary accretions the better, and politicians getting on the bandwagon is bad news as it just builds a ball game up into something far more than it really is or should be.
The latest deluge started last night, some time after we made it home, so we did get a decent walk in the gaps.
Husband is back in a couple of hours from a weekend away. I ought to get cracking with a bit of housework before he appears.
A busy weekend as we had family visiting nearby so lots of walking and talking - I’m quite tired today. Not much going on work wise so I’ll be pottering around.
More ra*n is forecast. Please, Weather Peeps, can we have summer back again? Pretty please?
Midday traffic here did seem a bit lighter than usual for a Monday, though, now I think of it. Hmm. Maybe they've all gone to Away?
It's another beautiful day in Embra: the sun it shineth, and the rain it falleth not.
Poached salmon (poached by someone else) and sundry salads for supper.
Locally I have small branches of W***rose (300 yards walk) and S****bury (400 yards walk), both in the same direction. I use both. For some items S****bury has better quality. For some items W***rose is cheaper (particularly their special offers).
As a result, I don't feel like cooking - so it's round to the Indian takeaway presently.
That's interesting; my (so far) only forage to W***rose led me to believe that their prices were really quite scary. Having said that, it followed hot on the heels of a forage to Morrison's, so it may well have been the contrast that was particularly striking.
I'm finding occasional bargains at M&S since I got a Sparks card (things like free packets of biscuits or 15%-off offers), but the "£5 off if you spend £40" is a bit of a pain, as I'd find it hard to carry £40-worth of groceries home, and I'm not going to trawl the Trusty Trolley to work just so that I can save £5.
I was also marginally pissed-off that the only bag of frozen peas they had today* was too big (a) to carry home; and (b) to fit in my freezer.
* my own silly fault - I forgot to buy them at Sainz Breeze on Saturday.
There are dark chocolate tunnocks?! How does one obtain them?
Wait*ose is not cheap, but is good for specialist ingredients.
There were some trains missing this morning, necessitating a slight detour on my trip to London today. As a result I initially got one of the trains that stops at the local parliamentary station (although it has more than one train a day so is pushing the definition slightly). Met the Big Boss though this afternoon.
Lunch today was sushi from a place close to the office. It was very nice, but expensive enough that it would have to be an occasional treat if I was commuting .
Mostly missed the rain, although it was tipping it down as my train home left London.
I have been following the sports with a smaller ball over the last few weeks, although we did watch last night. I have been very glad to be able to listen to the ladies' cricket on TMS this year.
Meh. I think you get the quality, plus, as has been said, stuff you don't see elsewhere. I am seriously addicted to their apricot and fennel sourdough.
Also, reduced items, particularly in meat, poultry and prepped meals. I do a trawl of those sections first thing and often solve half the week's catering just from that. Beef in particular repays attention: they do cuts like bavette and flatiron which I find good value.
The Comely Bank one isn't that far from the 37 bus route, but once I'm on the bus I generally just want to get home and M&S doesn't take me out of my way.