Saturday, September 5, 2020

A Complete Change of Scene

OK enough is enough! Yes the shed was a lifesaver, shopping on line is probably here to stay, and I've improved no end as a cellist, but the time of breakout finally came. I found it terribly difficult to lose the Covid-stone that I walloped on over the summer, but, I did manage to starve off a few pounds before saying 'ta ta' to Birdwell for a whole week, and 'hello' Scotland. The pictures say it all. We had a smashing holiday on the Isle of Mull. 





















And we're off! 6.15a.m. in our Skoda hire car, packed with provisions for the week.

2.45 p.m. on the Lochaline to Fishnish Ferry


A Glimpse of the Oban Ferry at Craignure

Arrival at our holiday cottage on the shore of Loch Don

Happy Bunnies










The View from Our Bedroom Window

From the bedroom window




Walking on Iona


Just a little drizzle!




















Lobster Pots on Mull







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The Ferry to Ulver today!








The Wonderful Garden of Alice ?












Lip Na Cloich Gardens





























A Day in Tobermoray, Shopping, Fish and Chips




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The Arty Day!





It's a Sea Otter on the Rock - honestly!







































A Jellyfish waiting for the tide to come in.




















St Kilder - Loch Buie


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Inside St. Kildas




















































Duart Castle































And back to the ferry for our trip home



The Ferry at Fishnish September 4 2020



Bye, Bye, Isle of Mull, we loved you. 



Back home with our new Mull Pottery mugs.





















Putting these photo's on this blog I realise there are some missing. When we went to Iona I took pics of the Monastery, the church and a wonderful travelling musician called Robbie who played guitar and sang for us. I even made a short video, all sadly lost as not having internet failed to backup. So to Robbie and Elisa, a big thank you for entertaining us, and blessings for successful travels.



The Abbey on Iona.

That's my man!


Our first peak on Iona


So, what is this? 

I'll leave you with this poser. I can't find out what this little beauty is. Have I discovered a rare botanical species?

It's been that long since I did my blog that Google have changed the format and it's baffled me. Hopefully I will get the hang of it by next time. 

Keep safe everyone! Social distance! Wear a face covering! Wash your hands!

Bye for now,
Love Jane x












Tuesday, April 7, 2020

LET'S TALK ABOUT TEDDYBEARS

When people pass by our front window, they are often tempted to look in, well that's what I thought they were doing, but I know think, because of the reflection, they are treating our front window as you would a shop window, to check on their own reflection. 

Anyway, that has nothing to do with why I have have put all my teddybears and friends in the window. They are there to bring a smile - and they have. The notices are cards sent to me by our neighbour's little girl (sweet) to say stay safe. 

From left to right: Barnsleyted, (he's the biggest bear I have, given to me by my granddaughter's quite a few years ago), Gatapus (the cat) came from Crete, he must wonder where he's landed, next is Luckyted, he's a little grey bear bought from a couple of kids who were having a garden sale to raise a bit of money. Squirrel is just poking out behind Luckyted, and next is Huggleted (he's the nursey bear that I hung on to when I was in hospital a couple of year's ago). Miss Prim with the pink ribbons was given to me by a good friend who knows I just love poodle type doggies. Behind Miss Prim, in the dark, is Dumbleted, the wizardywitch bear who enjoys halloween. Next to Miss Prim is Hector, he belongs to David really (I'm not the only crazy one in this house) and lastly Hazzo, who is a dumpling of a softy dog rescued from a cardboard box destined for the rubbish. Lastley, hanging in the centre of the window are miniature Pooh Bear and friends who were the delight of our grandson, Jack, and I couldn't possibly part with them.

The bears: Barnsleyted, Luckyted, Huggleted and Dumbleted have one other friend, Susan, she is the doll which was given to me when I was about seven years old, and who I have treasured all my life. Susan is a little reclusive and refused to sit in the window. 

Like I said, my window display has brought many a smile from passers by, and that is just what I wanted to  see, a smile on the faces of otherwise very serious people in the street. On that one trip out of the house for exercise or to walk to the shop, people can look at my bears and smile.

And look who passed by today, you see, bears attract bears. This bear and his partner were handing out sweeties on behalf of Chatterbox. They made me smile, what a lovely gesture, thanks you two.

I'm not really going mad in this lockdown, but I must say a few hidden eccentricities are surfacing. I have taken to walking to the bottom of the garden and back 50 times a day (just over half an hour) which in itself may look very odd to the neighbours, but I can assure you it is well worth the effort to help keep body and soul together, and I have started knitting fingerless gloves with the odds and sods of wool that were left over from past projects.

No matter how much I talk about teddybears, the real world is out there, and there is no escaping the reality of the moment. The news that the Prime Minister was taken into hospital on Sunday really upset me, and yesterday he was put into intensive care. News is that he is stable and not in need of a ventilator, so all we can do is send him good wishes for a speedy recovery, and of course, offer up a prayer to that end. Dear God give Boris Johnson the strength to fight this virus. And God, please help all those who are suffering, and all those who are working to help alleviate the suffering. 

The whole world is in a right pickle at the moment, please stay inside your home as much as you can, dear reader, and stay safe.

Love and hugs,
Jane x