Jean's photos

I’m afraid I’m still only able to get into ipernity through my iPad and it’s not working well. My iPad is not charging properly and I can’t get the Apple sd card reader to work. I had to take this image with my iPad which I didn’t find much fun. No reply or help yet from ipernity. I think I need to take a break for a while. Hopefully I will be back in the not too distant future. Stay safe and well everyone. You can catch up on my photos and diary on Blipfoto under JeanSnaps but I will post them on ipernity once things get sorted.

Another sunny day and definitely warmer. I slept late and was pleased that my legs felt better even if not quite back to normal. Decided to risk some gardening Cleared up round rosa mundi and pruned out dead wood. Was fairly ruthless and opened up a little path which had got overgrown. My neighbours were out so we had a chat. The children Courtney and Georgie were playing happily together with all their toys. They are well catered for with swings and slides and a trampoline. Came in to find seeds I ordered had been posted through the letterbox so I hope to have planted everything by the weekend. After a cup of tea I drove off to photograph. It was lovely wandering round in the sunshine. The tide was in so I only took one or two shots and it was the same when I went inland. Didn't feel inspired until I was nearly home and at Collessie. More sheep and lambs. The rim lighting appealed but flare was a problem. Always something !

A glorious sunny day. Gave the kitchen a thorough clean in the morning. Then my groceries were delivered. Can't walk or garden at the moment because of the arthritic legs playing up but the kitchen window was wide open and I spent time watching the birds and photographing them. The open window sometimes puts them off coming to the feeder. Blue tits are the boldest and the goldfinches didn't seem to be bothered. What I think is a female house sparrow turned up. See extra. Don't usually get them. My gang are all tree sparrows. Wish I'd caught two blue tits bathing in the bird bath. They were chased out by a blackbird but kept sneaking back in when her back was turned. They really are bold.

Beautiful sun all day. Still cold. Feeling a bit cross as my legs continue to play up. Not sure why as I wasn't overdoing walking but it may be gardening. Frustrating whatever it is. I meant to lay off both but stupidly went out in the afternoon and tackled another bit of the ivy. It is in an awkward spot so not much impression was made. Found some fat balls and was amazed that they were still within their sell by date so put them out and ordered superior ones from the RSPB. Then put a bird feeder out on the clothes pole. There hasn't been one there for a while as that part of the garden got very messy and needed a rest. Spent a lot of time photographing birds but with unexciting results. However my yellow species tulips saved the day. They catch the late sun beautifully. The good news today is that from Friday we can travel all over Scotland and meet up in groups of six outside. Cafes can open towards the end of the month when I get my second jab. What a relief the news is. Fresh fields and pastures new.

Still full of aches and pains so I was lazy all day. Some clothes went through the washing machine but that was it. Didn't walk or garden. Just spent the day reading and doing a bit of online window shopping. I want some new tops and trousers but nothing appealed that much. Went out about five to fill up the car and have a little drive. On one of my favourite back roads I came across a field of sheep, one or two of whom had lambs. The rest were still waiting to give birth. This one had recently had three youngsters and was trailing the afterbirth. She looked in good health as did the lambs and although it looks a bit gory I know it's OK to leave the afterbirth trailing for several days or longer. The field is very close to the farm so someone will be keeping an eye on them at regular intervals. All three were feeding enthusiastically and Mum looked quite proud of herself.

It's been a pleasant day in spite of being cold and continually alternating between sunshine, hail and snow. I don't have many Sunday chores but they got done painlessly. Amended my Wednesday grocery order. I've suddenly got tired of my usual breakfast so I'm opting for smoothies as a change from tomato juice. Other than that I've read and done crosswords, photographed birds and gone out in a sunny spell to scatter a few seeds and water the garden. It's very light free draining soil. We quite often see dust storms at this time of year as top soil gets blown off newly ploughed fields. One of the disadvantages of taking out hedges to make fields larger. Another day when I was going to go to Leven beach but opted out. These grape hyacinth are growing in a container outside my front door. They were a few leftovers from the large number I planted in the front garden. They and an equally large number of daffodils made a good show last year but not one of them has appeared this year. A bit of a mystery !

I slept very late today and woke still tired with gardening aches and pains. Faffed around on the computer as usual then stripped the bed and took the bedding downstairs. Half way down the phone rang so there was a bit of a kerfuffle to answer it. Turned out to be Veda who never usually phones at that time but I collapsed onto the sofa and we chatted away for over an hour. Finally fed the birds, loaded the washing machine and had breakfast at lunch time in my housecoat unshowered. Eventually made myself presentable and abandoned any plans to do anything other than the normal Saturday laundry routine. That was enough. I was so tired. Read, photographed the birds for a while with the window open. I had intended to go to Leven but I didn't have the energy so went to Strath yet again hoping I might see the dippers but no luck. I caught a glimpse of lambs in a field on the way there and made a note. Spent some time looking at the river at the start of the walk. It's nicer than I thought it was. Coming back to my car I met a woman with a little Westie I've met previously. I could see the dog giving me the once over and realising that it had met me before. They are so enthusiastic and full of zest it's impossible not to smile.

Worked hard in the garden this morning and spent the afternoon drinking coffee, eating cake and chatting with Alison and Bob. It was sunny and yesterday's wind had dropped. Went out in the car afterwards and wandered around. We have some lovely rock formations in Fife. Came back late and a bit dazed from constantly driving into the sun. Very hungry so tucked into lamb tagine from Cooks which is delicious. Made me sleepy though and I'm feeling very tired so forgive me for not commenting. I'll catch up tomorrow.

It's been blowing a gale all day with gleams of sun and frequent rain showers. Friends are walking in Pitmedden forest tomorrow and plan to come for coffee in the garden afterwards . All day I've been nipping in and out tidying up then coming in till rain passes. It's been an incentive to work on the sitting area which I've ignored until today. Removed lots of wild strawberry which has ramped through the gravel. The garden is meant to be a bit wild but it's gone over the top recently. I was rescued by a phone call from Gil. We had a nice chat and decided that we could meet up if the weather improved, get takeaway coffee and sit side by side in our cars with the windows open. Afterwards I went to the Pillars for milk and biscuits then came back and washed all the bird poo off the garden furniture. That's me organised for Alison and Bill but, if the weather tomorrow is like today I think we'll have to call the meeting off.