Jean's photos
29 Dec 2020
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9 comments
Snowy night. 364/366
Woke to go to the loo at one in the morning and found the street covered in pristine snow. Andy's light was still on and George's. Got my cameras, opened the window and took some photos, a couple with flash from my Canon G12. Then straight back to sleep.
Woke very late. I think I half hibernate in the dark months. Checked ipernity as one always hopes. Came down to put out a mini Christmas cake for Beaky in the hope of a "cute" photo but he regarded it with deep suspicion. Emma and Courtney were out, Courtney running around in ecstasy in the snow scaring most of the birds. Eventually got a photo and came in to have brunch and read gloomy news which was silly of me. The postie turned up with late cards and a present. We had a good rant together which cheered me no end.
Opened the cards and found two letters which was lovely. One from an old Flickr contact and one from an old colleague from when I worked in Westminster libraries. This was great as she is not a letter writer.
The present was from Linda. Little bottles of gin from a small Scottish brewery and a tiny bottle of prosecco which will toast in the New Year. Phoned her and Margaret which took up the afternoon very pleasantly and later photographed the moon. I'm lucky as it almost circles the house.
I've got quite a queue of 366 photos waiting to be uploaded to ipernity. I do hope a solution to the problem is found. I'd like to complete my year on time.
05 Feb 2021
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15 comments
One daffodil.
My day began with a laugh. I took in a parcel for one of my neighbours yesterday and saw her coming round to collect it in a bright orange dressing gown and furry slippers. In pouring rain ! She came inside the door for a moment and we had a laugh. She is a care worker and is fully vaccinated and tested for Covid 3 times a week so not much of a risk. Otherwise it was another day when I avoided housework in spite of good intentions. Too much time reading news and having a long phone conversation with Margaret who has also had her first jab. I did get myself out for a short walk down the Newton road. Puddles everywhere and I could see flooded fields in the distance on the Howe of Fife. Really too dark and grim for photography although I tried with my G12.
Once home I photographed the one daffodil out in a bowl in mini ones. So dark by that time it's a mixture of natural and artificial light but OK I think
28 Dec 2020
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14 comments
Shampoo island. 363/366
A cold and frosty morning. Got out and fed Beaky who was impatiently waiting. The bathroom didn't get cleaned yesterday so I made a start. Goodness knows why but I ended up photographing my bar shampoo. A tiny bit broke off a while ago and I stuck it back on. It's still there like a little rocky island in the middle of a calm sea. Amended my Sainsbury's order which is coming on Wednesday. Removed some wine and added some ice cream. I'm not going into virtuous mode till the weekend. Later I hung out the computer room window and photographed the tiny tree high on the hill and a rather nice sky.
I must get back to clearing out photos. Veda phoned because her computer is full and won't upload any more photos. I was gob-smacked at how many she has. She takes far fewer than I do but I don't think has deleted anything for years by the sound of it. She wanted advice on what to do but I think she needs to bite the bullet and start weeding. Much what I need to do in the garden.
Had a little walk later. Just being in the open air lifts the spirits. Nice to hear another vaccine is on the way but I'm not holding my breath on it arriving on my doorstep if Westminster has anything to do with it's delivery. I notice the one that has been approved has rather faded into the background.
Striped.
Maybe not quite as bright and bushy tailed as yesterday. Dark with rain like stair rods and the forecast still full of dire warnings. I was set on getting on with things when Linda phoned. Lots of chat as both our cookers are malfunctioning. Two rings are not working on hers and my grill gave up before Christmas. Linda is thinking of a new cooker and it made me realise that mine is not as new as I think it is. From there we went to food and reminisced over Lochinver pies. I went up to the North often on holiday and always brought some back. We've both bought them online but you have to buy a dozen which is too much for either of us so we are planning to share an order as soon as we are allowed to meet up again.
By the time I came off the phone it was a choice of housework or a walk so I put on all my waterproof gear and walked at Strath Community Woodland. Rain always brings out the colour and detail in everything and I got so engrossed in moss and tree bark I didn't hear an old man coming and jumped out of my skin when he spoke. A long and rather one sided conversation followed but it was pleasant and he told of what I think is a bluebell wood very nearby. So rather a nice day on the whole and maybe I'll catch up on housework tomorrow.
The three trees from another angle. 362/366
Today began like any other with breakfast and chores, Just as I was loading the washing machine Veda rang so that was it for the next hour. Comparing notes on Christmas and reminiscing about the past. When I lived in West Wemyss there was a cave in the cliffs supposedly haunted by Green Jean. We walked through the wood to it with candles in the twilight when Veda's daughter Claire was about four. I'd forgotten but Claire still remembers. It was an adventure. Scary but not too scary.
My adventure today began after lunch. The sun was shining and I drove up to the Clink to photograph three of my favourite trees from a different angle. It's single track and quite busy with cars full of dogs and dog walkers. I pulled into a lay by quite far up and got stuck. The road is tarmac but the passing places are just rough ground and muddy. Couldn't go back or forward. I have recovery and a mobile but was still dithering when an old man, probably younger than me, came along. When he realised I couldn't walk to the nearest farm he offered to push but with no success.
Just then a van stopped, a man got out and said "I'll get you out in a jiffy. I've got a tow rope." I had one too. I come equipped for most eventualities. But a tow rope wasn't needed. Once he'd had a good look and I'd straightened the wheels, he and the old man pushed while I gingerly reversed and got back onto the tarmac.
While this was going on cars were going up and own, just managing to get past, but everyone stopping and offering help and commiserations. My rescuer wasn't content until he had got out a ground sheet and checked for damage underneath. Turned out we both use the same garage.
With great difficulty I managed to get him to accept, not payment, but a thank you for his help and kindness, I think he only gave in when I said it would make me feel less guilty for taking up his time. After thanks all round to him and the old man we parted company. I went off to take my photographs feeling that the human race were much kinder than I sometimes gave them credit for.
When I got home I took the hose to the car to clean off the caked mud. It would have been a bit much to leave it for Andy. Came in and decided I deserved to spend the rest of the day in recovery mode so I did.
03 Feb 2021
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15 comments
Greenfinch squabble.
Early to bed last night and up early, well for me anyway, this morning. I felt much better and more energised than I have for a while. Maybe the vaccine is having a good side effect. As a result the kitchen is immaculate with the fridge getting a thorough clean. The weather continued dreich with heavy snow forecast every day for about a week. I felt sorry for the guy delivering my groceries if it comes about. Photographed on and off out the kitchen window as I put my shopping away. The garden was full of birds all wolfing down food as if they knew something. Quite a lot of greenfinches when there's usually only one or two. They are very aggressive. One of them even saw off a blackbird. By the time I had lunch there was sleety rain so I chickened out of walking. Booked a new grocery slot and sorted out most of my order. Slots disappear so quickly. Planned out the rest of this week too in the hope I'll get moving again.
11 Jan 2021
Birds, birches and a big hill.
A grey day with snow and ice really gone for now. I don't seem to have done much. Downstairs got vacuumed and the plan was to mop the floor. This has to be done very carefully with a light spray of cleaner and a special dry mop. Could I find the pad for the mop ? No. So several cupboards got a tidy up and by the time I found the pads I postponed the mopping and went off to the Pillars to buy bread and milk.
From there I went over to Charlottetown to see if I could photograph the swans I saw a day or so ago. They were gone but had been replaced by a big flock of gulls. It's difficult to get a clear view across the water. Too much gorse and other plants blocking the view so I ended up balanced precariously on a boulder. I always get carried away and spend too much time but it's so good to be outside. I hadn't realised what a good background West Lomond made.
Came home to laze around and watch The Great Pottery Throw Down. I'm a great fan of pottery. It would make a good still life if I got snowed in. Scotland is forecast to be covered in ice tomorrow.
10 Jan 2021
1 favorite
Dreamboat.
It rained in the night. Most of the ice and snow had gone this morning and the sky was cloudy. A good beginning though. An old contact on Flickr left a couple of lovely comments which could easily give me a swelled head and I cleaned the bathroom first thing without any heel dragging.
Later on I went to photograph swans at Charlottetown but the road was awash and there was ice beneath the water so I moved on. Ended up at Newburgh which always delivers the goods, The Tay is amazing. It's a big river with a huge volume of water but, more often than not, is calm with lovely reflections. And the cloudy sky was a bonus.
One always meets other photographers there and today was no exception. Had a nice chat about cameras etc. then when I got back to my car found the guy was parked next to me so more chat. Very enjoyable. I'm amazed at how chatty blokes are when it's women who have the reputation.
Came home looking forward to the venison casserole I made yesterday. Yum !
09 Jan 2021
Fly past. From my window 27/50
Woke at dawn with toothache pretty well gone and immediately risked bringing it back by standing on furniture poking my camera out of an open window with a bitingly cold wind blowing in my face. Made me laugh as I remembered my old next door neighbour. I used to tell her off as she stood on the edge of her bath to clean the inside of her bathroom window.
Did all my Saturday chores so my fit of the doldrums has gone.
In the afternoon I went round to Falkland Estate to find the car park bulging in spite of the cold. Walked in Palace walk which used to link the House of Falkland with Falkland Palace. It was a sheltered place for the ladies of the house to exercise. Looked to see if the snowdrops had begun to come through and saw a gleam or two of white buds which was cheering.
Came home to put a venison casserole in the slow cooker for tomorrow.
Usually cooking is just something I "get done" but today I enjoyed doing it. It would be good if this was a new and lasting development.