Impressive shelf fungus growing in the woods near the river. I think this is the sort that they used in WW1 for wound dressings. When you open them up they are full of a sort of white powder which I guess must be very absorbent. Sphagnum moss, which is also common around here was used […]

Saphy enjoying an upside down relax with optional tickles on the spare chair in my office. She quite likes her tummy tickled but is really not keen on being picked up. Amber is even less keen. R has managed it for a brief period of time on a few occasions – but I never have. […]

These are actually seeded rolls with black olives. I can’t think why they remind me of the episode of Blackadder with the comedy breasts, aka “Devil’s Dumplings”. Actually this is the second time this particular episode has been called to mind this week. The first occasion was the dish served up (I jest you not) […]

The paths not looking that good, but are largely passable with care.

Storm Agnes hit Argyll yesterday with pretty dire consequences for Lochgoilhead. We have had very bad weather here in the past – notably just after we moved in during autumn 2013, and again in spring 2020, but this was the worst yet. According to our rain gauge we received 18cm in twenty four hours. R […]

J has gone home now. Saphy loves him much more than either R or myself, and will even sit on his knee for longish periods of time. The picture is of J’s bed with his hoodie lying on it and Saphy lying on his hoodie. She is mourning his departure and the hoodie is all […]

R and I jetted off to the bright lights of London for a week. This is our first holiday together since 2018. Our first night was staying over at London zoo in the “Lion Lodges” – great fun. This was the painted wall of our lodge. We got three separate private tours of the zoo, […]

We went to Mossdale in Dumfrieshire (where my parents used to live). This was really their happiest home- Dad had retired and was free to do the garden and DIY. Mum had lots of friends and was involved with the local community, and also with her art. Sadly, old age and infirmity meant they had […]

RIP John Francis Ellis 1930 – 2023. The picture above is of him with his mother and siblings in the late 1990s. All his brothers and sisters lived into their nineties, and he was the last to go at 93. He died in hospital today. He had a long and full life, and was a […]

For a cat with such beautiful sleek fur, Amber needs a remarkable amount of grooming. She just loves being combed, and every night, R spends a good ten minutes giving her the proverbial “good going over”. But no matter how often he combs her, more fur comes out – she seems to have an inexhaustible […]