THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

22 May 2014

BON VOYAGE


Just a quick one to say farewell for the week and thank those of you who left very supportive comments after the last post, particularly those who confessed their own car related shame. A brief update......am still wrangling with the insurance company having decided we'd like to keep the car and get it mended ourselves with the settlement. A local mechanic has said he can do it. It amazes me that the insurers can write it off without even seeing it but there you are. Doesn't look like it will be sorted before we go away. Our lovely neighbours will be looking after Trigger and the plants. I spent an hour I could ill afford today making bracelets out of copper wire to put around the bottoms of all the vegetables; they do seem to be helping and without M's nightly slug patrol for a week, we're going to need something. 



Camera news......I sent the birthday one back to the supplier on Tuesday, they got it yesterday and fingers VERY tightly crossed, they have sent the replacement today. This means it COULD be here tomorrow. I MIGHT have it for Scotland. In the absence of anything other than my phone and the little point and shoot, here are some shots from the garden when it was sunny yesterday.

Billy's Button/Water Avens


Astrantia Major beginning to open:


Hydrangea:


Astrantia....possibly Red Ruby but I'm not sure:


Chive:


I saw this tiny lichen when out with the dogs yesterday and wanted a closer look. The cup was only about 3/8 of an inch or half a centimeter wide. Just beautiful:


Jack cooling off in a stream:


Wide angle from the little camera:


Phone slug. Fascinating if disgusting and destructive:


So, I'll be away for a week and am unlikely to have a phone signal or internet access. I'll miss all those other blogs but it's a holiday from everything. First proper one since 2010. I had my back shattering accident four days before we were due to go away in 2011 which was most inconvenient. The forecast for Loch Goil is cloudy for the next ten days but no rain. Do I believe that? I do not. Keep your fingers crossed for me regarding the camera and until next time, here are the dogs tearing a bank apart; ecologists they are not. 


41 comments:

  1. Hope you have a wonderful trip!
    What camera do you have? I need a new one having dropped mine in Feb!

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    1. Hi Elizabeth. The new camera is a Nikon Coolpix P600 and I'm afraid I have definitely changed allegiance from Fuji. It's SO much better. I can't manage an SLR and lenses because of my back, so a bridge camera is so good for me.

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  2. Just went back into your super birthday post and discovered it is a Fugii.
    Super photos - but much to do with the photographer, I think.
    Such a shame about the poor car. Oh dear!

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  3. Have a lovely holiday, hope the forecast changes and you have a week of sunshine and warmth

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  4. Hi Great close up shots in this post. Have a wonderful time on holidays.

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    1. That tiny camera of mine has a great macro feature.

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  5. Fingers crossed for you getting the camera Em !
    These are delightful macro shots ... my point and shoot and my cell phone camera have a ways of getting me up close and personal with macro too.
    You know even the slug is starting to look handsome in all his fine detail (ha).
    Have a lovely vacation.

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    Replies
    1. No slugs in Scotland amazingly.....that I saw anyway.

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  6. I hope that the camera arrives, that you have a wonderful holiday and that the car situation is all sorted so that it can be repaired when you get home! The most important thing right now is the holiday and that you enjoy it, having a complete technology break will be great I am sure as will whatever you do while you are away (or don't do!), you certainly deserve it. By the way, your photos are stunning, just amazing. The Astrantia in particular is beautiful. Lots of lovely thoughts for a great time xx

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    1. Actually, we had a brilliant phone signal and far better broadband than here!

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  7. That scenic shot with the point and press is fabulous! Wonder if the dogs smelt water voles?

    Have a FAB time in Scotland (the land of my ancestors). Have left you a reply on my blog re drawing Pops when you get back. No rush, will chat it over after the hols. xxx

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  8. Hope you have a relaxing time, the weather is good and the stress of the last week fades a bit x
    Looking forward to seeing all the pics you post when you get back too x

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  9. Have a wonderful holiday Em. It sounds as though one is long overdue.

    Enjoy beautiful Scotland.

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  10. Have a great time... rest......be silly..eat too much...drink too much...laugh too much...enjoy.
    Jane x

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    1. There was NOTHING to buy there, including fuel, so we didn't spend too much!

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  11. Have a lovely trip Em! I hope your camera arrived in time.

    That Billy's Button plant looks like a strange Jim Henson muppet!

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    1. It does Christian! Nice to be home even though it was a great holiday.

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  12. Pack your waterproofs, just in case
    x

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  13. Have a lovely holiday. Pack woollies, wet-suit, snorkel and Avon Skin-so-Soft (best insect repellent out there and now issued to troops going into jungle areas!)

    I hope your camera gets back to you in time to take it. I have the Water Avens in my garden too, by the wildlife pond.

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    Replies
    1. Avon have taken the active ingredient out of the Skin-so Soft which I think is their worst marketing idea ever. SUCH a shame!

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  14. Have a fantastic break... with new camera hopefully! Enjoy!! Hugs Cassx

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  15. Great photos - have a really wonderful holiday and a relaxing break. I do hope the replacement camera arrives in time - fingers firmly crossed for you!!

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  16. Bon Voyage to you and your family...
    The camera WILL arrive in time, and you will have fabulous photos to share...
    My Dad was from Fife Scotland...
    Can't wait to see the countryside thru your lens, Em...
    Enjoy!
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. Thanks Linda....have posted some now....xx

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  17. Hello Em,
    Enjoy your trip and I hope your car problem becomes quickly a bad memory!
    Beautiful flower pics!
    I like especially the lichen!
    Cheers!

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    1. I do love lichen. Not as much in Scotland as here funnily enough.

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  18. Have a wonderful time and put all your worries about the car behind you. Take care and enjoy it whatever the weather.

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    1. Thanks Pat. The car has just gone off to be mended!

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  19. Echoing Weaver of Grass, enjoy your holiday and forget your worries for the moment, and keep on taking marvellous photos with whatever camera, haven't quite caught up on the saga yet. X

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    1. What a saga......and not in the over 50's sense although, of course, I'm now eligible. Will be looking into insurance.....

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  20. Have a great holiday Em. I have my fingers crossed that the weather is kind up there :-)

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  21. Hi Em
    Sorry, I have missed that with the car. Well, I can just tell you that I bumped the side of my car the week before too. I was avoiding another car and didn't notice that I took the curve to tight *grmpf*. I will bring my car tomorrow to the car body shop. It seems as if we share the pane ;o).
    Love your photos, they are so beautiful again.
    Take care and lets take the car affaire like girls: with a big smile in the face.
    Alex

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    1. Oh Alex - I'm so sorry about your car too! I hope your insurance will pay for it. We've had a bit of a result actually which I'll fill you in on in a post soon......x

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