Weekly Chat (non-osprey topics) Sun 22 July 2012

PATRICIAT   glad you managed to post the pics. The sunset is wonderful.

Bright but “mizzling” this morning.  Sending OH to Tesco, then getting my hair cut after lunch.

Wendy – you are so good to help your neighbour as you do – but it seems so wrong in these days that old folk can choose to live (and die) in such squalor – and that carers (professional and voluntary) have to put themselves at risk just because of the “right to choose”.  Sorry this is one of my pet rants!

Alicat – hmmm!  Sunday 19^th August: EJ may have gone but you could see Alba and Caledonia – I do hope so.

Alan – I do hope Hamish appreciated his freshly-cleaned bungalow after he had helped mow the grass!  Enjoy your summer while it lasts.

Patricia – your weather similar to ours this week.  That red sky photo is just fantastic – so pleased you persuaded it to post!

Dibnlib – we discovered The Sutor Creek Café about four years ago, and we ate there when we had a day in Cromarty with family this May.  We daren’t ask our old teeth to attempt thin crust stone-baked pizza, but family all enjoyed them!  Sorry you didn’t get to see the Kites.  I don’t think Beauly Gallery is the same place – isn’t that the one on the road north to Muir of Ord?  “Our” Camera shop is Ffordes at The Old Kirk, South of Beauly and then right turn on the road towards Glen Afric.  Have a good trip today – and I hope OH’s dental visit was only a check-up and all satisfactory!

Diane – so sorry about the continuing heat – you must exhausted!  Agree about that Whale hearing  “study” article!

Annette – busy again, I see, but pleased that included food shopping!

Scarecrows part 1 follows!

Oh OG - it's a double-edged sword all right - I don't help the old lady as much as I could but then I'm concerned about it taking over my life 'cos when I go into her place I just want to clean & tidy up!!  On the one hand I know it's selfish of her but again I talk to her & look at her with that poor neglected dog and see how much she loves him and it's a difficult situation.  I have had several run-ins in the past nearly two years with RSPCA about this dog and her other animals(another dog which has since died, and a poor old cat and parrot, also died) but they are so limited as to real help that I've given up on that.  What is really needed is help with vet bills (they are so prohibitive) and grooming which she obviously can't do as is mostly bed-bound at 93 but nobody can see that it's a fairly simple solution.  The dog is really too big for me to handle alone.  If he was cleaner I would be prepared to walk him though. I did phone the lady this morning when I got up just to make sure she wasn't lying on the floor again!!   Going out now to see my friend who can, at least, look after herself well & give me some lunch BBL

There were 22 Scarecrows or groups around the village, made by organisations, community groups, householders and businesses.  This group at the church was a prizewinner - representing the main characters in Oliver Twist.  I also took photos of the individuals because they were so good - each made by a different part of the church (such as elders, young people's group etc).

 

This was outside the village hall, representing Newcastleton First Responders - I don't think I would like to be the casualty!

 

This smartly dressed couple were in a corner of the green, which is one half of the central square of this grid-planned village - the other half of the square, across the main street, is a car park.

 

I'm not sure whether this photographer was taking a picture of the couple across the green, or the flowers in between!  If you can't read his placard, it says "Thank goodness for digital"!  He was also a winner.

Good morning all peoples - a lovely pic to brighten our day - a taste of summer from my garden.....

part of large Cotinus - smoke bush - which I can see from my PC station

WendyBartter said:

 I have had several run-ins in the past nearly two years with RSPCA about this dog

Hi Wendy, You could maybe try the PDSA, they help with costs, but one needs to be on certain benefits. 

Wendy - that is a lovely photo - but also looks kind of autumnal in colour!  Such a difficult situation all round with the old lady and her dog - but enjoy your time with your friend today!

Good thinking, Fish, re PDSA!

Good Morning, All:   Bright sunshine met me through the window blinds today when I awoke, and its still there!!  OH is at present mowing the lawn and we are going to rearrange the garden furniture a bit, and then sit on it!

Can see that you've all been busy posting pics etc. so I will go back and study them properly before I comment.

Linda - Good morning - enjoy your day sitting oot!

Scarecrows Part 2

This recycled man was standing by the bins at the edge of the carpark:

 

Cowboy Builder was outside a buliding plot with a part-built house - I don't know if there is a local story behind the irony!

 

The Copshaw Common Riding needs explanation.  The old name of the settlement was Copshaw - or Copshaw Holm - before it became Castleton or Newcastleton.  It has a Common Riding like the border towns, but it is ridden on bicycles instead of horses - and the principal man is called the "Tub" instead of the "Cornet"!  This village certainly has a sense of humour!

 

This neatly dressed scarecrow was outside one of the open gardens:

Thanks DOGGIE - v. funny!!