EDDI READER - Patience of Angels

I just love this voice........

Feed me!

I have a very small garden, living as I do, close to the centre of a town.
I'm not a big fan of gardening so it suits me fine.
It does, however, have lots of activity in it.
Every year for the past 5 or 6 years, a pair of blackbirds have nested in the large pyrocanthus just outside my kitchen and raised a single chick. I don't know if it is usual for blackbirds to have just one chick. Maybe someone can enlighten me?

Anyway, today I was lucky enough to have my camera to hand as mum first landed on the fence...........

...then hopped down onto the grass (I hesitate to call it a lawn) to feed the chick......

...then made off towards the herb patch, leaving chick plaintively calling for more........

Trying to get it right!

I have been struggling to get the layout of my blog right, so with a few tips from the much more experienced Dr Scott, I thought I'd post a few photos from my substantial back catalogue to test out a new approach.
Taken in June last year on a solo trip up my favourite hill (mountain?), Ben Vrackie.

Nope, it still hasn't worked :(
I'll just have to keep experimenting.

Ben Vorlich

On a rare weekend without children, yesterday the BF and I decided to tackle something a little more challanging on the walking front.








After some debate on the relative merits of Ben Vorlich (south of Loch Earn) or the Tarmachan Ridge (north of Loch Tay) we settled for Ben Vorlich due the the uncertainty over how much snow was still lying further north.

I had hoped to combine this with Stuc a'Chroin (didn't tell him that before we started!) but feeling the effects of the previous night's rioja we settled for just the first peak at 3232ft.









The weather was perfect for walking and the views spectacular.







Looking north we could see Ben Lawers and the Tarmachan Ridge that will be saved for another day.




Looking south, Stuc a'Chroin that we decided was a step too far!

And west gave us views of Ben More and Stobinian in the distance.

All in all an excellent day out, with the only casualty being a touch of sunburn on BF's rather unprotected scalp!


Just thought I'd add this picture in to show how completely different the scenery was down at the lochside where we parked the car!

Election day

Ok, the whole country (or those of us who chose to exercise this particular right) is voting today (is/are voting?....not sure) so I feel compelled to pass comment.
I don't have any strong political affiliation. I also find it difficult to decide who should get my 'X' in the box because as far as I can see, most politicians are out for themselves.

That said, one party has REALLY got my back up this time.

How on earth can anyone justify giving an extra tax allowance just for being married????!!!!!
I am a single mother. I didn't plan it that way. I thought I married for life. I was married for 17 years and I didn't chose not to be married now (though I admit I am perfectly content not to be). I work my a**e off to provide for my children, doing 2 jobs to do so, despite the fact I would probably get almost as much on benefits.

So.........who do you think I didn't vote for?

Oh, I love being a mum!

Pride-and-joy no.2 in the aftermath of winning the local under-13 league last night!

Ben Chonzie - Hill of the Mountain Hares?

One of the reasons I decided to start blogging was to share some of my pictures, particularly of our beautiful country. I want to do this, not because I think my pictures are really any better than anyone else's, but because I love the Scottish countryside and I know not everyone can see all the bits I somehow manage to reach.