SPRING WEATHER - THE DAFFS ARE OUT

With the wonderful spell of weather recently I was motivated to get out and take some photos of the local area as I need some for a brochure coming out for the 2022-2023 season.

I took my SLR camera but the battery died after 2 shots so ended up using my iPhone... which is absolutely wonderful and much less obtrusive.

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On Sunday I joined the Sustrans team of litter pickers who regularly clean up areas adjacent to the Clyde.  We worked along the River Leven in Alexandria.

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It's Mairi's birthday today.  Tulips and Teddy for celebrating. Sunday dinner last night at Mairi's with Laura joining us.  Good to catch up with her after these many months of social isolation.

WEEK 104 CORONAVIRUS: TWO YEARS ON

It has been exactly 2 years since lockdown was established in the UK.   I was looking forward to the end the wearing of masks and get back to some sort of normality.  It is not to be as the number of cases continues to rise.  This latest variant is not as bad for morbidity and mortality but it is highly transmissible.

Added to this....

We continue to watch and worry about the situation in Ukraine. It is nearly 4 weeks since Ukraine was invaded.  How is this all going to play out? 

It's spring... but no seeds being planted in this grain-growing region.....

* * * * * * * * MEANWHILE WE CARRY ON * * * * * * *

The weather has been warm and the leaves are starting to come out now.  

Ishbel was here on Sunday and planted some seeds in trays.

Two  years on and Anne and I sat in her garden.  It has been a long winter but .... it's time to smell the flowers.  Right outside her front door they give a particularly welcome show this year.

quince

* * * * * * * * MILNGAVIE MISCELLANY * * * * * * * * * *

I need to take photos of Milngavie particularly ones that are portrait (vertical) aligned.

        * * * * * * * * PENULTIMATE CONCERT * * * * * * * * * *

Friday: A good evening had by all. Artistes aching to play and an audience aching to listen!

* * * * * * AND FINALLY * * * * * * * 

A different kind of sunflower as seen in the window of New Kilpatrick Church hall last Friday (made by the children of the Sunday School?)

WEEK 103 CORONAVIRUS: ONE MORE WEEK TO GO THEN IT'S OFF WITH THE MASKS

We are coming up to the second anniversary of Covid Lockdown here in Scotland.  Next week it will be 2 years since we started to have to wear masks, require to be socially isolated when infected, keep 2 metres apart etc.  We are still doing that but these restrictions are due to be lifted next week.  As it happens there has been a spike in cases this week.  Not sure why.

It is now 2 weeks since Ukraine was invaded.  Every day we watch the news, wait and worry.  Donating money seems to be the only effective way of helping.  Yes, children's nurseries or some individuals are taking van loads of stuff overland to Poland to try and help.  When there, it seems they are then in a position to provide transport especially to the vulnerable who are increasing in evidence as large numbers flee the bombing. (Initially it was the Porsches and sports vehicles... now it is long lines of people on foot carrying their belongings, their pets or pushing wheelchairs and pushchairs).

The whole thing is so sad!  Now is the season to plant seeds and the land is being laid waste.  The news items show images of  basement shelters, bombed buildings, burnt-out tanks, barricades and border chaos. On the other hand there are stories of great kindness e.g. different kinds of people at airports, railway stations offering help of various kinds, neighbouring countries setting up receiving centres.

Meanwhile....

Central Station. It has been tidied and improved in the last 2 years.  The empty bombshell has been moved to the centre of the concourse placed underneath the clock.

A new sculpture

Harriet after school with her Emmantel cheese toastie.