LATE NOVEMBER ACTIVITIES

The weather is fair as shown in this photo below taken this week by Cula along the banks of the Leven.

The men pulled this seat out of the river and put it back where it belongs.  While litter-picking this week we enjoyed this quiet scene and tested out the bench which was none the worse for haven been chucked in the river by the local neds.

This urinal was pulled from the river... from a morning's work we declared that it had to be our piss d'resistance!

A quick stop in at Bowling Harbour to enjoy the Clyde in rather foggy weather.

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Some hedge planting at Balfron to try and encourage wildlife to return to the area

A resident on the farm (along with highland cattle in the far distance) watching us put plants in the corridor fenced off to create a rich environment for birds and beasties... in a few years down the line however.

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Lastly the Munchkins keep us on our toes.

Harriet's certificate under the heading of "The right to learn'... It notes that "you have worked hard to check and edit your work carefully".  Impressive!

And lastly, a collage illustrating that a girl just can't get enough chocolate!

NOVEMBER ACTIVITIES

It's all go these days...

Sunday night after dinner... all 4 grandchildren.  I bought another Wentworth puzzle and it was worth every penny - peace and quiet at the 'craft table' for one whole hour!

Catching the last of the sunlight mid-November - Asda car park.

Forsythia and Cotoneaster berries at Loch 27 Canal Pub

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Remembrance Sunday in Milngavie Precinct.

Good concert with local lad Michael Mofidian singing and Anna Tilbrook accompanying on piano

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Balloch Park Bulb Planting

Crocuses, bluebells, fritillary and alliums being planted by volunteers.

   

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Coffee and scone time...

Located in the Vale of Leven Industrial Park is the Strathleven Deli where I sometimes stop for a coffee and some of their baking.  I had been told about it but could never actually find it.  After I eventually located it (diagonally opposite the Loch Lomond Brewery) the owner (I assume) was telling me that she is not allowed to advertise.  I do feel that is a bit hard when ordinary folk are just trying to make a living ... and are the people who are keeping Scotland from sinking into the North Sea.)

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Back to baking

French 'muffins' which were on sale topped off with my own ganache and a Smartie  or two.

Ellie (7) won the raffle at school this week.  It is a Panda Bear wearing earphones "Disco Bear".  The other week she received a certificate for "Taking the lead in a discussion on bullying"!  Yes, I can just see that happening!

AN AUTUMN SOCIAL WHIRL

A capacity audience enjoyed the second concert of this season.  Steven Osborne displayed his pianist wizardry with Debussy, a Keith Jarrett improvisation and finished with Rachmaninov.  That's the good news.

The bad news is that sitting in the balcony with Ishbel and Harriet you could not make out his introductory remarks.  The result of this was that in the second half I missed the fact that he played his Jarret improvisation and Rachmaninove piece back to back.  It was nearly an hour of wall-to-wall notes and I spent the time wondering when he would finish the first piece and move on to the final one.  Oh dear...  

More socializing with the Canadian Ladies Luncheon in Stirling.  A great gathering as usual with lots of chat and catching up to do.

These are photos of the street running up to the castle with some shots taken from the castle itself... very old and so interesting all in and around the castle.

This last photo is of the Highland Hotel where we had lunch.  It's on old school with this interesting clocktower.

Having had lunch mid-day it was a quick turnaround to head to East Kilbride with Iain where we were the guests at this wedding (the ceremony had already taken place and this was dinner) of the daughter of our neighbour.  It was an elaborate affair with a 7 course dinner all exquisitely served.