On Saturday when we were in Hawick, we had a walk round to where we quite often see a heron, on the River Slitrig. Yes, there he was, looking splendid, with the river roaring over the rocks behind him
after taking a couple of photos, I walked to my right, to take more from a different angle ....... and he turned his head, to face the other way!
back home, I got ready to strain and bottle my first attempt at fruit vinegar, lining a nylon sieve with a coffee filter
this is the raspberry vinegar, dripping through - it took quite a while
all bottled and labelled! I am reasonably pleased with my first attempt. I think next time I will use more fruit to increase the fruity flavour
Yesterday morning we went for a walk along the river in Jedburgh. The ducks were all up on the bank, enjoying a brief glimpse of the sun!
I always take photos of this old bridge!
walking back into town we passed one of my favourite places - the John Deere dealership! I like the way this tractor looks as if it is parked on top of the hedge
a brand new tractor - there isn't even any mud on the wheels
this engine is about half the size of my car!!
this afternoon, we went for a walk in Hawick. We followed a path through the Violet Woods ...... but this was the only one that we saw!
It was quite a steep climb, but it was worth it to have these views over Hawick
parts of the path were muddy, and as we reached to to of the downhill section, an elderly man who was walking his dogs advised us to walk down the road, rather than the path, as he said that the mud had made it very slippery, and we would probably end up on our backsides! However, walking down the road wasn't without its perils, when this horsebox went past with little room to spare
We stopped to admire this new wall ....
....... and this rebuilt section of dry stone wall
I wonder how long it will take until it is covered with moss like this old section
the last part of our walk took us through the park, where we stopped at the little tearoom for a cuppa and an empire biscuit
this cute little dog is a Border terrier
I almost changed my mind about getting a tractor this afternoon, when I saw this wonderful machine. Just think of the fun I could have demolishing buildings!!
I'm going to be on my own for the rest of the week ...... something which happened regularly when Malcolm was working. However this time he isn't off abroad, to stay in smart hotels. Tomorrow night he will be staying with Stuart and Alison, then on Wednesday he is driving up to Aberdeen, where he will be staying with David and Mary ...... Malcolm and David were at Birmingham University together, and another of their fellow students will also be there with his wife. Then on Friday, he will stay with Stuart and Alison again (it's just a bit far to drive in one go from Aberdeen to Hawick). I should have gone too, but unfortunately the visit clashed with Abbey Quilters exhibition. I will be busy on Thursday helping to set up the exhibition, and then doing various duties on Friday and Saturday ...... and I will also be busy on Wednesday, when I go down to Longframlington to take Anne the latest batch of samples. But of course the best bit will be that I will have possession of the remote control for the tv!!
To finish ...... a hastily snatched photo of a squirrel, which we saw in a garden this afternoon. I had no sooner snapped it when it raced off
