So ....... the sun lotion rant! Yesterday we headed up to Galashiels in search of sun lotion. Yes, we could have bought some in Hawick, but we couldn't get anything lower than factor 10. We are well aware of looking after our skin in the sun, but after many years of living and holidaying abroad, Malcolm and I never lose our tans, so we are quite content to start off with factor 8, then have a few days at the end of the holiday on factor 4. But most places now only stock factor 10 and higher - with an awful lot of factor 50. I remarked to Malcolm when we were in Asda that we could buy as much alcohol and cigarettes as we wanted, to damage our health, but we couldn't be allowed to get a suntan! And of course there are now reports of children suffering from rickets because they don't get enough vitamin D, because they are constantly slathered in high factor lotion, and women developing osteoporosis for the same reason. Can't we be allowed to show a bit of common sense in looking after ourselves?
OK, rant over!!
After shopping, we went to the Waterwheel Cafe for lunch
This of course meant we had to visit the owls. Two elderly gentlemen were highly amused at the way the owls would turn their heads away, every time I tried to take a photo!
Back home, we went out for a walk - but not just a leisurely stroll, but a walk with a mission ...... to find and follow the course of an underground stream that runs through the valley in front of us. Jim the Farmer had given Malcolm information about where our storm drains discharge - into field drains, which in turn go in to the underground stream. Malcolm has had new discussions with the Planning Department at the Council, and with SEPA (Scottish Environmental Protection Agency), who seem to be happy for us to tie the new sewage system into this set-up. This was the view as we walked up the hill .... although it was a lovely hot afternoon, it was very hazy. The swathe of yellow is oilseed rape, which has just started to flower (bringing misery to hay fever sufferers!)
We had to walk down the side of a field (on a 'right of way' path) disturbing a ewe and lambs ..... the ewe was determined to keep her bottom pointed at the camera!
These two horses were enjoying the sunshine so much, that they didn't stir when I took their photo - normally they would wander over to see if any food was on offer
We could see the course of the stream through the valley, then we found where it emerges, to flow on above ground
Last spring, I had some snake head fritillaries in a pot at the studio door. I planted them out in the raised border when I later put summer plants in the pot. When they didn't appear, I though they had fallen victim to the harsh winter ....... but then Malcolm took the protective fleece off the bottle brush - and there, growing away happily under the fleece, were the fritillaries!
We sat in the garden for a while when we got back from our walk, enjoying a cold drink. My new herb garden is growing nicely in its pot ...... I can't have herbs in the borders, as the neighbour's cats think our garden is their toilet!
I have a small stall at a 'market day' tomorrow. I'm hoping to sell the leftover stuff from the Christmas Fair!! I hope you all have a good weekend, love Anne