For some weeks now I have had two soft tyres. The DP fills the car up for me and checks the tyres and always has to pump up the two off side. No excuse today. No Open Shedudio. So off I went to the garage that does tyres, batteries and exhausts. It is a local family firm which we go to for tyres, batteries and exhausts and have done for years.
I wish they did more, like servicing and MOTs. But they stick to t.b&e.
As you drive in to the car park a young man approaches and after the 'Fit like?' greeting. (How are you in Doric.) You tell him what the problem is. I also asked him to check all four tyres for legality of tread also.
When I was fitter I was asked to drive my car onto the ramp. But now it is hand over the keys and go sit in the office. With chariot.
Half an hour later I had read all of the Hello magazines and some interesting ones about motors and tyres.
The young man returned handed me the keys and said, "Done. It was your rims."
Aye that's me reversing out of the disabled parking spot on the prom and going up the kerb...... I am getting my credit and debit card out, depending on how much it is. £30. I went into shock. I have never had anything done at a garage that didnt cost a lot more. They could have ripped me off, I have no idea, and how much is labour these days? I paid cash. He had parked my car just outside the big doors so I didnt have to walk far. Awwww.
So - off to the Prom, making sure I left enough space between me and the kerb.
The Golden Horn and the sea.
Tiger Hill sand dune and the sea now going out.
Douglas Currie - old lifeboat. Waiting for the Laura Moncur, another old lifeboat, and our very own modern one. So we have had three lifeboats in our harbour today.
A friend took the above one.
Kids and dogs having fun!
Back home and when I had finished in the Shedudio I had a look round the garden that I can get to with the chariot.
Day Lily. Which in this heat - 25 degrees today - is a half day lily.
Clematis that climbs round the Cordyline.
Another Clematis which has a support but ignores. In all these photos yes we do have lots of weeds.
So - a good day.
My open Shedudio weekend is all finished. Had some lovely visitors.
The Gazenias opened up . It has been a sunny and very hot afternoon.
Sales have been good too. Paid for the hanging baskets. Also some new towels. Had anyone visited the loo...but no-one did! But my old towels were well used. Now washed they will be going off to an animal rescue centre.
All visitors well impressed with the enhanced Shedudio. I am still pinching myself as to how lovely it is.
Before lunch I made it to the Prom, after a two day absence.
It was still very overcast when I went. The sun came out later.
Lots of boat activity. Sea was flat calm.
Our beautiful beach.
Now back to normality.
Oh and next project.
Begun.
After yesterday I am still tired! Sad person I am. Getting breathless talking for goodness sake. But I do not stop talking.....
Day two of Open Shedudio, just two visitors.
After tea, coffee and cake we went for a walk round the garden.
Along with the hanging baskets the DP bought these plants. Gazania. As it was not sunny today they did not open.
Forecast is more cloud but hot tomorrow. Which is not good for breathing well...
At dinner in the evening we had this visitor to the bird feeders. A Redpoll.
Early bed tonight. Night all.
The finishing touch.
The DP bought me three hanging baskets (from Home Bargains - these beauties were £5.99 each - which is bloody amazing when you look at what's in them and the baskets and chains)
If you are particularly observant you may have noticed the paving is wet. It rained, not heavily but constant . So it was humid. So the breathing was not as brilliant as yesterday but nae bad.
My 3 browsers.
And my bargain bag 50% off.
My first visitor was Photogifts. Bearing gifts!
He had made me a mug. Aw.
A personalised mug.
A coaster too.
And - a bottle of wine.
Well I just have to put an order in now do I not.
Following him there was the Isla Art and Crafts Group from Keith.
A fellow local artist bearing Rock Cakes.
The DP provided refreshments including a Banana cake he had made.
A most enjoyable afternoon.
Shattered now! But worth it. Lots of cards sold. Which the DP advised me had paid for the hanging baskets!
Success.
On a final note I asked my Joiner to give me business cards and I have already, hopefully, got him a new customer. Everyone was so impressed with the shedudio. Photogifts chap had seen the before and was well impressed.
Happy me.
Started off quite normally, in that I got up and had my breakfast. But then it slowly began to dawn on me that I was not breathless. I cannot remember when I did not feel breathless. Very strange.
I got washed, dressed, just waiting for the lungs to close up - and they didn't.
I did my Pulmonary physio exercises and yes, one or two exercises were a bit higher on the Borg scale (google it.) But really I was fine.
After lunch I went - yes of course - to the Prom.
Lots more people and dogs. Why do people throw their dogs ball at the birds......
Then I see this. Just on the point of phoning 999 and getting the coastguard out. He stood up.
My friend the paddle surfer. Who I have seen doing yoga on his board. This time presumably he was meditating.
The remaining Gulls.
Including this family group of Blackheaded Gulls. And a Herring Gull (Skurry).
Then it was back home to do the final tweaking for tomorrow's Open Shedudio.
The DP made a Banana cake, cleaned the patio furniture, vacced the floor, moved some furniture around. He also trimmed the vegetation so people could pass without being snagged on brambles..... I did some cleaning, and tweaking, and sorting. (And I am still breathing!)
Wherever there is wall space there is a painting!
All done.
Bring it on. Please let my breathing be this good tomorrow. When I have to talk a lot!
Today the DP was away on a bird watching jaunt. To the Cairngorms. With his mate Alex.
So I managed to make my own breakfast. Set the dishwasher off. Washed and dressed and out the door. Mainly to get the local paper before they sold out and to collect 3 pairs of pyjama bottoms ordered online from George at Asda.
I now do not enjoy shopping in shops. I cannot reach things and end up asking some random taller person to check if there is one of those in a size 12. Or someone sneezes over me. Or are just in the way, and its hot and noisy.
So all I had to do was go in show the magic number and text on my phone.
No - all the computers and mobile phones, communication with colleagues was DOWN. I did eventually get the parcel. I had to do my signature on one of those machines handed to you at your front door by DPD et al. Without a pen, use my finger, and nothing appeared on the screen. But they seemed quite happy with that.
Then to the Prom - and breathe.
WOW. Just look at that. No enhancements at all - this is how it was. So clean, so clear. Stunning.
As I stood, leaning on the railings there were more and more families arriving with huge bags full of buckets and spades and picnics.
See the sunlight sparkle on the water.
My afternoon was spent in the Shedudio preparing a bargain bag. Lots of mounted original paintings reduced by 50%. I have to make some room for the next lot!
The DP was late back. But the views out of the rear patio door made up for the lateness. Well a bit. I saw this Buzzard on the pole surveying. Not too distinct, he was quite a way away.
And then the sky.
I so love where I live.
How spooky is that sky?
This was before the deluge.
Masses of sea birds.
The two Oystercatchers kept well away from the melee.
Flat calm sea.
Tide coming in.
Came home and then the heavens opened. For two hours it was a total deluge.
The air became fresher. Thank goodness.
This is a Grey Heron just taking off from the top of our neighbours huge pine tree! I can see this through the shedudio doors.
At last the sign goes up. My second daughter bought me this for Christmas some years ago.
I had my first visit from the mobile hairdresser today and it was good. So beginning of August I get my red hair back. A good day.
